I'll protect you.

Squinting his eyes, Chen muddle-headly woke up in bed early morning. The sun has yet to even rise, so it was most likely around two to four hours after midnight.

Was that all a dream? Chen thought. It felt so real.

The disappointed latched onto him instantly.

Though it was a relief that she wasn't in that state, he still wished to see her. He stared at the ceiling emptily.

After some time, Chen quickly sensed something was in his hand and turned his head down towards it.

Her face was facing him, laying down with her hand tightly holding his. There laid the woman that he wanted to see so much.

"..."

Chen quickly sat up and stared blankly at her. He used his free hand to stroke her head and touch her face. He had to make sure.

His eyes grew wide.

It was real; it wasn't a dream!

Chen was delighted for a moment until he shifted his attention down to her hands again.

His expression began to turn extremely ugly.

Wrinkled, chipped, cut. It was anything you could possibly think of. Remnants of dried blood were plainly visible, and the flesh was exposed to the air. Her fingers were in an abrasive state.

Chen gently removed his hand out of hers and jumped out of bed. He then marginally moved her into his arms to carry her.

After setting her on the bed, he quickly scanned her body with his eyes.

More bruises and cuts everywhere. Some looked terribly deep, and blood was still oozing out. It seemed like she had bandaged herself fairly quickly. It wasn't properly taken care of.

His eyes instantly turned cold.

Who did this to you?! How dare they!

He was feeling intense heartache as he used as much magic as he could to treat her wounds fast.

Seeing that the wounds had started to heal smoothly, most of them didn't leave a scar; except the one on the side of her leg. That one was too deep.

Chen rushed to call one of the best doctors around to check if they were other problems internally.

Since she was sleeping, Chen told them to be careful not to disturb her. When she flinched or felt pain, he would help sooth and rubbed her back for her to sleep again.

During the examination, a doctor told him; fortunately, Chen had used first aid for her other wounds, so she was out of any critical danger. However, she had a dreadful broken leg. It seemed like her injuries weren't tended for a while, and if it was, it was only enough to stop the bleeding. If she were treated any later, there would've been some severe damage.

Chen felt like he was shattering into a million pieces.

They immediately called for more medical assistance.

The news had made him angrier, but he couldn't do anything about it. Their talk last time meant that she wanted him to leave her be, so he only complied to her wishes but....but...how vexing it was. He couldn't help her pain.

From now on, even if she doesn't want it, he'll protect her regardless. He couldn't just stand aside anymore. This feeling was awful to live through again.

Following the treatment, Lily looked more relaxed.

The natural blush is gradually returning to her face. Finally, Chen left out a long sigh of relief. The whole time, he felt so much anxiety that cold sweat had formed on his back.

It was already the late morning when he sent a letter to the palace that he won't be coming for a while.

Chen rubbed Lily's head in silence as he looked painfully at the girl laying peacefully.

Feeling another person's touch, her lashes trembled and Lily finally opened her eyes.

He was able to see her clear, bright eyes again; the ones that always churned his soul in every direction.

"...Chen?" She hoarsely called out.

"Mm? I'm here," He responded naturally. "Have some water first."

Lily looked at Chen focusing on pouring water. Her face crumpled up in serious pain.

"....Sorry."

"What for." Chen turned to her from the bedside table.

"For letting you see me in this state." Realizing she had laid here in bed and feeling a cast on her leg meant he saw everything. At the time, she just wanted to get to him as fast as possible. She didn't want to show him this, but only the good sides of her.

Chen didn't say anything. He just carefully lifted her head like he was holding fragile glass and fed her water before laying her down again.

"Sorry."

Chen still stayed silent. Then he crouched from the bed and kissed her.

Finally breaking down, he looked at her with a pained expression. "There's nothing to be sorry for." His voice was raspy and unstable as he rubbed her cheeks. "It hurts to see my baby like this."

She became dazed seeing him call her so tenderly. It was the first time she saw him in a vulnerable state. Lily then moved her hand with difficulty and gripped his that was cupping her face.

He moved to hug her gently, fearing he would hurt her. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Un..." Her tears run in response.

"Don't cry...don't cry....." He rubbed the tears off her face again.

Lily gave a weak laugh and smiled. "I've been crying a lot in front of you huh?"

"And you better not in front of others." He lifted her hand, kissed it. "It's even better if you don't have to cry in the future."

She nodded, "en."

"Go to sleep. You need to rest."

"Aren't you sick as well? You're still in the feverish state." Lily frowned at him. "I know because I took care of you, you idiot." How did he even neglect his wellbeing!

"I know you did," There were no servants insight and a towel laying on his forehead when he woke up. Who else would it be?

He then proceeded to get in bed and pulled her into his embrace. "Then lets sleep since we're both patients."

She finally gave him a relaxed smile.

He kissed her forehead again and patted her arm.

It felt so reassuring being showered with tons of affection. Lily eased to sleep again.

Chen didn't sleep right away.

He opened his eyes again after Lily closed hers and watched her sleep for a while more. Despite being sick and tired from the depleted mana, Chen still wanted to make sure she was comfortable and didn't put any pressure on her injured leg. He slept after confirming she was okay.

They stayed like that for a good while before Lily woke up again.

When she did, she saw a pair of eyes looking at her.

"Did you sleep well?" Chen asked her lovingly.

Since her other leg wasn't injured, she shifted her body and snuggled into his chest. "..un"

"Are you hungry?" He rubbed her arm. "I'll tell the servants to bring you food right away."

"Yes!" She hadn't eaten proper food in a while!

"You.." He helplessly smiled at her. "Always happy when there's food."

"and if there's you." She smoothly teased.

"From now on, when you're in pain, sad, happy, or in trouble... Tell me everything." Chen suddenly got serious. "I'll protect you no matter what. I don't care if it's hard or dangerous."

"Un!" She responded. "Then where's my food? I'm sad that it's not here!"

He let out a long sigh and called for the servants to serve the food in their room.