Adolphus settled Iris gently on the mattress. It was a hard one unlike the one in the palace. Joshua was standing at the foot of the bed and informed Adolphus that the old lady was in the other room, unconscious.

"Iris is injured. Can you find a physician around?" Adolphus asked Joshua.

Joshua considered the late hour and replied, "At this hour, Your Grace, it's difficult. Shall I dress her wound? I have some basic knowledge, and her injury seems to be limited to her head."

"Sure. Do it quickly," Adolphus stated. He had this dark expression on his face. Seeing Iris in this state, his heart wrenched. He didn't...