When Aria regained consciousness, she found herself in an unfamiliar room. Her eyes wandered to the ceiling, where cobwebs clung to the corners. As the fog in her mind began to lift, memories of what had happened before she collapsed came rushing back—and her heart sank.
Where was she?
She slid off the bed cautiously, her gaze sweeping the shabby room.
Did those people bring me here?
A wave of dread washed over her.
Suddenly, the door creaked open. Aria flinched, instinctively reaching for the nearest object—a water jug—to defend herself.
"Aria!"
She froze.
Staring wide-eyed at the man in the doorway, she could barely believe what she saw.
Rayan.
The jug slipped from her trembling hands and crashed to the floor, the sound echoing deafeningly through the silent room. But Aria didn't care—she ran to him, as if her very life depended on it.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her head resting against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat was the only warmth she could feel in her chilled body.
Rayan stood frozen, his eyes slightly widened in shock, arms hesitantly hovering as though unsure where to place them.
"Rayan…"
Her voice, barely a whisper, trembled with emotion. That single word shattered the tension in his limbs. Slowly, his hand found her red curls.
"Aria…" he murmured, voice low and filled with unspoken grief.
The gentle voice seemed to only increase Aria's grievances.
Where were you? I needed you.
She wanted to say, but all that escaped her lips was his name. "Rayan…"
Tears fell freely from Aria's eyes soaking his robes. Panic flickered in Rayan's eyes sensing the wetness on his chest.
Composing himself, he pulled her back gently to see her face—red and swollen, streaked with tears.
A dull ache throbbed in his chest. Then, a flicker of something colder, something ruthless, passed through his eyes.
I gave those bastards too easy a death.
He wiped her tears, his voice soft and careful. "It is over now. You are safe, Aria."
She didn't respond, but he hoped she could feel the sincerity in his words. He would never let any harm come to her after this.
She stared at him in silence. Her hand rose, brushing the short beard that had begun to shadow his chin. He stilled again.
It had only been two days, but the faint stubble made him look different—strangely more real. She caressed it gently. The bristles pricked her palm, grounding her in reality. He was here. He was real.
Finally, their eyes met—his blue gaze locking with hers—and her heart stirred with a familiar flutter.
A knock on the door shattered the moment.
Rayan stepped back, the trance broken, but Aria's hand caught his sleeve instinctively.
After a momentary pause, Rayan cleared his throat. "Enter."
The door had been left unlocked in his rush to check on her. Linus stepped inside, pausing briefly as his eyes landed on Aria before addressing Rayan.
"The meal is ready, my lord."
"Have it brought here. And bid them send hot water and clean cloth as well."
Linus placed a hand on his chest in acknowledgment and left.
Rayan's gaze returned to Aria. Her head was bowed, but her grip on his sleeve hadn't loosened. He knew the attack in Ulrik had left a shadow on her heart..
He sighed quietly.
At least she still trusts me.But do I deserve that trust?
A female server soon arrived, bringing the meal, warm water, and clean cloth. At Rayan's request, she helped Aria wash her face and hands. Before she left, Rayan handed her a gold coin and whispered another task. Her eyes widened in surprise. She bit the coin, confirming its authenticity, then promised repeatedly to get it done.
Once alone, Rayan sat with Aria at the small round table. He ladled a bowl of vegetable soup and placed it before her.
She had slept for an entire day—of course she was hungry.
As she began to eat, he served himself. Watching color return to her pale cheeks, a quiet relief settled in his chest.
Downstairs, the knights sat around the long dining table. When the server passed, Linus leaned forward.
"She is awake."
All heads turned at once.
"Is she?" Lenn asked with eager anticipation. "Shall we go and greet her after supper?"
He looked more like a shy teen than the ruthless warrior who had scattered Ulrik soldiers like fallen leaves.
Linus took a bite of beef. "I would not recommend it. She seemed ill at ease with me in the room."
"With His Excellency by her side, we do not need to worry."
Tristan said calmly and the knights agreed silently.
Their master hadn't left Aria's side until the physician had confirmed that there was no need to worry. He had further added that she was perhaps shocked by something and hence fell unconscious.
After that, their master only stepped outside for a brief moment to give some orders. It could be seen that Aria's safety was a huge concern for him.
After all, Ludwig's safety depended on Aria's safety.
Silence followed. Maxim watched them all—their heads lowered, pretending not to care as they ate.
He knew better.
He had seen them grow from green squires to hardened knights. He knew each of them too well.
With a sigh, he offered some reassurance. "Bloodshed often terrifies those unaccustomed to it. She saw us strike men down, yet she knows neither our tongue nor the truth of our plight. It is only natural she does not understand we did what we must."
But his words stirred deeper concerns instead of soothing them.
"If that be the case…" Lenn hesitated, biting his lip. "The state of things in Ludwig is far worse. Will she endure it?"
Silence fell again—deafening, suffocating.
No one had an answer.
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