Coinquinatus (Tale of South Demosthan)

Chapter 1

She woke up with a start. Beads of sweat flowed down from her forehead to her pale cheeks. When she tried to move, she immediately felt a pang of pain. Her entire body felt sore. She felt like she was tied and assaulted by many people at once.

Her mind was in a state of uncertainty. When she tried to open her mouth, only soft moans managed to escape. What exactly happened? And this place, she was quite unfamiliar with where she was right now...and besides how did she come up here? She couldn't recollect what exactly happened.

Where was everyone?

She propped herself up. She felt a burning sensation in her throat. It felt somewhat itchy. She needed to quench her thirst first before anything. "Someone...come..." She called, hoping someone could hear her.

She tried to stand up, but immediately her legs went limp and her petite figure slammed into the cold ground. She tried again and again but her body was currently too weak to be able to walk. Finding that her legs were useless, she decided to crawl on the floor using her weak arms. She had no idea where she was heading, but she knew if she wanted to quench her thirst she should move.

"Is this what you are looking for?" His deep husky voice sounded. Yes, his. It was a voice of a man.

A large hand holding a cup suddenly appeared in front of her. Immediately her pale face showed gratefulness. Without looking up to see that man, she held up her shaking hands to receive the kindness being offered to her. For now, she got no time to think of his identity. She needed to drink so badly.

She drank without hesitation.

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

"Want some more?"

Who was this man? Why was he here? Her eyes traveled from his boots and then up to his trousers, both made of high-quality materials, worthy only to be worn by someone who was of blue blood.

Her graceful figure stiffened. An imperial descendant? Her breathing became unstable. Something crossed her mind.

Could it be...him? No. No, it couldn't be. If he was here, then it'd only mean she was currently in his...palace. Then it'd only mean she didn't...then...then...

She shut her eyes to calm herself.

 
And when she reopened it, she tried to keep her line of vision straight but his majestic aura persistently demanded her attention. She felt bound to scan her eyes through him and she did so. Her eyes continued their way on his hips, to his sturdy chest, then to his broad shoulders.

She paused. Something hit her brain. A piece of memory. Her head throbbed in pain as she bit her crooked lips tolerating the torture. She stopped right below his chin. When the pain stopped, her eyes quivered, as if now she just became aware of his imposing aura screaming at her with authority. She...could remember that monster who caused her trauma. And now...there was a possibility that this man in front...

An undefined feeling rushed over her whole system. It was like one's heart was in front of one's mouth. Was it possible...that she...was nervous of him?