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Chapter 401: Disgust

The moment her face was exposed, the man's expression shifted. His smug grin faltered, his confidence draining as his eyes widened slightly.

'Disgust.'

Aeliana recognized it immediately. It was the same look she had seen countless times before—the quick flicker of revulsion, the way his gaze darted to the marred skin on her face, the blackened lines and cracks that betrayed the sickness within her.

It was always the same. No matter how tough or confident they were, the moment they saw her, they recoiled.

She saw his lips curl back faintly, his earlier arrogance replaced with something he couldn't fully conceal. A grimace. A slight step back.

'There it is,' she thought bitterly, her heart pounding in her chest. 'That look. The one they all give me. They can't even hide it.'

Her breath hitched, the familiar wave of loathing surging through her chest like fire.

'I should be used to it by now. Shouldn't I? But it still feels the same—like they've carved me open and laughed at what they found inside.'

Her fingers twitched at her sides as her gaze locked onto the man's face. The disgust etched into his expression felt like a blow, sharp and unrelenting.

'You think I don't see it? The way you're looking at me? As if I'm not human. As if I'm just… a monster.'

Her fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms so hard it hurt.

The wiry man recovered quickly, masking his reaction with a sneer. He leaned closer, his tone cruel and mocking. "So that's what you're hiding, huh? No wonder you cover it up. You're even uglier than I imagined."

Aeliana's chest tightened, the words slicing through her like a blade.

The taller man chuckled uneasily, though his earlier confidence seemed to have dimmed. "Damn, she's got a face even a mother couldn't love." He smirked, though his gaze avoided her entirely.

The tension in the air shifted, the humiliation threatening to choke her. But beneath the shame, something else stirred—something dark and sharp, simmering like molten iron in her chest.

Aeliana raised her head, her trembling hands falling to her sides. Her breath came in uneven gasps, but her voice, when she spoke, was steady and cold as steel.

"Done gawking?" she asked, her tone icy enough to cut through their mockery.

"Heh…I am done gawking indeed…..But still…"

The wiry man's gaze traveled over her, his expression shifting again. Though the disgust remained etched into his features, something darker flickered beneath it—desire. Aeliana saw the way his eyes roamed, lingering in places that made her skin crawl.

"Heh," he chuckled softly, a sound dripping with malice. "I gotta admit, even though you're ugly, at least the figure's not bad, huh?"

The taller man snorted, glancing at Aeliana with a similar, unsettling look. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. She's got something going for her, doesn't she?"

Aeliana's breath hitched, her pulse quickening as the weight of their words sank in. Her mind raced, and a cold fear began to creep into her chest, wrapping itself around her like a vice.

'They… they can't mean…'

But the darkness in their eyes left no room for doubt. She had seen that look before—had felt its weight in the stares of those who thought her illness made her weak, powerless, an easy target.

The wiry man stepped closer, his hand moving downward with sickening intent. Instinct took over, and Aeliana slapped his hand away with a sharp, audible crack.

"Don't come closer," she said, her voice trembling but resolute.

The man recoiled slightly, his lips twisting into a sneer. "Now you're scared? Heh… bitch," he spat, his tone venomous.

He advanced again, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator savoring its prey.

Her heart thundered in her chest as her back pressed against the jagged wall behind her. She couldn't escape the rising panic.

'Why? Why are they doing this? Shouldn't they be looking for a way out? Searching for a way to survive this place?'

Her voice rose, desperate to appeal to reason. "Why are you wasting time? Shouldn't you be trying to leave? Isn't that better than… this?"

The taller man laughed darkly, shaking his head. "Leave?" he echoed, his tone laced with bitter amusement. "You think we can leave this place alive? That thing above us? The monster that dragged us down here? There's no way anyone's making it out of here."

The wiry man's sneer deepened, his hand flexing as he took another step forward. "So, what's the point of running around? Might as well enjoy what's in front of us while we can. Ain't that right?"

The words sent a chill down Aeliana's spine, her fear bubbling into outright terror. They weren't just abandoning hope—they were embracing the darkness that came with their despair.

