_06_
The silence that hung in the air was thick and deafening, causing a sense of awkwardness between the two occupants at the back of the Medieval Royal carriage. Well, perhaps it was one-sided, as Lothanna wore a dark but faint smile on his face, his gaze fixated on the woods.
Cara's fingers were quivering, as she tried to keep calm and muster enough courage to hide her shaky legs and stifled yawns as a result of sitting on the same spot for couple of hours.
Bored, her thoughts wandered as she stole a glance at Lothanna. This man beside her was more mysterious than she thought, the air surrounding him was creepy and eerie even though he seem like a pure soul — if he were to be judged by his looks alone.
After what seems like an eternity, the carriage came to an abrupt stop, snapping her off her thoughts. She had wanted to ask if they had reached their destination but words get stuck in her throat when she realized their surrounding — there was nothing else but trees and dried leaves.
"What, are we here already...?" She thought within herself. "Does he live in the woods?" She couldn't help but wonder, unconsciously giving him a strange look, of which she wasn't aware.
"What? I'm neither a wild animal nor a werewolf." Lothanna replied almost immediately. "Why would I live in the woods of all place?"
Cara was stupefied. "What...?" She asked with her brows raised. She did not know how to process what had just happened, did he just read her mind or was it just a coincidence? "I never said anything."
Lothanna laughed lightly and Cara was embarrassed. "Of course, you did." He told her in reply as he hopped out of the carriage. ""What, are we here already? Does he live in the woods?" Isn't that what you said, no?"
Cara was more than astounded this time. Those were supposed to be her thoughts; how did he hear them? Or had she said them aloud? "I..." She wanted to say something in reply but trailed off. What was she supposed to say, anyway?
"Get down, little woman." He called out, his voice was now commanding, the warmth in his tone has completely disappeared like it was never in his tone a moment ago. "I'm not one of those regular noblemen who help women out of the carriage."
Cara was embarrassed, her cheeks heating up — she never expected him to help her out. "You never said we'll be getting out here." She was quick with her response. "Why are we getting down if you don't reside in the woods?"
Lothanna scoffed. "I can sense how tired you are. You may try to act and look tough, but you can't deny the fact that you're still a weak human." He replied in a cold voice. "So, get down."
"No, thanks, I'm fine!" she shook her head negatively in response, rudely turning him down. "I never complained of being tired."
Lothanna's brow moved with a wry jerk, his lips curving into a sly smirk. "Ah, forgive me." He responded with a trail of mockery. "I must have mistaken your stifled yawns and the dark circles under your eyes as signs of exhaustion. Silly me."
Cara did not miss the sarcasm that dripped in his tone, a stark contrast to the coldness from before. "But, hey, if you insist on playing the invincible warrior, who am I to stop you?"
He chuckled, his eyes glittering with mirth. "However, when your legs inevitably give out, I'll be sure to catch you before you hit the ground. Wouldn't want our 'tough' human to bruise that fragile ego, would we?"
As Lothanna's biting sarcasm registered, a rosy blush crept up the Cara's cheeks, betraying her annoyance and embarrassment. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
Determined not to let her pride suffer another blow, she made a swift decision to exit the carriage and stretch her legs, using the opportunity to gather her composure and regain her confident demeanor.
She stepped out of the carriage with a determined long step, her chin raised, and shoulders squared. As she inhaled the fresh air, she exhaled her irritation, allowing the calm surroundings to soothe her ruffled feathers.
Although Lothanna's teasing had momentarily dampened Cara's spirits, she refused to let it steal her sense of self-assurance and resolve. "Why are we stopping here of all places?" She managed to ask, her gaze surveying the woods.
"Where else can we stop if not here?" He replied with a rhetorical yet sarcastic question. "For more than an hour now, what have you seen if not woods?"
Cara sighed slowly, realizing it was the truth. "I don't know if you were driven by desire or you've always been this reckless." She said, earning a creased brow from Lothanna. "I mean, who rides through woods for hours just to ruin someone else's supposedly joyous day?"
"I do..." It was a plain response, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You know, I kind of derive joy from humans' misery. Besides, I saved you, you should be thankful to me."
Cara was bewildered. What nonsense was this man saying? "You saved me? How?" She muffled out, lines creasing her forehead.
"You can't deny the fact that you didn't want the marriage your father was imposing on you, can you?" Lothanna enunciated. "I was just in time to save you from what you dreaded the most. Besides, none of those men can hold a candle against me when it comes to power and beauty."
Cara didn't know she had laughed. "Are you bragging right now?" She asked after her short laughter ended.
"Maybe I am..." He uttered with a shoulder shrug. "But it's the truth — and you know that. Didn't you see how those men acted when I arrived? Even Xavier Brooks, I mean your father, wasn't left unaffected."
Cara's heart dropped to her stomach at the mention of her father. She had let her guard down for a few moments, almost forgetting the grief her father would be experiencing at the moment.
After Lothanna had barged into the arena and proposed his intention of getting married to her instead, her father was forced to marry her off to him. Everything had happened quickly before anyone could process what was happening — and here she was, alone with the mysterious man, both alone in the middle of nowhere.
A heavy and awkward silence fell between them, and a couple of minutes later, Cara's stomach rumbled loudly, interrupting the silence.
Flushed and embarrassed, Cara stared innocently at the sky before directing her gaze toward Lothanna. "Am I the only one who heard the thunder clapping? Uh, I think it's about to rain." She uttered, trying to conceal her humiliation.
Lothanna stared at her in astonishment, holding back his laughter. "Yeah, I heard it too." He responded, deciding to play along. He strode toward her, his eyes locked on hers.
Cara took a few steps back, her heart jumping in fear for a moment. "What... are you doing?" she stuttered, stumbling. Lothanna quickly caught her in his left arm before she could fall.
"I can't believe you're clumsy as well." Lothanna muttered as he helped her stand. He placed both hands on her shoulders, his emotionless gaze directed into her eyes. "Stay here for a while, and don't you dare try to run because I'll catch you before you know it — and I'm sure you would never be ready for the repercussions of your actions..."