Chapter 108: Like a Pryster (1)

 

I was able to rest in the carriage Lawrence had brought.

 

Seeing the size of the carriage and the supplies it contained—food, combat gear, medical items, and more—I realized how well-prepared they were for their search.

 

Had they not found me, would they have scoured the area, eradicating all the criminals hiding in the forest?

 

Regardless, after hastily treating my wounds and lying down in the carriage, fatigue overwhelmed me. The world spun, and soon, I drifted into sleep.

 

I awoke when night had almost fallen.

 

Stirred awake by a shaking hand, I regained consciousness.

 

As soon as I opened my eyes, a savory scent tickled my nose.

 

“....Cayden, eat something and then sleep.”

 

It was Judy. She was sitting inside the carriage, next to me.

 

There was not a single ray of sunlight, and we had already left the forest, settling in a plain.

 

The soldiers, near my carriage, had lit a fire and were taking their rest.

 

They sang songs, danced, and enjoyed food, expressing their joy for the completion of their mission and the happiness of having found me.

 

Seeing me awake, they cheered but soon let me rest, continuing to enjoy their night among themselves.

 

I sat up and took the porridge Judy offered me.

 

“....Thank you.”

 

“Mhm.”

 

Judy sat huddled next to me, holding her bowl and filling her stomach. She sat with her knees raised, the bowl cradled in her arms, bringing the spoon to her mouth with minimal movement. Her blank stare was an added touch.

 

“....Judy.”

 

“.....Hmm?”

 

When I called her, she jolted from her thoughts and looked at me.

 

“Why do you eat like you’re so pitiable?”

 

“......”

 

Judy slowly checked her posture at my words, then unfolded her hunched legs and corrected her position.

 

I waited for her reaction to my teasing, expecting her to show her usual embarrassed expression or get angry.

 

But when Judy didn’t respond for a while, I leaned in to look at her face... and she was smiling.

 

“...What’s with the smile?”

 

“.......”

 

She kept smiling, bringing the spoon to her mouth.

 

I too followed her lead, filling my hungry stomach with soft, easy-to-digest food.

 

Meanwhile, Judy was no longer just smiling; she began to shake slightly and burst into full laughter. Once she started, it seemed impossible for her to stop.

 

“....What’s so funny about what I said that you’re laughing like that?”

 

I asked, spooning another bite of food into my mouth.

 

Strangely, even though I hadn’t eaten in a long time and thought I’d want to eat my fill, I felt full after just a few bites.

 

After a long laugh, Judy wiped her tears and looked at me.

 

The fire built by the soldiers flickered, beautifully illuminating her face. Their singing filled our silence.

 

Judy, looking at me for a while, finally said,

 

“.....I’m just happy to hear your teasing again.”

 

“.......”

 

Now it was my turn to be silent. As I simply focused on filling my stomach without reacting, Judy laughed again. The tables had turned, and she was enjoying my reaction.

 

We didn’t talk anymore. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable; it was just a moment of rest, leaning on each other’s presence.

 

As time passed and the singing subsided, the soldiers who were on watch duty took turns guarding the area. The rest of us, including Judy and me, prepared to sleep.

 

I lay back down in the carriage I had climbed into earlier... and Judy did the same.

 

Neither of us questioned the situation. Lying next to each other was as natural as water flowing.

 

As the night deepened, thoughts of my siblings, grandmother, and the recent urgent events filled my mind. Then I heard Judy moving.

 

-Swish. Rustle.

 

That brief sound approached closer and settled beside me.

 

Before I could even think about what it was, Judy pressed her body against mine.

 

Her soft, warm skin touched me, sending a tingly thrill through my chest. Instinctively, my body felt happiness from this contact.

 

She wrapped her arms around me, nestling her head deep into my arm.

 

I didn’t resist, offering my arm as a pillow.

 

As I embraced her shoulder with the arm providing the pillow, we ended up in a complete embrace.

 

Judy sighed contentedly and held me tighter. Though it was the first time for both of us in such a position, there was no reluctance or hesitation.

 

It felt as if we had shared warmth like this hundreds of times before. Perhaps because we were accustomed to intertwining swords, any physical interaction felt natural.

 

A sense of psychological comfort also emerged. Judy and I had so much in common that it almost felt like we could read each other’s thoughts without speaking.

 

As only those who share the same ailment can fully empathize with each other’s hearts, Judy and I, being so alike, naturally shared our pain.

