Naked

Without encountering any trouble, they navigated the trajectory to an inn near the edge of the village. A young man stood outside, tending to a trough. They approached him, asking if he could look after Viva, ensuring she was fed and watered. The man nodded eagerly, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the fine horse.

As they stepped through the inn's door, a wave of warmth greeted them, carrying the enticing scent of food and freshly baked bread. It wrapped around them like a comforting embrace after the long journey.

A chubby woman emerged from behind the counter, her rosy cheeks and warm brown eyes radiating kindness. Her apron bore smudges of flour, and her hands clutched a wooden spoon.

"Oh, my goodness! What happened to you, dear?" she exclaimed, her gaze fixed on Ren with genuine concern.

She glanced at her grumpy, thin husband, who was berating a teenage boy for breaking a bowl. His sharp voice cut through the warm air as he called the boy a clumsy dimwit, incapable of doing anything right.

"We have guests! Stop it!" the woman snapped, her voice firm but measured. Her husband huffed but fell silent, retreating to a quieter corner. She turned back to the couple with an apologetic smile and gestured toward the counter.

"Do you need a room?"

"Yes," Kai answered smoothly, his tone steady. "And warm water for my wife to wash up."

Ren's cheeks flushed as his words drew the woman's full attention to her. Before she could recover, she felt Kai's hand press gently against her back, his touch both firm and reassuring. The unexpected gesture made her wince slightly, a flicker of shock crossing her features.

Her heart fluttered. If only he acted like this more often, especially in front of others, Oh gods, what was she supposed to do? She thought, warmth stirring within her unlike her wish, she might not be able to refrain her heart from finding a place for him, despite the awkwardness between them.

The woman beamed warmly and turned to the teenage boy. "You heard them—prepare it right away." She then shifted her attention to Ren, her gaze briefly scanning the tattered remains of the wedding gown.

"I heard goblins attacked a farm a few hours ago. Were you passing through there?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a touch of worry.

Kai offered a curt nod, his expression unreadable. He had no intention of prolonging the conversation.

"Alright," the woman said, her tone brightening. "There's a spacious, pleasant room on the second floor, perfect for such a beautiful couple. Here's the key."

She placed it on the counter with a gentle clink and waved her husband over. "Take them upstairs, will you?" She taunted her husband who was about to sneak away.

The room was just as she described—pleasant and inviting. Soft light filtered through the curtains, and the faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. But Ren's gaze caught on the king-sized bed dominating the space, and her breath hitched. A wave of heat surged through her, flushing her cheeks.

Her mind drifted back to the carriage ride, to Kai's nonchalant mention of them sharing a bed. Now, standing before it, the reality of those words struck her fully. She had never spent a night this close to a man before. Her pulse quickened, her heart a frantic drumbeat in her chest.

Thorns have scratched your arms. This will sting when you get in the water," Kai pointed out, his husky voice edged with concern. "I'll get some ointment from that kind woman."

Ren glanced down at her arms, noticing the angry red scratches for the first time. She winced, realizing they must have come from her frantic struggle earlier.

As she stood there, assessing the sorry state of her appearance, he leaned in unexpectedly, his closeness stealing her breath. His fingers brushed her chin, tilting her face upward as his sharp gaze settled on the faint nail gash at her neck. His expression darkened.

"Do you need my help to get changed?" he asked, his tone low but firm.

Her eyes locked with his, searching for something, an explanation, perhaps—but a strange unease prickled in her chest. Something about his expression seemed off as if a shadow lingered beneath his usual composure.

Before she could respond, the room swayed around her. Her vision blurred, and her breath hitched. "I…" Her hand flew to the back of her head as a sharp, throbbing pain radiated there. Heat surged through her body, burning from the inside out.

"You…?" Kai's voice faded into a faint murmur, distant and distorted. She tried to speak, to tell him that her legs were giving way, but the words wouldn't come.

The world around her dissolved into blackness, thick and oppressive. Voices, terrifying and guttural, reverberated in her ears. Phantoms chased her, clawed hands reaching for her as she ran through a formless void. Her screams tore through the darkness, desperate and unanswered.

Suddenly, a hand gripped her shoulder and pulled her aside. She opened her eyes with a sharp gasp, cold sweat clinging to her skin. Her breath came in shallow bursts as she took in her surroundings. She was in bed.

What had happened last night? She tried to piece it together. She had been fine when they entered the calm, inviting room. But just as peace had settled over her mind, a wave of darkness had dragged her under.

Sitting upright, her long hair tumbled in soft waves across her shoulders. She raised her arm, her delicate but injured fingers gingerly pressing against the back of her head.

