And so we meet (2)

'Regal, valiant, and handsome. When the popular vice-general turned his sharp eyes in her direction, Lia shivered. Whether it was from fear, excitement, or something else entirely, she did not know. What she knew was she wanted this man more than anything in this world.'

That was how the novel Lia described her first meeting with the protagonist during the cooking contest. He shook her world and left her shattered.

But now, Lia was shaken by her own idiocy. The lines from the novel popped out in her head as he stared at the man before her. The sharp eyes were on point. The regal part too. Valiant, maybe on the battlefield. Handsome… that's still up for argument. Now that she was closer, he appeared both bemused and amused while also trying to keep his poker face.

How in the world did she manage to help and drag the very person she was running away from?

Seeing a small smile slowly creeping up on his lips, Lia narrowed her eyes in irritation. He must be thinking that she fell for him at first sight! Unacceptable!

Lia cleared her throat. "Mister --"

"Ed-- Eldric," he offered.

She bit her lower lip, trying hard not to arch her eyebrows and shove the bag of fruits towards him. "Anyway, here are your fruits. Try not to be conned next time."

If she knew it was the protagonist she was helping, she would have left him alone and walked away. He was very much capable of handling things himself. He must be passing his time by loitering around the town. Why was he even here in the first place? Didn't he have people to do the shopping for him?

Lia turned on her heels when she was tugged back. A hand held her wrist, the grip lax.

"That's rude don't you think?"

Lia glared. "Excuse me?"

The corner of his lips twitched, the beginning of a smirk or a grin or whatever it was, but it still irritated Lia. "I just told you my name, shouldn't you do the same?"

"You offered. I didn't ask for it. Besides, it's not important since we're not going to meet again." She tried to leave when he started speaking again. Her manners dictated not to cut him off rudely.

"Where are you going? I haven't thanked you yet."

"You just did. Bye," she turned back again.

"Then as thanks, let me escort you home. Or at the very least, to the inn where you are staying at."

'Smooth, but your charm is wasted on me.' Lia sniffed. "No thanks. I'll be fine."

"Alright, I'll give you these grapes."

That made Lia stop. She could feel her defenses crumbling, the temptation too much to ignore. She bit her lip and refused to turn around. 'I won't be tempted, I won't be tempted.' She repeated to herself like a mantra.

There was a rustle and suddenly, a bag appeared beside her. The protagonist smiled innocently as he stepped in front, but she fixed her gaze at those inviting fruits.

To her dismay though, their little staring contest seemed to even spark the man's amusement even more. She chewed on her inner cheek, deliberating the best way to get this man off her back. But her hand seemed to have other thoughts and grabbed the bag.

"Thanks," she muttered. "By-- I mean, farewell. May we never cross paths again."

Then she fled.