[34]

Miya felt her whole body hurt and rigid, but... there was another warmth running through her body. No, it wasn't. Not just warm but turned into heat because ... “Sir,” Miya called out trying to break free. Unfortunately the man holding Miya did not move at all. Only his regular breathing was a sign that the man was still deep in sleep. Eyes that often stare around sharply full of intimidation are blocked by eyelids that are perfectly closed.

When viewed at this close range, the man who held Miya was very handsome. So much more handsome than when his eyes were open, wearing a full suit, with a gaze of hair even though sometimes the curls of the haircut stick out. Perhaps even if Damian Sawyer's appearance at that time was messy, this man's good looks would not change the situation.

If that night Miya marveled silently at how God perfectly sculpted Damian's face, this morning Miya felt Damian was much more human. And it seemed... Miya longed to touch him. Very gently for fear of disturbing the sleep that was still over Damian.

“What... are you not having a good sleep lately?” Miya asked softly. Her fingertips were already touching the tip of Damian's nose. “We were supposed to sleep in the tent but why did we end up in this place?” Miya giggled amusedly despite her best efforts not to make any disturbing sounds.

Miya's golden brown eyes looked at Damian's face for a while, as if she couldn't find any satisfaction in them. Occasionally, she looked around at the surroundings that seemed to be getting brighter as the sunlight began to shine.

“Sir,” Miya called out once more. “Do you really not want to get up?”

There was no response from Damian.

“I'm hungry,” Miya said half-sulkily. “My body hurts from sleeping on a sheet like this.” Once again she tried to loosen Damian's embrace on her. Damian was still asleep but why was he so strong?

“I didn't expect you to be so picky,” Damian muttered without even opening his eyes. Instead, he made Miya's attempts to break free from his embrace futile. In one fell swoop, Miya was back in his arms and tightened even more so that she couldn't move too much. “We'd better go back to sleep. I'm still sleepy.”

“Ugh!” Miya squirmed in displeasure. “ Sir, I'm out of breath.”

“Who's your master?” asked Damian who slowly opened his eyes. The first sight his eyes caught was Miya who was scowling. “Tell me, who is your master?”

“You,” Miya said as she tried to loosen the hug again. “Come on, it's too late in the day. I don't want your guards to see us like this.”

Damian sighed softly but finally freed Miya from his embrace. Even so, he pulled back the blanket to properly cover Miya's body. “You're right. It's already daylight." He sat up while ruffling his hair a little. Stretching his body to make it less stiff.

“Put your clothes on immediately, Miya. We need to get back to the tent,” Damian ordered immediately.

Miya frowned even more but she didn't want to argue much with Damian. Her desire to return to the tent was great. Her body felt sticky and she needed to use the bathroom immediately. And she had to make sure the marks Damian left on her body were not too noticeable. Miya had not forgotten Damian's savage behavior last night. No matter how many times she asked him to take it slow, Damian was suddenly deaf. Even the reddish patches Damian left the night before, Miya felt clarified.

“Sir, your horse is ready.” One of the guards standing guard around Damian informed him. He approached with his eyes downcast, not having the courage to meet his employer's gaze. Damian only nodded briefly while his eyes were still watching how Miya was getting ready.

It didn't take long for Damian to ride Kaffa, his gallant and loyal black horse. Miya was helped by Damian to get on first. After making sure she was seated comfortably, in one light but firm motion, he climbed into the saddle behind her. His hands gently but firmly held the reins.

Miya shifted slightly in the saddle, feeling the warmth of Damian's coat wrapped around her body. As well as the man's presence behind her. Despite their close proximity, Miya did not feel uncomfortable-instead, there was a sense of comfort that she found hard to explain.

Kaffa began to pace slowly, as if understanding that the rider wanted silence to enjoy the journey. Several guards were seen standing guard along the path, ensuring their safety. Damian gave a small nod to one of the guards, signaling that they could begin the journey back to the main tent.

That morning, the atmosphere was so peaceful. The piercing cold air slowly began to warm up as the sun rose. Golden light penetrated through the gaps in the trees, creating beautiful shadows that moved with Kaffa's steps. In the distance, the sound of water gurgling from the river flowing towards the lake could be heard, adding to the harmony of the morning. Miya lifted her face, letting the soft morning sunlight touch her skin.

“Damian,” Miya called softly, her soft voice almost drowned out by the sound of Kaffa's steps on the leaf-covered ground.

“Hm?” Damian answered without turning his head. His gaze focused forward however, his hand holding the reins shifted slightly. Making sure Miya was sitting comfortably in the saddle. He deliberately rested the tip of his chin on her shoulder. “What's wrong, Baby Girl?”

The question was in line with the warm puff that came out of the questioner's mouth. As if deliberately done to tease Miya. All Miya could do was hold her breath for a moment to keep her heart beating normally. Unfortunately, she couldn't ignore the blush on her face.

