Crown of Thorns

33-34

CHAPTER 33

All of a sudden, my senses returned. When I opened my sleepy eyes, I could feel the moonlight creeping in. I kept blinking for a long time.

I had to pull myself together. I was talking to Evan, and then I fell asleep. It's been a long time since I've had this kind of peaceful slumber, so I felt as if both my body and mind were relaxed.

Evan? Turning my head to my side, I found no one. I was trying to get up, wondering where he had gone at this time, but something flopped down. When I looked down, I could see Evan's sleeping blanket.

Two small feet were seen in front of it. Slowly raising my eyes, I saw feet, and then legs, surrounded by two arms. Then his neck and face, red eyes and soft white hair.

"You woke up?"

I felt somewhat awkward and was looking for words to say in answer, but then Evan continued on.

"You can sleep more. You look tired."

I look tired? Come to think of it; I don't remember sleeping comfortably ever since Evan entered the tower. The witch's tower, where there was no day and night, had a flow of time, making it difficult for me to sleep whenever I wanted.

Evan's normal lifestyle forced me to follow his pace and movement. Unlike before, when I used to lie down and spend most of my time sleeping, I had to stay awake and keep active, which became a little hard for me.

It was true that I didn't get that tired even if I didn't sleep, but I wasn't exactly used to it.

Evan still crouched, wrapped his knees in both arms, and stared at me. I could see the moonlight seeping in from behind. For Evan, even the moon seemed to bless him.

Moonlight scattered about the tower. His face had become almost transparent with the white glow, and only his unusual red-glazed eyes were vividly visible.

"Does it hurt?"

I couldn't understand what he meant, so I looked at him. Evan stretched out his trembling hand, it was such a careful and delicate touch, just like that time he first touched the storybook that I couldn't even think of dodging it.

Evan's hand eventually swept down my cheek.

As if the blessing of light given to Evan had passed on to me, I could feel the warmth and itching through my cheeks. I raised my hand and touched the face Evan is stroking. I felt a bumpy scar. Oh, this is what he meant?

He's been interested in my scars before, but it was in the dark. My face must look even more horrible in a bright place. It was better covered with dried up blood.

Evan had his back against the moonlight, but I was receiving bits of light scattering from behind him. My scars were probably easy to see, but I don't want him to see them. This would also be greed. It was only a meaningless desire not to show my ugly looks to the warrior.

"It doesn't hurt."

It was a wound that had healed a long time ago. Now, it was just a scar. It can't hurt, but Evan frowned. His red irises were filled with pain. I can't understand why he's hurt after seeing it. He reacted the same before. He keeps proving that he's a weak and tender boy.

The difference was that he had only sympathised with the pain at the time. But now, he is angry.

"How could they have done this?"

I don't know who he's asking. He seemed to be talking to the world rather than me. He seemed angry at the world for making the witch like this. I reached out again and grabbed Evan's hand, patting my wound. He's grown a lot since I first saw him. He was still a young boy, though. It had to be a long time before he'd become a young man.