The wiry man lunged toward her again, his hand reaching out. Aeliana slapped it away once more, her voice cracking as she shouted, "Don't touch me!"

Her outburst echoed in the cavern, drawing the attention of a few other survivors who looked toward them, but none stepped forward to intervene. The air was heavy with apathy and fear, the survivors too consumed with their own struggles to care.

The wiry man's sneer twisted into anger, his patience clearly wearing thin. "You think you've got the right to tell me what to do?" he hissed.

Aeliana's chest heaved, her trembling hands balling into fists at her sides. She forced herself to meet his gaze, her fear warring with the spark of defiance that refused to die.

The spark of defiance within Aeliana flickered, but before it could grow, a sharp, searing pain erupted in her stomach. Her body jolted violently, the force of the blow sending her crashing into the jagged wall behind her.

Her back hit the rough surface with a sickening thud, knocking the air from her lungs. Pain radiated through her chest and abdomen, and for a moment, her vision blurred. Her trembling fingers instinctively clutched at her stomach, the realization of what had happened dawning on her.

The wiry man smirked, his arm still extended from the strike. He had shoved her with ease, his strength far beyond what her frail body could endure. Aeliana slid down the wall, her legs giving out beneath her, until she was crumpled on the ground.

She gasped for air, but her chest burned, the corruption within her flaring to life. The familiar agony clawed at her insides, the illness making every breath a struggle.

'Why… why can't I do anything?'

Her thoughts spiraled as tears welled in her eyes.

'I hate this. I hate my weakness. I hate this world. I hate—everything.'

The wiry man stepped closer, his shadow falling over her crumpled form. The taller man followed, his expression one of smug amusement.

"Lost your will to fight?" the wiry man sneered, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. "Man, that was boring. I was hoping for more of a struggle."

Aeliana's heart pounded as she tried to push herself up, but her body refused to cooperate. The pain in her stomach and the burning of her illness pinned her down.

"Look at her," the taller man chuckled, shaking his head. "Pathetic. Guess we'll have to make our own fun, huh?"

The wiry man reached for his belt, the sound of it loosening cutting through the cavern like a sinister drumbeat.

Aeliana's breaths came in shallow gasps, her eyes wide with fear and hatred.

'Does it even matter?' she thought bitterly, the weight of despair crushing her resolve. 'It's all over anyway.'

Her vision swam, but the sight of their looming shadows was sharp and cruel.

'This wretched world,' she thought darkly, her tears spilling down her cheeks. 'I hope it all gets destroyed.'

She barely flinched when the wiry man grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head upward. The pain was sharp and immediate, but her body was too weak to fight back.

"Oh… what do we have here?"

The voice was playful, almost mocking, yet it carried a weight that cut through the oppressive air of the cavern.

The adventurers froze, their heads snapping toward the source of the voice. Aeliana, through her haze of pain, turned her gaze as well.

There he was.

A man with black hair, black eyes, and a scar running across his right eye. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy, but the smirk on his lips carried an edge of danger.

It was a face she had seen once before, through the magical device she had used to observe the battlefield.

'Luca,' her mind supplied, recognition dawning even through her agony.

"Who are you?" the wiry man barked, straightening abruptly and letting go of Aeliana's hair.

The newcomer tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Who am I?" he repeated, his tone light and teasing. "Hmm… just someone passing through. But you can call me your death."

The taller man's hand moved to his weapon, his earlier smugness replaced with wariness. "Listen, we don't want trouble," he said cautiously.

"Oh, I think you do," Luca replied, his tone still playful but with a chilling undercurrent. His black eyes flicked to Aeliana, taking in her crumpled form and the fear etched into her features. His smirk faltered slightly, his gaze darkening.

"You know," he said, stepping closer with deliberate slowness, "I really hate guys like you. The ones who think they can stomp on people just because they're down."

The wiry man growled, drawing his dagger. "Stay back!"

But Luca only chuckled, his hand moving to the hilt of the blade at his side. "You think that little toothpick's gonna save you?"

His voice dropped, cold and sharp. "Let's find out."

From where she lay, Aeliana watched the scene unfold, her mind swirling with disbelief and confusion.

'Why is he here?'

Yet, she couldn't answer at all.

