Nighttime Encounters - Chapter 15
It happened so fast, the thugs didn’t even seem to realize what was happening.
As they writhed on the ground, they spewed venom. “How dare you think you can walk down this street again after attacking us!”
At the word “us,” the man’s eyes flashed. “Tell me. Who are you people?”
The thugs flinched at the intimidation in the man’s voice.
“Because I want to know.”
It wasn’t hard to see the implications in the short, bold words. It was a warning that if they found out who they were, he’d hunt him down until the end of time.
The thugs exchanged quick glances as they realized what was happening. They scrambled to their feet and began to run away.
Whether it was a final act of bravado or a boastful warning, they didn’t forget to leave behind a threat. “If we catch you again, we won’t let you off so easy next time!”
The man’s gaze followed their retreating figures, his eyes narrowing.
Is there someone else lurking behind?
As the man pondered seriously whether to pursue them, a faint voice reached him. “Oh! They’re gone.”
A feeble sigh from the woman hiding behind him brushed against his back. Only then did he look away from the fleeing thugs. It was best to reassure the woman first.
“Are you okay?”
The woman, who had also been watching the ruffians run away, asked in astonishment. “Oh? Me?”
The man looked into her watery, trembling violet eyes and sighed deeply. He realized that he was a stranger to her, too, and that she might be afraid.
Keeping his distance to allow her to calm her nerves, he said, “Yes.. I just thought you might be in shock by what just happened.”
Unaware of the man’s misunderstanding, Rosia answered cautiously, “I don’t feel okay.”
She clutched at her cloak, trying to avoid the green eyes scrutinizing her. There was no way she could be okay when the man who had chased her last night was right in front of her. The memories came flooding back. His piercing gaze alone was enough to reveal everything, to blow the lid off her hidden identity.
Rosia warily took a step back, watching the man’s eyes. “I’m not feeling okay,” she murmured.
The man who had been watching her so closely spoke up. “I’ll walk you to the main road.”
Rosia shook her head vigorously. “Oh, that’s okay, I can manage on my own.”
“The path is isolated, and it’s dangerous to walk alone,” he insisted. He stretched out his hand in a half-hearted gesture to show Rosia the way. “Besides, those men might come back. I will accompany you to safety, come on.”
His gestures in guiding her were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. It was so different from how he’d handled Trinity. He maintained a suitable distance and treated her with the courtesy of a gentleman.
As she stared at the man’s polite hand with trepidation, she realized something. Now was the time to act like a vulnerable young lady almost falling prey to ruffians.
Eventually, she turned in the direction he indicated and began to walk. “Yes. Please, then.”
Even though it was the middle of the day, the deep shadows of the buildings cast a shadow over them as she found herself walking alone with the man. The deserted alleyway was quiet and peaceful. The only sound was the echo of their footsteps.
A cool breeze flowed along the shaded path, leaving a chill between them, but Rosia didn’t feel it. All sorts of thoughts raced through her mind as she allowed herself to be guided along.
She was relieved that he didn’t recognize her…But was this level of courtesy necessary?
Disturbed by the man’s duplicity, Rosia bit her lip. The heat radiating from her ears made her whole body burn.
He won’t recognize me by my ruddy ears, will he?
To steady her hand, which was moving involuntarily toward her ear, Rosia clutched the collar of her cloak instead. As her hand began to pale, drained of blood by her tight grip, an open plaza stretched out before her.
As if awoken from a dream, the noise of the bustling crowd startled Rosia.
“I think this is far enough.” She needed to get away from him and fast, before her earlobes turned to mush and fell off.
She hurriedly showed her gratitude. “Thank you for your help.”
As she bid him goodbye, the man stopped walking and turned to face her. He seemed to consider something for a moment, then opened his mouth. “It’s not safe for you to travel alone, so please stay on the main streets and avoid the alleyways.”
That didn’t exactly apply to Rosia, but she dropped her eyes like a quivering flower and replied somewhat sheepishly. “Yes. Thank you for your advice.”
Despite Rosia’s meek response, the man still seemed concerned about something. “It is dangerous to smile so easily at someone with ill intentions,” he added. “They’ll take you for granted.”
Rosia’s eyes widened at the unexpected comment. “What?”
“And it’s even more dangerous to follow a stranger.”
As Rosia pondered the implications, the man continued. “And if something dangerous happens to you, like today, don’t just get scared and cry. Actively seek help from people around you.”
What the hell is this guy talking about? Me getting scared and crying?
It was something Rosia had never heard since she started learning magic.
While Rosia was stunned and at a loss for words, he offered one last piece of advice. “If they come for you again, call the guards for help.”
At the man’s final advice, Rosia’s eyes widened in disbelief. Guards? She’d rather deal with thugs. There was no way Trinity could go to the Capital Guard when she was being chased by them every night.
Rosia pursed her lips in frustration, but eventually shut her mouth and bowed her head.
The man stared at her in silence, then spoke a final farewell. “Well, then, stay safe.”
He bowed with a simple gesture and turned neatly away.
