Again, she's cornered. For the second time of her life, Hariah was surrounded by men who wants her dead but isn't her enemy. She looked behind her and it was a steep mountain going down.
"What should we do? Aren't you good at martial arts? Can you beat them?" she asked the man beside her.
"Me? why do you think I'm good at martial arts?" the seemed rather calm prince replied.
"I saw you fight. Also, didn't you carry me while running so easily because you're good at it-ahh!"
Before the man could attack her, Raziel was able to counter-attack in an instant. This made Hariah smiled in confidence that they would be able to defeat these men.
Yet, suddenly, three enemies attacked at the same time. Before Hariah could even see what happened, suddenly the three bodies fell and blood spilled to the ground.
Her eyes went wide as she looked at the man beside her in horror. Even the enemies left were stunned and frightened that made them steppe back a little. Yet, the prince didn't even seem to mind what he just did. He killed them!
As if reading what's on her mind, Raziel glanced at her. "They would have killed us if I didn't kill them first."
She knew he was right. But knowing they're dead…
Somewhere, Hariah seemed to hear her named being called. Raziel saw Cavi and his men approaching. And Hariah was about to see them.
"Hariah!" before Hariah was able to look around more, when she turned behind her after hearing a scream, she saw Prince Raziel falling towards the steep slope.
"Hey!" she extended her hand, trying to pull him up. yet, instead of pulling him, she was the one who was pulled down instead and now, both of them was falling on the slope.
The ground they're rolling on was full of rock and sharp branches of trees that were cutting and piercing their skin. As they rolled down, Hariah felt herself being enveloped by someone's warm body.
She didn't hesitate that moment but embraced him back, thinking that it's better they ended up in one location than being lost alone.
Also, if either of them was badly hurt, someone will take care of them. However, why does she feel it like this wasn't an accident that they fell? But why would Prince Raziel even pretended to fall? That's ridiculous. Thus, she immediately rejected the idea.
***
"Your majesty! It's a steep slope. High highness and Lady Hariah both fell into it…"
With squinted eyes, Cavi glared at Adil. Of course, he knew it! he saw it with his two eyes himself!
The enemies left were now caught but why did those two even fell from this slope? As he looked down the path where something seemed to roll down, he couldn't see what's at the end of it. it was just full of full-grown weeds and tall trees.
"Trey." His authoritative cold voice was heard.
"Your majesty."
"Call all the royal guards now except the ones protective our carriages. We must find them."
"As you command your majesty!"
In an instant, all guards have gathered and started going down the slope in a different path. Looking down, Cavi gritted his teeth.
"Raziel…"
***
Probably except the part that Prince Raziel was able to protect by jailing her in his arms, every part of Hariah body screamed in pain. good thing that the dress style of Frost Kingdom that was given to her had three layers on. Which prevented her from being scratched by branches and rocks when they rolled down the slope.
She pulled up the ends of her dress and checked her legs to see whether she's injured or not since she really felt terrible.
"You're awake?" a familiar voice spoke from somewhere. looking around the forest they fell into, she discovered Prince Raziel who was leaning on a tree trunk few meters away from her.
He was grinning while looking at something. Following his stare, her eyes ended up widening in horror when he realized he's staring at her uncovered legs.
"You! pervert!" picking up a dry tree branch on the ground she sat at, she threw it on him. she thought he would avoid it but instead, he didn't even move a single inch. Thus, it hit him on his forehead.
"You're really harsh to me, my wife. You're so good to those two kings but when it comes to me…" Raziel heaved a deep sulking sigh. "Can't you see how sick am I?"
Hariah only rolled her eyes and stood up. "'My wife'? Did you hit your head when we were falling that you're now spouting nonsense?" grinning, the smile on her face as she shook off the dirt on her dress faded when the prince didn't reply. That moment t, she realized how he protected her from the fall. When he wrapped his arms around her so she won't be hurt by the rocks.
Snapping her head towards him, immediately she run at where he was. She started to check on her arms and other body part.
Prince Raziel, who was still grinning but was obviously out of strength, spoke. "Didn't you know what your name means? Then let me tell you. 'My wife'. Hariah means you're my beloved wife…"
Hariah lifted her face to him, meeting his undeciphered crimson eyes. She pressed the back of her hand on his forehead and she gasped at how hot it was. She also noticed a red liquid flowing to his silver hair that made her bit her lip.
It was her fault. And she didn't even thank him for that but even hit him in his head.
When Raziel wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks, it was only then that Hariah realized she's crying. Why does she kept crying when she saw people in pain? especially because of her? first it happened when Cavi was badly hurt. Now, it was with this naughty prince.
"Don't you know how ugly you are when you're crying like this, my wife?" the hoarse voice uttered that made Hariah unconsciously hit him by his chest.
"Aww!" he groaned in pain that made her realize he's still injured.
"S-sorry! I didn't mean it to!" not knowing whether she should check on his chest or not, she was halted when Raziel held her hand and pulled her closer to him. he placed her hand on his chest.
"They always said you were gentle and kind. But maybe it's my fault that you can't be just like they said when it comes to me…"
"What are you saying?" Hariah asked in confusion but he already closed his eyes.
Minutes later, she just watched his sleeping face, letting him rest for a moment. Until she saw the blood on his head that wasn't stopping anymore. her anxiousness escalated again.
"Your highness. Your highness?" shaking him, his eyes opened and immediately, the taunting grin in his lips was back.
"My wife…"
Hariah sighed. "We need to go somewhere safe since it's already dark. We can't be safe here. besides, we need to dress you wound."
He only nodded with a smile, staring too intently at her that made her uncomfortable.
"Can you walk?" she asked, seeing his weak physique.
Yet, instead of answering, he pointed his leg by pouting his lips towards it. hariah pulled his robe up and saw the blood on his inner pants.
"I twisted my leg. That's why I fell on the slope." It didn't sound like a right reason but Hariah had no choice but to buy it.
"Then, wait for me here. I will check around to find us a shelter for the night."
Before she could even stand up, her arm was already grabbed tightly. "It's dangerous. Let me follow you."
"But-" She was supposed to protest and scold him. but the sudden seriousness in his face halted her. sighing, she nodded. "Fine. Then, let me help you."
Putting his arm on her shoulders, Hariah struggled to help him stand since besides his weight it much bigger than she is, their height also had a big difference. He seemed as tall as Cavi.
As they started to walk, she shivered when his hand snaked into her waist too tightly. glaring at her, the prince pretended to look somewhere with a grin playing on his lips as he pouted. "You know I can't walk without holding into something…"
His reason seemed reasonable yet the longer he touched her by the waist, the more it sounded like an excuse. Hariah ended up giving up since he's badly injured because of her. walking together, hand in hand, they explored the dangerous forest while the sun hides from the horizon.
Wolves' howl was heard from a distant and other wild animal roared from somewhere. hariah felt fear springing from her heart. However, she didn't know whether Raziel did it purposely or not. But when his grip on her waist tightened, she seemed to ease a bit knowing she's not alone.
For sure, she could face dangers with someone than alone… but was she really out of danger? When the one beside her was danger itself?