Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"Are you okay?"

Austin was shaken out of his daze when he felt Valerie's hand on his.

He looked up and found that most of the people were looking at him, some in concern and some in curiosity.

"I...am sorry. Just tired." He has been spacing out ever since. Not because he wasn't paying attention to the conversation or the food his beloved made. Rather, it was the fatigue from the dungeon that was weighing down on him.

"Man...a few hours of the journey it all took to take you down~"

Valerie glared at Elion, however, the guy remained nonchalant as he continued to munch on the sandwich.

Annabelle pinched Elion's cheek, making the guy groan, before she said, "How about you rest in the tent for the time being? There are still two hours left before we resume the journey,"

Austin glanced at Valerie and, looking at her worried visage, ushered him to nod, "Yeah, that would be the best." Since he had already finished the food, he rested the bowl on the table before getting up.

Valerie was fidgeting at her place, unsure if she should follow him when Rhea spoke, "There are insects in the tent. Here; use this to repel them." She handed her a spray.

Valerie couldn't suppress the smile, as she took the spray and got up, "Thank you."

Rhea was taken aback by that smile...although she had seen her smile before, it was the first time for Valerie to talk so gently to her.

"What? Are you falling for her or something?" Elion teased—only to get his other cheek pulled.

...

Valerie reached the tent slowly and carefully lifted the cover to peek inside.

Her heart warmed up at the sight awaiting her.

Inside the tent, there was only a single person.

Austin was lying down on the makeshift bed with his arm being used as a pillow.

'He looks so peaceful...' She slowly stepped inside, not wanting to disturb him—but,

"Ah, Val...did you need something?" He groggily opened his eyes and asked her.

Valerie felt guilty for waking him, but since he had already woken up,

"Ah...what ....are..." Austin was surprised as he found his head being pressed on something far softer and more comfortable than his arm.

A lap pillow.

Valerie tucked his hair strands behind his ear, as she said, "Sweet dreams."

Austin sheepishly asked, "Will that be fine? Is my head not heavy?"

Valerie shook her head, "Not at all. And since it's about a few hours, I will be fine." Truth be told, she wouldn't have minded being like this for days, but a few hours would do.

"If you say...then...thank you." Austin must be really tired since once he closed his eyes, he fell asleep in a few seconds.

The slight sound of his even breathing and his peaceful sleeping face was the best medicine to calm down her heart.

Her mind turned serene seeing him sleep. She slowly ran her fingers through his hair…knowing that he liked it.

Remembering the time when he told her that, her eyes went toward his chin. On the left side, there was still a faint cut that remained.

'You took that hit for me without hesitation…' It was one of those days when Austin pulled Valerie away from a boring gathering and brought her to the market.

He had several hats in his room, so he used to lend her one whenever they went out for their little excursion.

Valerie also didn't like the gathering of the noble kids, since they always badmouthed her and said rude things about her eyes and the way she talked.

The fact was despite being only six by that time, she already started to feel angry whenever someone said rude things about her in front of Austin.

She had felt this way about him for a long time. As a child, his presence was the light that kept her from becoming cold and detached.

He didn't do anything out of pity, but just he felt that she was an interesting person since Valerie didn't flatter him needlessly and according to Austin she was a fun person to talk to—even though between them, mostly Austin spoke and Valerie listened to him.

'Just like that day…' When Austin brought Valerie out of the palace, he was talking to her all the time while holding her hand and leading her through the busy streets.

She would simply watch his back and listen intently to his words. Later, once home, it became a habit to recall their conversations and write them in her diary, cherishing them for the future.

That day, Austin went to buy some sweet buns for her, when Valerie's eyes caught a hat hanging by the shop.

Since she knew that he liked hats, she didn't think twice before taking the hat and bringing it to him.

However, the shopkeeper considered her as a thief and was about to hit her, when Austin came in the way and took the hit from the man.

And not only that, he hit him back with whatever force he could muster.

It was truly a horrifying sight for her…Valerie only wanted to gift the hat to him, and that caused Austin so much pain.

Although later the shopkeeper was arrested and was never seen again, she regretted her action excessively that day.

If there was something she vividly remembers about that day other than the incident then it was the lap pillow she gave him in the infirmary.

And the fact…that, after a long time, Valerie cried to her heart's content that day.

That was the day when he told her that he liked to lay on her lap.

It was then and it was now.

So many things have changed. They have gone through so many phases and faced so many troubles.

However, if there was something that never changed from that day, then it was—

"I love you, Austin."

--her love for her savior.

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A/N:- To be honest, I had another scene for this chapter, but it felt so perfect, so I left it there. Anyway, thanks for reading. Drop a commnt.