CHAPTER 52
(Lyria POV)
The mornings in the village began to feel the same.
Quiet footsteps.
Soft light through wooden cracks.
And Kael still not waking.
Lyria was already beside him before anyone else moved around the house.
Her hand was always the first thing he felt, even if he could not respond.
"You are getting very comfortable doing nothing," she whispered one morning, brushing her thumb lightly over his knuckles. "I don't remember agreeing to take care of you this long."
Silence.
She let out a small breath and adjusted the cloth on his forehead.
"But I still prefer this version of you over the one lying in the forest," she added softly.
A faint wind moved through the room.
Nothing else.
The door creaked open.
Lyria didn't turn immediately.
She already knew who it was.
Rina.
"Good morning," Rina said gently.
Lyria gave a short nod. "Morning."
Rina stepped inside carefully, holding a small bowl of warm water.
"I brought this," she said.
Lyria took it without looking away from Kael. "Thank you."
Rina hesitated near the bed.
Not leaving.
Not fully entering either.
Just… watching.
"He still hasn't woken up?" Rina asked quietly.
"No," Lyria answered.
A pause.
Rina looked at Kael for a little longer than usual. "He looks stronger today."
Lyria's hand paused slightly on Kael's arm.
"…He does?" she asked.
Rina nodded. "Yes. His breathing is steadier."
Lyria leaned closer immediately, checking herself.
Rina was right.
Barely.
But it was there.
That small improvement made something tighten inside Lyria's chest.
Hope.
But also fear.
Because hope made waiting more dangerous.
Rina stepped closer.
Too close.
She placed the bowl down near the table beside the bed.
"I can help change the cloth if you want," Rina offered softly.
Lyria finally looked at her.
Her eyes were calm.
But sharp.
"I can do it," Lyria said.
Rina blinked. "I know, I just thought—"
"I can do it," Lyria repeated, firmer this time.
Silence.
Rina nodded quickly. "Okay."
But she didn't leave immediately.
She stayed standing near the bed.
Watching Kael again.
Lyria noticed.
Everything.
The way Rina's eyes lingered.
The way she didn't rush to leave.
The way she spoke softer when Kael was mentioned.
Lyria's hand slowly adjusted on Kael's wrist.
Claiming.
Not aggressively.
But clearly.
"You care for him a lot," Rina said suddenly.
Lyria didn't respond immediately.
Then she answered carefully. "Yes."
Rina smiled faintly. "It's rare. Most people don't stay this long beside someone unconscious."
Lyria's voice was steady. "He is not most people."
Rina nodded. "That's true."
A pause.
Then—
"Do you think he will wake up soon?" Rina asked.
Lyria's answer came instantly.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No doubt allowed.
Rina looked at her quietly. "You sound very sure."
"I am."
That ended the conversation for a moment.
But Rina didn't leave.
She pulled a chair closer.
And sat.
Right there.
Near the bed.
Closer than before.
Lyria's gaze shifted slightly.
"…You don't have to stay," she said.
Rina shook her head softly. "I don't mind."
"I do," Lyria replied without blinking.
Rina froze slightly. "Oh… I thought I was helping."
Lyria exhaled slowly. "You are. But you don't need to sit here all day."
Silence.
Rina stood again slowly. "Alright."
But her eyes lingered on Kael one last time before she turned away.
And Lyria noticed that too.
After Rina left, the room became quieter again.
But not lighter.
Lyria stayed beside Kael longer than usual that morning.
Her fingers brushed his hand again.
"…She is starting to come here too often," she whispered.
No response.
She leaned closer slightly.
"You are not allowed to attract attention while unconscious," she added softly. "It is very irresponsible."
Still nothing.
She sighed.
But her grip on his hand did not loosen.
That night, Mara entered briefly.
"He is improving slowly," she said.
Lyria nodded. "I noticed."
Mara studied her. "And the girl?"
Lyria looked up. "Rina?"
Mara nodded.
Lyria paused for a moment.
Then answered carefully. "She is kind."
Mara tilted her head slightly. "And?"
Lyria's eyes returned to Kael. "And she watches too much."
Mara didn't respond immediately.
But she didn't deny it either.
That silence stayed in the room longer than necessary.
After Mara left, Lyria remained alone again.
The fire outside flickered softly through the wooden walls.
She leaned closer to Kael, her voice quieter now.
"I don't know when you will wake up," she whispered, "but when you do… don't be surprised if things are complicated."
A pause.
Then softer—
"Because I am not the only one waiting for you now."
Silence.
But for the first time in a while—
Kael's fingers twitched again.
Barely.
But enough for Lyria to notice immediately.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Kael?" she whispered.
No response.
But her heart started beating faster again.
Because something was changing.
Slowly.
But surely.