Chapter 37 - Wanna bet, then?
1682 Words
He blew out a deep breath.
“Don’t get frustrated.” Hannah stated before he can do so.
She bent down to pick up the apples on the ground.
Aaron took another deep breath before directing every apple he had on the empty basket.
“Can you count these for me?” He asked Hannah, ensuring that only the apples he kept were on the basket.
“Alright.” She went over and tossed the apples she picked on the other basket. She started counting while Aaron pulled the rest from the ground, also counting them before setting them next to her. Twenty-seven.
“You got twenty-four.” Hannah announced a couple of minutes later.
Could he say it’s not bad? He quickly placed everything in the baskets again, ensuring they’re evenly divided. Or something close.
“It’s not bad. You did well.” Hannah praised and he smiled. Yeah, it’s not bad.
They continued their travel in comfortable silence. In a way, the practice did drain him a bit. When the sun has set, they found a place off trail where they can camp for the night. Aaron is a whiz in starting a fire. Hannah took a tin with a pre-cooked meal inside. She poured water over it and boiled it down before dividing it between them. Was it actually pre-cooked? Hannah asked herself. If a servant is with them, they wouldn’t be bothered with preparing the food themselves.
Aaron wanted to set up a tent, but Hannah stopped him.
“I don’t think it would rain, so it’s unnecessary.”
“What if it rains, though.” He still raised.
“What if it doesn’t?” She stubbornly continued, but at the back of her mind, she became worried, too.
Aaron chuckled at her irritated expression. “Wanna bet, then?”
“What will you bet?” She perked up from her position on the ground, scooping food into two plates.
“What do you want to gain?”
Hannah immediately imagined a kiss. Because it’s dark, he hasn’t noticed her reddening face.
“I will think of one.” She replied quietly, not daring to look at him.
“How about you?”
When she asked, Aaron couldn’t think of anything. Wait, “How about a dagger?”
“My dagger?” Hannah promptly stared at him while contemplating it. She only has two and she uses both.
“Can you commission one for me?” Since she’s a noble, she must have enough coins to do that, right? That’s what he thought.
“I can do that.” She finished scooping up the food and told him to sit. He already dug on the ground where to set up the pole. He can attach the tent blanket later.
They ate sitting by the fire.
“Are you interested in using a dagger?”
“It can have its uses. I will still mainly use my sword if magic fails me. If it’s a dagger, I can hide it under my clothes.”
Right, she gave them that lesson. There are various reasons one may not be able to depend on their magical abilities. If that fails, other skills will be useful.
“Alright, if it rains I will gift you a dagger.” She likes the idea of giving him a gift, though this one will come out of a bet.
“Deal.” Aaron grinned. It’s only a chance. He glanced at the sky and hoped it will rain a little. They continued their meal in silence.
When the tent is done, Hannah crawled inside to check.
“A pity we can’t see the stars from inside here.” She lamented that fact.
“Actually, there’s not much stars in the sky right now. It might really rain.” After getting their bags and other possessions inside the tent and tending to the horses, Aaron went inside as well. Hannah was arranging the bags in order. The blankets have already been laid on the ground. Before laying down, Aaron checked the tent blanket and ensured it was properly closed.
“Noooo…” Hannah openly wailed when the first drops of rain pattered on their tent. Aaron couldn’t help cursing. Please let it be a light rain. They won’t be safe if it’s a heavy one.
“I win.” He chuckled upon seeing her defeated face. He sat down and spread the blanket on the ground. He was nervous. Though the grass is quite thick, the water could still flow inside their tent.
Hannah silently spread her own blanket on the other side of the tent. There was only enough space for them to lay side by side. They listened to the rain while sitting.
Aaron smiled when the rain showed signs of slowing and stopping.
“Are you kidding me?” Hannah asked the skies when it finally stopped.
“It’s a good thing it stopped.” He reminded her, finally allowing himself to relax and lie down.
She sighed before doing the same. There was only a foot or so of distance between them.
