"Its just so calming..."
My heart calmed down too. Eiliff is really weird. And I, being comfortable with him. Even after he did to my neck! I should have pushed him and ask him to leave me, but I can't do anything about it.
Rather, him being around while I am still sick is something.
"I want to sleep now." I mumble and close my eyes.
"You better sleep..." He just said.
When the room became silent. Only the small light coming from the small lamp beside the bed, I can hear the breeze of the wind outside this room.
I wonder if for the past three days that I am unconscious, the rain continued. I really hate it when it rains.
"Haniaen..."
My body moved closer to him when I felt cold. He didn't move instead and pull me closer to him. His warmth is enough to cover the coldness I am feeling.
Maybe it was because of the fever, or because the wind is cold.
I close my eyes and let sleepiness take over my body. But it didn't. My brain is awake because of the name they mentioned.
'Haniaen'
A very unique name, but it feels like I have heard it somewhere before.
Next morning I woke up and the sun is about to set. I got up from bed where Eiliff is still sleeping.
I walk to the balcony. Finally the rain wasn't as strong as the last time I saw it. Mister sunshine is here now.
The flowers that's been covered with fog is so beautiful. With the sun's light covering the area it was indeed a beautiful sight.
I inhale the fresh morning air to my lungs. And exhale feeling contented. My body feels lighter now.
The cold breeze of the wind made me shiver but it wasn't as cold as last night. Though Eiliff's body help me feel warmer.
"What a beautiful morning.." I mumble to myself.
I heard the creaking sound from the bed. Sign that the big dude is finally awake.
"What's so beautiful with that.."
"Way to ruin my mood." I glare at him.
I didn't notice it last time. But him, wearing a freaking sleeveless shirt is so effin hot! His morning hair added how gorgeous he really look like.
I saw him smirk. "You are salivating early in the morning.."
I closed my mouth after hearing him said that. Not my fault, he really look hot.
"Shut up." I told him.
He put his shoes on and about to leave. But he stares at me for a second and tilted his head. He smiles that made my brows furrow.
"I have to go, Flora will be here in a minute." He walks closer to me and put his palm on my forehead.
After doing that, he gave me one last look and suddenly disappear.
I touch my cheeks. Damn, it feels like burning. Then I touch my neck. The feeling of his hot lips remains there. For some reason my breathing became unstable.
That dude doing whatever he wants!
"Oh Milady!" Flora's emotional face so early in the morning.
She run to me and hug me. "You weren't waking up for the last days. I was so worried about you!"
I hug her back. "Sorry for making you worry Flora."
"But Milady..." She softly touch my neck. "What happened to your neck?"
I was stunned with her question. That Eiliff really doing whatever he wanted!
After serving me breakfast, gaving me medicine, helping me bath, I was still furious when I saw what that Eiliff left to my neck.
My skin is too pale not to be noticed this red thing on my neck! And that's Eiliff's fault!
He left a mark on my neck!
"That bastard doing whatever he likes!" I mumble furiously while staring at my neck in the mirror.
"Should we use something to cover this milady? Who would dare do this to you? I made sure that your room is clean enough so that there won't be bugs in here!"
"Yeah, it was a huge bug to be honest Flora." I look at her and smile bitterly. "Nah, let that huge bug see what he has done to me."
Flora let my hair down and put some hairpins on it, I really love it when she's doing my hair. The way she carefully combs it. And the feeling of how gentle she massages my head.
"I wanted to go for a walk, but it is still raining outside." I said.
Flora look outside and sigh. "It's really been raining too much."
"Can I still go out?"
"Milady, that would be bad, you just barely recover from being sick, everyone's worried about your condition too. For sure no one will agree if you wanted to go out." She said.
Then Sahana.. "By the way, how's Sahana this past few days? Haven't seen him in a while now."
"Sir Sahana has been busy Milady," Flora answered.
"Can I atleast have a chance to see him..?" I whisper.
Flora look at me with a small smile on her face. It's obvious that she's really worried of my well-being. Just like a mother.
"Then Milady, I will be at the kitchen."
"Can I go with you? I am getting bored here, you know?"
"But Milady..."
She didn't finish her words, she just look at my pleading eyes and sigh. "Then, let's go."
