Chapter 53: [Bonus - ] A Reconciliation
Anna’s closed eyelids slowly fluttered as the sense of awakening emerged through her. She saw the familiar space when her eyes opened, her visual focus sharpened. She could also feel the softness of the bed and the duvet covering her.
A surge of hotness and stickiness washed over her body, with a sense of fatigue and malaise. The soreness spread through her muscles, a little ache pounded her head, and a feeling of dryness hung in her throat.
Upon waking up, the princess was confused and disoriented. She did not remember returning to the commander’s tent, so she could not comprehend why she was there.
"You’re awake."
Anna turned her head to the incoming voice. The figure of Kyren, who sat beside the bed, filled her sight. Her lips parted a bit as her eyes darted at him. Then she realised that his large, calloused hand was weighing on hers.
The princess could not say a word to him as if she had been caught for some grave and unforgivable sin. She remembered their quarrel, which had not been resolved, her objection to his order and his anger towards her. She averted her eyes as she clasped her fingers with the end of the duvet.
"Your lips are dry. Here, drink this," he said as if already knowing her thirst.
His other hand had already picked up a glass of water. Feeling the parched throat and the need to dampen the urging, Anna could not resist the offer. The commander’s hand, which held her, released the clasp and snaked to her back, supporting her body as it rose into a sitting position.
"Slowly," he advised her as she nearly chugged down the water from the glass tip brought to her lips.
She finished the whole glass in a short moment.
"More?" he asked.