'It doesn't matter.'

As she didn't feel the strength to move after all….

Chapter 402: Disgust (2)

"You know. I really hate guys like you. The ones who think they can stomp on people just because they're down."

"Stay back!"

Aeliana's vision blurred, the pain in her body dulling to a distant throb as her consciousness began to slip. The voices around her—the sharp growl of the wiry man, the cold, cutting tone of Luca—faded into a muffled hum.

Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, but even that felt too heavy, too distant. Her body refused to respond, the weight of her illness and exhaustion dragging her further into darkness.

'Why is he here?' she thought faintly, the question drifting in and out of her fading awareness.

But another thought whispered in its place, cold and resigned.

'It doesn't matter.'

Her eyes fluttered shut, her trembling body going still as her mind slipped into a realm far removed from the cavern's oppressive reality.

******

The darkness was warm now, not suffocating but soothing, as though she were wrapped in a comforting embrace. Slowly, faint light began to pierce through the void, revealing a memory long buried.

Aeliana blinked, and the scene unfolded around her like a painting coming to life. She was standing in a sunlit garden, vibrant with color and alive with the soft hum of bees. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze.

Her body felt different—strong, unbroken. There was no pain in her chest, no burning sickness clawing at her insides. She stood tall, her posture confident, her limbs steady.

"My dear, come."

The voice was soft, melodious, and achingly familiar. Aeliana turned, her heart tightening as she recognized the source.

Her mother.

Dressed in flowing silks that caught the sunlight, her mother stood beneath a blossoming tree, her arms open in invitation. Her smile was warm, her expression radiant with love—a face Aeliana had almost forgotten.

"Mother…" Aeliana's voice trembled as the word escaped her lips.

"Come here, my little star," her mother said, her tone playful yet tender. "I need my strongest knight to protect me today."

Aeliana hesitated, her heart swelling with a mixture of joy and pain. This moment—it wasn't real. It couldn't be. Her mother was gone, lost to time and sickness.

And yet, her legs moved on their own, carrying her toward the woman who had once been her biggest support.

As Aeliana reached her mother, the older woman crouched down, pulling her into a warm embrace. The touch was soft, grounding, and Aeliana's chest tightened as tears welled in her eyes.

"You're so strong, my dear," her mother whispered, stroking her hair. "So brave. Never let anyone take that away from you."

The words struck something deep within Aeliana, a crack forming in the armor of bitterness and despair that had encased her heart for so long.

"Mother," she murmured, her voice breaking. "I… I don't feel strong. I don't feel brave."

Her mother pulled back slightly, cupping Aeliana's face in her hands. Her touch was gentle, but her gaze was steady, filled with a quiet intensity.

"You are," she said firmly, her smile unwavering. "Even when the world feels dark, even when you feel like you've lost everything—you are still my strongest knight. Never forget that."

The scene began to shift, the light dimming as cracks formed in the idyllic memory. The garden blurred, the colors bleeding away into darkness. Her mother's smile faded, her form dissolving like mist.

"Wait—" Aeliana reached out, her voice panicked. "Mother, don't go!"

But the warmth was gone, replaced by the cold void of reality. Her chest burned again, the weight of her sickness pressing down on her like a shroud.

As her mind began to resurface, a single thought lingered in the depths of her heart:

'Please, don't leave.'

But…

It was a bit late.

******

Warmth brushed across Aeliana's cheek, gentle and soothing, coaxing her back from the edges of unconsciousness. Her eyelids fluttered, heavy with exhaustion, and the dim glow of flickering light seeped into her world.

An orange hue filled her vision as she opened her eyes fully, the gentle crackle of fire reaching her ears. A small flame danced before her, casting shadows against the rough stone walls of the cavern. The warmth it provided was a stark contrast to the coldness she had felt before.

Her body ached, but she was alive.

"Hm? Oh, did you wake up?"

The voice was calm and smooth, a playful lilt threading through it. Aeliana's gaze shifted to the source of the sound.

He was seated beside the fire, leaning casually against a rock with one leg stretched out, the other bent at the knee. His black hair framed a face that carried both amusement and danger in equal measure. A faint smirk curved his lips as his black eyes regarded her, sharp and knowing.