"Yes!" I got up from my bed and follow her. She's walking with my pace.
And I didn't know it lately, but I am really a slow walker.
"Madame, the food is not yet ready.." Every single one in the kitchen stops from what they're doing when they notice me behind Flora.
"Milady.."
"Milady!"
"T-the Lady's here!"
I was even surprise with their reactions. "Ahm, can I stay here for the meantime?" I ask with a shy voice.
"But for the lady to be here.." Said the one middle aged man.
They bow when Flora look at them. "The lady wants to stay here for a while."
"Y-yeah, it's still raining and I am getting bored inside my room."
"But Milady, the kitchen is not a good place for you to stay, you just recover--- did someone bitten your neck?!"
"Y-yeah, it looks like a bug bite."
"But the inn was made sure to be clean for your stay."
Well, since Flora let me show the 'thing' on my neck, I was still expecting their reactions. I just laughed at their surprise looks.
It took few more convincing to them just to let me stay here.
There are four cook here and Flora was the one assisting for my meal. I didn't know that, but Flora really is doing here her job carefully.
Tending to me, even making sure that I will be comfortable of every meal that I eat. She's really something.
I gave here two thumbs up!
This four cook are really working here in this inn, before the magicians rented the entire building.
If they can afford renting this building, I guess they really are wealthy. Well renting the entire building is something else right?
"Because Sir Sahana wanted for the Lady's stay here comfortable." Nione said. That was the name of this middle aged man.
I just remembered his name. He was the head chef of this inn. And he even mentioned how honored he was when they mentioned that I love his cook.
Can't help it. He is even better than me.
They continued their work while I was watching them. I remember when I cook here one time with Eiliff.
I became furious when I remembered what he did to my neck!
"Milady! It's so good to see you,,well why are you here...?" It was Baley but he tilted his head and look at my neck. He even pointed at my neck! "Who...?"
"Who dare bit your neck Milady?!" Chess
Even Dave became alarmed when he saw what's in my neck.
"What happened to your neck milady?!" Chess
Now we are crowded here in the kitchen.
"Is that a hickey.?" Baley, out of the blue asked.
Every single person present here in the kitchen stops working and look at me with their wide eyes.
"Bug bite. A huge bug." I answered them coldly.
"What a bug." Baley look at Chess.
"Yeah, a huge bug it is." Chess said.
These two really are harmonizing well.
Dave gave me a doubt look. I just shrug my shoulders and ignore them. But another person came in.
"Oh wow, what a hickey Milady.!" Arcon.
That made me roll my eyes. This hickey thing is getting annoying.
"I should have just killed that bug myself!" I said and show them my fist. "Stop asking anything guys."
I heard them chuckling and sit to the vacant chairs.
"What's with all the fuss here.." Said the familiar voice.
Glaring at him and whisper. "The huge bug is here.."
Baley and Arcon spit their drinks and started coughing.
Dave was shock when he heard me said that. It was just the timing when Eiliff entered the kitchen.
"Master!"
Everyone look at him and show him respect by bowing their heads.
Chess and Baley started laughing at me, they are stealing glances to their master too. When Arcon and Dave finally caught on with the situation, Arcon just shake his head. While Dave gave his master a doubt look.
"What?" Eiliff
I roll my eyes when he look at me.
"I didn't know that there are bugs here Milady.." Said Baley who's laughing.
"Yeah. What a bug it was." Chess.
"Yeah, I know." I commented with their laughs.
Eiliff, who seemed no idea what were talking about sit next to me.
"What's happening here?" He ask me.
"I dunno, we were only talking about a possible bug that bitten my neck." I answered and drink from my cup.
"You, calling me a bug!"
With his answer his magicians started laughing loud. They didn't even cared about the poor workers around us.
"Goodness, heaven!" Chess.
"My lord, why would you do that to the lady?" Arcon.
"She seems a bit violent...but leaving a mark to her neck is something." Dave.
"Dave just called me violent." I look at Dave who's trying his best not to burst out his laugh.
"Forgive me Milady." He apologize.
When they didn't stop laughing, I got up from my seat and started walking out.
"Where are you going?" It was Eiliff.
"Somewhere, where there are no bugs!" I look at him when his face darkened.
I ignore him and left them. I really should have listened to Flora's suggestion. I really should have covered this freaking hickey!
