She snapped back to reality when a thumb brushed the tear on her cheek that left her eye.
"Thanks." She muttered, facing Lark.
Half of his face dwelled in dim light. Thus she cannot determine the expression he had at that moment. The boy I thought was foolish is actually quite perceptive, she realized.
She leaned on him causing their shoulders to brush. He jolted at the contact, his body tensing at the same time. He shy away, unable to catch breath but the lady boldly took another step to bridge the gap between them.
"Am I unattractive to you?" she bluntly asked and continued after he didn't reply, "Or are you turned off with my domineering behavior?"
Losing patience each passing second, she closed her eyes then proceeded to her final question.
"What is so terrifying about me that you won't even spare me a glance, Lark?"
"It's not you that I am terrified! I... I have liked you and only you for long... I cannot afford to dismay you! My apologies, Lady Cares-- I mean, Care! I do not intend to pressure you nor ask for pity."
"Loosen up! Being overtaken by overthinking and nervousness ruins things before anything could start. Isn't it a common saying to rather jump the fall than stay on the safe ground changing nothin'?"
He gazed at her for a while. In her, he saw a regal queen oozing with innate confidence.
"That's what I admire about you, the bold and daredevil Caress Aragon. I wish your confidence is contagious so I could stand proud, too. But I promise you! I will work hard to overcome my shyness. I dream to be part of the world you deserve! Yikes, sorry! I didn't mean to. I was not assuming you would accept me right then... I was..." he rambled.
A sly idea entered her mind just as she was dying to shut him up. Hitting two birds with one stone: she took his hand then held it tight. Instantaneously, the timid gentleman turned-statue. He even lost the ability to talk or breathe.
Thirty second passed swiftly for the lady. Whereas, it was a different case for Lark. He hyperventilated more and more every tick of the clock. The red string thread did not appear after the brief time duration Gallus specifically mentioned. It was both a disappointment and relief for her. Disappointed because she had to continue the search while relieved …. just because!
As she was about to let go of his hand, Lark collapsed right before her eyes!
He fainted! And to her utmost horror, Caspian and Ivy were standing behind them.