Arathus was staring princess Shang closely. As he was resting, he wondered how long would he be able to protect her from her enemies. He couldn't just turn his back on his responsibilities which his mother had given to him. He worried how would he train her. He didnt want to fall for her. Atleast not now.
Princess Shang's head started falling down in between her folded knees as she fell asleep and because her mouth was slightly opened, water started flowing down her chin.
Arathus kept observing her closely until he finally had no choice but to once again carry her, but this time in his arms. He knew that if they stayed here long, soon they would be located by the guards.
Standing up he went to her and as he held out his hands to pick her up, he hesitated a little first, because he just couldn't believe that after so many years, he was actually touching a woman, that too so beautiful. But then he slowly picked her up and when he did, suddenly she wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed softly, "Arathus.."
What is all this...he thought to himself and started walking.
Making way through the forest wasn't easy for him. He had never entered this forest before and as he was walking, soon after long he started feeling tired, but then again thinking of his mother, he holded her tight and started walking.
As he was walking, he happend to notice a small hut made of hay and straw at a distance. It was the only hut he could spot and he decide to go there.
When he reached close to that hut, he first looked all four side around him to make sure there was no one. Then slowly walking, without making much sound he went and entered the hut.
"Is anyone here?" he asked looking around.
A sudden sound from his behind made him turn around, but there was no one. When he looked infront he saw a huge and tall built man and immediately moving back took out his sword.
"I'm not going to harm you. I live here." said the tall man.
The tall man was a heavy and well built man. He was wearing worn out clothes and he had scars on his face. His body was tanned and there was something about him which didnt feel right to Arathus. Maybe he had a bad aura.
The tall man slowly started moving towards him with a sly look then stopping at a distance said, "I'm a trader. I can let you live here if you give this beautiful woman to me. And in return I'll make you rich."
Arathus brought his sword close to his neck and keeping it still said, "My name is Arathus and I'm the royal bodyguard of Her Highness Princess Shang of Azagard."
When he heard this he fell down on his knees and folding his hands together said, "I'm sorry. His Highness Marine was a great king. He has done so much for me. If today I'm alive it's all because of him. You can live here as many days as you want."
Arathus went to him and helping him get up smiled at him. "Thankyou. You really are a good man." He said.
It had become evening by then as Arathus finally settled the whole area and made it comfortable for both of them to stay in.
When he was lifting his heavy sword and keeping it at a corner, Shang finally woke up and opening her eyes moaned, "Huh? Where are we?"
He looked back and smiling at her said, "Please make yourself comfortable princess. We are safe, atleast for now."
Shang stood up and going to him timidly hugged him from behind and he froze in his place.
"Thankyou..." she said. "If today you hadn't forced me to leave the palace, I don't think I would've been alive.."
Then leaving him as she was going he lightly grabbed her wrist and she too froze now, but looked back at him, her heart thumping hard inside her chest, and her face reddening.
"Well, to be honest I owe it all to you. You had been very brave and took me through the entrance. Thankyou."
Then he left her wrist and she looked down almost feeling her breakdown. For few minutes she just stood still infront of him, fidgeting with her fingers then again looking up at him though her eyelashes she saw him looking at her deeply and she stuttered, "S-Sorry..well..nothing."
She turned her back and again went to the same spot where she was asleep and sat there. Arathus slowly smiled to himself and continued with his work .
After a few hours when Arathus was still doing work, Shang said, "Umm..do we have something to eat? I'm hungry.."
"Well, no we dont. But I'll get it right away, do not worry princess." Said he and headed out.
She wanted to stop him but he was already gone. When he was gone, she started crying and thought of her mother then of the man who Rahn claimed to be her father.
Her thoughts shifted back to Arathus and she felt sorry for saying that she was hungry. Poor Arathus, she thought. Already he had so much work today and he too must be tired, and she loaded extra burden on him now saying that she was hungry.
In a few moments when Arathus came back, standing up she said, "I'm so sorry...you must be so tired and I.. "
"Sshh.." he said putting his index finger on her lips and cut her off. He saw her eyes growing big and he could really hear her heartbeat, beating fast inside her chest.
"Its my duty to take care of you. You dont have to worry."