Panicked Men

Aaron entered the drawing room, carrying Rina in his arms. He instructed the butler, who promptly moved a chair close to the fireplace where Aaron gently set Rina down, wrapping a warmer around her.

"Get a pot of hot water," Aaron instructed the butler, then knelt in front of Rina. He held her feet in his hands and frowned. "Do you want to lose your feet?" and started to rub her feet with his warm hands.

"I didn't think about it," she replied, feeling guilty.

"Whatever happens, you are not allowed to be reckless," Aaron said in a strict but caring tone. "You're still too young to handle the cold like us adults."

Nathaniel watched in surprise, realizing his friend had a gentle side he hadn't expected. He'd always thought both of them were hard-headed men who didn't bother with gentleness, but Aaron was proving to be different.

Rina pressed her lips into a thin line, her eyes growing moist.