And I should have punch Eiliff's face when I got a chance!
I can still hear Baley's laughter even when I am in the corridor of this inn now. That's how loud his laughter is.
Rolling my eyes, again, I went to my room and stayed silent.
Holding my neck, where the hickey is, I should have known the result of Eiliff's doing last night!
I wasn't expecting the result though. No, let's be honest here now that I am alone. When I felt his lips touched my neck, I was aware about it too. I just can't keep denying the fact about it. And I was sick for heaven's sake last night!
And I just don't understand myself either. When he's around everytime I woke up in the middle of the night, I didn't feel scared. Rather I am comfortable that it was him with me. Comforting me and making me feel that he's around everytime I needed someone with me. That's fact.
My heart kept pounding for some unknown reasons too. Mostly because of him. Because of his guts doing whatever he likes with me! And I can't even do to stop him from doing so, especially about last night.
I felt my face heat up when I remember the first night I slept with him. We were both drunk too! And what if something happened back then? How would I face him after that?
This place is different from where I lived. Far different with their ideals. If it was some random dude, they must have took advantage of me. But it was Eiliff for goodness sake!
What if, it was me who lost all the dignity...
I look up at the sky. It's still raining.
"When will this rain stop?" Aside from getting bored inside this inn, I needed to do something, or needed to focus somewhere!
I just can't keep staying here while Eiliff is in every corner!
He's was more dangerous. And his presence is not healthy for my heart.
"Milady.."
All my thoughts have been interrupted. It was Dave who's standing at the door.
"Dave, what are you doing here?" I ask him first before letting him in. "Come here, have a seat. You look somewhat confuse."
I saw how he sigh and look at me. "Then, let me intrude here."
"What is it?"
"I thought you were upset. Baley and Chess are always like that, they get along well when they are teasing someone. Just like kids, I hope you didn't get mad over them."
What he said made me smile. He's concern of me. "Nah, am all good here."
"Then, then why did you suddenly left when Master Eiliff arrived?"
I chuckled. "Are you thinking that I was avoiding your master?"
"If it isn't then what was your reason?"
I am not avoiding anyone... Is what I wanted to say. But looking at his serious face I just shut up.
"To tell you honestly, Master has been lonely even before I came to the tower. It was like he's not allowing anyone to interrupt his solitude. But when you came, he looked like he's been in a brighter mood. So whatever the Master did.."
It's obvious where he was looking.
My neck.
"Please don't be angry of him. I have never seen Master comfortable around anyone, even to us, he kept his distance at all. But when you came, it felt like he is starting to open up to anyone."
I recall what Eiliff said last night. 'but it made me feel calm whenever you are around.' I didn't get it at all. But here with Dave telling me how he was comfortable when I got here in their world.
"Just what kind of life Eiliff lived.." I instantly cover my mouth when that came out from me. I know based on their stories, and based on what Eiliff said. He's been longing for death.
He said something back then during the night of the festival, but it became a vivid memory now.
"He lived a troublesome life Milady, please forgive me for asking this, but please stay with us longer. For Master, for Sahana and for our sake." His words sounded like a wounded animal looking for someone to take care too.
What kind of lives these people lived before?! Do they find me like a light in their world full of darkness?!
My heart ache imagining of their lonely life. But didn't I live the same? Though it came out a forgotten memory, but I still lived a lonely life too!
"I can't promise you anything like that Dave, you know the reason very well how did I come here. Sahana took me without my knowledge at all."
I saw pain resgistered to his eyes. I avoided those eyes and continue what I was saying. "I lived from a different world, I am grateful for you people that you kept me safe and comfortable while I am here, but don't you think that I have a life too?"
"I know Milady.. please forgive me."
After he said that he left me alone. Was I too forward when I said those words to him? But it is still unfair for me. No one is answering me when I ask them, why me? Of all the people on Earth, why abduct me?! I have a life too. A successful like that everyone dreamed off.
I worked my ass out just to get where I was, before coming here! But in a second my life changed because of Sahana!
What was I needed here for? Why am I even here?! I am no god to answer and help them solve their problems..
Something pinch my heart when I remember the pain I saw in Dave's eyes.
'I was longing for death, can you help me rest in peace?'