Vol. 1 Chapter 10 : Hidden feelings

'What's wrong with me?' He thought he was perplexed by the strange sensation he was having for the first time, However, considering his position, he had little choice but to dismiss such sentiments rather than wait to figure out just what they meant. The two were silent for a long time, and he suddenly spoke "I was the one who brought you here, and I guaranteed shaman Galen that I would take care of you" He talked in a serious manner, unlike the tone he has spoken to her just moments before, and he seemed to be placing an invisible boundary between them, as if to say (I'm just here to assist you, nothing more, nothing less)

"I see" Belle was somewhat saddened by the reality that their relation was merely a helper-patient one 'Wait, why am I sad? it's not like I like him or anything?? we just met yesterday! Belle, get a grip on yourself! he's a beast-men and you're a human! you're not here to play hooky!' She felt embarrassed because it was the first time a man actually cared about her, She had almost no memories of her parents because she had been left at an early age at a nun's orphanage, she had no contact with boy as she had also no time for romance since she had to mature quickly than other people her age, as a result, she had never experienced the feeling of being cared for before.

Conrad had to break the ice as they were both facing an uncomfortable atmosphere. 'What are you doing?' She gazed at him as she awoke from her stupor. "Could you possibly head outside for a few minutes while I wash up?" Trying to stand with an awkward smile, she staggered forward after the ache in her soles became too severe, She didn't make impact with the cold stone surface as she extended both hands out in front of her to save herself from falling, whereas a solid and sturdy forearm was wrapped around her waist and caught her. She casts a glance up at the man who stands over her "Are you alright?"

Her face began to warm up once more 'What the hell's wrong with me? Am I sick?' She is usually composed, but now she starts to humiliate herself by getting into closer contact with the men behind her. She tried to push him away but with each tap of her feet against the cold floor even with the leaves coating her feet it was till stinging with pain. She grimaced, and then felt her entire body being lifted into the air and carried towards the barrel, still processing the situation she was already placed beside it and was placed on a high rock.

She was concealing her head in her hands, attempting to shield her burning face, Liam returned to the bed, taking the additional hides he had obtained, and strolled back towards her, placed them next to her on another rock, looking at the hides she blurted out "Thank you" without looking at him "You're welcome, I'll be outside" He turned around and walked back outside after saying that. Gradually, as she became aware that he must be no longer present, she turned her attention to the cave's opening, where the muscular Beast-man guarding the entrance had pulled a massive rock to block the entrance, allowing a little space for light to pass through

Conrad appears in front of her, oddly staring at her "what happened back there?" She stares at him blankly and then shakes her head "I don't know" She pauses for a moment before speaking again "Perhaps it's because I'd gone past affection and care for far too long that I sought the attention of someone I hardly knew. I feel so pathetic. What's done is done; there's no point in wallowing over spilt milk, I'll just wash up real quick"

With squinting eyes, she stares over towards Conrad "Do you mind?" He notices her unpredictable emotions: one moment she's embarrassed, the very next she's unhappy, and then she acts as if nothing happened. He takes another look at her and adds "Alright I'll go" and vanishes. She twists around in her position, her gaze falling on the water's reflection of her face. "Let's not be upset about a non-existent relation, you are the only one who can sincerely care about yourself." She said to her reflection

She looked towards the cave's blocked entrance and, after the coast was clear, she proceeded to undress down to her underwear, tossing it next to the barrel on the floor Before entering, she carefully removes the leaves that have been wrapped around her feet and scoops a good amount of water to cleanse her feet. With her hands on the barrel's edges, she cautiously lifted herself up, She gently steps into the water, dipping her toes first, She felt the temperature of the water and found it to be rather warm and not chilly 'Didn't Liam say they were afraid of fire? why is this water warm?' She was perplexed, but then it occurred to her that he had borrowed this barrel from the witch doctor's home, and perhaps that would be where he took this water as well

She planned to question him about it later, but first she needed to wash up and get rid of the filth on her body. She gradually descends herself into the water, sitting with both feet extended against her, She unwinded as the water felt nice against her skin and laid her head on the barrel's rim. As she stared at the ceiling, she remembered her time in this other world. Despite the fact that she appeared and acted as if she didn't seem to mind, she had always been aware of her surroundings, even towards Conrad, with in which she has a frequent quarrel, He's still a God's pawn who brought her here, so she doesn't have much trust in him, She needs to keep an eye about herself in this world because she simply cannot trust anyone.