###'s POV:
The sounds of birds wake me up. Their chirping sounds can be heard in the distance as the morning light hurtles my eyes. I slowly open my left eye to be blinded by the morning light as something slowly falls from my shoulder. I unconsciously raise my arm to shield my face from the light only to be awakened by a sharp burning pain on my arm. The sudden pain brings me back to normal as I lightly touch my burned arm.
- Ughhhhh.
I involuntarily let out a moan of pain as I try to soothe the pain.
- ####? Are you okay? Is something wrong?
A sudden metallic noise jumps next to me, nearly making me jump to the top of the tree I was lying on. Erick stands next to me with a worried look on his face. I can't help but let out a small gasp of horror at the sight of Erick.
- E-Erick... What happened to you?
- Huh?
He looks at me with a confused expression that only accentuates the enormous bags under his eyes. His usually handsome and composed face has been reduced to nothing more than a messy, dirty shadow of its former self. His face, now pale and thin, barely has any vitality, and his eyes seem almost unhinged as they stare at me with their worried expression.
- What do you mean? After you treated my forehead and wounds, I'm perfectly healthy.
Despite his obvious performance, he tries to give me a smile as he approaches me. He places his hands on the bandages he had wrapped around my body.
- Ummmm, it seems they don't need changing.
After a brief inspection, he says this as he stands up. He gives me another awkward smile before turning and walking down the hill.
- Erick... I-
- I know I'm in no position to ask you for anything... but could you wait for me to get some food? I bet you're really hungry right now.
He picks up a branch from the ground and a medium-sized stone he picked up during his descent. He shows them to me with a gentle smile. I simply can't ask him anything if he gives me an expression like that.
- ... It's fine.
Without waiting for my answer, he disappears into the bushes, then disappears into the undergrowth. I just stare at the place where he disappeared, not knowing what to do. Although it seemed obvious that improving his health would be important, it was painfully obvious that what Vulk said was correct.
- ... Don't try to carry everything by yourself, idiot...
Even if I prepared food for him and let him rest properly, I didn't have much hope that Erick would get better. With his heart broken to this degree, if I didn't do something about it, I didn't have much faith that he could actually recover, but despite knowing that, I had no idea what I should do.
- Even though Vulk gave me this task, I really have no idea how I should comfort him.
Several ideas circled around my head, but none seemed right. Even if I tried to tell him he shouldn't take the blame for my burns or Vulk's disappearance, he'd still feel responsible. Even if I tried to comfort him like Lira and Mira taught me, no... I didn't think that was a viable option right now.
- After all, right now I'm just a monster.
One look at my deep burns made it hard to believe any man would find me attractive. All the seduction techniques Mira taught me now seem useless.
- ...He... won't abandon me, right?
At some point, my worries about Erick turned into worries about the future. Ever since I was sold into slavery, I had lost all hope for the future. Before meeting Lira and Mira, I was certain that the best fate for me was death. When I learned I could have a decent life as a slave if I could find a good master, I worked hard every day to learn anything useful for the day I met my ideal man. I worked hard under Lira and Mira's supervision to learn how to satisfy my master, but now that I'd reached this point... When I finally found someone I wanted to stay with...
- …..
I stare at my right hand for a while until I try to move it, and a burning sensation runs down my arm.
- Now that I've lost my mobility and my attractiveness as a woman... No one would blame him for abandoning me... Right?
A sudden pressure pressed on my chest as more and more negative thoughts filled my head. An intense headache assaulted me as I tried to put my thoughts in order. Scenarios of being abandoned flooded my head like a fountain as I tried to keep from crying. Just as I was about to lose myself in my despair, a sudden noise from the bushes brought me back to the real world. When I looked up, I saw Erick returning with a makeshift spear and two rabbits on his shoulder.
- ...¡
I quickly shook my head to shake those thoughts out of my head while making sure there were no tears in my eyes.
Ignoring the pain, I cheerfully got up from my resting place and walked over to him with a smile on my face.
- Wow! How did you manage to catch two rabbits with just that stick?
- …It's no big deal, just applying a little of what my father taught me about hunting.
