TEWRIT 77

Chapter 77

The clash of steel rang sharp as Flint and Vivian locked blades. Vivian tried to deflect Flint’s sword, but it wouldn’t budge—he was just too strong.

“Eliano—she’s my savior!” Eliano screamed, gathering all her strength.

“She rescued me!” Her cry broke the tension. Flint suddenly relaxed his blade, sent Vivian’s sword clattering aside, and rushed to Eliano’s side.

Vivian, unused to being overpowered, sank to the ground in shock and exhaustion.

Flint knelt, his worry plain as he gently spoke:

“Are you all right? No… you’re not.”

“Yes… now I’m safe… because I met you…” Eliano whispered, trembling and shivering from cold and fear.

“She saved me… she fought the monster… she healed me…” Eliano leaned her head against Flint’s chest.

Flint didn’t need more explanation. He wrapped his cloak around her, lifted her into his arms carefully—like handling fragile glass—as he said, “I understand. Say no more.”

His warmth calmed Eliano’s trembling.

Vivian, recovering, stomped forward, still bristling—until Flint addressed her:

“I misunderstood—please forgive my rudeness, and thank you for saving my wife.”

Vivian, humbled by his respect, straightened and said,

“You’re Howard, Duke of Bianteca—Lord of the North, yes?”

Flint blinked. Vivian shrugged.

“She is the Duchess now; the rumor spread fast that you were searching every inch of the forest.”

Eliano managed a faint smile:

“Thank you, Vivian.”

“It was nothing. The Duchess is your wife—kidnapped by her father’s orders, no less.”

Eliano’s lips quivered as she realized the swift spread of news. Vivian offered to accept their gratitude:

“Just remember today; that’s thanks enough.”

Then, like a shadow, she leaped into the trees and vanished.

Flint carried Eliano into a nearby cave that Vivian had scouted. As he lit a small fire, Eliano took pain relief medicine and warmed herself.

A military dog—which had sniffed its way back—approached. Flint glared fiercely, and the dog whimpered in fear. But when Eliano offered a gentle hand, it wagged and cuddled her—rolling over and showering her in affection. Flint’s frown softened in surprise.

Eliano smiled at the dog.

“Hello. You found me, didn’t you?”

The dog’s bond with Eliano sparked a soft warmth in Flint’s eyes. He thought: a dog of the North seems just right for her.

Then Eliano looked at him with concern:

“What about your knights? Why did you come so deep into the forest by yourself?”

“I lost them somewhere. The signal flare should guide them back,” Flint replied.

Eliano frowned at the thought but shook her head:

“You shouldn’t put yourself at risk.”

“And you were in danger,” Flint replied, pausing a moment before looking at the dog again.

That glance told her he’d been worried sick.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly.

Eliano’s green eyes glimmered: “You saved me. It’s enough.”

“And… thanks to Sir Himenez,” Flint added, acknowledging his aide.

Eliano lifted her gown slightly to point at the leather dagger sheath strapped to her thigh:

“Himenez gave me this, too. Please don’t punish him.”

Flint nodded.

They fell into silence. Eliano noticed her hair felt different—her natural pink. She saw Flint staring at it.

“Why haven’t you mentioned it?” she asked, a little shy.

She’d expected him to comment on the hair change. When they first met by chance in Asta’s flower shop, he recognized her under a veil.

Flint was quiet for a moment, then said,

“I don’t find it odd.”

“Really?”

“It’s beautiful.”

His face softened.

“It matches your eyes.”

That warmed her heart. He continued:

“There’s a flower in the North, the same pale pink. I want to show it to you.”

She blushed as he touched her forehead.

“You feel warm… you have a fever.”

Eliano smiled weakly.

“I’m a little dizzy… tired.”

“Wait here,” Flint said. He spread his cloak on the damp ground, and Eliano lay down again.

She slipped a magic earring back on, turning her hair black again.

Flint’s eyes widened in surprise, and she tapped it playfully:

“It’s a magical earring—it changes hair color.”

Flint helped her lie down on the cloak and stepped outside to light another signal flare—just in case.

The dog circled protectively as Flint left the cave, collecting berries and drawing water from a nearby stream.

Suddenly, the dog barked urgently. Flint dashed back into the cave.

“Eliano!” he called, startled to find her pale and shivering. She’d developed hypothermia: weak breathing, cold skin, and a faint, delirious whisper.

“I… don’t want to die… don’t want… Marion…”

She murmured nonstop, her lips blue, body trembling. Time had run out.

Flint knew he had to act. He stripped off his own garments and began carefully undressing her soaked layers, preparing to warm her against his own body—hoping to save her life.