"Ask me now."
The night was chilly but she forgot to bring warmer clothes. Raeliana couldn't think of coldness of the night, she was only focused on leaving the duke's sight. She was keen to answer his concern.
"By any chance, did you assist my King brother?"
She quickly spilled the details of that night. "Yes, I helped His Majesty. But as far as I know, it shouldn't posed as a big deal. His Majesty already gave his gratitude towards me, and I was completely satisfied."
Noah had a blank stare on his eyes. He was definitely unsatisfied of her answer. He wants to ask for more, but he knew that Raeliana was urging him to let her go home. "Is that so? You have my thanks. I'm sorry for taking some of your time, lady Mcmillan." Without another word, he left. He completely forgot to escort her back to the town. He took her to somewhere unfamiliar to the lady, so normally he would bring her back.
Nonetheless, Raeliana tagged along with him. It was quite a walk. With no lights, she kept gleaning her steps. Noah did not say anything after conveying his gratitude, not until Raeliana accidentally slipped her feet to the rock, injuring her ankle. Noah came to rescue her, "Did it hurt so badly?"
Noah lend his hand and helped her rose to her feet. She was limping, so there's no other choice but to be carried by him. She was reluctant to hold him at first, but she got no other option. The duke was the only person there she could ask for help. Noah gave her a piggyback ride, and secretly complaining of Raeliana's weight.
In the novel, Raeliana haven't got a chance to be in good terms with Noah. Noah neglects her existence, and pushed her away. But it was different to what Raeliana was feeling right now. Carried by a duke? Thanking her for her assistance? That was no duke. Noah was bound to neglect Raeliana but it seems he was slowly accepting her existence. It was buried in his mind that Raeliana was never a good woman, but to his surprise, she was acting indifferently right now. A kind hearted and warm woman, far from the novel Raeliana.
They were nearing the distance when Noah asked for a break. He put her on the bench whilst he was recuperating his strength that was lost from carrying Raeliana. She felt sorry at the same time offended. "God, I wasn't that heavy. This goddamn jerk only knows how to tease me!"
She was on the brink of hitting Noah when she noticed his sweat rolling down from his forehead. It must've been difficult to go downstairs and carrying someone heavy. She took her handkerchief and walked towards him with her limping foot.
Suddenly, she was tamping the sweat on his forehead. Noah reeled back. But Raeliana kept wiping his sweat. "Don't move sir duke. I am just doing this to pay you a little." Noah nodded his answer. He felt a little rush inside his heart. He kept persuading himself to believe that it was because of the trek.
"Why are you getting worked up because of this woman?"