The face behind the mask

They held each other's hands until their breathing slowly went back to normal.

Aleksis was the first to fall asleep. Alaric felt the girl's hand relax and the sound of her breathing became smooth and regular. He looked sideways and found his girlfriend sleeping soundly with her eyes closed and her lips slightly open. She looked so peaceful.

Alaric did not expect that Aleksis could look so much more beautiful when she was asleep. She was really an angel who brought peace into his life. At least at this time, Alaric's heart seemed to be filled with a sense of peace that was foreign to him.

He had been living alone for so long and he never had someone whom he wanted to sincerely guard and protect like this. Even though his very nature was delicate and gentle, this man had become very used to violence and cruelty. But now, in front of an angel like Aleksis, how could he be cruel?