Recognition struck her like a blow, and her breath caught.

"You…" she whispered, her voice hoarse, the word barely audible.

"Me," he confirmed, his smirk widening slightly as he inclined his head toward her. "You've got quite the knack for finding trouble, don't you?"

Aeliana pushed herself up on trembling arms, her muscles protesting every movement. "Why are you here?" she asked, her tone sharper now, laced with confusion and suspicion.

His gaze flickered to the fire, then back to her. "Saw an opportunity," he said simply, his tone casual, as though the explanation was enough. "Thought I'd take it."

"Opportunity?" she echoed, her stomach twisting at the implications.

"To make a difference," he said, leaning forward slightly. The playful tone was gone, replaced with something quieter, heavier. "You didn't exactly seem like you were enjoying yourself back there."

The memory of the wiry man's sneer and the taller man's mocking laughter flooded her mind, and Aeliana's hands clenched into fists. "I didn't ask for your help."

"No," he agreed, leaning back again, his smirk returning. "But you needed it."

The words stung, their truth undeniable, and Aeliana's nails dug into her palms. She hated it—hated how right he was, how weak she had been.

"I could've handled it," she muttered, more to herself than to him.

"Really?"

"Really?" Luca's voice was soft, almost a murmur, but it carried an edge that made Aeliana's chest tighten.

He stood, his movements unhurried, and began to approach her. The firelight flickered against his silhouette, casting long shadows that danced across the jagged walls. His presence loomed larger with each step, and when he finally stopped in front of her, Aeliana had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.

"Could you really handle it?" he asked, his voice low but tinged with that infuriating, knowing tone.

The weight of him standing over her made her pulse quicken. Fear curled at the edges of her thoughts, but she smothered it with a defiant glare, her pride refusing to yield.

Her voice came out gruff, though it wavered slightly. "I could have handled it, you bastard. I didn't need your help."

A curse slipped from her lips, sharp and unbidden, but she didn't regret it. The words felt like a barrier, something to shield her from the helplessness that still clawed at her.

"Hm?" Luca's brows lifted slightly, his lips twitching into a smile—not mocking, but playful, as though her defiance amused him more than anything.

And then, without warning, he bent slightly, reaching for her hand. His fingers, warm and calloused, closed around hers before she could pull away.

"With these fragile hands?" he said softly, holding her hand up between them. The strength in his grip was undeniable, yet it wasn't harsh. His thumb brushed against her knuckles, sending a jolt of indignation through her.

'This guy… How dare he!'

Her mind roared with anger, shame, and something else she didn't want to name. Her teeth clenched, and heat flushed through her face as she tried to wrench her hand from his grasp.

"Grrr…!" A feral growl escaped her, and she lunged forward, snapping her teeth at him like a cornered animal.

But he was faster. Luca leaned back, his black eyes glinting with something between amusement and caution as her teeth clicked shut on empty air.

"Feisty, aren't you?" he said, his tone laced with humor. He didn't release her hand, though, and his grip tightened just enough to keep her from pulling away.

Aeliana's chest heaved with the force of her emotions, her breath ragged. She glared up at him, her amber eyes blazing.

'I hate this.'

Her thoughts churned in a storm of anger and pain, her nails digging into her free palm.

"Let go," she snapped, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound commanding.

Luca's smile softened, and for a moment, his gaze flickered with something she couldn't quite place—an understanding that felt too close, too personal.

He let go of her hand slowly, his movements deliberate. "As you wish," he said, stepping back slightly. His smirk returned, though the edge had dulled. "But don't bite me next time. It's not very ladylike."

And then he returned to the fire.

"There is nothing left ladylike about me."

A quiet murmur escaped her lips….

Chapter 403: Disgust (3)

"There is nothing left ladylike about me."

Luca turned sharply, his black eyes glinting with curiosity as he tilted his head. "Did you say something?"

Aeliana stiffened, her lips pressing into a tight line. Her gaze darted toward him briefly before snapping away, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

"I didn't say anything, you bastard," she snapped, her voice sharp and defensive.

