Silent Heart

Chapter 7

Minutes have passed after they've traveled down the path on horseback. Leo occasionally glances at Abelia as she naps against his chest rather comfortably.

But after they've reached their destination, Leo carefully shook Abelia, "Hey, We're here,"

Abelia is a bit tired in her nap, but after a soundless yawn and a quick rub of her eyes, she turns to their designated area.

Before them were a few tents and its occupants were outside and wore casual attires. When Abelia spots a few swords being sharpened by these people, she now knows that these people are Leo's soldiers.

Once spotted, the Captain calls them in and they bend a knee before them, "We are glad that you've returned from your travels, My Lord. We hope you are well,"

"I am, Captain Miles. However, I request your aid in a little matter of mine," Leo said,

"What would you ask of us?" Captain Miles inquired,

"I would like you to spare this lady some of our rations and water," Leo requested, "She is not only tired but also deprived of food and water, Nothing more,"

"Understood, sir," Captain Miles complied as he stood upstraight and ordered them to gather some of their rations and clean water while two of the soldiers aided Leo and Abelia in dismounting the horse's back. Though the former insists that she goes down first before himself.

Once both were down, Leo had the horse brought in with the others due to its breed, and then he escorted Abelia to his tent. With a table and some spare chairs set up, Abelia sat by the front while Leo sat on the opposite side of the table.

Captain Miles then arrives with a few soldiers carrying a few rations and a bottle of fresh water in their hands.

"Bring it by the table," Leo ordered, and his men placed the rations and water onto the table before leaving the tent to themselves,

Abelia just stared at the rations and water while Leo gently placed his arms on the table and leaned a bit forward, "It's all yours, you know..."

She gazes at a slice of bread and timidly picks it up from the table. She doesn't eat it just yet, instead, she dazes off as he recounts the times she had to eat small portions from her household. Based on how they tasted, they were hard to bite and the taste was next to nothing.

All she could remember about food was Coralie bragging about fine meals and flavorful drinks privileged to her luxurious table than her worn-out table.

Grabbing this slice felt difficult at first, and bringing it close to her was another. When she looked at the Young Crawford, she saw an assured smile and a little nod. Eventually, she took a small bite out of the slice and chewed it rather slowly.

Once she swallowed it, she looked at the slice and then proceeded to take another bite at it. As she chewed this piece, a tear suddenly fell from the corner of her eye and she took another bite after she swallowed the previous one.

What followed was a stream of tears as the bread had some decent flavor than the portions she ate and Leo just sat on his chair and let her heart open.

'That's right, let it all out,' Leo mentally insisted,

It took several minutes for Abelia to finish a quarter of rations, for she was savoring the variety of tastes introduced to her tongue. The more she ate, the more tears she shed.

After more than an hour had passed, Abelia finished the rations provided by Leo's troops as well as quenched herself with fresh water. She then wished to express her thanks to the soldiers who contributed their rations to her.