Dot fall in love chapter 7
What have I gotten myself into
Niel breathed heavily as he looked back at the figure approaching him. His muscles ached, and every breath burned in his chest.
"Get up. Training isn't over yet."
Sky's voice was stern and unwavering. She stood over Niel, her cold glare piercing through him and sending a shiver down his spine.
Niel, battered and beaten, knelt on the ground as he attempted to put some distance between himself and Sky. His trembling legs failed him, and he collapsed onto his backside.
"Come on, take it easy," he pleaded between heavy breaths. The exhaustion etched across his face was impossible to miss.
Sky looked down at him with an icy stare. Niel continued crawling backward, desperately trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
Between heavy breaths, he looked up at her and asked, "Can I at least have some water? I feel like I'm going to die."
Sky remained silent for a moment, staring down at Niel. Then she tilted her head slightly and repeated, "Water, huh?"
Her eyes wandered to the large wooden barrel nearby, filled to the brim with water. A faint smirk appeared on her lips before she turned her attention back to him.
"Then go have some," she said.
Hearing that, Niel's eyes lit up. A smile spread across his face as hope surged through him.
"Wait, really? Alright, thank you! Thank you, thank you!" he repeated gratefully.
Struggling to his feet, Niel staggered toward the wooden barrel. His entire body ached, but the thought of finally getting some water pushed him forward.
To his surprise, Sky suddenly drove her foot into his ribs. The kick struck with brutal force, sending him tumbling across the ground.
The blow knocked the air from Niel's lungs. He curled up on the ground, clutching his ribs as he fought to catch his breath.
"W-Why did you do that?" he managed to gasp.
Sky stared down at him without the slightest hint of sympathy.
"You want to know why?"
Silence hung in the air.
"Because for the weak, this place is a living hell."
Her cold gaze never left him.
"And if this place is hell for you, then there is no water in hell."
The words struck harder than any punch. For a moment, Niel wished she had kicked him again instead.
Niel pushed himself up slightly, wincing as pain shot through his ribs. A cold chuckle escaped his lips.
"What kind of logic is that?" he asked between heavy breaths.
He shook his head and looked up at Sky. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
Sky shot Niel a look of disdain.
"It's my logic, and it's not dumb," she replied sharply.
She watched him struggle to get back to his feet.
"Damn it... it hurts. It hurts so damn much."
Niel kept his eyes fixed on the ground as he dragged himself forward inch by inch. Each movement sent a wave of agony shooting through his ribcage, making his vision blur and his breath catch in his throat.
He slowly lifted his gaze, looking toward the barrel of water. Between him and it stood Sky, motionless, like an obstacle he had to overcome before he could even think about reaching it.
Niel's crawling came to a halt. His gaze stayed fixed on the ground as his vision blurred. Beads of sweat dripped from his face, mixing with the dirt beneath him.
Should I just give up?
Has he finally given up? she thought to herself.
Without another word, Sky turned away from Niel and began walking in the opposite direction.
Sky walked toward the barrel of water. She took a wooden jug and filled it slowly, the sound of water echoing in the silence. With a tired sigh, she turned back around.
Her steps faltered.
Niel was still there.
He leaned heavily on the sword she had given him, using it like a crutch just to stay on his feet. His entire body shook as he fought to keep his balance, every breath strained and uneven.
Sky's eyes widened in unexpected surprise at the sight before her.
Niel struggled to his feet, every muscle in his body trembling with pain. He steadied himself on the sword and let out a shaky breath.
"This is for you, Princess Aira," he muttered quietly.
Sky stopped in front of him and extended the jug of water.
"Here. Take this. Training is over for today. We'll continue again tomorrow," she said.
Niel stared at her in confusion. His legs finally gave way, collapsing beneath him as his body started to fall.
In an instant, Sky moved. She caught him with her left arm, holding him up before he could hit the ground.
Sky continued holding Niel close to her, looking down at his unconscious form. She shifted him slightly, lifting him up and down with ease.
