[Quemm'a POV]

{Several years ago}

I have three or four admirers in the village but I don't really care about them. They are after my appearance. However, there was one man in the village who wasn't interested in looking for a partner. It made me curious and I started following him around the village.

He was always doing something around his house. Most of his time was spent on training with a big chopper. But he would also clean or strengthen his chopper, he also maintained a field of herbs which surprised me when I found out. It was boring at first, but something slowly changed and I looked forward to seeing him every day.

Sometimes he left the village at night and since I wasn't allowed to leave, I didn’t know what he was up to, but I still wanted to follow him. I was preparing myself to follow him one night, but my father noticed me.

"Where are you going?"

"Em, I want to go to a friend". My father looked at me with his eyes full of suspicions as he crossed his arms in front of him.

"You know, you can't leave the house at night before you decide on your partner."

"But father..."

"There is not 'but'. Go back to your room."

"Bu-".

"No! Go back to your room!"

I am not allowed to leave my parent's house before I find a partner, he said. I had to do what my father said.

With teary eyes, I laid down on my bed. I knew I had to wait. Once everybody fell asleep, I finally had my chance. I sneaked out of the house without any problems. I also took something to defend myself... just in case. I started to follow his tracks. I was already 10 minutes away from my house. I was thinking of giving up and going back, when I spotted a lit place. It was around 40 cubits from here. I slowly started walking towards the place. When I was 2 cubits away, I made a little noise, which caught the attention of somebody near the fireplace. I didn't have enough time to hide... it’s rushing at me! I'm scared, it isn't Ahmuus...! I took a stance.

You dealt 70 damages. Shit! I should have taken something better than a kitchen knife... I don't know what is it, I couldn't see it... it had a fast start, but in reality, it was pretty slow. You dealt 55 damages. Critical hit! You dealt 115 damages.

I can win! I won't lose to something slow like that. I was dodging its and attacking at the same time.

You dealt 56 damages.

It has a lot of HP... what kind of monster is it?

For the last few minutes, I wasn’t able to deal any more damage, something changed. When I saw blood running down its entire body, I forgot about any unnecessary thoughts and I ran towards it. Critical hit! You have less than 5% HP.

I don't even feel any pain, I couldn't move... with teary eyes, I laid there on the forest floor looking at it. It slowly made its way toward me. Sorry father, I didn't listen to you... I've failed you, as your daughter... Amhuus, even in the afterlife, I will be waiting for you...

...

I didn't die? I can't open my eyes... I'm too tired... I feel like somebody is carrying me... but I can smell his scent. Blood, along with some herbs...

I woke up in my bed, I had bandages and herbs applied all over me. I started to look around. I saw my mother kneeling beside me. She was sleeping, but I could feel her pain... My father was already awake. He was looking at me.

"Why didn't you listen to me?!". He said with an angry voice. I started trembling, I could feel tears running down my cheeks.

"I... I... I'm sorry...". My mother woke up. When she saw me, she squeezed me hard.

"I was worried about you... I thought that something... something could have happened to you". She squeezed me even harder with a teary eye.

"Why did you leave?!". Father asked again, as he tried to calm down. I could feel how angry he was.

"Father... I just-". I couldn't even start, as he imitated my mother and squeezed me. I started to feel the pain and coughed a little, my father to let me go and turned his back on me.

"Ah! Sorry". I simply smiled. I must really thank the Gods for giving me such caring parents.

"It’s such a waste... I couldn't saw the face of the one who brought you here". I almost forgot about him.

"Father I think I know who it was".

"Who? Tell me quickly".

"Amhuus, the one who lives alone".

"I have to see him!".

"Father! Wait!". He already left... But when I thought of Amhuus again, my heart started beating faster. I know that I chose the right one, it made me smile. Oh! I can't let my father go there instead of me. I tried to stand up, but my mother hesitated. I said, while blushing, that I needed to confess to the one I love. She then decided to help me get there.

Father was already there, yelling something at Amhuus, but he was ignoring my father while training in the garden. I started limp-running towards him. He had bandages all over his body too. He didn't seem to notice me, as I tackled him and we fell to the ground together. He was surprised and embarrassed. I never saw him like that, it made me giggle, which embarrassed him even more. I said while blushing fiercely.

"Amhuus I... I love you". He wanted to regain his composure, but couldn't.

"Quemma.". Why did he stop... He wanted to shake me off, but I clung to him even harder.

"Why can't you answer me now?". I was nearly sobbing, he wants to reject me? It can't be. I could feel the tears threatening to come out from my eyes. He can't reject me. I hugged him even more. He started looking at me...

"Because I...". he can't say it... "... it's embarrassing". He covered his face with his shoulder. I kissed him. When I realized what I just did, I started blushing again. I started to hear some cheers and clapping around me. When did all the villagers manage to get here? I have never been so embarrassed in my life. He whispered to my ear.

"I... I have loved you for a long time". He blushed again.

I have never been as happy as that moment when he confessed.

"Take care of me". I smiled and embraced him as he returned my hug. The people around us cheered even more.