Lap Pillow

Melina did not actually feel there was anything wrong with it. Her relationship with Lucian was nothing more than a transaction.

Smack.

Several hairs were yanked out.

He had his own life, and she had her own mission to seek.

Smack.

Several more hairs were yanked out.

That was right. Whatever happened to this guy had nothing to do with her.

But she was a little annoyed. Her seat was gone, forcing her to float over here herself.

Smack.

He had clearly said he would protect her, so who exactly was he protecting?

Another clump of hair was torn out.

Torrent could not take it anymore and tearfully rubbed his face against Melina's.

"Hmm? Torrent, why is there a bald patch here? Were you hurt just now?"

The journey was short, and they soon arrived at the campfire.

After setting Irina down, Lucian prepared to sleep. He had already been busy for a long time today.

Although Grace allowed Lucian to remain energetic at all times, he still wanted to keep the habit of sleeping.

Lucian was about to lie down when he suddenly remembered that this place was all grassy ground. It was fine for him to sleep there.

But Irina was the beloved daughter of a castle lord. She had been cared for by servants since childhood, so she might not be able to adapt.

He had let her lean against him earlier. Though the hem of her clothes had still gotten a little dirty, it was better than lying directly on the ground and getting mud all over her hair and face.

After thinking it over, Lucian spoke to Irina.

"Irina, will it be all right for you to sleep directly on the ground later? If not, you can lean against me while you sleep."

Although Irina really wanted to say that she wanted to keep leaning against him, she could not trouble Lucian any further. In the end, she maintained the reserve expected of a "princess."

"It's fine. I'm not some pampered young lady. Although I can't see, I loved running around and playing everywhere when I was little. I fell down many times, and getting dirty all over was quite common."

"And I already slept all the way here. Please do not worry about me. Get some proper rest."

Seeing that Irina truly did not seem to mind, Lucian said no more. He really was tired.

"Are you going to sleep?"

"Yeah. I'm a little tired today. I'll take you back to Castle Morne first thing tomorrow morning, so don't worry."

Lucian thought Irina was eager to return to Castle Morne.

Irina realized that her words had caused Lucian to misunderstand and hurriedly waved her hands.

"No, you misunderstood. That isn't what I meant."

"I wanted to ask... would you like to try resting your head on my lap? You can use it as a pillow."

"One of my servants told me about this before. She said it could make the other person happy and relaxed. I rested on her lap before, and it really was very relaxing."

"You have taken such good care of me along the way. I want to repay your kindness, at least a little. I can't help with fighting and would only hold you back, but at least now, please let me do something within my power for you."

Lucian felt as if tears of gratitude were about to flow. Though he did not know who that maid was, all Lucian wanted right now was to give her a thumbs-up.

Thank you, nameless maid.

If you are alive, I will definitely become sworn brothers with you. If you are dead, then I will slaughter every Misbegotten to avenge you.

"Really?"

"Yes, of course, as long as you don't mind."

Lucian suppressed his excitement. He had never expected that one day, he would get to enjoy a beautiful girl's lap pillow. Ah, it felt like a dream.

"Uh, then... what should I do?"

Lucian genuinely had no idea what to do.

Irina sat on her knees and patted her thighs.

"Please lie down as though you were resting on a pillow."

Lucian removed his helmet and lay down stiffly. He was far too nervous; it was his first time being this physically close to a girl.

And deep down, he felt guilty, as if he were deceiving an innocent young girl.

But the moment he lay down, all those feelings vanished into thin air. Lucian only felt that the world had never been so wonderful.

Lucian looked upward and saw Irina's pretty face from a strange angle he had never experienced before, along with her exquisitely curved figure beneath her robe...

Blushing, Lucian quickly turned his head away, not daring to look again.

Yet he could not help secretly glancing at Irina's face from the corner of his eye. Seeing that innocent face overflowing with smiles only deepened Lucian's guilt.

Lucian closed his eyes, not daring to let his thoughts run wild.

She's an innocent girl. She doesn't understand, but how can I not understand? Just sleep properly.

Ah, I got carried away just now. I really shouldn't have agreed.

He had nearly reached thirty in his previous life, while Irina was still only a girl.

Though he had never been in a relationship, he had to hold steady. He could not make a mistake. That was the responsibility of an adult!

Without hearing Torrent's constant whimpering, Lucian soon fell asleep atop those soft thighs.

Irina remained quietly seated on her knees. A long time had passed, and her legs were sore, but she did not make a sound.

After finishing up the battlefield, the Nomadic Merchants led their skinny donkey back to the campfire.

"Oh, little girl, aren't you cold?"

Although Irina had still been asleep when Lucian and the Nomadic Merchant discussed sharing the fire, she had heard the merchant's voice while Lucian fought just now. She knew that the Nomadic Merchant was probably friendly.

"I'm not cold. The weather tonight isn't too bad, and there's the fire."

Afraid of waking Lucian, Irina spoke softly.

"You're dressed so lightly, yet you say you aren't cold. That's why people who are afraid of troubling others are so awkward."

Having traveled for many years, the Nomadic Merchant had seen much of the world and immediately saw through Irina's little thoughts. The fire might keep her warm, but the cold wind blowing against her back would still make her cold.

Embarrassed that her lie had been exposed, Irina suddenly felt something draped over her.

"This is a shawl made of wolf fur. It keeps you very warm."

The Nomadic Merchant had taken it from his pack.

Irina touched the smooth fur. It really did seem very warm.

"Thank you. How many Runes is it?"

The Nomadic Merchant waved his hand, then suddenly remembered that she could not see and spoke up.

"No charge. Thanks to you two, I made a fortune tonight. Consider it a gift."

"But..."

"Sigh, that's why I dislike little ones like you who are afraid of troubling others. Just take it. When you're wandering outside, helping each other is the most natural thing in the world."

Irina could no longer refuse. After thanking him again, she quietly accepted it.

"Could you describe what kind of person the one sleeping here is?"

Irina asked the Nomadic Merchant.

"Oh? Aren't you together? You don't even know each other?"

Irina nodded.

"He is my lifesaver. He agreed to my unreasonable request. He is as dependable as my father, making me feel safe, and he has always cared for me."

"And yet I do not even know what he looks like. Treating my benefactor this way is terribly discourteous."

"So even if it is only as described by someone else, I want to remember what he looks like."

Having satisfied his curiosity, the Nomadic Merchant began describing Lucian to Irina.

"The guy on your lap is a young and handsome Tarnished."

"When he fights, he's vicious as hell, chopping all kinds of limbs all over the place."

"But he is willing to spend Runes just to share a campfire, and he will fight a huge group of enemies to help you."

"I think he is a kind and noble person, someone who holds a sword to protect something."

Irina listened quietly, her soft, fair hands gently tracing Lucian's face as if she wanted to etch it into her heart.