"…He's light as a feather," she muttered, a hint of confusion flickering across her face.
She tilted her head, studying him for a moment before adding, almost bluntly, "Is he even a man?"
Niel, still unconscious, stirred slightly as if trapped in a dream. His lips moved weakly.
"Princess Aira… I'll make it back to you," he whispered. "I promise."
Sky looked at him in annoyance before reaching down and pinching his nose shut, cutting off his air.
Niel stirred violently in her arms, his body tensing as instinct kicked in. Moments later, his eyes snapped open and he gasped sharply for breath.
Niel panted heavily, blinking in confusion as he looked up at her.
"Uh… what's happening?" he asked weakly.
Without warning, Sky let go of him. He dropped straight down onto his backside with a dull thud.
"Ouch—what was that for?" Niel asked in annoyance, rubbing his backside.
Before he could say anything else, Sky shoved the jug of water directly in front of him.
"Stop crying and drink," she said sharply. "Your training for today is done. Tomorrow, we start again. So drink."
Niel stared at the jug of water for a moment before muttering to himself, "I never thought I'd be this happy to drink water."
He lifted it and began drinking greedily, swallowing down every drop as if he had been deprived for days.
At the same time, Sky picked up the wooden sword.
Niel noticed it and flinched slightly. "I fear…" he started under his breath, but stopped himself.
Sky didn't even look back. She simply walked off.
"Let's go," she said calmly.
Niel placed the empty jug on the ground after finishing the water and looked up in confusion.
"Where to?" he asked.
Sky came to an abrupt halt and glanced back at him.
"Home," she replied.
Without waiting for a response, she continued walking into the sunlight.
Niel stared at Sky's retreating figure, confusion written all over his face. After a moment, he let out a long, weary sigh.
"What is wrong with that woman?" he muttered to himself.
Forcing himself back onto his feet, he staggered after her. Every muscle in his body protested, and each step sent pain coursing through him.
Yet despite his complaints, he continued following her.
After all, he didn't have the slightest idea what was going on.
Sky glanced back at the corner of her eye saw Niel following behind her looking forward. She intentionally slowed down her pace in order for Niel to be able to catch up to her.
Despite the pain shooting through his body, Niel forced himself to endure it. He kept his eyes fixed on the ground as he continued forward.
"If you keep looking down like that, you're going to bump into something, fall off a bridge, and die."
Niel flinched at Sky's words and immediately lifted his head to look at her.
"Did you really have to say it like that?" he shouted in annoyance.
Sky looked at him in annoyance before smacking him on the back of the head.
"Stop shouting, idiot. I'm right next to you."
Niel staggered forward from the impact. He turned back to look at her and straightened his posture.
An unreadable expression crossed his face.
"Right next to me..." he repeated quietly, realizing that he had finally caught up to her.
Sky let out a loud sigh before continuing forward.
"Kids these days are always so energetic. It's stupid," she muttered to herself.
Confusion spread across Niel's face.
"But we're the same age, though," he pointed out.
Sky shot him a glare, causing him to fall silent instantly.
"You need a bath. You also need a bed," she said calmly.
She looked ahead as she continued walking.
"And don't get your hopes up, pretty boy. It won't be nearly as lavish or comfortable as the palace—or wherever it was you came from."
Niel remained quiet, remembering the warning conveyed by her sharp glare only moments ago.
"Uhm… Sky?" Niel called out softly. He looked at her with mild curiosity. "Why did you give me the water?" he asked.
Sky kept her eyes forward and didn't answer immediately.
"I thought you were supposed to be smart," she said at last, her tone calm. "And yet you asked such a stupid question."
She glanced at him briefly before looking ahead again.
"Even in that pitiful state, you were still willing to fight me for a little water. That's all I needed to see," she added quietly. "To fight for something you want."
Really?...but the whole reason I'm here is to get something I want—"
Before he could finish, Sky spotted her father and immediately ran toward him, leaving Niel standing there alone.
Niel watched in stunned silence as she disappeared.
All he could manage was a quiet, bewildered, "Bruh."