"Kuhuu..."
A bird chirped brightly as it swooped down toward Aria.
Her gentle laughter rang through the quiet forest, bringing it to life. The stillness that once hung like a veil over the hill now dissolved in the warmth of her joy.
Rayan watched in silent amazement. He had visited this hill before, but it had always felt desolate—as though no creature dared live here. Once, he had considered himself lucky to spot even a single pheasant.
But now, the hill was transformed.
It stunned him.
"You! Li Dupi Lan Bhe," Aria said with a smile, her voice soft and affectionate as she spoke to the bird.
Rayan didn't understand a word, but to his surprise, the bird chirped even more excitedly after her words. Did they understand her? He found himself wondering.
The small bird perched comfortably on her shoulder as Aria turned and continued walking. They were out to collect firewood—the hut's supply had run low.
She cast a glance at the man accompanying her, only to look away quickly, startled to find his gaze already on her.
His towering frame always made her nervous. And those eyes—beautiful yet distant—seemed to peer straight into her, with a weight she couldn't name. A strange flutter twisted in her stomach, unfamiliar and confusing.
She tried to brush it off. Perhaps she was just hungry. Missing meals tended to make her feel strange lately.
Turning away, she approached a tree and lifted the axe, ready to strike—but before the blade could fall, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Stop!"
Aria gasped and dropped the axe immediately, eyes wide with fear.
She didn't understand the words, but his tone was unmistakable.
Rayan strode up to her, a disapproving look on his face. It was like watching a father scold a child who had done something reckless.
"You... how could you even think of cutting this tree yourself?" he muttered under his breath, his voice thick with frustration.
Didn't she realize how delicate she was? Her wrist had bruised from a mere grip—and yet she'd tried to chop wood?
But Aria only stared at him in bewildered silence, shrinking slightly under his stern gaze. She hadn't meant to do anything wrong. What had she done this time?
Rayan sighed, realizing again that she couldn't understand his words. So he bent, picked up the axe, and began chopping the tree himself.
Aria stepped back, pouting a little like a scolded child. She genuinely didn't understand what she had done to upset him.
With Rayan now occupied, she wandered a little deeper into the woods, looking for fruits and vegetables to fill her basket. There was only one axe, and clearly, she wasn't going to be allowed to use it.
Rayan, meanwhile, paused to make sure she remained within sight before continuing his work. Thanks to his strength and skill, the tree was felled and cut in no time.
When Aria returned, her eyes widened in awe at the neat stack of firewood.
So talented, ah…
If Rayan knew he was earning her admiration just for chopping firewood, he wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry. Still, he was too busy tying the wood into bundles to notice.
When Aria motioned to put the firewood in her basket, Rayan shot her a firm look that made her retreat instantly.
Did she really think he'd let her carry something so heavy?
Shaking his head, he lifted the bundle onto his shoulder. Aria opened her mouth, concern for his injury bubbling up—but she stayed quiet, worried another protest would earn her another scolding.
Then Rayan gestured: should they continue forward or return to the hut?
Aria pointed down the hill, and he nodded, falling into step behind her.
As they walked, Rayan's eyes caught on a shallow pit near the path. It stopped him in his tracks. The pit… it was just the size of a man.
Just the size of him.
His memory blurred—he remembered the rain, the desperate attempt to draw enemy attention away from his men, and the blood pouring from his chest.
He was now sure that he had been too injured to be standing right now and even being able to cut a tree!
A frown marred his forehead as he pondered in confusion.
Aria noticed his pause and turned. Following his gaze, she gasped slightly when her eyes landed on the pit.
That was where she had found him.
She stepped forward and gently patted his arm.
Rayan flinched, surprised at the unexpected touch.
But Aria didn't stop. Her voice was soft and calm as she said, "Lan He Nadina." (You are alright.)
Rayan watched her, not understanding her words, but her expression and tone said everything. She was trying to comfort him.
Did she think he was scared?
A smile crept to his lips, unbidden. He studied her bowed head, the sincerity of her gesture.
How long had it been since someone tried to comfort him?
A hush settled between them. Aria kept patting his arm gently, and Rayan simply watched.
But it didn't last.
His smile faded as his instincts sharpened. A sound—too precise, too deliberate—reached his ears.
His eyes turned cold in an instant.
Then, before Aria could react, her arm was seized and she was dragged behind a nearby tree.