Forever in Shadows

Early in the morning, they woke up to noises from downstairs. The sun still hadn't risen.

Camelia woke up in confusion. 

Atherion said in a low voice, "Stay here. There are many knights downstairs."

Camelia looked at Atherion with some puzzlement. How could this man know? Come to think of it, even when there was a big snake by the river he knew before it attacked them.

"Their footsteps are different," explained Atherion as he looked at Camelia who was looking at him wide-eyed. Then he looked around him as if searching for something. 

"We should do something with your hair," he said.

He then picked up the wash basin and put in the contents of a packet that he took from his shirt pocket. Then he stirred it with his hands. The clear water in the basin turned black.

"Wet your hair with this water," he said to Camelia.

Camelia obeyed without saying much. She could only trust Atherion. She wet her hair with the water, and it turned black.

"Oh, hair dye," Camelia exclaimed under her breath.

"Yes. Now dry it quickly." Atherion threw the water out of the window very gradually.

Not long after, there was a knock on their bedroom door. Atherion walked to the door and opened it. In front of the door, there were several knights, the hilts of their swords glinting in the candlelight.

"Good morning, sorry to wake you. We just wanted to check on something," said the knight closest to the door.

"Good morning, gentlemen. It's nothing. Please." said Atherion still in his nonchalant manner.

The knights looked into the room, and saw a black-haired girl sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Good morning, ma'am. Sorry to interrupt. But we're done. We will leave now." said one of the knights.

Camelia just nodded. She was half afraid and half confused. Actually they were looking for Camelia, but she was now in Camelia's body. So she didn't know how to behave or what to say.

Atherion closed the door as soon as the knights left the front of their room. He signaled to Camelia to remain silent. And she also sat on the edge of the bed.

"Pretend to be asleep, you lie on that side," he said while pointing towards one side of the bed with his eyes.

Camelia stared at him for a while, then moved to the farthest side of the bed.

And so Atherion lay down next to Camelia. They did not move an inch. Atherion just stayed still and put his right hand under his head. He was listening to the sounds that the knights were making in the other rooms.

Meanwhile, Camelia lay on her side with her heart racing. She could feel the warmth of Atherion's body next to her. In her world, although she had been twenty-five years old before she transmigrated, she had never dated a man. Not even close to this.

She could smell the scent of Atherion's body. It was sweet like cinnamon. His face turned red and she remained completely motionless.

After a while, Atherion said, "They're gone." She got up from the bed. "Sorry, knights' hearing is usually sharper because they are trained. They will know if we are not husband and wife."

Camelia replied without changing her position. "O-Okay."

When Atherion tried to stand up, he suddenly fell to the floor. Camelia was startled and immediately turned him over.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" she said in a worried tone.

Atherion was silent and his eyes widened slightly.

"Atherion?" called Camelia while holding his shoulder.

"I am okay." said Atherion and brushed Camelia's hand away,

Camelia got out of bed and said, "You're hot. You sleep on the bed now. I'll find some medicine." She said as she ran out of the room.

"You're not u..." Atherion exclaimed but Camelia was already running out the door.

Atherion sighed and climbed into bed. "Why is it like this again...?" he said to himself.

***

Camelia returned to the inn room half an hour later. She was carrying a packet of medicine, a bowl of water, and a towel. She also brought some food.

"Atherion..." she called.

Atherion opened his eyes. His face was pale.

"Eat a little and take some medicine, okay?" Camelia asked cautiously.

Atherion shook his head weakly.

"But you're so hot. You have to eat and take medicine." Camelia pleaded.

"No, I don't. I'm often like this, in a few days it will get better," said Atherion. "I'm just too exhausted."

Camelia was silent. 'Is it because of me?' she thought.

"Alright, but just put a compress on your head, okay? Let the heat go down quickly." she was still trying to persuade Atherion.

"I said no!" Atherion half-cried out.

Camelia was startled and moved away from Atherion. She had a look of fear on her face. Atherion glanced at her and then turned his body around.

'Ugh. I didn't mean to hurt her...' Atherion thought and then lay down helplessly. The heat in his body was tormenting him.

Camelia finally just sat on the chair and stared silently at Atherion's back.

***

"Monster! Monster!" A woman screamed in Atherion's dream.

"You monster! Don't come near me! Aaaaaa!" the woman screamed.

Eight-year-old Atherion looked at the woman in panic and fear.

"I'm not a monster... I'm not a monster, Mom!" he cried.

Then his dream changed to people he knew. They all looked at Atherion with disgust. Everyone saw Atherion as a monster.

"No... I'm not a monster..." Atherion whispered with tears streaming down his face.

***

"I'm not a mo- ...!" Atherion sat up halfway from his sleep. He immediately woke up and held his forehead.

"Hufft... Huftt.." His breath was slightly ragged.

Then he saw Camelia sleeping soundly beside the bed.

'Is she watching over me?' he whispered to himself. No one has ever watched over him like this. Everyone kept their distance from him because they all considered him a monster.

'But why did this pain come sooner than usual?' He looked at his hands and then at Camelia, who was sleeping.

He is a bit suspicious. Is Camelia … no, Kimi, are you the one who is actually The Light? Not the real Camelia?