Akane's POV

After leaving Chiharu's quarters, one soldier escorted me out, upon reaching the exit I was greeted by a girl with messy silver hair, cloaked in from head to toe, pale skin and crimson eyes.

Upon noticing me she tried to run, I quickly grabbed her hand and asked.

"Why are you here Yuni? I told you to wait at the inn didn't I?"

Teary eyed and dejected Yuni replied. "I was worried that you'll leave me behind, so I followed you here. I'm sorry Akane please forgive me."

A wicked smile could be seen on my face as I replied.

"I didn't expect you to have this little trust in me." Yuni panicked, almost close to crying.

"I-I trust Akane, I'm just worried that if you leave, you might not come back like mother."

I Hugged Yuni, lightly caressed her hair and told her.

"Silly you, I won't leave you behind, have some more faith in me."

Her face turned beet red as I released her from my embrace. "W-Will you hold my hands Akane?" She asked me with an embarrassed face, I smiled and replied. "Sure."i

" Will you hold my hands Akane?" I smiled and replied.

"Sure."

She quickly nodded and replied.

"Nn."

While walking on the streets of Dalen, west-most city of the Hakuroku kingdom something caught Yuni's interest, she tugged the sleeves of my dress and asked.

"C-can we buy some?"

Pointing at a stall which sells skewered meat.

"Why not?"

Handing her a few copper coins, with a face filled with joy, Yuni ran to the stall at full sprint.

After being through so much, seeing that smile brings comfort to my heart. Your optimisticpersonality is something I truly envy Yuni.

Flashback

I played at the field with a carefree smile, blissfully ignorant of the world's trouble, raised by caring parents.

Mother taught me about warfare and history, while I learned about medicine from father.

While playing like usual on the fields outside our house, I noticed stains of red on the field, sweat dripped from my back and face, I panicked for a moment.

I took a deep breathe, I built up my courage and examined the red stain, the sickening stench of iron made realize, it's blood, I looked around and noticed a girl, beside her is the body of a man, limbs torn to shreds, and his corpse mutilated to the point of being unrecognizable.

I rushed the the girl's side, she's breathing roughly, I examined her and notices a stab wound on her abdomen.

I quickly tore of some cloth from my dress, disinfected her wound with water, and used the cloth to stop the bleeding.

Carrying her back home for some proper treatment. I told father what happened, without delay he begun treating her wounds.

After a few hours father finished with her treatment, he patted my head and told me.

"You did a good job of bringing her here, you also applied first aid to her. If she lost more blood she would most likely be dead. I expected nothing less from my daughter."

I approached the girl, she was around the same age as me, or younger. Who could have done this? I I sat down on a chair beside her bed. I tightly gripped her hand and constantly told her.

"Please don't die." Mother entered the room and told me.

"Get some rest dear, don't worry I'll watch over her for you."

Following mother's advise I went upstairs to my room and went to sleep. I woke up early in the morning, I cooked up a light breakfast, without delay I went to her room to check up her condition. After opening the door I heard a voice which asked.

"Who are you?" Turning around I noticed the girl trying to stand up, I ran up to her to stop her, a sigh of relief escaped from my mouth as I said to myself.

"Thank goodness you're safe." Confused the girl looked around and asked.

"Where am I?" I lightly pats her head and told her.

"A cabin near the forest of Elafas." She stares at me with teary eyes, I embraced her, stroke her back lightly and told her.

"There's nothing to be afraid off, I'm here for you."

After hearing my words the girl began to cry. Unaware on what to do, I embraced her and lightly caressed her back while repeatedly telling her.

"I'm here for you, Everything is going to be alright." After a while she finally calmed down. She wiped the tears off her face, I looked at her straight in the eyes and asked.

"I'm Akane, what's your name?" With a weak replied.

"Yu-Yuni." I lightly pats her and and told her. "I'll protect you, I'm here for you."

Yuni grabbed my hand, I stares at her in wonder. How can someone with a body smaller than me be so strong? She looks down avoiding eye contact, and asked.

"You'll protect me? Even if I'm not human?" I paused for a moment to process my thoughts. Upon having a clear answer I looked at her straight in the eyes and replied.

"Human or not I will protect you." After hearing my reply she turned around.

"Why? you hardly even know me." Yuni asked.

"I don't know the answer myself, but one thing is for sure, That you'll be safe with me."

Her face turning beet red she asked again.

"W-why?" I didn't gave a reply and continued to patting her head lightly. Because even I can't find an answer to her question.