"Ouch!" she hissed, wincing as her fingers brushed a tender swelling. A scowl crept onto her face as her eyes scanned her body. She was completely naked. The realization struck her like a thunderclap.

Every hair on her body stood on end.

"Good morning, Doe-eyes."

The voice was rich, laced with amusement, and carried a subtle smile she could almost hear.

She froze, her breath catching. Slowly, as though afraid to shatter the moment, she turned her head toward the sound. There he was, sitting on the sofa by the window. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting golden rays over his face.

Her heart stuttered in her chest. He looked heartbreakingly handsome, the light accentuating the sharp angles of his jaw and the glint in his piercing eyes. The warmth of the sun seemed to wrap around him like a halo, drawing her in despite herself. Was he conjuring or manipulating her?

She clutched the duvet tightly around her breasts that sprang freely. "H-How did I get here?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Well, you passed out, and I had to take care of you," Kai replied, his tone calm but carrying an edge of mystery. His gaze held something unreadable, something that made her stomach twist. All she could feel now was shame—he had seen her body.

"Don't worry," he added, a devilish smirk tugging at his lips. "There's nothing I haven't seen before."

Her face turned crimson, heat flooding her cheeks as a shiver ran down her spine. Unable to meet his eyes, she squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face into the duvet. Humiliation washed over her like a relentless tide.

"You shouldn't have…" she murmured, but her protest was cut short by his laughter.

Kai stood, his tall frame towering over her. "You're amusing, Doe-eyes. Now, put that dress on. The innkeeper will bring your food here soon, but we can't linger too long."

He strode to the door, his hand resting on the handle. Pausing, he glanced back at her—half-hidden beneath the white duvet, her hair a wild mess around her face. His eyes sparkled with amusement before he stepped out, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

Ren lowered the duvet, letting out a deep sigh. Her disheveled hair tumbled over her face, and she brushed it back with trembling fingers.

"Why?" she whispered to herself. 'Why have I become so vulnerable… So clumsy? This isn't like me."

Her gaze landed on a neatly folded pair of pants and a crisp white shirt. They were clean, new, and familiar—the kind of outfit she had often worn during her healing sessions.

Leaving the bed, she slipped into her clean, comfortable clothes. The fabric felt soft against her skin, a small comfort amidst the chaos of her thoughts. Outside, the warmth of the day hinted at spring's final farewell, its last melodies carried on the gentle breeze.

The mouthwatering scent of food wafted through the air, making her stomach clench with sudden hunger. Oh, hmm! This smell… so rich and delicious. A loud growl broke the silence, her stomach begging for nourishment. She quickly ran her fingers through her messy hair, muttering curses under her breath. The thought of Kai seeing her disheveled and vulnerable made her cheeks burn.

Last night was a nightmare. The fragments of it would be etched in her mind forever, like a dark engraving on the slate of her soul.

A sharp knock on the door broke her from her thoughts. The innkeeper lady entered with a tray of food, offering a brief, kind smile before leaving just as quickly.

Ren didn't even realize how quickly she finished the steaming bowl of bone broth and the fresh, fragrant bread. She made sure no crumb was left behind, her appetite unscathed by the previous night's horrors. For a brief moment, she felt a flicker of gratitude; at least the turmoil hadn't stolen her ability to enjoy the simple pleasures.

But wait… had Kai eaten anything? She pouted, annoyed at the thought that he likely preferred to eat alone or with his men rather than share a meal with her.

Do I disgust him that much? she wondered, her heart sinking. The memory of him seeing her naked and then brushing it off with a smirk replayed in her mind, adding to her frustration.

With a heavy sigh, she shook off her distress and slipped on the leather shoes left for her near the door. They fit perfectly; they were sturdy and practical, ideal for walking through mud or running if needed.

She opened the door cautiously and peeked outside. Her eyes immediately landed on Kai, standing in the corridor, deep in conversation with one of his men. When his gaze suddenly turned to her, her breath hitched.

Without thinking, she stepped back into the room and closed the door slightly, exhaling a deep breath as she pressed her palm against her chest to calm herself.

'Relax, Ren! He doesn't like you. You're nothing but an eyesore to him. Just act indifferent!' she scolded herself.

Closing her eyes tightly, she added silently, 'There's nothing here, Ren. He didn't do anything to you. He doesn't even care.'

Summoning what little courage she had, she stepped into the corridor. Kai dismissed his red-haired companion with a curt nod before turning his attention to her.

"Are you ready to leave?" he asked, his tone neutral.

She nodded hesitantly. "I'm sorry for delaying our journey."

"It wasn't your fault that we were attacked."

But deep down, she couldn't be sure of that. The attackers had made their intentions crystal clear. The reason they had come this far, to the edges of Alvonia, was her.