Sky's cry split the air, raw and desperate.
"Ahh… please—someone help…"
Her body faltered, knees buckling, until a strong hand caught her, the other steadying her waist. Her breath came in ragged gasps, chest trembling as she fought to stay upright.
She lifted her gaze—Liam was pulling another woman to safety. A faint smile of relief touched her lips, but when she turned, her eyes widened. It was Isra holding her.
"Are you okay, Sky?" His voice was calm, but his eyes burned with worry.
Sky's lips quivered. "Isra… it's you. I don't think I should keep saying thank you again and again…"
Isra smiled faintly, though his jaw was tight. "Then don't… but tell me, why are you always in trouble? Or should I say… trouble finds you?"
Her laugh was weak, trembling. "Yes… sort of."
Isra guided her carefully to a massive stone, his hand lingering at her waist as if afraid she'd collapse again. "Sit here, my lady," he said softly, though his tone carried command.
Meanwhile, Liam steadied the rescued girl. She clung to him, trembling, almost burying herself against his chest. His voice dropped to a whisper, coaxing her back to her senses. She blinked, startled, and pushed him away, shame flooding her cheeks.
"Why did you come here to die?" Liam's voice was low, sharp, almost trembling with restrained anger. "Don't you live for yourself?"
The girl's lips parted, but no words came. Her eyes shimmered with guilt as she stared at him.
Sky shifted her foot, and agony ripped through her. She screamed, her voice breaking. "Ahhh!"
Both Liam and the girl rushed to her side. Isra dropped to his knees, his hands hovering over her injury, his breath uneven. "What happened?" His voice cracked with urgency.
But the girl pushed him aside, and Isra fell back onto the grass, stunned. "I'll handle it," she said firmly, her voice trembling. "It's all because of me." She knelt, her hands shaking as she touched Sky's foot. "It will hurt a little, okay?"
Sky clenched her jaw, sweat beading her forehead. "Never mind… do it."
Isra's eyes flared red with anger—no one had ever dared push him. His fists curled, his chest heaving. He looked at Liam, who stifled a laugh, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"You know what we're wearing," Liam murmured, his voice low but teasing. "The locals don't recognize us. Don't be mad."
Sky looked at Liam and offered her hand to shake.
"Thanks… for saving her ....," she said softly.
Liam hesitated, uncertain, his eyes flickering between Sky and Erika. He didn't know what to do.
Sky guided his hand gently, teaching him how to hold it properly.
"It's my duty, my lady," Liam replied, his voice low and respectful.
But Isra's eyes darkened. He stared at Liam's hand, still holding Sky's, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. Unable to bear it, he pulled his own hand back sharply.
Sky broke the silence. "Isra… what are you wearing? Well, both of you?"
Isra exhaled, his tone heavy. "It's a long story… we were in the middle of something. I'll tell you later."
Sky smiled faintly. "Okay… I'll wait."
The rescued woman looked at Sky, her voice trembling. "Thank you… for saving me too."
Sky turned to her, gentler now. "You're welcome. Well… what's your name?"
The woman lowered her gaze. "I'm Erika."
Sky nodded. "Well, I'm Sky. He is Isra… and you—"
Isra finished for her. "He's Liam. My friend."
Sky gave a weary laugh, glancing at their torn clothes and dirt-streaked faces. "We all look very messy… we smell like filth. We need to do something. And then—I'll kill that bastard with my own hands. Erika, you just watch."
Isra laughed, surprised—it was the first time he had seen women cursing someone . Liam chuckled too, glancing at Isra as if to say, How do you find such a strange lady? Isra returned the look with a proud smile, as if to answer, I just did.
"I'll take care of that man," Isra said, still smiling. "Don't worry."
"No," Sky said firmly, her voice trembling but resolute. "I'll handle it myself."
Erika's voice softened, almost pleading. "My house is nearby. We can all go there… clean ourselves up. And then… let's discuss everything there .
Liam and Isra walked side by side, their boots crunching against the dusty path, while Sky and Erika moved a little ahead, their voices drifting back.
"How much longer do I have to walk?" Sky groaned, brushing her hair from her face.
"Just a little further," Erika answered softly.
"You've been saying that for the last half hour," Sky shot back, narrowing her eyes.
Isra chuckled. "You have poor strength, Sky."
Sky turned to Liam, her tone sharp but playful. "Tell your friend—where I come from, people don't walk endlessly. We have vehicles."
They all stopped, Liam and Erika staring at her curiously.
Isra frowned. "What's that?"
"Something that carries us fast while we sit inside," Sky explained with a smirk.
Erika tilted her head. "Is that possible… some kind of magic?"
"No," Sky replied firmly. "It's science."
"My lady," Erika whispered, almost trembling, "where is that place?"
Isra and Liam waited, eyes fixed on her, hungry for the answer they had long wanted.
Sky's gaze hardened. "Very far. I'll take you all someday… okay?"
Isra and Liam exchanged glances, looking away when she refused to explain further.
