A Spoonful of Sugar: Don't Beg for Love

It rained for the past few days and Hesper wore pants because of that. Rickard carefully rolled up her pants and the sight of her swollen knees made his heart ache. Rickard frowned and coughed.

"You should change. Let me take care of Ms. Rivera."

Rickard nodded. "Thank you."

Rickard wanted to stay by her and take care of her, but his showing up was out of desperation. He was glad that Hesper was mostly out of it and didn't recognize him.

He wanted to do a lot more for her. He wouldn't go back before taking care of anything that could harm her.

"Benji, look into what happened today."

Rickard let Benji take over the work in Halwanest while he was in Fredonia. Benji took over his new tasks while looking at the pile of documents on the desk.

He wished that Rickard and Hesper would get back together soon so he could go on a holiday.

After hanging up, Rickard took a quick shower and changed into fresh clothes. Mrs. Potter brought Hesper to the guest room that Rickard prepared for her, so it had everything they needed. "The doctor will be here in three minutes."

"Alright."

Rickard walked to the bedside and moved Hesper's hair out of her face. Even though her hair was blown dry, her eyes were still tightly shut as if she had a terrible dream and that was why she frowned. The help left them. Rickard gently touched her face, and since she still had a fever, she was warmer than his palms."

"Ren..." Rickard lowered his head and held onto Hesper's hand as he saw tears coming out the corner of Hesper's eye. He quietly said, "Are you really going to take Renfrew away from me?" The doctor soon got there and gave Hesper a check-up. The fever wasn't a huge issue, but the injury to her legs was.

"She has metal platings in her knee area. I checked them and they might be out of place. I suggest going to the hospital to get a more thorough scan."

"Alright."

Rickard picked Hesper up from the soft bed. She was light as a piece of paper.

"Let's go to the hospital."

Hesper felt herself being picked up. She curled up in his arms like a kitten. She showed her vulnerability when she was asleep.

Rickard chuckled, then sighed.

"How nice would it be if you were like this when you were awake too."

Seeming to hear what he said, Hesper frowned and hit Rickard with her head. Even though it was a gentle knock, it was a warning. She then fell back asleep.

Mrs. Potter tried not to laugh, but when she realized that Rickard was staring at her, her face dropped. "The car is ready."

Rickard coughed twice, then nodded. "If we don't come back today, please bring some food to the hospital tomorrow." "And I'll be the one who took the initiative?"

"Yes."

Mrs. Potter was curious. In her mind, that was how Rickard would pursue Ms. Rivera.