"Argghh!!" Tasia screamed in surprise when Hadyan landed hard, right in front of her feet. "Hadyan! Gosh! Are you okay?!" she asked panicked as helped Hadyan up.
"The knot came off. You didn't tie it properly," He looked up. It was really almost dark there.
"I can't tie it properly because that root is too big. Then, how about next? What should we do? I'm so scared," Tasia's shoulders began to shake.
Hadyan smiled gently, he lightly massaged the shoulders of Tasia who was standing worriedly in front of him.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here to look after you. You can rest peacefully as long as you're by my side." Then, he looked up and looked around, "We can't stay here any longer. We have to find a safer place to rest before it gets really dark." Said Hadyan.
Tasia nodded in understanding then followed Hadyan's steps in his arm.
Hadyan brought Tasia to a giant tree with the roots stretched out from the ground. Before sitting there, Hadyan stood still, and closed his eyes. He interacted with the tree dweller who was a quiet dwarf old man. The old man was kind to let them rest under his tree. Therefore, Hadyan chose this tree over many other places.
"We rest here for tonight, okay?" Hadyan said, getting a nod from Tasia.
It had gotten really dark. They actually brought their own cell phones, but they weren't very useful because they didn't get a signal so they could only be used as flashlights. Moreover, Hadyan's cellphone had a badly cracked screen because it was hit by a tree trunk when he fell earlier.
Hadyan took off his jeans jacket and used it to wrap around Tasia's small body who was shivering beside him, "It's cold, huh? I'm sorry. Because of me, you have to be stuck in this place too," he felt guilty.
Tasia shook her head, "It's not your fault, Hadyan. I was the one who ran off the safe path. Instead, it was you who fell into the ravine because of me."
Suddenly, Tasia remembered what Hadyan did with Marya. It made her feel angry again.
"But.."
"We shouldn't blame ourselves. Now, the most important thing is how we get out of this place tomorrow. We have to think about it now." Tasia cut Hadyan's word. Hadyan nodded in understanding, although his face still looked regretful and sad.
"What did you see earlier. I can explain it.."
Tasia turned her head, looked at Hadyan with the moonlight's help. It made that masculine face get double handsome. Of course, Tasia shouldn't fall for it anymore. The thought of Hadyan's behaviour these past few days made her heart ache. But instead, she was showing it with a smile, "There is nothing you need to explain. It's none of my business. Whatever you did was your right."
"My apologies, Tasia. I'm so sorry that I couldn't control my behaviour. Maybe, you think that I betrayed you. But I can swear that I didn't or even think of betraying you. I never." He explained.
"Hadyan, just calm down. I'm not angry at you. Betrayal?" Tasia faked a laugh, "I'm not someone you need to worry about. Don't worry, I won't be a hindrance to you if you want to be in a relationship with any woman." Tasia said.
"You are free to choose whoever you like, Haydan," She continued with a smile.
"And that person is you, Anastasia. No one else. Look, I had absolutely no intention of letting Marya kiss me. She did it all of a sudden."
Tasia nodded, turning her face to the front. She didn't want Hadyan to see how disappointed her face was now.
"Not only that. At the villa, I saw you cuddling with her in the garden while you two were talking together. And, if it was true that you don't like her, maybe you'll avoid her as you avoided me." She replied sarcastically, making Hadyan frown questioningly in surprise.
"I know that your original intention in coming here was to look for me. But really, it's okay if you change your mind along the way. After all, your main goal is to find a wife, right? Feelings can't be forced. Maybe, you really are fated with Marya. Who knows if it turns out.."
Tasia's chatter stopped when she felt Hadyan's body suddenly hugging her tightly. But strangely, Tasia didn't struggle at all as if she had felt that thing before. She was surprised by Hadyan's actions, and to be honest.. the hug felt so comfortable.
"I'm so sorry. Forgive me, if you feel that I'm avoiding you. Just so you know, Anastasia.. During this time, my power over you has been fading. I can no longer feel your heartbeat, your feelings, and where your position. I'm so scared and confused. I was afraid that maybe I made you angry again but didn't realize it. Afraid that you will leave me and hate me like before. I miss you half to death. But I'm afraid that you will feel annoyed if I keep approaching you. Seeing you always got close to Patra almost made me crazy. Because I couldn't do anything to it." He said honestly.
It felt like a thousand smashes in her chest. Along with the pounding of the man's heart that Tasia could feel, it was like connecting with her own heartbeat.
'So, that's the reason why he stayed away all this time? The reasons why he suddenly became cold to me?'
"Why do you think I would be like that?" Tasia asked softly by lightly patting the back of Hadyan who was still hugging her tightly.
"Because every time I remember your face when I brought you to my palace, it feels like after that you will hate me for the rest of your life. And more, I can't read your attitude. Sometimes you are kind and sometimes you are cold to me."
That honesty made Tasia chuckle instead, "Really? I apologize for confusing you then," she released herself from Hadyan's warm embrace.
Hadyan was surprised because he had unknowingly hugged Tasia without permission, "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
Tasia smiled, "It's okay." she tapped his shoulder, "Hadyan, from now on, don't be afraid that I will hate you. Because that's not true. I'm not afraid of you anymore. So, feel free to talk to me." She said and got an understanding nod from Hadyan.
"I doubt more and more that you are a prince. Over time, you look like a child." Tasia teased him.
"I'm usually authoritative. You made me turn this way." He laughed, followed by Tasia.
Now, it felt like the stone that had been weighing on their hearts had finally been lifted. Even though the situation was like this, a feeling of happiness enveloped the two of them.
"It's very dark in here. Can you light a fire?" Tasia asked.
"I don't know. But I'll try." Hadyan gathered twigs and dry leaves around them and then took out a gas lighter from his pocket to ignite the fire.
"You brought matches?!" Tasia looked surprised.
Hadyan nodded innocently. It was Mark's match that was entrusted to him while he was on duty.
"Why didn't you make a bonfire earlier?" Tasia asked annoyed.
Hadyan smiled faintly "Because I don't like fire. But since you asked for it, then I'll light it."
"Are you afraid of fire?" Asked Tasia.
Hadyan nodded, "You could say that our race doesn't like fire, including me." He patted his dirty palms and then sat back next to Tasia as the fire started to light up a little.
"But you don't look scared,"
"Would a knight show his fear? I did it for you anyway." He replied.
Tasia snorted in annoyance. 'This guy is big-headed,' she thought before letting out her voice, "Besides, we can't see clearly in the dark. It's dangerous if there are wild animals. Even you need it too,"
"I can see in the dark. Otherwise, how do we scare humans at night?" He laughed, "Because of this, I'll know for sure if anything comes near to us. There's no need for you to worry."
Tasia nodded understanding. Then, she remembered Hadyan's words that bothered her mind, "You said you can't feel my heartbeat and my location. Is that means that all this time you could feel them? Was it because of that sign?"
The guy nodded, "But I can't feel it now, even when you're beside me like this. My strength wears off when I'm away from the sea at this height."
Tasia thought for a moment, "Hadyan, I think I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" Hadyan looked at her seriously.
"The bruise is fading. I think, it seems to be quicker than it should be and I'm starting to remember things. They were appearing over and over in my dreams. I thought you knew about it, but you don't seem to notice anything at all."
Hadyan shifted his gaze forward, realizing that the reason his strength was drastically reduced wasn't solely due to his current location. Even falling from a shallow ravine could make his body hurt so much that he couldn't move.
"That's why I can't feel you anymore." He pointed out, "My time is running out."
"So, you're leaving soon? Is that true?" Tasia asked weakly.
Hadyan looked at her then nodded, "And will never come back, forever."