His Last Choice

Chapter4

HIS LAST CHOICE

Chapter 4

As Hailey ate, she found it nearly impossible to lift her head, acutely aware of Leon's intense gaze upon her. Confusion swirled within her. “Is he normal?” His mood shifted in an instant.

She slowly chewed the garlic bread he had offered her, contemplating the peculiar tension between them. Just as she finished, Leon stood up from his corner and caught her eye briefly before striding out of the tent in silence. A couple of minutes later, he returned, holding a wooden tumbler, which he extended toward her.

“I fetched this from the river; it’s clean and safe to drink,” he said. Hailey swallowed the last bite of bread stuck inside her mouth, her nerves prickling with the awareness of his presence. She hesitated before accepting the tumbler, stealing a glance at him. When she finally opened it, she felt his eyes on her again, prompting her to discreetly turn away, seeking a moment of privacy while she drank.

Leon observed her reaction, a small, amused smile flitting across his face at her subtle attempt to shield herself.

As the minutes slipped by, an uneasy silence settled around them. Leon remained in his corner while Hailey retreated to the opposite side of the tent, her mind racing with questions.

“Why is he here? "Does he intend to guard me all night in this tent?” She stole another glance at him, unaware that Leon’s thoughts mirrored her own.

For Leon, the closeness between them felt natural; after all, they were officially married.

“Aren't you sleepy yet?” Hailey whirled around in surprise at the sudden voice of the man who had invaded her thoughts for a while now.

“Huh?” she stuttered, caught off guard.

“I won’t be leaving this tent until morning, just so you know,” Leon said, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.

“W-why?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Why? Because we’re married, and married couples always sleep together. What would our companions think if I left you all alone here? "They might start to worry about us not being able to have children,” he replied, his tone light but suggestive.

Leon noticed the flush creeping up Hailey's cheeks in response to his words. After a brief pause, he began to prepare for bed, laying down a thick blanket and using their bags as makeshift pillows. Once he was settled, Leon took his place beside her and glanced at Hailey, who hesitated, rooted to the spot.

“Come here,” he urged, a playful grin on his face as he patted the spot next to him where he wanted Hailey.

“Huh?” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, her face betraying her nervousness.

“Oh no, what is he planning?” she thought anxiously. “I’m not ready for this yet.” “ Will he even fit?” She recalled her siblings' warnings that it would hurt. “He’s so big; he could easily break me like a fragile piece of paper.”

As she gripped her dress tightly, Leon's gaze fell into her hands. He could see her apprehension in every small tremble.

“So naughty,” he thought to himself, knowing she had no idea he could hear her inner voice. A potent blend of nervousness and shame washes over Hailey, her emotions unmistakably reflected in her expression; Leon can't help but find it amusing.

Despite her emotions, she followed Leon's instructions and gradually moved to the exact spot where he wanted her to sit. Once there, she bent her knees and hugged them, unaware that Leon was dissatisfied with the distance between them.

The man’s brow furrowed, and his expression became darkened.

"Am I a monster? "Why do you seem so scared of me?" he asked, his voice breaking the silence.

Hailey's eyes widened slightly at Leon's sudden outburst.

"You know, I’m not someone known for my patience; that’s just not how I operate in life. But with you, it’s different. "I hope you won’t hold my frustration against me." Hailey absorbed Leon's words, acutely aware that he was disappointed. That realization deepened her fear, and a sharp pang of sadness settled in her chest.

She was a naive woman, unprepared for the overwhelming responsibilities suddenly laid at her feet. Unsure of how to connect with her partner, she was consumed by the fear of disappointing Leon. The haunting thought that he might see her as worthless weighed heavily on her, filling her eyes with tears at that moment.

Without warning, Leon grasped her arm and pulled her to lie down beside him. She felt utterly powerless against his determination. Now, there was almost nothing separating them. Her gaze locked onto Leon's chest, and she lay there like a statue, frozen in place. The weight of his arm draped across her small waist while the other one served as her pillow felt both comforting and suffocating, intensifying her inner turmoil. Her eyes widened in shock and fear of what was about to unfold.

She could feel the warmth of Leon's breath in her hair, drawing her in. Unable to look away, she raised her gaze to his, fully aware that their eyes would lock. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest, a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

She was utterly taken aback as she caught Leon’s gaze, his eyes wide with surprise, clearly not expecting her to look back. Her lips parted slightly, revealing her astonishment at the beauty reflected in his eyes.

A voice in her mind whispered, "This man is a perfect creation of the Moon Goddess." She found herself struggling to pull her gaze away from him, entranced by the captivating sight before her.

What she didn't realize was that, at that instant, Leon could hear her thoughts. A rush of warmth flooded Leon’s cheeks, igniting a wave of embarrassment at her unexpected admiration. Desperate to mask his reaction, he averted his eyes, turning away from her.

With an exaggerated cough to cover his unease, he said, "We’re leaving early tomorrow, so you should get some sleep." His tone was cold as he turned his back on her, leaving her in a whirlwind of emotions.

“Damn it!” Leon cursed internally as he turned his back on Hailey, the turmoil within him intensifying. Even with his back to her, her intoxicating scent lingered in the air, a haunting reminder that tonight would stretch into yet another grueling battle against his desires.

He squeezed his eyes shut, desperate to douse the flames of longing that had flared back to life. Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes into hours, as he wrestled with his thoughts. Once he heard Hailey’s soft breaths deepen into the rhythm of sleep, he carefully rose and positioned himself a short distance away. The darkness enveloped the tent, yet the soft glow of the moonlight illuminated the delicate features of the woman lying peacefully beside him, a striking contrast to the turmoil swirling in his heart.

“Does she truly understand the torment she’s putting me through?”

Even so, I can bide my time until the moment is ripe.

Leon shrugged off his black trench coat, wrapping it around Hailey with deliberate care before settling down beside her.

“I think it’s better to appreciate her beauty up close,” he whispered, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

The next morning, Hailey awoke to a symphony of sounds echoing from outside the tent. Though her eyelids felt as heavy as lead, she steeled herself to discover the source of the commotion.

To her surprise, her companions were busy packing their tents, preparing to continue their journey.

“Good morning, my lady!” Xyril greeted her warmly, flashing her a bright smile. But before she could return the sentiment, he dashed off to assist with the chores.

Hailey let out a weary sigh, acutely aware of her limitations. She was treated almost like a princess by her parents. Due to her naturally frail condition, she had no real grasp of the hard labor required for this trek.

In moments like this, she acutely feels the futility of even the simplest things.

“Did you sleep well?”

Turning to the voice, she saw Leon, his face illuminated like a clear morning. A playful smile graced his lips as he met Hailey’s gaze, igniting vivid memories of the previous night.

Though it seemed minor, the recollection of her daring gaze upon him sent a rush of blood to her face, filling her with an intense warmth that betrayed her surprise and embarrassment.