Maybe the ride was truly exhausting, Hannah immediately fell asleep. It’s a good thing Aaron is a light sleeper; he can immediately wake up and get up if some people creep up on them. He’s also confident with his magic. He won’t second guess using it in certain situations. When he turned to his side, he watched Hannah’s even breathing. She was snoring lightly. It sounds cute. He smiled at his own thoughts. Yeah, he likes her. He sobered at that point. Would he… she already has feelings for him, would he reciprocate? On the upside, it doesn’t look like she’s got parents or guardians who would reject his intentions or dissuade her plan to renounce her noble status. He wouldn’t bother to fight in that situation. He’s not sure but… he could be a coward in such that he won’t allow himself to be belittled and accused of certain things, like seducing a noble or some s**t. His way was to run from those situations. He prefers being left alone. He sighed. Yes, it was cowardly. He won’t subject himself to humiliation and embarrassment. He’d had enough. But Hannah…
He was startled when a hand reached into him and he felt her soft body against his. She’s warm. She was hugging him. He hadn’t noticed her movements as her usual snoring continued. She’s still asleep, isn’t she? He wouldn’t have known that Hannah’s used to hugging her pillows when she sleeps. A pity they hadn’t brought any in their journey. They only took blankets.
When they travelled before, she was hugging her makeshift bag as she slept. He hadn’t noticed it, then, but he vaguely remembers it. They sat across each other after all.
He shifted a little and wasn’t sure where to put his hands. One remained by his head while the other… she’s not going to wake up anytime soon, is she? He put it around her body, at her back, careful not to actually touch her.
He inhaled deeply and caught a floral scent. He squinted at the top of her head before closing his eyes.
During the night, he woke up when she shifted and turned the other way. It would seem the floral scent came from her hair. He removed his hand from around her body and turned the other way as well. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to fall asleep that way. He needs to rest. He groans as he turns again, crossing his arms in his chest. He noticed her arm reaching out again but getting nothing. He chuckled. He reached up his head to take her makeshift bag and gently placed it next to her. He baited her hands and when they caught it, she hugged it tightly. She’s cute.
A couple of hours before sunrise, she turned again and embraced him. This time, he didn’t wake up. Hannah pressed her face close to his chest. She sometimes acts like a kitten, caressing her face on a pillow. This one’s not a pillow.
The early morning was chilly, so each of them subconsciously appreciated the warm body next to each other. When Hannah woke up with a groan, she was tempted to stretch her body. Then, she was startled to breath in his scent. Her eyes widened at realizing what she had done. She treated him like a pillow. Her face burned from embarrassment. He hadn’t noticed her yet, had he? Very carefully, she removed her arms from his body. She might have nudged his arm around her and woke him up. His eyes opened and stared languidly at her. Should she pretend to sleep? Nah, he already caught her.
“Sorry.” She continued to disentangle herself from him. He turned on his back with a groan and let her go. He closed his eyes again, but his heart thumped a little faster. Hannah noticed the bag on her other side and frowned. Why is her bag here? She glanced at Aaron. Did he? He might have. She carefully folded the blankets she used and silently exited the tent. She should cook something warm. Maybe she can make a broth. Do they have chicken meat? She didn’t exactly know what the kitchen packed for them.
She washed her face with cold water. Hopefully, they would come across a source of water soon.
When Aaron came out, Hannah could only stare.
“Morning.” He greeted before turning to take the tent down.
“Morning.” She replied awkwardly. Why is she acting awkward? He already knew she likes him. It’s just that… he might think she did it on purpose.
“I’m sorry about last night. Did I bother your sleep?” She finally voiced out when he sat down in front of the fire.
“It’s fine.” His nonchalant reply disappointed her a little. He wasn’t bothered. Did she hope for him to be bothered? That’s worse, isn’t it?
As they waited for the broth to boil, Hannah proposed practice. Aaron agreed.
“I should do better than yesterday.” He stated as he readied.
“Should I try throwing more than two at a time?” She suggested but it made him grimace.
“Can we take it slow? I should be able to compare this to yesterday’s results.”
“Right.” She readily agreed. It won’t be comparable if she changed something.
She watched him concentrating. He looks so… charming. Manly. Handsome. He makes her heart race.
Concentrate, she told herself. She’s here to train him, not ogle at him.
- Writer
