78 I'm Here

"Ferdinand?!"

"You're finally awake! You were crying and screaming in your sleep. Are you alright?"

"I, I had a scary nightmare," she shivered and braced herself as she recalled what it felt like holding Fermin's cold corpse in her dream. It was so terrible seeing her son get beaten up even if she knew it was just a dream.

[She's shaking!]

"It was just a dream. You don't have to be scared anymore. I'm here. I will protect you. Whatever it was that terrified you, it won't happen for real," Ferdinand wrapped her in his arms and gently petted her hair.

Arabella couldn't help but cry more now that someone was comforting her.

She had been all alone for so long that it felt so strange yet not unwelcome to be held and comforted by him as she cried.

Ferdinand's body felt warm. It was so different from the cold corpse of Fermin she was holding in her nightmare.

Somehow, feeling the warmth of someone alive helped her calm down. Her body gradually stopped trembling.