Isra shook his head. "Still, people should have strength—whatever that vehicle is."
Sky met his eyes, their silent exchange caught between amusement and discomfort. Before she could reply, Erika pointed ahead. "That's my house."
They stopped. The home stood with quiet dignity—a single floor, well-furnished, with a broad garden and architecture that spoke of wealth.
Sky's eyes widened. "This is your house?"
"Yes," Erika replied.
Sky's voice hardened, trembling with anger. "And yet you wanted to die? Come here—I'll kill you with my own hands." "
Erika moved back, her shoulder brushing against Liam as she stepped away. Her eyes flicked toward him, uncertain, before she shifted further aside.
Isra caught her hand, laughing lightly to break the tension. "Sky, calm down."
Then his tone sharpened. "Your father… he is a merchant?"
"Yes," Erika whispered, her voice trembling. "He works across the oceans, on great ships. He rarely comes home. I take care of everything here."
Sky turned to Isra, narrowing her eyes. "How do you know?"
Isra gestured toward the house. "Its architecture. Only merchants build such homes.
Sky smirked faintly. "Very smart, Isra." Then her voice cut like steel as she faced Erika. "And you—how did you fall for that bastard? Did you not find any good man here? Look at you… he left you in this condition, and you never even told the villagers it wasn't your fault. That is the fate of women everywhere—suffering in silence when they are in love."
Her hand rested firmly on Erika's shoulder, not unkind but heavy with truth. "It's not your fault. We women are foolish when we fall in love. We lose our brain… come, let's go."
Erika lowered her gaze, silent, and walked inside with Sky.
Behind them, Liam frowned, scratching his head. "Brain? What is that? A strange word."
Isra gave him a crooked smile. "Don't try to dig into it. We'll lose our mind here."
The door opened, and they stepped inside Erika's home. The air was cool, and from the broad garden outside came the faint scent of blossoms. Through the open arches, rows of fruit trees and herbs could be glimpsed, their greenery lending the house a quiet dignity.
The living area was spacious, with stone floors partly covered by woven rugs. Ancient sofa‑style benches lined the walls, cushions neatly arranged, and a low table stood at the center. Brass lanterns gave off a steady glow, casting soft light across the room. It was not grand, but it carried the mark of a household with a little wealth.
Erika moved ahead, her voice calm. "Come in… you must clean yourselves."
She guided Liam and Isra toward a chamber off the hall. A basin of fresh water stood ready, with folded cloths placed on a carved table.
"You can use this room," she said gently.
Liam glanced around, nodding. "It's neat… well kept."
Isra's eyes lingered on the details — the stonework, the careful order — before he followed Liam inside. .
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Meanwhile, Sky walked with Erika into another chamber. This room was brighter, with a wide window opening onto the garden. A jug of water stood on a table, and fresh cloths were stacked nearby.
"Give me your clothes, my lady," Erika offered softly. "I'll wash them and return them."
Sky shook her head. "No. It's fine. I'll keep them." Inwardly, she thought, I can't leave my clothes in this world. I shouldn't risk it. Then she turned to Erika, her tone firm but kind. "Listen… don't worry. I'll help you. But promise me—you will not do such things again."
Erika's eyes filled, her voice trembling as she hugged Sky. "I will not… I promise. Well, you fight well. Can you teach me?"
Sky gave a faint smile. "Yes. Sure." ...
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.Meanwhile, in the other room, Liam helped Isra wash, then Isra returned the favor. The basin's water rippled softly, the faint sound echoing against the stone walls.
"So," Liam said quietly, his voice low in the hush of the chamber, "you finally met her again."
Isra's eyes darkened, his hands pausing for a moment. "Yes."
"When will you tell her?" Liam pressed, leaning closer. "That you followed her from the beginning, when those men started mocking her…"
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Isra shook his head, his tone firm.
"I didn't follow her. I only wanted to see where she was going. But she surprised me — helping someone she didn't even know, fighting those bullies without caring for herself. Fighting with skills that do not even exist yet. She is… something."
Liam nodded slowly, his gaze steady.
"Yes. Brave."
Isra gave him a sharp look, though his lips twitched with faint amusement.
Liam leaned back, smirking.
"Well, you didn't have to kill those mocking men."
Isra's eyes narrowed, his voice cutting.
"Why not? They bullied her."
He laughed then, the sound short and rough.
"I never intended to kill. But their sharp tongues did not stop… and so their fate was sealed."
Liam's smirk deepened.
"Still, you helped her. While she was kicking those men herself, you struck a few down for her… or should I say, you killed those for her."
Isra's gaze hardened, his voice low and commanding.
"I believe in peace. But their actions spoke louder than words — they demanded death, and I answered."
Liam tilted his head, amused.
"Well, you can tell her all this. She will be impressed."
Isra's voice dropped, firm and unyielding, the weight of a prince behind every word.
"She is not that kind of woman. Do not tell her anything about it."
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