Ignis slowly opened her eyes and found herself laying on her back on the soft grass.
"Are you feeling better now?" Ignis turned her head to the left to come face to face with Adrian.
He laid next to her, her head lying on his arm and the other hand was placed casually on her stomach. She saw herself covered in his brown robe.
"You were shivering and ... and my body is naturally cold so I couldn't help you much more than lend you my robe. Are you uncomfortable? Just bear for sometime until you feel warm" he rubbed the robe over her right arm to give some warmth.
She saw his pale face glowed orange as the light of the setting sun directly fell on him. His blue eyes shimmered golden with a tinge of red, full of concern.
"How long was I unconscious?" she asked in a raspy voice.
"Not more than 30 minutes" the setting sun in his eyes somehow lessens her queasiness. He gently urged her to close her eyes and take a rest.
In the past, Ignis always felt that there is nothing that takes precedence over her revenge. Nor Domi, nor anyone can make her think otherwise. But recently she felt that this face, this man somehow holds the power to change her resolve. What is he doing to her? Why is he doing it? Why do she see a worried face? Why does he have to feel guilty for something he couldn't do for her? It almost felt like him being kind. And, kindness was something she has seen a lot but none was ever directed towards her. Over the time she accepted the fact there was none left for her.
She doesn't want someone to worry about her. She wants someone who will be a means for her to achieve her aims. But looking at him, she felt strayed. She wants to stay in this warm light, look in his eyes, hold his cold hands.
'Just once, can I touch this beautiful and kind soul? Will I be crossing the line of no return?'
Ignis turned towards him and Adrian adjusted the robe to keep her covered. She removed her right hand from under the cover and stroked his eyes with her thumb, brushing his long black hair off his eyes. He closed his eyes to her touch. She traced his cheek, then his jaw and onto his neck before combing her fingers through his mullet.
'This is wrong. I don't deserve him. I don't deserve anyone.' Ignis felt warm drops flow through her eyes onto his arm. She clutched his sleeve and leaned towards him, hiding her face in his neck. There was a slight hesitation, before Adrian slid his hand over her shoulder and lightly patted her back.
"It's alright, I am here. Take your time. I will wait" he said in a low voice almost like soothing a child.
Listening to him, fresh tears started to roll out of her eyes. She felt the wall between them slowly crumbling.
*****
The sky was all dark when they decided to return to the settlement. Adrian cradled her in his strong arms, walking slowly on the dark road, followed by their horses. He looked grim, lost in his own thoughts. She unknowingly tightened her hold around his neck.
"What are you thinking?" She asked after staring at him for some more time.
"Nothing much" he replied and continued to look on the road ahead.
"Were you scared?" Adrian let out a sigh and then nodded.
"A little. I shouldn't have taken you to the cliff"
They walked in silence a few more steps. Ignis felt her heart grow heavy with every step. She decided to lighten the mood.
"You are walking awfully slow. Am I that heavy? Surely you can carry this much"
She saw a smirk formed on his beautiful face. Without any warning, he gently threw her up in the air and caught her back swiftly. Ignis shrieked with laughter.
"You are so light that I don't even feel you in my arms" he replied, laughing at her face.
"You tyrant!" Ignis once again tightened her hold around his neck as she felt relieved that the tension between them has now passed.
They reached a big open tent, enough to hold hundreds of people, set up right in the center of the village. Adrian bent down to enter the tent. Ignis looked around to find wooden logs that were placed upright all around the tent, perhaps for letting people sit. A large section was clear in the center. She asked Adrian to put her down but he didn't budge till he reached one wooden log. He placed her on it and settled himself on the one beside her.
"Brother Adrian, long time no see" they both turned to a young woman walking towards them.
"Sasha, it's indeed been months since I last saw you" Adrian smiled brightly at the woman.
"I heard you are getting married. Congratulations!" she patted him on the shoulders.
Adrian introduced Ignis to Sasha and left to bring dinner.
"How old are you?" Sasha tilted her head sideways and asked her. The light mood suddenly shifted to seriousness. This felt like an interrogation.
"I am 22 years old"
"Aren't you too young for him?" the tribal woman narrowed her eyes.
"I don't think the three year difference is too much" Ignis straightened her back.
"Do you love him?" Ignis was taken back with the question. 'How should I answer this?'
"It's an arranged marriage so we are not in love, but, we are good with each other."
"Make sure you keep him happy then. Sir Adrian is a special man for us. He risked his life to save the Turq mages kidnapped by monsters. Many of us consider him as the blessing of Goddess Aqua. It's a pity that he only visits us when he needs some alone time. That King doesn't let him take any breaks" Sasha clenched her fist and made sure to show her hate towards the King.
Ignis replied with a simple 'alright'. 'If only she knew.'
After some time when everyone took their bowl and were eating their food, Adrian quickly gulped down his food and proceeded to bring another bowl.
"Are you that starved?" Ignis asked, surprised at his appetite, to which he simply shrugged.
When he was back, a few more people joined him. They all took the logs around both of them and started sharing stories of the time spent in war or researching some marine species.
"Sister Ignis, did you know that Sir Adrian and the King both shared the first name? So sad right?" She just smiled unable to say anything. She looked at Adrian, but, he paid no attention to the boys and continued to concentrate on his food.
"Brother Adrian is valiant. The first person to cliff dive was - " Ignis saw Adrian shoot up from his seat, but before he could reach Levi, the innocent boy revealed the name " - Brother Adrian".
The other boy whose name she forgot chirped "Yes, I still remember the day. He was angry about something when he ran past us, straight to a cliff and jumped without any hesitation. And let me tell you, that cliff is the tallest one we have here. You both were standing there this evening"
Ignis felt a chill ran through her body when she thought about the strong waves breaking below the cliff. She unconsciously rubbed her shoulder. Adrian stood aimlessly, then faced the group.
"Boys, if you are done eating I have to share something with you all" he placed his empty bowl on his seat.
He went to the center of the tent and faced the chief of the tribe.
"Lara, there is something that I wanted to share with everyone for a long time. It was not my intention to hide it from you all, but, somehow I missed the correct time." He turned slowly looking at every person. "It started as a misunderstanding during our days on the battlefield, but, when the tribe started giving me your love and care, I turned greedy and wanted to hold on to you for as long as possible."
Everyone stopped eating, sensing the topic to be something serious.
"I was a Knight when we went to war. But soon after we returned, I was crowned as the King of Aqua Land" His hair that was black a moment ago slowly started turning to the usual moon-lit silver.
Ignis heard many gasps in the audience. She looked around. Sasha was covering her mouth with both hands. Levi who was sitting right beside Ignis, stood up slowly. Only Lara didn't seem to be surprised.
"I am King Adrian Mari"