Words couldn't explain how calm and relaxed she made him despite the dire situation he is facing right now. And he felt a tingling sensation in his heart that made him ponder as to why he is feeling this way.
Did the enemy coat a poison on their sword? Is that why I'm feeling like this?
Although his eyes were only half open, Leticia took notice of the man's gaze plastered onto her and she could not help but feel embarrass.
As she withdrew her eyes away from him, she spotted his upper garments beside her which she took off of him earlier to get a clear view of his injury.
She finally realized the glamour of his clothing. It looks to be a uniform. However, it was not just your everyday uniform but rather a military uniform. One of the finest quality at that.
Leticia's eyes and mouth went frozen wide open in an expression of stunned, surprised upon the sight of it.
How could this be? He works for the military.
Her body trembled from fear and she immediately put on her hood to cover her face. But it was too late. He already saw her face. Her only option out of this predicament now is to get away from here.
But can I do it? Judging from his uniform, he might be someone of a higher rank. What if more of them are already out there? I'm sure his subordinates are looking for him as of now. Such thoughts ran inside Leticia's mind.
Earlier, she was being chased by men in daggers. And she feared that the man in question is also after her for the very same reason as well.
In truth, there was an unpleasant rumor about her circulating around the village where she lives. And this rumor was the cause for her to flee that led those men to follow after her trail.
What if the rumor had already spread throughout the capital? I'm not surprised that the military is starting to take action as well.
Leticia gulped in terror. If she plans to escape then now would be best for the military man is still immobilized by his injury.
While the 'how can I escape here' plan is occupying Leticia's mind, the man started groaning in agony again. The pain suddenly takes over a portion of his body, as if dealing with it is energy expenditure enough, without the effort of new thoughts.
Leticia noticed the man's agonizing face and his grip tightened even more.
One second passed. Two seconds passed. Three seconds passed. Guilt was finally eating and pestering Leticia. A fire burned in her mind and throat. Remorse hit her like a sledgehammer.
One breath. Two breaths. Three breaths. The man was panting heavily and his eyelids shut so tightly they began to fidget and shudder from the pain, as if the very corner of his eyes were being pricked with a needle.
Thump... Thump... Thump...
Leticia's heartbeat seemed to echo inside the cave. She stared into the eyes of the man. Yes, he had his eyes closed, however she could practically feel the gaze he's giving her. It was a gaze full of loneliness and longingness.
This time, the guilt sat not on her chest but inside her brain. What she was about to do she could not un-do. Thus, after heaving a mouthful of air, she placed her left hand on the man's forehead and caressed his head gently, like he's the most precious.
"I told you, right? I will never leave you. If there is anything I can do to ease the pain you are feeling, even if just the slightest bit, I will not hesitate to do it for you."
The moment these words left her lips, the man's hand, which was gripping her tightly finally loosened. His head lolls and the muscles of his face relaxed, releasing the tension of his day, as if telling her he's relieved to hear those words.
That's right. I could not just leave someone who's clearly in need of my help. Don't be heartless, Leticia! You are better than this! It's still not too late. At most, his men will probably find this cave by morning. I will just have to find the right timing and leave before the sun starts to rise.
With everything came to a settle, exhaustion finally came to visit Leticia. She could feel the night comes to heavy her eyelid and the shuttering of her synapses. As each limb becomes heavy and her heart slows to a more peaceful beat, the quietness lure her into sleepiness.
Chirp... Chirp... Chirp...
The early morning came as a promise kept and golden rays of the morn-tide as invitations to the day.
"Mmm..."
The man's eyes opened, his eyelashes faintly batting against his lids when he blinked.
What time is it? How long had I been asleep? All of these questions shot through his mind as he readied himself to sit.
"Ugh!..."
However, his muscles felt weak, just like his energy and he was hurting all over. When he touched the part where he was hurting the most, he felt the thickness of the bandages wrapped around his chest to his abdomen.
"That wasn't a dream, after all." He mumbled.
He looked around to search if the lady was still here with him, but to his dismay she was no longer anywhere to be found. All he could find was his cat named Cotton sleeping on his tousled uniform.
"Hah, what? Did you stayed with me all this time?" He said, chuckling while petting his cat.
"Meow..." The cat got up upon the sight of his master and came closer to him, nodding it's head to his master's hand.
"Hmm? What is this?"
When the cat got up, a piece of white cloth with a flowery pattern was lying on top of his uniform.
Curious, the man immediately reached out to inspect it. And he realized that this piece of cloth belongs to that lady.
For some reason, as he held the cloth, his blood wakes up his brain, and his smile grows of its own accord.
By the looks of it, it might've been torn out from her dress. As he clenched the cloth tightly, he started feeling excited, like spark-plugs roaring his engines into the purr of anticipation.
This is a lead.
A lead to our next meeting.
He felt like his entire body was burning, melting everything that can be melted. However, to his surprise, he didn't dislike this feeling.
What is this? What's happening to me? What did she do to make me feel this way? There is only one way to answer these questions. And that is to find the lady and meet her once more.
"I will find you. For sure."