Chapter 8

Sitting under the shadow of a huge oak tree Seutsui started to sketch Edward on the sandy ground, the warm breeze brushing through her hair. With her knees drawn up to her chest and her head nestled against them, she couldn't help but steal glances at Edward, who sat majestically before her, gazing into the distance with a thoughtful expression, his sword resting gracefully on his knee.

Seutsui's passion for drawing ignited a fire within her, compelling her to capture every detail of Edward's captivating presence. His mature demeanor belied his age and demanded attention.

He possesses an innate charm that transcends mere looks. Broad shoulders tapered down to a trim waist, sculpting a silhouette that effortlessly commands attention. His face is a study of masculine perfection.

As her sketching continued, Seutsui's gaze wandered down Edward's body, tracing the lines of his perfect jawline while his nose, was straight and strong. But it was his eyes that truly captivated her—a rich shade of hazel flecked with hints of gold, they sparkle with warmth and intelligence. His, tousled chestnut brown hair frames his face in a casual yet effortlessly stylish manner. Each strand seems to fall into place.

As her eyes started to flutter close she couldn't ignore the fluttering sensation in her stomach, unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

***

Edward watched Seutsui as she was sleeping soundly on her bed as he sat near her bed in a swinging chair. A book in his hand about the information they gathered through the years about Adelio. One of his muscled arms etched, slowly rubbing Seutsui's soft curls.

After their horse ride, Edward held her and brought her into her room because she fell asleep during her ride. He couldn't believe that she fell asleep while riding his horse.

His mind wandered to the dream he had last night which he loathed himself for having yet couldn't let go of that feeling.

...

Under the veil of starlight, Edward beheld Seutsui seated as always on the doorstep of the cottage. Yet, tonight, she appeared transformed, no longer the girl he once knew but a woman—a vision of extreme beauty. Though her features appeared somewhat obscured and she was a blur while everything else was clear as day, in his heart, he knew that this was her and that this was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen because, this beauty he knew from his heart in front of him, couldn't be a human.

Edward found themselves drawn together by an invisible thread of desire and longing. Without a word, Edward reached out to Seutsui, his hand finding hers in the darkness. Their fingers intertwined.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, he drew her closer until their bodies were mere inches apart. Their gazes locked. Without breaking their gaze, Edward gently lifted a hand to cup Seutsui's cheek, her soft skin sending a jolt of warmth coursing through his veins. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against hers in a tender caress igniting the fire that he had since the day he met her but never knew. Seutsui responded with a soft sigh, her arms wrapping around Edward's neck as she melted into his embrace, their bodies pressed together in a frenzy of need and longing

Edward's touch was gentle yet electrifying as he drew Seutsui closer, his lips seeking hers with a hunger that mirrored her own. As their mouths met in a fervent kiss, a rush of heat surged between them. With a tender caress, Edward's tongue traced the curve of Seutsui's lips, seeking entrance to the depths of her being. As she parted her lips in silent invitation, he delved inside, their tongues entwining with desire. 

Every touch, every brush of their lips, they lost in the rapture of their shared passion. With a firm yet tender touch, Edward's hand found its place at the small of Seutsui's back, drawing her closer to him in a possessive embrace. Leaning in, Edward trailed a path of soft, lingering kisses along the curve of her slender neck, his lips leaving a glistening trail in.

Edward's hand gently but firmly grabbed her neck, his touch both commanding and tender. As his lips trailed along her jawline, leaving a trail of fire in their wake, she arched her back in silent invitation, aching for more. His other hand ventured beneath the fabric of her tunic, its touch was deliberate and tender, tracing the contours of her body with a fire like he felt no other day.

...

A faint whimper from Seutsui jolted him from his thoughts. A mix of guilt and desire within him as he had never felt before. Here she lay before him, innocent and vulnerable, a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts raging within him. He swore to himself the first time he had that dream that he would never think about it again. How could he? Throwing aside the book in his hand with a surge of frustration, he fled the room, desperate to escape the tumult of his own emotions, not wanting to wake her up.

But even as he distanced himself from her slumbering form, a vow formed in the depths of his soul—a promise to protect her at all costs, to claim her as his own, no matter the consequences. When she grows up she's gonna be his. No matter what, he wanted her. No harm will come to her not even from him. 

Until the day she blossoms into the flawless being she's destined to be, he must maintain a respectful distance, even if it means shattering her tender heart. He must reign in his sinful desires. He must wrestle with his inner demons.

***

Under the starlight of the night sky, Saitous found himself once again on the winding roads so his new soldiers could start their departure to his village by tomorrow. They couldn't afford the risk of traveling together, lest they attract unwanted attention. Despite his eagerness to get home, he couldn't fight his hunger at some point, he knew he couldn't ignore its persistent call. Parking his cart beside a tranquil brook shimmering under the moon's gentle gaze, he sought respite from his journey.

Glizzening brook under the moonlight reminded her of Seutsui's smile even though he had never met the warmth of a daughter of her own the bond between them was as intangible. he felt this special bond that always drove him to protect her and to see her little giggles echo, even though he hadn't spent much time with her. He always believed his meeting that little girl was not a was not mere chance but a divine gift. That day when he chose that path to return home that led him to that beautiful soul felt like a rainbow had drawn by fate to lead him to his cherished treasure—a daughter.

A sharp pain pierced through his heart as he thought about her life now without her mother.

As getting out of the cart with his dinner something fell from the cart. Anipe's bag! From the depths of Anipe's forgotten belongings, scattered amidst the grassy ground. From the corner of the bag there it was! Saitous's only way of knowing what exactly happened —a torn, weathered diary. It beckoned to him, a portal to unravel the mysteries surrounding Anipe and her enigmatic past, a key to unlock the secrets hidden within its delicate pages.

***

[Suetsui's P.O.V]

Since this morning Edward had been so distant he didn't even come to wake me up. I perched on the sturdy wooden table, usually aided by Edward's helping hand. today when I woke up he was eating alone my breakfast lay there on the other corner. I slowly started nibbling at the food. Throwing my food here and there around my plate not really having an appetite with Edward's unusual demeanor.

"Don't play with your food Seutsui" He commanded with a firm voice.

"I thought..." she hesitated for a bit "that you lost your voice" She waited for his response. The tension in the air was palpable. I could almost cut it with a butter knife.

"What?" he raised a brow.

"..."

"Eat your food muf... Seutsui" Yet again he said with a firm tone.

" Did I do something wrong Edward?" I braced myself for his potential harshness, knowing that if he continued, he'd have to comfort me after my tears fell.

Before he could answer we were interrupted by the sound of a cart parkin nearby. I just knew who that was by heart. Mother! I ran through the cottage door straight to the cart.

"Mother" I screamed with pure joy earnest to see her again.

"MUFFIN... wait!" Edward ran After me but I didn't pay any attention. 

As I got there all I could see was Saitous pain etched face. He had a mother's bag clutched onto his hand. I knew It cause the small bird, mother and I sew together was on it. Something wasn't right!

"Where is Mother, Saitous?" I ask pain and hope glistening through my eyes.

"Seutsui..." I heard Edwards pained etched voice from behind me. tears trailed down my cheek as I waited for them to answer. I don't know what but something wasn't right, something was very wrong.