Luca's brows arched slightly, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright," he said, his tone placating but playful. He turned back toward the fire, his attention seemingly absorbed by the flickering flames.

'Why does he always have that look? Like he knows something I don't.' Aeliana glared at the back of his head, her chest still heaving from her earlier outburst. 'Smug bastard. Acting like he's better than everyone just because he can swing a sword.'

Her thoughts were interrupted as a faint scent wafted through the air.

"Hm?" Her nose twitched involuntarily, catching the warm, savory aroma. It was faint at first, but then it grew stronger, wrapping around her senses with tantalizing allure.

The smell of cooking meat, seasoned with something rich and earthy, reached her fully, and her body reacted before her mind could stop it.

Grumble.

A loud, unmistakable sound echoed in the cavern.

"Ah…" Aeliana's face burned as she instinctively clutched her stomach, pressing her arms tightly against it as though to muffle the embarrassing noise. Her amber eyes widened in mortification. 'No. No, no, no. This can't be happening.'

But the damage was done.

Luca glanced over his shoulder, his smirk returning with full force. His dark eyes glimmered with amusement as he caught her panicked expression.

"Well, well," he drawled, his voice light with mockery. "Sounds like someone's hungry."

"I'm not," she shot back quickly, her voice betraying her as it cracked slightly. Her hands tightened around her stomach, as though willing it to silence itself. 'Shut up, shut up, shut up! Of all the times to betray me, now?!'

Luca chuckled softly, turning fully to face her. He leaned against the rock casually, crossing his arms as he observed her with the kind of smug satisfaction that made her blood boil. "Oh? Could've fooled me. That growl could've scared off a bear."

"I said I'm not hungry," Aeliana hissed, her voice low and venomous. She refused to meet his gaze, her eyes fixated on the ground. 'This is humiliating. How does he always manage to make everything worse?'

Luca's smirk widened as he crouched by the fire, reaching for something just out of her view. When he straightened, he held a skewer with sizzling, perfectly seared meat, its juices glistening in the firelight.

The aroma hit her full force, and her stomach betrayed her again with a quieter, more pitiful grumble.

Aeliana's hands balled into fists, her nails biting into her palms. 'Why. Why does this have to happen now? I'd rather face the wiry bastard again than deal with this.'

Luca twirled the skewer lazily in his fingers, letting the scent waft toward her with an almost deliberate tease. "You sure? Because it smells like you could use this."

She shot him a glare that could have melted steel, her pride warring with the gnawing hunger clawing at her insides. "I said I'm fine," she growled through gritted teeth.

Luca raised a brow, then shrugged, his expression feigning innocence. "Suit yourself." He turned his attention back to the skewer, taking a slow, deliberate bite. The sound of him chewing only made the smell seem stronger, and Aeliana's stomach twisted painfully.

'Don't you dare give in,' she told herself, her eyes locked on the flames. 'You've been through worse than this. You don't need him or his stupid food.'

Another grumble escaped, softer but no less humiliating.

Luca didn't look at her this time, but his smirk grew as he spoke. "You know," he said casually, "it'd be a shame to waste perfectly good food. I've got more if you change your mind."

Aeliana clenched her fists tighter, her pride screaming at her to refuse, but the ache in her stomach

Aeliana clenched her fists tighter, her pride screaming at her to refuse, but the ache in her stomach was becoming unbearable. 'Damn him. Damn him and his stupid smirk and his stupid skewers.'

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She couldn't bring herself to say it, to admit even the smallest defeat.

Luca didn't press further. He simply continued eating, his calm demeanor only making her frustration boil hotter.

'I hate him,' she thought bitterly. But as another pang of hunger struck, her resolve wavered. 'I hate him… but maybe… just this once…'

Her gaze flicked to the skewer in his hand, the sight of the meat glistening in the firelight making her stomach churn with longing.

She swallowed hard, her pride and hunger locked in a fierce battle.

Then her gaze darted between the fire and Luca, her jaw tight as she fought the relentless hunger gnawing at her insides. The aroma of the cooked meat taunted her, a cruel reminder of her body's betrayal.

