"Sit here and wait for me," Vincent gently pushed Athasia on the cushion solo chair and made his way inside the school clinic. He scanned the cabinets, looking for the fit medicine to tend the Young Miss' cut.
Callie stood beside Athasia with a worried expression. "Are you a-alright?" she lowered her head and tears formed in her eyes. "I-I'm s-s-sorry.." she stuttered, controlling the heavy breaths. "I-I shouldn't h-have…It's my f-fault,"
Athasia got surprised. Callie saw those horrible things and ended up blaming herself.
"Hey, it's fine.." she wiped the tears from the girl's cheeks. "I'm their target in the first place. I should be the one apologizing to you," she comforted.
Vincent went back to them with a medicine kit on his arms. He placed it on the desk and rummaged through the content. He glanced at Callie. "Calm yourself and lay on one of the beds over there, you must have been shocked"
Callie left them and did what the young man told her.
Vincent took out a cotton and put some alcohol in it. He paused and looked Athasia in the eyes, "This will hurt a little, grab my wrist if you need to." he lifted the young miss' chin and pressed the cotton onto her cheeks.
As soon as the alcohol from the dump cotton tickled the inside of her cut, Athasia winced. Just like what Vincent said, she grabbed onto the young man's wrist and released the tension.
She's not this fragile in real life, but being with Vincent made her feel like she can depend on this person for no valid reason. Isn't it because he's the second male lead who loves her unconditionally?
Littleyoonie adored Vincent so much. To the point that she felt pity for him after the female lead rejected him.
"Does it still hurt?" the young man parted from her and took a band-aid. "This will cover it for a while," he leaned closer, making his long eyelashes visible to Athasia's sight. His jade green eyes blinked before finally moving away.
As soon as the inches between them increased, Athasia's heart started to beat abnormally. Her breaths turned stiff, and she felt like her chest would burst out. He tapped her chest and glanced at Vincent.
The young, handsome man was busy putting everything back to the medicine box. He did it gently and quietly, like the calm morning dew embracing the morning sun.
Vincent isn't talkative nor that silent either. He enjoys interesting things and would never shut up about it. He always wears this sleepy expression that helps other people to feel comfortable when with him.
"Can you go home alone? Want me to drive you?"
Athasia came back to her senses and sprang from the seat. "No! I can go home alone.." she immediately said.
"I see." Vincent went back to the desk and headed back to Athasia. "Here..your book,"
Athasia was stunned after feeling the hardcover of the book. It was the one she received earlier. "T-Thanks," she mumbled.
She got so distracted that she didn't even see the young man pick it up before they went to the clinic.
That stationery paper from the back of the book fell on the floor. Athasia picked it up and read what's written on it again.
She grabbed Vincent, "Wait!"
Seeing her sudden reaction, Vincent was also surprised. His eyes traveled down to his sleeves, which were held by Athasia's frail fingers. "What is it? You need something? Are you hurt elsewhere?" he asked.
Athasia lowered her head, "The book," she whispered. "W-Why did you give it to me?..with the letter,"
Vincent removed her hands from his sleeves and grabbed it instead. "Does it bother you? I'm sorry," then a glint of sadness escaped his jade green phoenix eyes.
Athasia pulled her hand away as soon as she felt her heart pounding again. She turned around and gripped the book tight. "N-Not really..thank y-you" she said.
She trudged towards Callie, who immediately sprang up from the bed the moment she pushed the curtains.
Athasia smiled at her. "Are you calm now?" she held the girl's hand. "Let's go home,"
***
"Young Miss! What happened to your face?!"
As soon as she arrived and opened the door, everyone came dashing towards her. Benson was the first one who asked her all the way to her room.
"Young Miss, are you really okay? What happened to your face?" He caught the shoes that were thrown at him.
Athasia put her bag on the bed and untucked her coat. "I'm fine, I just tripped over at school..I want to take a bath" she sighed and sat down.
Benson nodded his head, "I will prepare a warm bath for you, Young Miss.." then he walked away, closing the door.
Athasia lay flat on her soft bed and let her sight enjoy the empty white ceiling. She rolled on the side and hugged a pillow. She stretched her hand and reached for the book near the bag.
"What is this book all about?" She raised it in the air and flipped the cover. The words started to form a title to her. 'THE PRINCESS WHO COULDN'T CRY'
Athasia furrowed. "What a weird title," she uttered.
A knock echoed behind the door. "Young Miss? Your bath was already prepared…" It was Benson.
Athasia sat up and wore her cotton slippers. She stretched her arms before opening the door and smiling at Benson. "Thank you,"
As the two trailed the pathway, another maid greeted them and bowed her head. "Young Miss, Master Rymerton ordered me to call you," she said, her hands were trembling.
Athasia paused and looked at the maid's shaking expression. She clicked her tongue like she already knew the reason. "Where's father?"
The maid glanced at her before lowering her eyes. "In his study room," she meekly answered.
The Young Miss passed by her without any hesitation, with Benson following her behind. The maid couldn't do anything but to retract her hand that was about to stop Athasia.
"Please be fine, Young Miss…" she whispered, hopeless.