Touch

The townsfolk continued watching Alissa and Aldebaran as they departed, some even calling out for her to come back. In a desperate attempt to salvage his reputation and avoid being judged harshly by his own people, Councilor Magan ran after them, still offering to make amends for his mistake.

"Please, Alissa," he implored, intercepting them. "I apologize for what I said earlier. As compensation, I will provide whatever you need!"

Alissa refused, though she managed to contain her anger. "It's too late, Councilor. It would be best if you stayed out of our way from now on."

"You harbor bandits and allow crimes hidden from sight. I wonder how many victims like us remain in the shadows, but I know you wouldn't care!" Alissa's voice sharper, her irritation spilling over. "And to think, after all this time, this town hasn't improved but has grown worse instead!"

Speechless and humiliated, the councilor stepped aside, allowing them to continue. He felt the sting of the townsfolk's judgmental gazes, knowing they now saw him as someone who sympathized with wrongdoers. The fact that these words had come from Alissa herself only deepened his shame.

Her renown in Hilver was not without reason. During her time as a Prophet, she had brought about significant changes to the town, her influence spreading like wildfire. However, since the day of her banishment, she had not returned to the place she once called home—until now.

"Does it still hurt? Your throat?" Alissa asked, her voice laced with concern.

Aldebaran leaned against the stone bridge railing, attempting to gauge his condition. "I think it's feeling better now," he replied.

"Glad to hear that," Alissa sighed in relief, though her eyes turned somber. "I apologize for what happened. I thought it would be something pleasant to enjoy."

"Don't feel bad," he said with a reassuring smile. "Sometimes things don't go the way we expect, and that's normal. Don't dwell too much on what we can't control."

"Still, I'm the one who brought you to that tavern," she insisted, refusing to let go of her guilt. "I had no idea it was a den of bandits."

Aldebaran sighed, recalling how he often blamed himself for situations beyond his control. "It's fine. Besides, I'm the one who caused the trouble."

Startled, she turned to him. "What?"

She hadn't even realized at the time that she'd been harassed. He nodded, his tone firm but calm. "Yeah. You should work on your awareness when strangers act suspiciously around you."

Alissa froze, the realization dawning on her, and a flicker of disgust crossed her face. "I-I understand, Master! That won't happen again!"

"Please, stop calling me that," he muttered, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. "I'm not your mentor, and your experience far outweighs mine."

"But I'm your follower, remember?" she countered, her tone earnest as if trying to justify her choice of address. "It's natural for me to call you by that title!"

With a resigned sigh, Aldebaran closed his eyes and changed the subject. "How about you? Are you injured?"

The bandit's fatal blow had left Alissa kneeling, her condition clearly strained. Aldebaran moved closer, worried. At first, she shook her head, trying to dismiss his concern, but the grimace of pain on her face betrayed her. When he looked closer, he noticed her subtly waving her hand.

"What's wrong with your hand?" he asked.

"No, it's nothing!" she replied, attempting to hide her hand behind her back. But Aldebaran was faster, seizing her wrist carefully, causing her to let out a small shriek. "Ow!"

"Don't lie to me," he said, focusing on the wrist where faint bruises were starting to form. "I'm responsible for your health."

Alissa was rendered speechless, unable to pull away as Aldebaran held her hand. His hold was tender, the comfort of his touch sending an odd flutter through her chest. The closeness made her feel breathless.

Aldebaran is a fine man, she realized. His tousled brown hair moved slightly with the breeze, and his sharp eyes seemed to pierce through her, holding her gaze as if he could read her every thought. It felt as though he could hypnotize her with one look. In that moment, he was the embodiment of a male divine figure she had always imagined.

"Hold on," he said, placing his other hand over hers.

At first, she hadn't expected anything, but as soon as his palm began to emit a soft, radiant light, a wave of soothing warmth washed over her, replacing the ache with delight. While Alissa had healing skills, they were of no use to herself.

Magic drew from internal energy, and when used on oneself, the essence would merely circulate endlessly without effect—an impractical effort. But Aldebaran was an exception. His healing ability wasn't a skill; it was an innate trait, a natural talent embedded in his being.

He could use it frequently, unaffected by the exhaustion.

Alissa felt something stir within her as his magic worked. The pain disappeared, replaced by a strange sense of pleasure that coursed through her veins. The warmth of the atmosphere seemed to heighten, and her heartbeat quickened with each second. Unable to contain herself, she let out a soft sigh, her face burning with embarrassment.

"This is bad!" she thought, panicking. "Why does this sensation have to appear at a time like this?"

She did her best to keep her composure, struggling to hide her flushed cheeks and erratic breathing. The last thing she wanted was for Aldebaran to notice her reaction.

"Is this his magic's doing, or am I going too far, thinking about him like this?" she wondered.

The tickling sensation coursed down to her lower abdomen, overwhelming her with an immense wave of bliss. It left her legs weak, and with a sudden cry, she collapsed onto Aldebaran's shoulder, her body trembling as if struck by a current. She could no longer stand on her own.

"What? What happened?" Aldebaran asked, startled by her reaction. He hadn't even finished his healing, though her visible wounds were mended. "Is there something wrong with your legs? Is there another wound?"

Alissa didn't respond immediately. Her breathing was uneven, and her face was buried against him, tears streaming from her shut eyes. Slowly, she tightened her grip on his shoulders, her voice barely audible as she whispered, "Please, Master. Stop it."

Caught off guard by her plea, Aldebaran halted the flow of magic, the radiant light from his hand fading away. "What's the matter? Did I hurt you?"

She shook her head, her face still pressed against him. "No... It's all alright now," she murmured, her voice trembling. "But, Master... can I stay like this for a little longer?"

Aldebaran stiffened in confusion, unsure how to respond. This was so unlike Alissa, whose demeanor had always been composed and resilient. And now, here she was, holding onto him as if seeking solace.