'No. Absolutely not,' she thought, her nails digging deeper into her palms. 'There is no way I'm giving him the satisfaction. That infuriating smirk… it's like he knows.'

Her amber eyes narrowed at Luca, who continued to eat leisurely, his expression maddeningly calm. She couldn't let him win. Not like this.

Instead, she curled tighter into the corner of the cavern, her arms wrapping around her knees as though shielding herself from the humiliation. Her stomach ached with every inhale of the savory scent, but she clenched her teeth and glared at the dancing flames.

'Let him enjoy his stupid skewer,' she thought bitterly, her face burning. 'I don't need it. I've endured worse. I can endure this.'

The sound of Luca taking another deliberate bite grated on her nerves like nails on stone. She shifted slightly, trying to block it out, but it was no use. He didn't say anything, didn't taunt her further. Yet somehow, that was worse.

The silence stretched, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the occasional sound of Luca chewing. Just as the tension seemed unbearable, his voice cut through the stillness.

"Why have you been watching me?"

Aeliana froze, her body stiffening like a taut bowstring.

"W-what?" she stammered, her head snapping toward him. Her voice came out sharper than she intended, betraying her unease.

Luca's dark eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to the fire. He took another unhurried bite, as though the question were casual and not the grenade he'd just thrown into the conversation.

"From the ship behind," he clarified, his tone deceptively light. "Why were you watching me?"

'There's no way,' she thought, her pulse quickening. Her fingers tightened their grip on her knees, the blood draining from her face. 'I was far away. There's no way he could have known… right?'

But the weight of his words settled heavily on her chest. He wasn't guessing. He knew.

Her voice wavered slightly. "I-I wasn't watching you."

Luca's smirk returned, faint but unmistakable. He leaned back slightly, his posture casual yet entirely deliberate. "Really? Because I'd swear those eyes behind that veil were locked on me the entire time."

Aeliana's face burned hotter, and she gritted her teeth, struggling to find a retort.

'He's lying. He has to be lying. How could he possibly know?'

But his calm demeanor, the easy confidence in his voice, made her doubt her own certainty.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she snapped, her voice firmer this time, though the edge of panic still clung to it.

Luca chuckled softly, the sound low and maddeningly self-assured. He glanced at her again, his gaze sharp and piercing. "You're a terrible liar."

Aeliana flinched as though struck, her pride bristling under the accusation. Her fists clenched at her sides, and she glared at him with all the defiance she could muster.

"I wasn't lying," she insisted, her voice cold but trembling. "I have no interest in watching someone like you."

Luca didn't respond immediately. Instead, he set the now-empty skewer aside and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees as the firelight flickered across his face.

"Someone like me, huh?" he said, his tone quieter now, almost contemplative. "Then why did you keep staring?"

She had watched him—his movements, his precision, the way he moved in the battlefield with ruthless efficiency.

It had been… interesting…A beacon of enjoyment that she came to enjoy at her end moments of freedom.

But, there was no way she would admit it.

"I don't owe you an explanation," she said finally, her voice icy. "And I don't have to justify anything to you."

Luca tilted his head, his smirk softening into something closer to amusement than mockery. "Fair enough," he said, leaning back again. "Keep your secrets, little missy. But I'm not wrong."

Her heart pounded against her ribs as his words hung in the air. The playful lilt in his tone only fueled her frustration, but beneath it all, a seed of unease took root.

'Did he really know that I was watching him there at that time?'

A question that she had in her heart.

SWOOSH!

Just then, she felt the wind blowing.

"Oh….we have company it seems…."

Chapter 404: You are lucky I was here

Aeliana's thoughts swirled in a storm of unease and defiance, her eyes narrowing at Luca as he leaned back. But before she could formulate a proper retort, the air shifted around them.

Swoosh!

A sudden gust of wind rushed through the cavern, carrying with it an unfamiliar chill. The flickering flames wavered, shadows dancing wildly along the jagged walls.

"Oh…" Luca's voice was low, his tone calm but laced with sharp awareness. His smirk faded, replaced by an expression of quiet focus. "We have company, it seems."

Aeliana tensed, her gaze snapping toward the cavern entrance. The soft, distant rustle of movement reached her ears, barely discernible but unmistakable in the otherwise stillness.