 

Lying together like this felt like receiving unspoken consolation. Perhaps this is what it means to be strengthened merely by someone’s existence.

 

Moreover, I had already made up my mind. I didn’t want to be apart from Judy anymore.

 

Then, she spoke.

 

“.....Cayden, Asena promised me.”

 

At the mention of Asena’s name, breathing became slightly difficult. The news of their current situation kept nagging at me. Maybe I felt guilty because I had forgotten and relaxed just moments ago.

 

“......Asena?”

 

“.......She said if I bring you back, she’ll turn a blind eye to you and me getting married.”

 

“....What?”

 

“Our breakup might have been because of family issues... but I’ll try to fix it. There are some problems with my father... but I’ll sort them out. Your family already secured a promise, so it should be fine.”

 

“........Judy.”

 

“...I know Daisy might not like it. Like I said, it doesn’t matter if I’m not the official wife. If Daisy finds it bothersome, I’ll stay out of sight. It’s not hard for me, who’s been avoiding Nera like this... So, even if it’s as a concubine... Cayden. I think... you’re all I have..”

 

She held me tighter, her tone and actions conveying strong conviction.

 

“.....You feel it too, right? You and I are of the same kind. We have so much in common. Just being together like this... we comfort each other. We give each other strength. Don’t give up on me. Me saying this... means you’re all I have.”

 

Her earnest and honest emotions were palpable to me.

 

“You’re also at fault. If you didn’t want a troublesome woman like me, you shouldn’t have approached me in the first place. Shouldn’t have offered friendship. You’re at fault for coming close without knowing anything about me.”

 

This time, I could feel that her words were forced out with effort.

 

“.....But... if you really dislike me... I’ll give up. If I’ve overstepped my boundaries, forgotten my place... I won’t do it anymore. You’re my only friend... I’m clumsy even with this. So, Cayden, so...”

 

This time, I could feel her fear of being hated.

 

This was her true self. The abrasive Judy from before was just putting up defenses to avoid getting hurt... This vulnerable and tender side was her true nature.

 

I wrapped my other arm around her, pulling her into my embrace. One hand on her shoulder, the other on her waist.

 

Judy’s body tensed for a moment before settling into my hold.

 

Embracing Judy felt different from the twins. When I hugged the twins, they melded into me like liquid, like cats, conforming to every part of my body, while Judy felt like a large, somewhat firm puppy.

 

Even though she didn’t have the fluidity of a cat, holding her felt good.

 

“.....Judy. Before... and even now. The reason I can’t make promises recklessly... is because I don’t want to disappoint you.”

 

“.......”

 

“Yes, I’ll be honest. I don’t want to be apart from you either. I know the comfort you feel from me... because I’ve felt it through you too. But, Judy. I have a promise with Daisy. I like you, but that doesn’t mean I want to hurt Daisy.”

 

“......I said I’d be okay even as a concubine.”

 

Sensing my next words would be of rejection, she spoke with a voice soaked in emotion.

 

“....I don’t need a promise that you’ll definitely take me in, Cayden. Just... just promise me this one thing. That you’ll try. Try to accept me as a concubine. Okay...?”

 

I ran my hand through her hair once.

 

Even with my gesture, she seemed anxious, hesitating to speak.

 

Before she could say anything, I nodded.

 

In truth, the moment I embraced her like this, I had already made a decision.

 

“....Listen to me first... I’ve never been greedy in my life... but from now on, I want to be. I’ll try. Really. That’s what I wanted to say.”

 

“.......”

 

“...Do you trust me?”

 

I asked the last question with a hint of laughter in my voice. The last time I said this, it was a clear promise that we would meet again.

 

Considering that promise would have been hard to keep if it weren’t for Judy, it was brazen of me, who hadn’t given her any reason to trust me, to ask again.

 

Judy, responding to my words, chuckled, lightening the serious mood, and began to smile brightly.

 

Then, with laughter still in her eyes, unable to hide it, she pursed her lips and said, her feigned anger was adorable.

 

“That’s really too much teasing. But, Cayden...”

 

Our already close distance drew even nearer.

 

She slightly lifted herself up and kissed me. It was a light but warm kiss.

 

Her previously feigned angry expression softened, and she looked at me earnestly and said,

 

“...I trust you. I will always trust you.”

---  End Of The Chapter ---

 

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