His Innocence

Odette had no clue on how long these dull aches continued, but they weren't that terrible. Adrian's presence lulled her to fall asleep after how weak her body got as an effect of the poison.

Although the sleep wasn't deep, it felt comforting. It was funny how an immature five year old child gave her this sense of security and warmth, making her greedy for it.

The sun rose by the time Odette opened her eyes. Her body still lacked energy, and she blinked a few times to clear her blurry vision. She turned her head to see Adrian sleeping beside her— his hand on her face.

This small hand provided her with ease last night and even now, the careful yet reassuring touch of the hand lingered on her.

A genuine smile involuntarily formed on her face before Odette was able to control it.

She should be mad at him for rudely barging into her room, getting on to her bed, touching her, and then sleeping with her. No one would live to see the next day after treating her in this manner.

Yet when it came to Adrian, she welcomed it and wished for more.

Is this his innocence that attracts her so badly?

Or is it just him?

This made her curious yet frightened. This thought wiped away that smile on her face, and she pushed away his hand from her face. She turned to look the other day and tried to surpass all those invading thoughts.

There would be no happy ending between her and him.

This amount of kindness shown by him won't change that.

"Adrian, wake—"

Before she could complete, she recalled how he was by her side the entire night wide awake. She had no heart to wake him up, and this compassion she showed made her bite down on her lower lip.

This wasn't her. She wasn't supposed to be like this.

Even though she showed him kindness, it wasn't because she care for him but to ruin him at the end. The betrayal would totally break him down. That's what she aimed for.

A mocking laugh escaped from her lips, and this caused her heart to clench painfully.

Knowing that these contradictions within her would only increase if she stayed laying on the bed beside the child, she pulled the sheets off of her body and got off the bed. She badly needed to be distracted.

Her legs wobbled as Odette stood up. She grabbed on to the table nearby for support and stared down at her body. Her clothing was too dirty, dyed in red blood, and this made her frown.

She decided to wash up, unable to bear the sight of it. As much as she loved the sight of blood, when it was on her body, it disgusted Odette.

As Odette was about to let go of the table to stand up straight, she stumbled, losing her stability, and abruptly held on to the table to compose herself. The noise the sudden motion of her created caused the child in the bed to stir.

Following that, a yawn left his mouth as he slowly opened his eyes and looked at Odette drowsily.

"Lady Odette, you are awake. How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?"