A calm smile crossed his lips as he took a small knife from his belt and began skinning the rabbits. I quickly followed his example, searching through the things at the foot of the tree for my cooking utensils.
- I'll take care of the vegetables.
Before I could take a small knife from the medicine bag, Erick stops me and pulls me up to chest level.
- Erick?
The sudden action makes a surprised sigh escape my mouth. He just looks at me warmly as he places me back at the foot of the tree.
- You don't have to. Just recover while I take care of the food.
- But...
I tried to refuse, but a mysterious pressure emanated from him, making it impossible. After leaving me in my place, he went to a makeshift fire he'd made where he continued skinning the rabbits.
- ... Apparently, I'm useless after all.
A slight darkness welled up in my heart as I watched Erick prepare the food.
.................
In front of me, something resembling a stew was placed in a small bowl made from tree bark. As an experienced cook, I could tell the meat was somewhat tough while the vegetables were overcooked. With a slightly sad smile, Erick watched my reaction, trying to apologize with his eyes. Despite the dish's obvious shortcomings, I took the spoon we were able to salvage from the carriage and began vigorously eating the dish in front of me. A slight expression of astonishment spread across his face as he watched me eat everything I'd been served.
- It was delicious. Thank you for the meal!
Excited, I looked back at him only to find a sad look on his face as he stared at his own plate.
- I'm sorry... I'm so sorry I couldn't make a decent meal.
- ...
He's the first to break the silence. Despite my words, he looks at his plate of food with disdain. I don't know what to say in this situation.
- Even though I've seen you do it so many times, I really can't replicate it.
- B-but the result is pretty good for your first time.
He just stares bitterly at the floor, looking like he's about to cry.
- You know, lately I keep realizing the sheer number of things I can't do. I can't bandage wounds properly, I can't prepare a good meal, I can't keep my spirit by my side, I can't... save even a little girl standing in front of me... What kind of hero am I supposed to be?
His words are too sharp against himself. Erick looks down with an apathetic look as if the world is about to end. Despite wanting to say something, nothing good comes to mind. I rack my brain for an idea to help me with the situation when a sudden ray of light illuminates me, an old memory of my family comes to me like a divine revelation. I quickly get up and walk unsteadily toward Erick. Taking advantage of the fact that he's sitting, I crouch down and slide into his arms, making room for myself in his chest.
- ...What are you doing?
Ignoring his question, I separate his arms with mine as I slide into his lap. Once I'm sitting on him, I carefully take his arms and adjust them around me. So much so that he's hugging me completely.
- Could you tell m—
Before he can say anything, I put a finger to his mouth while looking into his eyes. Getting the message, he lightly tightens his arms around my waist while resting his chin on my head.
- …. Don't your burns sting?
- ….. A little.
- …. Do you want me to let you go?
Without answering his question, I take his hands and bring them even closer around my waist. He chuckles as he carefully positions himself so as not to touch my wounds. We stay like that for a while, enjoying each other's company, until he breaks the silence again.
- …. Are you trying to comfort me?
I nod in response as I carefully arrange myself in his arms.
- When Dad came home late from the fields, he would be encouraged to hold my little sister like this.
- …I see… This is the first time you've spoken to me about your family.
- Yes… I really had a great family.
- …I'm glad you can open up to me a little more now.
Another moment of silence falls as we both look back at the tree we were leaning against.
- …I'm so sorry I couldn't save you properly.
When I try to look at his face, he hides my gaze with the back of my head. Understanding the depth of his words, I lightly rub his hands together as I respond.
- You don't need to apologize. It was my decision to ask Vulk to save you.
- But...
- Also, I'd like you not to reduce my merit on that mission.
Erick remains silent for a moment, not knowing how to respond to my words.
- These burn marks aren't just wounds, they're... trophies from when I bravely managed to save the hero from the fire... yes, that's it!
He remains silent for a few moments as he slightly tightens his embrace around me.
- Thank you.
Those are the only words he manages to say before everything goes silent again. I can only continue lightly stroking his hands to try to comfort him. Suddenly, I feel a few drops of water fall on my head. Although I know the answer, I don't dare check if they are really raindrops.