He did not understand. He understood lashing out from pain, but he misunderstood her reasons to fight back: adverse to healing magic. Immediately, he cut the flow of attempting to heal her, mind racing. Ah, he was never the best under pressure… Especially when injured, himself! But the pseudo-servant said nothing for a moment, swallowing. What would Athena advise…? She normally kept his head cool, if not Artemis, but they were not here.
This was on him, this time.
“I’m so sorry if I hurt you, I didn’t mean it -”
Hands reached into a bag at his hip, removing a spool of bandages and some antiseptic, as well as tweezers and a cotton ball.
“I will have to do this the slower way… The antiseptic may sting. Ah, mortals really have a way with inventions, right? It’s a wonder liquid!”
Apollo was attempting to alleviate any nerves for both himself and her with some lighthearted speech, but he knew it was futile. She was badly hurt, and being adverse to healing magic… Healing her would only hurt oh so much worse.
❝ Touch me again, and I will ensure that your hands will no longer be of use. ❞
To Rider, it mattered little if he meant to worsen her condition or not. A glare was directed to Apollo all the same, promising a slow and painful return to the Throne or wherever he came from should he try anything with her. Even if it was an empty threat at the moment, with the extent of her injuries, she would deliver it all the same.
❝ Heal yourself, do not mind me. I have endured far worse than this, after all. I will attend to my injuries on my own time, when I have replenished enough mana to do so. ❞
He was wounded, too. The priority should be to himself first, and others second. To believe otherwise is foolish. Who can you save when you cannot protect yourself? Who can fight for someone when they are already down? No one.