Chapter 225 Her Biggest Scar 2 (2/2)

Her heart started pounding against her chest and she felt her visions starting to turn hazy.

But she didn't want to worry Raghnall so she clenched her eyes shut as she tried to endure and reign it all in.

She didn't want to look weak. Not right now.

She's strong. She got this. She can get through this like she did last time.

There's nothing to get anxious about. There's nothing to panic for. She's strong.

She's like her. She is Officer Astria.

The bearer of fucking justice.

Chanting those phrases she used ever since she was a child, she soon slowly learned to calm down. And after a few more deep breaths, she finally was able to compose herself enough to continue on.

”S-sorry… Pretend… that d-didn't happen...”

Inna huffed out as she removed her hand from her chest. Raghnall wanted to ask her what was wrong and start to chant a healing spell but Inna didn't seem to want his help.

But then, he suddenly caught a whiff of the scent of blood.

And when he traced the cause of it, Raghnall felt panic in his heart when he saw that Inna's hand was clenched around her wrist so tight that it started to bleed. Certain images flashed into his mind--images that all consisted of Aril's lifeless eyes staring at him as his cold body swung slowly, with blood dripping from his neck.

He quickly shook his head as he tried to get rid of the images but even after they all went away, he couldn't stop his hands from trembling in fear just from remembering.

But this time, instead of dwelling on his feelings of remorse and hatred at himself for what happened with Aril, he was far more worried about the present… on what was currently happening to Inna.

And so, without a word nor a warning and despite his trembling hands, he quickly pried her hand away from her wrist and wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he guided her head to rest on the side of his chest. He didn't know how to comfort her, and he knew that she didn't want to face him. And so, the only thing he could do was to hold her hand and share his warmth with her, hoping it'll make her feel that she wasn't alone--that he was there, listening to her even if he didn't fully understand some of the words she was uttering.

When she was pulled in, Inna protested at first by stiffening. She refused to move in fear that she might accidentally face him and meet his eyes and he might see the ugly expression she was wearing. But feeling the warmth emanating from his palm while he held her hand and gently guided her head to rest on his chest, she stopped her futile resistance and instead, just relaxed into him with a heavy sigh.