Melina didn't actually think much of it. She and Bai Shi only had a transactional relationship.
A few strands of hair were pulled out.
He had his own life, and she had her own mission to find.
A few more strands were pulled out.
Yes, what this guy was up to had absolutely nothing to do with her.
But it was a little annoying. My seat was gone, forcing me to float over here myself.
Another tuft of hair was pulled out.
Torrent couldn't take it anymore. With teary eyes, it nuzzled Melina's face.
“Hmm? Torrent, why is there a bald spot here? Were you injured just now?”
The journey was short, and they soon arrived at the campfire.
After setting Irena down, Bai Shi prepared to sleep. He had been busy for a long time today.
Although the grace allowed Bai Shi to remain energetic at all times, he still wanted to maintain the habit of sleeping.
Just as Bai Shi was about to lie down, he suddenly remembered that this was all grassy ground. It was fine for him to sleep here.
But as the castellan's cherished daughter, Irena had been cared for by servants since childhood and might not be able to adapt.
Having her lean on him earlier, although the hem of her clothes got a bit dirty, was still better than lying directly on the ground and getting mud on her hair and face.
Bai Shi thought for a moment, then spoke to Irena: ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁
“Irena, will you be alright just lying on the ground when you sleep later? If not, you can lean on me to sleep.”
Although Irena really wanted to say she would continue leaning on him, she couldn't trouble Bai Shi any further. In the end, she maintained her 'princess' composure.
“It's fine, I'm not some pampered young lady. Although I can't see, I've loved running around and playing since I was a child. I've fallen many times, and getting covered in dirt is a common occurrence.”
“Besides, I already slept the whole way here. Please don't worry about me and get some rest.”
Seeing that Irena didn't seem to mind, Bai Shi didn't say any more. He was truly tired.
“Are you going to sleep?”
“Yeah, I'm a bit exhausted today. I'll take you back to Castle Morne first thing tomorrow morning, don't worry.”
Bai Shi thought Irena was anxious to return to Castle Morne.
Realizing that her words had caused a misunderstanding, Irena waved her hands repeatedly.
“No, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant.”
“I was wondering, would you... would you like to try resting your head on my lap? As a pillow.”
“This is something one of my servants once told me. She said doing this could make the other person happy and relaxed. I've rested on her lap before, and it was indeed very relaxing.”
“You've taken care of me so much along the way. I want to repay your kindness somehow. I can't help in a fight; in fact, I'd only be a burden. But at least for now, please let me do what I can for you.”
Bai Shi felt tears of emotion welling up in his eyes. He didn't know who that servant was, but right now, all he wanted to do was give her a thumbs-up.
Thank you, nameless servant.
If you're alive, I'll definitely become your sworn brother. If you're dead, then I'll slaughter every Misbegotten to avenge you.
“Yes, of course, as long as you don't mind.”
Bai Shi suppressed his excitement. He never thought he'd one day be able to enjoy a beautiful girl's lap pillow. Ah, it felt like a dream.
“Um, so what should I do?”
Bai Shi genuinely didn't know how.
Irena knelt down in a seiza position and patted her thighs.
“Please lie down as if it were a pillow.”
Bai Shi took off his helmet and stiffly lay down. He was extremely nervous; it was his first time being in such close contact with a girl.
He also felt a sense of guilt for deceiving a pure and innocent girl. But the moment he lay down, all of that vanished. Bai Shi only felt that the world had never been so beautiful.
Bai Shi looked up at the sky and saw Irena's pretty face from a peculiar angle he'd never experienced before, as well as her delicate and well-proportioned figure wrapped under her long robe...
Bai Shi shyly turned his head away, not daring to look anymore.
But he couldn't help but sneak a peek at Irena's face with his peripheral vision. Seeing her pure, smiling face, Bai Shi's sense of guilt grew even heavier.
Bai Shi closed his eyes, not daring to let his thoughts wander.
‘She’s a simple girl, she doesn’t know better. Can I not know better? Just sleep properly.’
‘Sigh, my head got swept away just now. I shouldn't have agreed.’