As soon as my eyes open, a pained groan escapes my lips. I spot yet another unfamiliar ceiling presented in front of me.
Did I transmigrate again...?
As I try to sit up, a sharp pain tears through my chest before surging across my entire body.
I remember now...
I lay back down, digging through my memory, trying to recollect as much as possible.
Yeah...
I was greedy.
Sigh.
I should have waited until the numbers thinned out and the commander got exhausted. Yeah, there would be fewer survivors, which means less Fear, but this injury...
Not worth it.
...
Hmm?
Feeling a grip on my hand, I turn to the side and a familiar figure rests there by the side of the bed.
What is she doing here...?
Yuexin was right next to me, sleeping comfortably on the bedside, her hand gripping mine. My eyes land on her clothes.
Seems like the battle ended only recently. She didn't even have time to change.
Her long black hair was still in tangles, her skin soaked with blood and dirt. Yet, her features were as delicate as ever. Not even dirt could cover the sleeping beauty.
Should I wake her up?
I'd like some privacy to evaluation my status...
Perhaps due to the movement earlier, she begins to wake up on her own. Her violet eyes flutter open, and within an instant, they land on me.
''Ye!!''
Seeing me awake, the tiredness seemingly left her body immediately as her grip on my hand became strong.
...
''Yeah, that's me...''
Realizing where her hand is placed, she quickly pulls away, her cheeks getting a light pink flush as she avoids my gaze.
''How do you feel?''
She asks, her earlier energy nowhere to be seen, now replaced with concern for my well-being. Her eyes drift towards my chest, then to my shoulder. The wounds are neatly and tightly covered in bandages.
''I've felt better, but I'll be fine.''
I say as I try to make myself more comfortable, but as I shift slightly on the bed, a sharp pain from my chest sends shivers down my body again.
Nnght...
A muffled groan escapes my lips again, but this time, it's caught by Yuexin. Her expression worsens immediately.
''What are you doing??''
With furrowed brows, she leans over to me. Her hand makes its way towards the pillow, adjusting it slightly for me. Then, with a careful and gentle touch, she adjusts my blanket, tucking it under me to stabilize me.
...?
''Stay as you are, the doctor said you barely survived.''
Her scolding continues, but besides the aggressivity in her tone, there's a good amount of concern mixed in.
Barely survived?
''Yuexin, what do you mean barely survived?''
As soon as she heard my question, a small tear welled up in her violet eyes. She quickly turned around to wipe it off, and with her back turned towards me, she continues,
''Your ribs... They are broken... Shattered... One of the fractured pieces nearly pierced your h-heart.''
...
That explains the pain.
''I don't remember anything after I cut off the commander's head. What happened after?''
Similarly to before, her back remains turned towards me. Her voice cracks every now and then as she recalls the events.
''You collapsed in the middle of enemy lines, right after you killed the commander. If not for me, there would be one less Ye in the world by now!''
...
Can't say I feel good about needing to be saved, but this was my fault. I really was too greedy. I need a technique that can help me while midair. I refuse to be a sitting duck again.
''...Thank you, Yuexin. For helping me.''
Hearing my words, she trembles slightly, her hands curled into a tight fist.
''Hmpf! I didn't help you, I saved you!''
She scoffs, but her voice gets much softer nearly immediately.
''B-but, you know. It happened while you were helping my family, so...''
She continues, her voice more and more quiet.
''And I was completely useless the entire time...''
Her voice almost disappearing near the end, she turns on her heels and faces me directly. Her eyes well up in tears, not bothering to hide it anymore.
''You idiot, why would you go so far for another family?!''
...
What do I say? Your family had nothing to do with it, I just wanted Fear?
Or that I was the one who caused a genocide of your soldiers...?
....
''It's my duty as an escort. Reputation is everything for a family like mine.''
As she heard the word 'duty', her expression turned into one of sorrow, a flash of disappointment flashing through her teary violet eyes.
''Duty... You can take your duty and die with it then.''
She says, her voice half screaming as she storms out of the room.
''...''
Having you develop feelings towards me wasn't part of the plan...
But this is good in it's own way.
It will make controlling you much easier in the future.
.
.
.
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be Great too!
Powerstones: If we can reach 70 power stones in a week, I will make one more chapter a day for 1 week. Let's do it!