Under the cold and quiet weather, a certain young man was reminiscing of his childhood memories all the while taking his time walking.
He wanted to savor the night, stretching it out as much as time would ever allow. But it was already the start of the morning twilight and he knew that if he were to delay any longer, a certain someone would begin panicking for sure.
And so, torn between wanting to make the moment last and hurrying to safety, Raghnall continued to securely carry Inna as he walked at a much faster pace.
He didn't want to teleport right away since its a rare moment for him to actually carry a sleeping Inna on his arms but he knew that he shouldn't selfishly take his time as well since he wanted her to rest properly in the comfort of her own bed.
And so, when he began to see the roof of her dorms by the distance, Raghnall unconsciously clicked his tongue in mild irritation.
Under the quiet surroundings, the sudden sound became far too clear and loud to his liking.
And worried that he might've woken up Inna, he instinctively looked at her to check if it somehow roused her up.
And when he saw her sleeping soundly and peacefully, he couldn't help but release a small smile in relief.
He never cared for someone as much as he cared for her.
That was what he realized the moment she sang for him.
She was no doubt beautiful, but he had seen far too many beautiful women to call her the most beautiful in the country.
She was no doubt strong, but he had also seen far too many strong women to call her the strongest in the country.
But for some reason, despite her not being the 'best' at anything especially at being a normal well-mannered lady, he couldn't help but be weirdly drawn to her.
He always believed that he would only be with a woman who had as much talent as he did-- with someone as strong as he was.
Someone who was the perfect lady in anyway…
Rhys and he used to talk about it a lot... on who they would end up marrying in the future.
Each of them had their own different standards, with Rhys wanting a more outspoken and headstrong woman while Raghnall wanting a kind, hardworking, and lively one.
But for some reason, instead of choosing that kind of lady in the numerous marriage proposals offered to him, his heart somehow ended up getting attached to a barbaric, witty, and unsophisticated woman who, although had talent, was as lazy as a sloth high on powdered nuts.
Raghnall snorted as he stared at her comical sleeping face with drool dripping on the side of her mouth.
Even after a year of spending time with her, he still couldn't get used to her crazy antics and shameless habits. And he just couldn't understand why he was attracted to her when his type was nearly the opposite of her.
She held no grace nor delicacy, no shame nor sensitivity, but she somehow held his heart in the palm of her hands.
Raghnall sighed as he stared at her.
Yet it seems like she's unaware of it.
He tried his best to make it obvious without looking too desperate but it seems like she's denser than he expected.
And so, all his actions though also done in kindness, were only seen as for kindness and nothing else.
Raghnall sighed again and as he repositioned Inna in a more comfortable spot on his arms, a cold breeze enveloped both of their bodies. It made him instinctively shiver, making Inna slip slightly from his arms.
Panicking, he hurriedly tried to correct his mishap, grunting while doing so.
"You know you look like a small woman but for heaven's sake, you're actually heavy."
Raghnall grumbled as he tried to reposition her into a more comfortable position for him to carry her. He had confidence in his strength but with the weather being cold partnered with the strong breezes around the area, his fingers were actually starting to feel numb.
And it was as if Inna heard his complaint because her brows furrowed in the same way whenever she was pissed at him for something.
Raghnall chuckled at that and couldn't help but find it cute.
Dear heavens, if he were to stall any longer, his heart wouldn't be able to take it anymore…
And his arms as well…
And so, with a quick pace, he hurriedly tried to make his way to the front door of her dorms. But when he was at a few meters away, Inna suddenly started to squirm on his arms. He had trouble keeping her steady as she tossed and turned.
And so, thinking that she was waking up, he decided to gently make her stand up while still supporting nearly all her weight.
He knew that she'd feel awkward when she finds herself getting carried by him. It happened back when she ended up falling asleep in one of his training.
When she woke up while being carried, she threw a fit saying that it was awkward for her to be carried.
At first, he didn't find it awkward at all, but when she told him that what if the roles were to be changed? That what if he was the one asleep and upon waking up realized that he was being carried by Favian, would he not feel awkward at all?
And so, he accepted and understood her part. Hence, he tried to steady her into an upright position as he waited for her to gradually wake up.
But, in a few seconds, she suddenly started to convulse on his arms. Making her shake uncontrollably while her hands clutched harshly at her chest. She looked like she was suffering, her expression turning into a pained one while still having her eyes closed and asleep. And in just a blink, she started to gasp out for air as her body continued to violently jerk.
"N-ninny?!"
With a shocked and fearful face, Raghnall tried to process what was currently happening but the fear and panic started to get to him.
"I-Inna! N-nana! I-Ingrid! Wake up! WAKE UP!"
He tried his best to rouse her awake but it seems like it was no use.
Unable to catch up with how fast the situation escalated, his mind suddenly turned blank and the only thought he held in his mind was fear.
And that was the first time in a while that he felt pure terror.