Aria felt a sharp pain in her forehead from the collision, but that discomfort quickly faded into overwhelming relief as her eyes landed on a familiar face.
"Rayan!"
She breathed his name, barely above a whisper, clutching his sleeve more tightly than ever before, as if anchoring herself to him.
Rayan's gaze moved swiftly over her face, noting the sweat on her brow, then down to the handcuff still hanging from her wrist. His brows drew together in confusion before his expression hardened, his eyes turning steely with a chilling realization.
Had someone tried to hurt her?
His hand instinctively moved to the dagger at his side, but before he could act, the soldier who had been pursuing Aria arrived.
Aria instinctively stepped even closer to Rayan, seeking comfort and protection in his presence.
Rayan responded without hesitation, pulling her behind him with a protective motion that spoke volumes.
The soldier, observing the exchange, addressed Rayan directly. "Are you the companion of this lady?"
Rayan's cold eyes didn't waver as he stared at the man, a quiet but lethal intensity in his gaze, as if measuring how easily he could end the conversation—and the soldier. But his voice remained composed.
"I am."
The soldier visibly relaxed at his reply. He had no desire to arrest a woman, fully aware that prison was not a place of safety for them her. Perhaps things could be settled peacefully through this man.
By this time, Maxim had also arrived on the scene. Relief washed over his features as he spotted Aria standing behind Rayan.
Meanwhile, the soldier began recounting everything that had transpired. As the details unfolded, the icy fury in Rayan's eyes slowly gave way to surprise, and then to quiet guilt.
He had let his guard down.
Aria had never wandered from his side before, and he had foolishly taken that for granted. He hadn't noticed her absence. Worse, he'd never thought to give her money so she could buy something if needed.
The realization hit him hard. He imagined how helpless she must have felt, and he felt something stifling his heart.
The stall owner arrived soon after, his steps hesitant. His fear became evident when he saw Aria standing behind two tall, imposing men. A new anxiety crept into him—he wondered whether he'd actually be compensated or simply punished for making a scene.
When the soldier finished reporting, Rayan silently reached into his pouch, took out a gold coin, and handed it to the stall owner.
The man blinked in disbelief as he took the coin. He brought it to his teeth and bit it gently, stunned when he confirmed it was genuine. He had never even touched real gold before, let alone owned any.
"I apologize for the inconvenience caused," Rayan said sincerely.
The stall owner flushed with embarrassment at Rayan's words. After all, he had thought of overcharging the lady by quoting a higher price.
"Oh... it's nothing. It's completely alright," he replied quickly, unable to meet Rayan's eyes.
Rayan gave a short nod, then turned to the soldier and asked, "Can we consider this matter settled, sir?"
The soldier studied Rayan for a moment longer before nodding. "Indeed."
With the stall owner no longer pursuing the matter and the soldier satisfied, Rayan prepared to leave, taking Aria and Maxim with him.
But just as they began to walk away, the stall owner suddenly called out.
"This gold… my candied haws didn't cost that much. The lady had only taken nine sticks."
Rayan paused mid-step and looked at Aria, who stood silently by his side, her head bowed.
She liked candied fruits that much?
He frowned slightly. Eating so many at once couldn't be good for her health. He made a mental note to limit her intake of sweets from now on.
Ironically, Aria hadn't even gotten the chance to taste a single stick—and the misunderstanding was about to cost her dearly.
Rayan turned back to the stall owner, his voice calm. "You can keep it."
Then, without another word, he gently took Aria's hand from where it still clung to his sleeve and began walking toward the inn. Maxim followed a few steps behind.
The stall owner stared after them, dazed and blinking.
"What's wrong with you?" the soldier asked, frowning.
"I was just thinking… maybe I wouldn't mind if that lady troubled me again," the stall owner said dreamily.
The soldier scoffed and shook his head. "If I were you, I'd be careful. That man didn't seem ordinary. Anyone who gives away gold so casually has to be someone powerful. If you value your life, steer clear of them."
The stall owner snapped out of his daze and shivered. The man was right. Powerful people were unpredictable. Who knew what might happen if they were displeased?
He quickly began packing up his stall, deciding to head home while he still could.
—
Once they reached the inn, Rayan parted from Maxim without a word and took Aria to their room.
She followed him nervously, unsettled by the silence. He hadn't looked at her once since they'd left the market.
Was he angry?
She bit her lip, unsure of what to do, and stood still in the middle of the room, right where he had let go of her hand. Rayan's back was turned to her as he rummaged through his things.
Then, without warning, he turned and left the room.
Her heart sank with disappointment.
But a few minutes later, he returned—this time holding a cloth pouch in his hand.
Relief bloomed in Aria's chest, and she began thinking of how to apologize for causing him so much trouble.
Rayan, still quiet, walked up to her and handed her the pouch. Aria, who had been watching him intently, blinked in confusion.
She shook the pouch gently. It was heavy.
Opening it, she peeked inside—and something shiny slipped into her palm.
She recognized it immediately. It was the same shiny thing Rayan had given to the man selling candied fruits.
And after receiving it, that man hadn't looked angry anymore.
Aria stared at the shiny thing for a moment before her entire face lit up in a wide smile. She understood now. She would use it wisely.
Looking up at Rayan with that brilliant smile, she felt nothing but happiness. He was so nice to her.
Rayan watched her, and a sense of relief washed over him. She understood.
If only he knew how wrong he was.