In silence and confusion, Manila observes Elzen's face. He still sleeps soundly, driven by curiosity, she places a hand against his cheek.
Feeling the heat of his skin between her fingers makes her thoughtful about the latest events. Her solitude in the mansion, not socializing with other people, compared to the constant moments when Elzen is always around, even Vivelle's company is not bad for her, no matter how annoying it is.
The smile on her face disappears when she remembers her internal dialogue; that voice was so alive and intense.
She caresses his face more affectionately, and a little smile appears.
"You can continue this as long as you want, lady Manila, but I don't think we can stay like this as long as you want."
She tries quickly to move her hand, but he holds it gently.
"At no point did I say I didn't enjoy it." - The mischievous smile on his face turned into something charming for her.
"Our mission will begin tomorrow. Today we did the scouting. While you were sleeping, reinforcements arrived, and we already did the first part. We found the bandits' stronghold and even discovered two survivors from the Aurora squad."
"How long did I sleep?" Manila asked in a surprised manner.
"You slept for a day and a half. I think you used a lot of your Mana to recover your wounds, but the important thing is that you're okay." His smile faded. "I was starting to get worried. I have never seen you sleep for so long."
"Why?" She asked in confusion.
"Why? Why what?" Elzen asks, confused as well.
"Why did you worry about me?"
"Why? I care about you, Manila..." He smiles slightly.
"Why?" Manila's voice always remains in the same skeptical tone.
Elzen's smile fades after the question; there is something wrong with her question, and he cannot understand her reaction. Smiling again, he tries to hide his confusion and how hurt he felt by the question.
"Manila..." - He holds her hand tightly, trying to convey everything he felt until now. "You may not know, but since the first time I saw you at the soldier's barracks. I have always been impressed by you."
"I was one of the guards escorting the heirs of the Wrightham family, the day you won your duel against Lord Lucio, I was charmed by the way you moved, how you wielded your weapon, the way your bo-… well..." - His cheeks blush vibrantly.
"The way your body moved, your beauty expressed in each smooth and effective movement, turning what would be a simple duel into an unforgettable experience."
Their faces blushed with the same intensity. Never before had Elzen expressed himself like that, and Manila had never received such delicate compliments as she did. The silence fell in that small space seemed reserved for the two young soldiers, like nothing seemed to exist outside. Elzen sits next to her and looks deep into her eyes.
"The shine in your eyes never changes, day after day, no matter what happens to you, you always have the same attitude, a curious way of facing everything offered to you. I saw you return to work shortly after, still not recovered from Lord Lucio's abuse, yes, we know what he did, Commander Boltu told us."
"So what are you feeling, is it pity?"
"No, it's not pity, I thought it might be, but before I even knew what was happening to you, I was already watching you with more desire." His voice becomes soft as a whisper, a charming melody to Manila's ears.
"Alone, you took care of everything that needed to be taken care of, suffered the contempt and hostility of so many people, and yet you always had the same sincerity, attitude, sometimes a simple and warm smile."
The hands that were previously intertwined loosen for a moment, Elzen affectionately caresses Manila's face, his eyes focused on every reaction she could show to his touch, causing goosebumps to form on the back of her neck.
"I don't know if I can express everything I want to express myself with words, but as I spend more time with you these days, my curiosity, my admiration, and my love for you only grow..."
Her mind was confused. Elzen's affectionate words filled her with happiness, a warm feeling she longed for. However, fear was growing inside her confused heart, a feeling that she already knew well, the possibility of being betrayed, abused, and abandoned one day, like she once was before.
He perceives the insecurity in her eyes, that unchanging look from before was now full of emotions, following his most primal instincts, he gently joins his lips with hers, at this moment, there is nothing left, just the feeling of their lips touching. Taken by the surprise of such a gesture, Manila doesn't know how to react, her mind stops working and her body moves on instinct, her eyes close, her body moves closer to Elzen, and the heat radiates from her lips throughout her entire being, this feeling makes her feel more alive than ever.
When they open their eyes, they look at each other warmly.
"If my words weren't enough, I hope this kiss showed you how much I care for you."
The confusion in Manila's eyes dissolved, the wall she created to protect herself slowly crumbled, and the joy she felt at that moment was visible.
"Do you like me?"
"No, I love you."
"I don't need to prove I'm worthy of your attention?"
"No, because you have been worthy for a long time."
"Can I be around you whenever I want?"
"Always, of course, except when we can't, thanks to our duties, but as far as it depends on me, you will live by my side every second of every day we are together..."
"Will you stay with me here, in this bed, until morning if I ask?"
"Yes, I was already thinking about doing that, and if you want, I won't move an inch."
She hugs him and kisses him again on the lips, her expression now radiating serenity and peace. For Elzen, she only became more beautiful and charming.
They snuggle comfortably in the makeshift bed. It's a small space for them, but that doesn't matter now. With their foreheads touching, they remain silent, enjoying each other's company.
"Won't staying like this get us into trouble?" Manila asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, it's just you and me here. If anyone wants to come in to check if you're okay, I'll take care of them."
"So...tomorrow we will attack the bandits' stronghold?"
"Yes, we will march through the forest in the morning, eliminating any scouts, and surround the perimeter."
"It's strange for me to say this, but now I'm afraid to go on this mission."
"Why? You are an excellent soldier; your skills have already been demonstrated to everyone in our battalion."
"I don't worry about me, I worry about you now."
"Now I don't know whether to feel happy or angry." He laughs at his joke. "Do you think I don't know how to defend myself?"
"No, that's not it, but how can I say this..." The confusion in expressing herself was a trait that Elzen had never seen in her.
"Calm down, breathe, and think about what you want to say. We have all night."
"It's not that I didn't care about you or others before, but I never imagined I cared to the point of missing you. I know that makes me seem selfish and cut off from affection for other people, but it's not that. I'm almost sure that if I start showing interest in someone like I'm doing with you right now, that person will suffer."
"So you're afraid I'll be the target of someone who wants to hurt you?"
"Yes, and also now I'm afraid of losing you to something, a surprise arrow, an ambush, a trap, when I just thought about going into battle or something else by myself, I didn't care about getting hurt, but now I care if you get hurt."
"Every time I go into battle, the only thing I think about is finishing the mission, no matter what happens to me..."
She stops for a moment and stares at Elzen.
"If death comes to me today or tomorrow, I don't care, or at least I didn't care, all those years living in that cursed mansion were years of torment and loneliness."
Elzen hugs her tighter and gently puts her head on his chest. In silence, the two remain together, letting only the heat of their bodies bring a cozy and calming feeling.
That was enough to comfort Manila; she fell asleep quickly, and with a smile, Elzen continued to admire her for some time before sleeping.
"Fool...you will only hurt yourself like this..." Inside Manila, her inner voice speaks with resentment before disappearing again.