Luca stood fluidly, his movements graceful and deliberate as he reached for his weapon. He glanced at her briefly, his dark eyes steady.

"Stay here," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "I'll take a look."

Before she could respond, he was already moving, his figure cutting a sharp silhouette against the firelight. His steps were silent, purposeful, as he disappeared into the shadows beyond the cavern's mouth.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the faint crackle of the flames.

Finally, alone, Aeliana exhaled shakily, the tension in her body easing slightly. She glanced around the cavern, her surroundings unfamiliar yet oddly comforting.

It was a compact space, sheltered by jagged rock walls and a low ceiling. The fire cast a warm glow across the uneven ground, illuminating a few scattered belongings—Luca's pack, a makeshift blanket, and the remnants of his earlier meal.

Her gaze lingered on the setup, her mind piecing together what must have happened. 'He carried me here,' she realized, the thought stirring a mix of emotions she wasn't ready to face.

'Why did he even bother?'

Her amber eyes drifted to the fire, her thoughts turning inward.

'From the moment I lost consciousness… everything has been a blur. The last thing I remember was that wiry bastard's sneer, his disgusting words. I thought…' She clenched her fists tightly. 'I thought it was the end.'

Her mind replayed the scene with unsettling clarity—the overwhelming exhaustion, the mocking voices, and the sudden cold before darkness took her. And then…

'Luca,' she thought, her lips pressing into a thin line.

He had been there, cutting through the tension like a blade. His presence had been commanding, undeniable, a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounded them. Even now, the memory of his voice rang in her ears—sharp, decisive, unyielding.

'Why did he help me?'

Her gaze shifted to the cavern entrance, where the faint echo of his footsteps had long since faded.

'And how does he know?'

The earlier question gnawed at her—how he could have possibly known she was watching him from the ship. She had been so far away, hidden behind layers of distance and illusion. There was no way he could have seen her… right?

Yet his words carried a weight she couldn't ignore, as though he had seen straight through her veil and into the moments she had stolen to watch him.

'It was just curiosity,' she told herself, the excuse hollow even in her own mind. 'Nothing more.'

But the truth lingered in the corners of her thoughts, refusing to be dismissed.

Her gaze returned to the fire, the warmth drawing her out of her spiral. She shifted slightly, adjusting her position as her limbs ached with the dull remnants of exhaustion.

'This place…' she thought, her eyes scanning the small cavern. It was sturdy, secure, far removed from the chaos she had fallen into earlier.

GRUMBLE!

The sound cut through the cavern like a harsh reminder, drawing Aeliana's attention away from the fire. Her stomach clenched painfully, the hollow ache gnawing at her insides now impossible to ignore.

Her amber eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line as she wrapped her arms around her midsection, as though she could will the hunger away.

'It's nothing,' she told herself, her thoughts laced with stubborn defiance. 'Just a little longer, and it'll pass.'

But even as she tried to convince herself, the truth was undeniable. Her head felt light, her vision swimming slightly as the lack of energy began to take its toll. Her breaths came shallow and uneven, her body trembling faintly as the ache in her stomach sharpened.

She closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the jagged rock wall. 'How long has it been?' she wondered.

From the moment she had been pulled into this place, time had become a blur. She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten properly, let alone taken her medicine. Her body, already fragile, was teetering dangerously close to its limit.

'It's fine,' she tried to reassure herself, though her conviction faltered. Her hands curled into fists, her nails biting into her palms as though the pain could distract her from the emptiness clawing at her core.

Her gaze flicked to the remnants of the skewers by the fire, the faint scent of charred meat still lingering in the air.

'It would be fine… if I just took a little, right?'

The thought came unbidden, soft and insistent. Her pride bristled at the suggestion, but her body was screaming for relief.

'No,' she argued with herself, her jaw tightening. 'I don't need his help. I don't need anything from him.'

Yet as another wave of hunger rolled through her, her resolve wavered. The memory of the warmth from the fire, the savory scent that had filled the air, and the way Luca had casually held the skewer out to her earlier—all of it resurfaced, gnawing at the edges of her resolve.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached out, only to pull back immediately, her teeth gritting.