“What... are you going to a dangerous place?”

Damian grinned slightly. “Sezhya's harbor?” Damian gave Miya a light peck on the cheek. “Yes, it's quite a dangerous place for you. But to me, it's just a place to off-load large cargo."

Miya nodded slowly even as she wondered if it wasn't just dangerous. Last night Miya really noticed how Victor and Marcus' expressions when mentioning that place. Especially Victor who couldn't hide his irritation. Perhaps because of Marcus' seemingly relaxed personality, the man only responded to Victor's concerns casually. As if he was used to facing any kind of danger.

“Be careful, Damian,” Miya said quietly.

“Are you worried about me?” Damian gave a faint smile. “You don't need to do that, Miya. Just make sure you wait for me to come back with a smile and maybe... a tempting outfit?”

Miya rolled her eyes in annoyance. “It looks like you hit your head on something. Did you sleep on a really hard rock last night?”

Damian chuckled. He gave the girl in front of him another light peck. “Thank you for worrying about me.”

There was no more talking between them. Miya preferred to enjoy the journey to the main tent. When they started to approach the river, Miya couldn't help but be amazed. The clear river water reflected the morning sunlight, creating diamond-like sparkles that moved with the current. Small birds sang in the branches of the trees, complementing the natural beauty around them.

“It's beautiful,” Miya murmured, almost as if talking to herself.

Damian heard the words. He loosened the reins slightly, allowing Kaffa to step more leisurely. “If you like this place, we can come back anytime. I'll make sure everything remains the same, so you can enjoy it again."

Miya turned her head slightly, looking at the man out of the corner of her eye. Damian's gaze was as sharp as ever, but this time there was something different-there was warmth there, albeit hidden behind his cold demeanor. “Really?”

“When did I break my word?”

Miya smiled a little, feeling that maybe-just maybe-Damian wasn't as hardened as he always appeared.

When they finally arrived at the main tent area, several servants were already preparing to greet them. Damian got off first, then with a thoughtful gesture, he helped Miya off the Kaffa. His large, warm hands grasped Miya's fingers, making sure she got off safely. Miya felt her heartbeat quicken slightly when their fingers touched, but she masked her nervousness by averting her eyes.

“Thank you,” Miya said softly, her eyes not daring to look at Damian for too long.

Damian simply nodded, then led her towards the tent. “Breakfast is waiting. Make sure you eat well, Miya.” He checked around to make sure the person he was looking for was not far from them. “Desi, make sure you prepare Miya very well.”

“Yes, sir.” Desi quickly approached Miya. “Come, Miss.” Then he made a very low noise. “You kept me up all night. I was worried about you.”

Miya just chuckled. “You're doing a useless job, Desi.”

“I've prepared warm water for you. Rose fragrance this time? Do you like it?”

“Um... I guess that's fine. Can I get some breakfast first? I'm hungry,” Miya complained shamelessly.

But as it seemed, the day that was beginning to feel peaceful was disturbed again. Victor stumbled closer to Damian. He whispered something, making Damian's face, which had once looked human, look cold again and lose its warmth.

“Then I can't delay any longer. Is Marcus ready?” Damian took off his coat and tossed the origin to one of his guards. “Give me my suit,” he ordered to which the other bodyguard immediately responded.

"Got it. You can leave immediately,” Victor said still with a worried look on his face. “But... are you sure?”

“Do you doubt me?”

Victor sighed softly. “Not at all. I have everything you need already organized in the car."

“Good.” Damian wanted to rush off but something seemed to be holding him back. When he turned around, Miya was still there. Still standing there watching him as if she had seen what happened earlier.

“You don't have to worry about Miya. I'll make sure she's fine as long as she's around me.”

Victor was her confidant. Miya was under the watchful eye of the right person. Because of that, Damian had nothing to worry about. He just nodded at Victor's words and like he said, he had to say goodbye properly. His legs swung confidently towards Miya. Once they're really close, his fingers tug Miya's chin for ease as he plants... a light kiss. Although it was light, it made Miya feel bursting with surprise as well as the feeling of this kiss being so filled with affection.

Only Victor dared to see what they were doing. The others? Looked down or looked away as if nothing was happening in front of him.

“Wait for me to come home, Baby Girl.” The words were accompanied by a paused kiss. A thin thread of their saliva formed which allowed Damian to gently brush the surface of Miya's lips.

The only reply Miya could give was a nod.

“If you're bored, you can leave the mansion but only with Victor. And don't complain if people follow your activities."

Despite that, Miya's smile was really bright. At least Damian was letting her feel the free air out there. “Thank you,” she said as she stood on tiptoe and planted a brief peck on Damian's cheek. “I'll wait for you to come home, Damian.”