To Love A Villain

Chapter 225: My World

>>Valenor

Pen caught a fever and we never found Simsim.

I had grown too attached to Simsim. For me she was like my family. I know running after her was not a good decision. I put myself in danger and I could also have put Pen in danger who came after me. I had just grown too attached to Simsim and hearing that she might have gone off to die made my heart dread.

Aunt used a healing potion on me, to heal my leg and I was fine but Pen wasn’t.

Her fever was high.

She did run out into the storm, after all but what made my heart ache was that she did it for me. She’d been the one to find me and pull me out of that trench. She’d been so brave—so quick to act without thinking of herself. And now she was paying for it.

The next morning when I went to her room to see her, I froze in the doorway, she was burning up, her cheeks flushed red and her breaths coming out in shallow pants. When I saw her like that, lying in bed with a damp cloth on her forehead, something twisted painfully in my chest.

I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. I had to help.

"Pen’s burning up," Her mother said with a sigh as she changed the cloth on her forehead. "We need to keep her warm and make sure she stays hydrated."

"I’ll take care of her," I said quickly, almost surprising myself with how firm my voice was.

Her mother raised an eyebrow but nodded. "If you’re sure, Val."

I was sure. More sure than I’d ever been about anything. I wasn’t going to let Pen suffer alone after everything she did for me. I balled my fists and made my way towards her bed.

"I’ll do it!" I went and stood beside the bed, in front of the side table where the medicine and water bowl were.

Aunt sighed, then pursed her lips as she thought about something, "I do need to get other things done." She looked at me, "Can I leave Penny to you?"

"Yes!" I nodded enthusiastically, "I’ll nurse her back to health!"

Aunt smiled and stood up from the bed, "I’ll leave it to you then, big boy!" She patted my head, making me blush a little, before she left the room, "I’ll try and come back soon."

"Don’t worry," I watched her leave, "I’ll do my best," I told her and she gave me another soft smile before she walked out of the room.

I turned around and looked at Pen. Her fever was so bad, she wasn’t even fully conscious. I sat down on the side of the bed, carefully watching her while she huffed out steam from her mouth.

It was then that I noticed Pen’s palms were torn. The skin was battered

!!!

Gently, I grabbed her hands and looked at them. The guilt I felt when I saw the red lashes was indescribable.

I bit my lip in guilt.

Her skin must have torn when she was getting me out of the trench. I looked at her face, and I felt something bloom inside of my heart.

"Don’t worry Pen," I softly placed her hands down, "I’m here with you,"

I spent the rest of the day by her side. I fetched her water from the kitchen, making sure to bring it in the little blue cup she liked, the one with the flowers painted on the side. She was half-asleep, her eyes barely open, but she managed to drink a little each time I offered it to her.

I’d sit by her bed, holding her hand when she was shivering, whispering that it would be okay. I’d tell her stories—stories we both knew well, about the adventures of knights and the fairies that lived in highlands, beyond the reach of normal people. I wasn’t sure if she could hear me, but it felt right to talk, to keep her company.

When she drifted off into a restless sleep, I took it upon myself to make her some soup. I wasn’t much of a cook, but I remembered seeing Pen’s mother make a simple vegetable soup before. I knew where the ingredients were, so I chopped up some carrots, potatoes, and a few other things I could find.

I stood on a stool so that I could reach the shelf comfortably.

The chopping was clumsy; I nicked my finger a couple of times, each time putting it in my mouth for immediate disinfection, the pain was there but I didn’t care. I had to do this right.

For her.

After a few seconds of putting it in my mouth, I’d start working again.

I put all the ingredients in a pot with water and a bit of salt, stirring it carefully. The kitchen smelled warm and comforting by the time it was done.

When I brought the bowl of soup up to her room, Pen’s eyes fluttered open. She looked weak, but she managed a small, tired smile. "You... made that?" She whispered, her voice raspy.

"Yeah," I said, trying to sound casual even though I was secretly hoping it was good enough. "It’s just some vegetables. I’m not as good as auntie, but it should help."

She nodded weakly. I put the soup on the table then helped her sit up. Then I sat beside her and grabbed the soup, carefully holding the spoon to her lips. She took a sip, and I watched her closely, waiting for her reaction.

Her eyes closed, and for a moment, I worried she didn’t like it, but then she let out a soft sigh. "It’s good..." She smiled as she opened her eyes, "Thank you, Val."

A warmth spread through my chest, and I felt myself smile. "Of course. Anything for you."

As she slowly ate the soup, I stayed close, making sure she was comfortable, adjusting her blankets when she shivered and wiping her forehead when the fever made her sweat. Every so often, she’d look at me with that sleepy, feverish gaze, and I’d see something soft in her eyes—something that made me feel like maybe, just maybe, I was doing okay.

When the sun dipped below the horizon, I realized how long I’d been by her side. The room had grown dim, shadows stretching across the walls. I lit a small mana lamp by her bedside, the gentle glow illuminating her tired face. She was still pale, but she looked a bit more at peace.

"Val," She murmured, her eyes half-closed. "You don’t have to stay... You can go rest..."

I shook my head. "I’m staying. You looked after me; now it’s my turn."

She gave a weak chuckle, her voice barely a whisper. "You’re stubborn..."

"Just like you," I shot back, grinning. She tried to laugh but ended up coughing, and I quickly reached for the water, helping her drink. When she settled back down, I brushed a few stray strands of hair from her forehead, my fingers lingering just for a moment.

It was a random thought as I stared at her face, but it made my heart skip a beat.

She was really pretty

...

What am I doing!? This isn’t the time for that!

I stayed with her through the night, nodding off now and then in the chair beside her bed but always waking up at the slightest sound or movement. When she mumbled in her sleep, I’d squeeze her hand and whisper, "It’s okay, Pen. I’m here." When she shivered, I’d tuck the blankets around her tighter.

And when she was still and quiet, I’d just watch her, my heart aching with how much I wanted her to get better.

***

>>Pen

I dreamt something that night.

It felt like memories of another person. I couldn’t see it right but I could tell I was seeing things from their perspective.

As they stumbled in the forest-

Afraid

Alone

"You will pay for this!" There was an inhumanly voice

***

>>Val

By the early morning, the fever finally seemed to break. Her breathing evened out, and her face lost some of its redness. I could feel the exhaustion weighing down on me, but I didn’t care. I’d stay by her side until she was completely well, no matter how long it took.

Seeing her finally resting peacefully, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I leaned back in the chair, a tired but relieved smile on my lips. "You’re going to be okay, Pen," I whispered softly, my eyes growing heavy. "You’re strong... and stubborn. You always are."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself close my eyes, still holding onto her hand, knowing I’d be right here when she woke up.

I honestly don’t wish for much. I simply wanted to be happy and I don’t know when it happened but I was very happy whenever I was with Pen and her family.

When I grow up, I’d become a farmer like Pen’s dad, Mr Zuli. I help him out in the fields sometimes. He’s quite fond of me, just as I am of him

I breathed out a long sigh before I fell into a deep slumber.

I didn’t know then, but with how much I cared for Pen, it was pretty obvious that she had become my entire world.

Someone I had given my heart to, way before I realized it.