Humiliated

2

Darien was about to thank the other person, but just by hearing the person's voice, he already recognized who she was. The woman who had come to his aid was Lavinia Luciano, his former subordinate. Lavinia was a tall, elegant woman with striking hazel eyes and auburn hair that fell in gentle waves around her shoulders. She felt guilty that it was because she came too late that Darien was humiliated.

"Sir. French, I'm so sorry," Lavinia said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I should have been here sooner. I never should have left your side."

Darien offered a small, reassuring smile. "It's not your fault, Lavinia. I appreciate your concern, but what's done is done. What I need now is to get back to the hospital."

Lavinia nodded, her eyes filled with sadness as she helped Darien to his feet. She had known Darien for years, and seeing him in this weakened state tore at her heart. As they made their way towards the hospital, Lavinia couldn't shake the guilt that weighed heavily upon her.

"Sir. French, I can't help but feel responsible for what happened to you," Lavinia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You took that poison to save my brother, and now look at what's become of you."

Darien sighed softly, his gaze fixed ahead. "Lavinia, I made that choice willingly. I knew the risks, and I don't regret it. Besides, at that time, I predicted that in the next three years, the country of Usati would only need your brother and not me."

Lavinia's eyes widened with disbelief. "But that's no reason for you to sacrifice yourself like this, sir. French. You're still needed, you're still important."

Darien shook his head. "My time has passed, Lavinia. I've done what I could for Usati. Now, I need to focus on my recovery."

As they arrived at the hospital, Lavinia helped Darien settle into a wheelchair, her expression heavy with sorrow. "I'll make arrangements to send you back to your home, sir. French. You need to be home, surrounded by familiar comforts."

Darien looked up at Lavinia with gratitude. "Thank you, Lavinia. Your kindness means a lot to me."

As Lavinia made the necessary arrangements, she couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility for Darien's condition. 

*****

Darien and Lavinia approached the old house, the one with the sprawling yard where Darien's Dragon Blood Bodhi tree stood tall, its leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. Lavinia had been instrumental in Darien's search for the rare medicinal herbs during their time working together.

As Lavinia guided Darien through the lush garden at the back of the house, the silence between them was filled with the rustling of leaves and the gentle buzzing of bees. 

"You always had a green thumb, Sir French," Lavinia murmured, a smile touching her lips as she spotted the distinctive foliage of the Dragon Blood Bodhi. "Is that...?" 

"Yes," Darien replied, a spark of life igniting in his eyes. "The Dragon Blood Bodhi. I've been cultivating it ever since we discovered its medicinal properties."

Lavinia's heart swelled. "I never knew you started to grow them yourself. This could be the breakthrough for your treatment!"

Their moment of joy, however, was abruptly shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. Cersei Smith's brother, Bennett, and their mother, known as Marcella, were striding confidently towards the tree with an axe and shears in hand.

"Stop right there!" Lavinia called out, her voice laced with urgency. "What do you think you're doing?"

Bennett, with his jaw set in defiance, responded without missing a beat. " We're going to cut down this monstrosity, it's blocking the sun in our yard for far too long."

Marcella sneered, eyeing Darien with undisguised contempt. "This monstrosity has no place here. It's an eyesore and it's going. We have no need for Darien's little gardening projects."

Darien interjected, his tone firm despite his weakened state. "This is my parents' home. You are guests here. That tree is not yours to cut down."

Marcella laughed mockingly. "Your parent' home? The moment you signed those divorce papers, you lost any claim to this property. It's ours now."

"And as for that tree," Bennett added, brandishing the shears, "it's been a thorn in our side for too long."

Benett raised the axe, ready to strike the tree, but Lavinia stepped forward, placing herself between him and the tree. "You won't harm this tree. It's not just a plant; it's a part of sir. French's legacy and his path to recovery."

Elara sneered at Darien, her cruelty evident. "Recovery? Please, Darien you've been nothing but a burden on my daughter. And now, the cheating with this woman," she gestured at Lavinia with contempt, "are the last straw. You've embarrassed our family for the last time."

Bennett, with a scornful look, tightened his grip on the axe. "Cersei told us all about your little escapade with this woman. It's why she left, to escape the embarrassment you've caused."

Darien, his voice edged with anger, snapped. "I have been nothing but faithful. Your accusations are unfounded. I want you both off this property immediately. It belongs to me."

Bennett, seeing his mother's tactics falter, stepped forward, menacingly. "Oh, we'll leave, once you sign over the house to us, for free. You can't stop us, especially not in your condition."

Lavinia moved to intervene, but Darien raised his hand, signaling her to halt. Bennett, underestimating Darien, sneered, "What's the matter, Darien? You think you can still put up a fight?" He walked up to Darien and punched him.

With a swift and calculated move, Darien sidestepped Bennett's punch and, using Bennett's own momentum, pushed him to the ground. Bennett lay there, stunned, as Marcella gasped in disbelief.

"How—how did you?" Marcella stammered, her voice a mix of shock and fear.

Bennett, his ego bruised, scrambled to his feet, rage in his eyes. "That was just luck! I won't miss this time."

Just as Bennett lunged forward, Lavinia, ignoring Darien's previous caution, delivered a swift kick to Bennett's arm. He screamed in pain and fell back to the earth, cradling his injured limb.

"You dare to attack me?" Bennett seethed, his face contorted with pain and anger.

Marcella, her eyes wide with shock, stumbled backward. "You, bitch, how could you? I'm calling the police! You can't assault my son like this!"

Lavinia stood her ground, unwavering. "I acted to protect sir French. Your son was about to cause harm, and I won't stand by and let that happen."

Marcella fumbled for her phone, but Lavinia interrupted her, producing her senior military officer certificate. "I suggest you reconsider involving the authorities. I have the authority to act in defense of my superior officer, and I will not hesitate to do so."

Marcella hesitated, her confidence waning as she weighed her options. Darien, now supported by Lavinia, spoke firmly, "Marcella, this is my home, and you and Bennett have no right to threaten me or my property. Leave now, or face the consequences."

Marcella, realizing she was outnumbered and outmatched, begrudgingly led Bennett away, shooting venomous glares at Darien and Lavinia as they retreated.

As the tension dissipated, Darien turned his attention back to the Dragon Blood Bodhi tree. With Lavinia's help, he carefully harvested the precious leaves and began the process of refining the medicine to counteract the poison in his system. The Dragon Blood Bodhi came from the "Nibelungenlied" and were the descendant of the Bodhi left that block the dragon's blood.

Throughout the night, Lavinia stood guard, ensuring Darien's safety as he underwent the delicate process. The ancient medicinal properties of the Dragon Blood Bodhi proved to be a powerful ally, and as the first light of dawn filtered through the windows, Darien's eyes slowly opened, glowing like gold in the gentle morning sunlight.