Leena blinked, still half‑dreaming, and the first thing she saw was…
him.
The man she had pulled from the bamboo, now sitting upright on the straw bed, his dark eyes locked on hers.
Awake. Alert.
And far too close.
She gasped softly, jerking back a little.
"You—you shouldn't be sitting up!" she blurted, her voice a mix of shock and scolding.
The man's lips curved—just barely.
"…And you… shouldn't fall asleep beside strangers," he murmured, voice low and rough from injury.
Leena froze, heat rushing to her face.
"I—I was… making sure you didn't die!"
He tilted his head slightly, studying her as if memorizing every detail—
the big, dark eyes, the soft baby hairs against her cheek, the faint scent of spice and flowers clinging to her veil.
"I noticed," he said simply.
His tone was calm, but something in it made her chest tighten.
Leena quickly reached for his shoulder, checking the bandage.
"You're lucky I found you when I did. Another hour and you might have…" she trailed off, realizing she didn't even know his name.
The man watched her fuss over him, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Do you always rescue strangers in the forest?"
"…Only the ones bleeding to death," she retorted, but her ears were warm.
He chuckled—a soft, low sound that stirred the air between them.
It was the first time in years someone had dared talk to him this way, without bowing or trembling.
Then his expression shifted, serious again.
"I… owe you my life," he said, voice soft but solemn.
"You owe me rest," she replied firmly, pressing him gently back against the straw.
"Lie down before your wound reopens. I didn't save you for you to start acting reckless."
For a moment, his dark gaze lingered on her—
this tiny, fierce woman who smelled like an exotic dream and dared to boss him around.
"…As you command," he murmured, closing his eyes again.
Leena's chest tightened strangely.
Who exactly was this man?
Outside, the wind carried the echo of distant hooves.Somewhere beyond the barn walls… someone was hunting.