Although he wasn't aware of it.
"What are you holding so tightly?"
"…"
Eden's gaze turned to Ayla's hand, which was holding something tightly. How tightly she was holding it, that her fist had turned white.
The pieces of paper, that are like a bunch of ordinary papers to him, seemed quite important to her.
Seeing that she was holding onto them without letting go, even amid all this.
It wasn't before long that Eden was sure that the papers in Ayla's hand were something she had been anxiously looking for.
‘She will ask to return to the palace right away. I'm in trouble.'
Eden let out a small sigh and turned his gaze.
Then he frowned and took off the coat he was wearing.
"Those sons of bitches."
Eden said some harsh swear words in a low voice. Eden's coat fell over Ayla's head, who was staring at him with surprise.
"Wear it. I don't think you can go out like that."
Eden gave her his coat and went outside without saying a word.
As Ayla, obviously embarrassed, looked down, her white upper chest was exposed.
She hurriedly covered herself, looked anxiously from side to side, and buried her messy face between her knees.
***
"Come on, let's go. You're taking a lot of time."
As Eden predicted, Ayla asked to return to the palace as soon as she came out of the ruins.
Without answering her words, Eden released the reins he had tied securely.
"I can't go."
"What do you mean?"
"It's been a while since I used my sword so I'm really tired. It's impossible in my current state. If you really want to go, well… You can go alone."
"But…"
Ayla couldn't say anything else at his cold gaze.
Eden, who was on the horse, suddenly reached out his hand and gave Ayla a look as if telling her to climb up.
Apparently considerate for the startled Ayla, Eden steered the horse slowly without speeding up.
As she felt his breath up close, she immediately felt as if her tense body was loosening up.
Little by little, her eyes closed, and she leaned more and more against his firm arms and body.
Eden held her in his arms without saying a word.
***
"Mmm."
Ayla woke up with a shallow groan and pressed her head.
Perhaps it was already past midnight, as it was dark outside.
The narrow room was lit up by a small candle.
Ayla slowly raised herself out of bed and looked around.
Eden, who fell asleep in an awkward position in the bedside chair, came into view.
The owner deliberately gave them a room with only one bed, saying they were young newlyweds.
The corners of Ayla's mouth went up as she looked at Eden, who seemed to be considerate of her as she was startled by what happened today.
She must have been unknowingly exhausted from the long journey and the sudden incident.
She remembers up until she got on the horse, but she couldn't remember anything afterwards.
‘He's sleeping well.'
As Ayla crouched and approached Eden, who was deep asleep, the thin blanket brushed against him and he made a noise.
He was like a ferocious wolf when he was awake, but when he was sleeping, he looked like a gentle puppy.
After looking at Eden for a long time, Ayla unconsciously reached out her hand towards his cheek.
"I know I'm perfect, but… This is a little embarrassing."
Eden, who she thought was deep asleep, slowly opened his closed eyes.
Her thin wrist, which was pointing towards Eden's cheek, was caught in his grasp and couldn't move an inch.
When his eyes met with Ayla's, who was hurriedly trying to pull out her hand as if embarrassed, Eden let her go, with a charming smile.
"Ahem, you… You should have woken me up! I was told to come by midnight…"
Ayla cleared her throat in embarrassment and yelled at him.
"I did my best saving you and now you're being like that. Wake up when you're done sleeping. You must go back stealthily."
"…"
Eden got up from his seat and stretched.
Ayla, who was looking at him without saying a word, lowered her head and let out a small sigh when she saw her exposed white skin under the blanket.
Although she covered herself with Eden's coat, it was impossible to cover all her exposed skin because her clothes had been torn.