Second Life's Revenge

Laura's eyes fluttered open and groaned when she moved her head. She had not noticed that she was still leaning onto Erwin. She rubbed her neck, massaging it as she sat back up.

She couldn't remember what happened last night and didn't know when she fell asleep. Right, where is Erwin? Laura asked herself. Still, half-asleep, Laura didn't notice the warmth on her hand.

But when she removed the blanket off her, that's the only time when she became fully awake. Her mouth opened, and her eyes flew everywhere. She gulped and composed herself and asked, "What is happening here?"

With their hands still intact together, Laura debated whether or not to remove her hands off or stay as it is. Laura recalled what they did last night. First, she panicked then told everything about herself to Erwin. 

Laura massaged her temples as she felt embarrassed. Maybe she just followed the flow yesterday night and exposed almost everything about herself. What happened to her so-called privacy?

She sighed and looked at Erwin. It was only now that she could take a closer look at him, and she did. Her face went closer and closer to Erwin's without realizing and stared at his face.

His eyelashes were long, and she only knew it now. To think a guy would have longer eyelashes than a girl it was quite an embarrassment. It was unfair how Erwin can be so perfect in almost every way.

If he revealed his face earlier to the public, he might have become more famous than Prince Winston. Well, it is what it is.

"I never thought you liked looking at people's faces while they sleep, I'm flattered," Erwin said opening his eyes suddenly which made Laura retreated immediately.

"J-just since when were you awake?" stuttered Laura pulling the blanket closer to her.

"I wonder when," Erwin teased then stood, stretching his arms.

The scene from a moment ago continued to hunt her. She was at her right mind, and she knew that, but because she caught him in a defenseless pose, it was impossible not to take a closer look.

The sounds of footsteps snapped Laura out of her imagination, and she turned her head to see an unfamiliar guy standing like a statue. His presence was weak, as even Erwin did not notice he was there.

The starting between the three continued, taunting the unfamiliar guy who knew both since they have met before. He was just unrecognizable because he was not hiding his face with a skull mask.

The man raised his hand upon the air, surrendering himself though no one told him to do so. 

"I'm not anyone suspicious. Don't you remember me?" The man said, pointing his finger at himself.

"I don't recall meeting anyone," Erwin answered sternly.

"How do I explain this. Um, I'm the man who gave you the information. Man, it's such been a long time," The man casually said, walking towards them but was stopped when Erwin glared at him.

"J! Didn't I tell you not to move around?" Angelo yelled from afar, holding several sticks in his hand.

"I was supposed to play villain right here. You ruined it," J sighed, putting his hands down. "Let me introduce myself. My name is J, the informer who almost lost his life because of the envelope I gave."

"I can vouch for that. After all, I know him," Angelo said, putting the sticks onto the ground and smack J's head after. "Don't be rude, J."

"I'm sorry, Your Grace," J apologized and bowed.

After Laura stood up, dusting her cloak and suddenly, like thunder, her stomach grumbled. She gave an awkward laugh after as she rubbed her belly. This is what she gets for not eating dinner the other night.

"I can heat the soup," J said, pulling his sleeves up.

"Get to it, kid," Angelo said, giving him a push as he walked along with him.

Watching the two go back into the cave, Laura kept glancing towards Erwin's direction. The memory of their hands intertwined together made her embarrassed, and for sure, she knew that she wasn't the one who initiated it.

Noticing the glances Laura was making, Erwin acted like he knew nothing. It was funny seeing the different faces Laura made. But the best part for Erwin was seeing her flustered face.

"Don't pretend you didn't know," Laura initiated the conversation. On the other hand, Erwin rubbed his eyes. He looked at Laura, hearing what she said, and smirked.

"What?" Erwin acted innocently, getting his coat that laid on the ground.

"Don't play dumb around me," Laura puffed and crossed her arms together. There was no way she would leave it as ease.

"I'm going to take a bath," Erwin ignored what she said, yawning out loud.

"Don't ignore me!" Laura yelled, thinking she had caught his attention when he turned his head.

"You want to join me?" Erwin asked, smiling while Laura stuttered as she stood speechless.

Laura groaned internally, pulling her hair, feeling frustrated. He dared to ignore her and tease her the first thing in the morning. He has no shame at all. Were all boys like that?

Laura's face twitched when she smelled something foul. Like a dog, she sniffed, and the smell traced onto herself. Her face burned up as she wondered if Erwin went to take a bath because of her.

She wanted to run away as far as possible. It was so embarrassing for her. She didn't know how to face Erwin anymore.

"Miss Laura, the soup is ready," J called from the cave, waving his hands.

"W-will be there in a moment," Laura stuttered, telling herself not to remember that scene. Only if there is a machine that can remove an embarrassing memory and turn it into something that never existed.

When Laura walked into the cave, she saw Zeke's lifeless body lying on the ground, and her lips lowered. All Zeke ever wanted was to live his life out of the underground market. It's a pity when he just wanted to be free.

Angelo turned his head, holding a bowl, and when he looked at Laura, and on her face, sadness was seen. He walked towards Laura, giving her the bowl, and she thanked him after.

She wanted to do something and though hard what she could do. Bringing the High Priest here might be too risky, but it was the only thing she thought of, especially if she wanted everyone to get out of here safe.

"Don't worry, he'll wake up soon," Angelo spoke, and Laura nodded her as a response. "That's what I hope."

Laura flinched and gave Angelo an angered look. One's life is precious, and like his comrade and friend, Angelo was supposed to be the most positive amongst them, but it was the opposite. It looked like he had lost hope long ago.

"He's going to wake up. I promised him I'll bring him out of this place," Laura sternly said as her voice echoed in the cave. 

"I never said I'd abandon him," Angelo cleared his throat while Laura continued to make the same expression.

"You better not," Laura glared at Angelo.

"Yes, Madam."

"Who are you calling, Madam?" Laura hissed, taking a sip of the soup.

"I like that title," Erwin walked into the cave with his hair dripping wet.

"I don't. I'm going to take a bath. Don't you dare follow me," Laura said, giving the bowl to Angelo.

Laura walked out of the cave, following the instructions of what Angelo gave earlier. The lake wasn't that far from the cave, and so if ever an enemy were to appear, she could inform them easily.

Not long, Laura saw the lake lay silver in the bright light of the morning sun. The rippled water ran right into crevices, washing the soil from the rocks. Without any hesitation, Laura removed her dress and jumped into the lake.

The cool sensation of the water contacted Laura's skin making her shiver. She sighed out of refreshment, and just like a kid, she played with the water, not wanting to leave.

She dipped her face into the water and held her breath. Her worries drifted along with the water soothing her mind, not caring much of her surroundings. 

Laura exhaled out of the water, and her eyes reached the skies. The skies weren't dark, as if it was telling her that her day will be alright. Laura closed her eyes thinking of what she could do to help Zeke.

First, she calls Gusion to ask him to come to the underground market. Second, heal Zeke. Third, get out of the underground market. It may sound simple but it is harder than what you may think. 

Bringing the High Priest to the darkest place in the empire is most likely not to happen. There's a higher chance his assistant, Dilan might not allow it. Though she has no plans to abandon his promise. He's coming out alive and free.

"Only if these hands can help," Laura sighed, raising her hands, reaching for the skies. "To have the mana of healing it's a blessing."