'I can't,' she thought bitterly. 'I can't let him win. That smug bastard… He'd never let me live it down.'

But as the ache in her stomach deepened and her vision blurred further, the edges of her pride began to crumble.

'Just… a little,' she reasoned, the faint whisper of justification ringing hollow in her mind. 'If it keeps me from passing out… if it helps me stay upright… that's not weakness, right?'

Her breathing quickened, her heart pounding in her chest as she warred with herself. Her body screamed for sustenance, her head spinning with the effort of staying conscious.

Finally, she leaned forward, her movements sluggish and reluctant as she reached for the fire and the skewers on top.

Her fingers brushed against the edge of his pack, and for a moment, she froze.

GULP!

She gulped, her throat dry, as the scent of the savory meat wafted toward her, rich and tantalizing. The juices seemed to shimmer in the firelight, each drip hissing softly as it struck the flames.

Her fingers twitched, her body leaning forward before her mind could catch up.

'I really don't want that bastard to see me like this.'

Her thoughts faltered as her hand reached out, trembling slightly, and closed around the wooden skewer. The heat of it seeped into her skin, grounding her in the moment as the aroma overwhelmed her senses.

She hesitated for a breath, her pride clawing at her resolve one last time. But as another pang of hunger ripped through her, the battle was over. Slowly, she brought the skewer to her lips and took a tentative bite.

The moment the meat hit her tongue, her amber eyes widened, and a soft, involuntary sound escaped her.

"Hmmm…"

The flavor was overwhelming, the juices rich and savory as they spilled across her taste buds. The perfect blend of smokiness and saltiness spread through her mouth, igniting her hunger into a ravenous frenzy.

Her hesitation vanished as she took another bite, and then another, her movements growing frantic. The skewered meat disappeared bite by bite, the once careful nibbles replaced by hurried munching.

'Gods… I didn't realize how hungry I was,' she thought, her breaths coming faster as the satisfaction of eating began to soothe the ache in her stomach.

The warmth of the food filled her from the inside, chasing away the chill that had settled deep in her bones. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a flicker of strength return to her body.

Her hands moved automatically, pulling another skewer from the makeshift pile by the fire. The second bite was no less heavenly than the first, and she couldn't stop herself from devouring it just as quickly.

'This is too good,' she thought, her cheeks flushed with both embarrassment and relief. 'How is it this good? Damn that smug bastard. There was a reason why he was eating like that.'

Lost in the haze of hunger and satisfaction, Aeliana didn't hear the faint rustle of footsteps approaching the cavern entrance.

"Well, well," a familiar voice drawled, cutting through her single-minded focus like a knife. "I see someone's decided to help themselves."

She froze mid-bite, her amber eyes snapping up to meet Luca's dark gaze. He stood just inside the cavern, his smirk firmly in place and his arms crossed over his chest.

Aeliana's cheeks burned as she quickly shoved the rest of the skewer into her mouth, her defiance returning in full force as she chewed furiously.

"I—I didn't," she started, swallowing quickly, "I mean, I was just—"

"Just what?" Luca interrupted, stepping closer, his smirk widening. "Sampling? Or maybe ensuring the quality of the chef's work?"

Her fists clenched, and she glared at him, the embarrassment only fueling her anger. "I was hungry, okay? Stop looking at me like that!"

"Like what?" he asked innocently, though his black eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Like you're so damn clever!"

Luca chuckled, dropping to a crouch in front of her. He reached out, plucking a skewer from the fire with practiced ease and holding it out to her.

"You could've just asked, you know," he said, his tone surprisingly soft despite the teasing smile still lingering on his lips.

Aeliana stared at the skewer in his hand, her pride warring with the ache in her stomach once more. After a tense moment, she snatched it from him, her glare never wavering.

"Thanks," she muttered grudgingly, biting into the meat with renewed vigor.

"Anytime," he replied easily, leaning back on his heels as he watched her. "Though you're lucky I'm feeling generous. Not everyone gets free rein to raid my dinner."

"Shut up," Aeliana snapped between bites, but her tone lacked its usual bite.