The next day when she woke up, the sky had cleared up.
After the rain, the air seemed to be filled with a fresh scent. Aldana Candi yawned upon waking, feeling her whole body achingly soft. She climbed up, stretched lazily, and picked up the crutch from beside the bed, ready to wash up.
The ground was very wet, still damp from last night's rain. Her legs and feet were inconvenient, entirely reliant on the crutch for support. As she moved to the ground, the crutch slipped, and her body couldn't help but lean forward.
"Ah..."
She couldn't help but exclaim, then suddenly a hand stretched from behind her, wrapped around her waist, and helped her stand firmly.
Aldana Candi's whole body stiffened.
She froze for a moment, then slowly lowered her head, looking at the hand on her waist.
The man's slender, well-trimmed hand was now wrapped around her waist; the nails were ones she had trimmed for him a few days ago, neat and clean.
