Chapter Synopsis:

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Mathew wakes up a day later after the assassination attempt. He and Wina have a heart-to-heart. Wink wink!

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Preview:

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Wina was reading a book while sitting next to a bed that had Sir Mathew sleeping soundly in it. He was still recovering from using his family's bloodline ability, known to the world as a Lightning Rider. He pushed his body past his limit due to the Galebane Fumes. Putting far more stress on his body than he was used to.

With everything Wina has done for the Queen and Quinus. She was given shore leave for the week. Especially, after Rianna told Wina the news of Duke Alaric's punishment.

'Dammit! What the hell is the Prime Minister thinking? I wonder if I should leave the Kingdom. Just in case the Assassin's Society pushes out a bounty on me. But I don't want to leave this place. Haah... I'll need to talk about this with her Majesty-'

She was interrupted from her thoughts when she felt a man's hand grab her leg gently.

Wina closed her book to see Mathew staring at her with a smile.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Well, isn't this a nice surprise? Maybe I should get bedridden more often?" Mathew said half-jokingly.

Wina took her book and playfully hit the top of his head with it.

"You should be resting."

"Ouch! Is that how assassins treat their patients? And here I thought you cared about my well-being."

"Of course, I do, Mat. You have no idea how scared I was when you fell over because of your exhaustion. And I thought your heart stopped beating for a moment."

Mathew's expression changed.

"I didn't know that... I never meant to make you worry."

"I lost one person close to me. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you as well."

Mathew smiled.

"So, I'm that important to you? Haha... So all I needed to do was go through a near-death experience to find out how you truly felt about me. Aye, Win?"

Wina's cheeks blushed and she turned away.

"You're a real jerk, you know that."

Mathew grabbed Wina's hand and pulled her down onto his bed. She landed on her side next to him and he pulled her into a hug.

"I know... I just need a badass woman assassin to keep me on the straight and narrow."

"Y-You're fine with me being an assassin? I'm just a monster... Why would you want to be with someone like me?"

"Don't call yourself that... I've killed men and women in the line of duty. Sure you did it for profit, but I know the guilt that you carry around with you... What is important is that we find a way to move past our mistakes and learn to live with the demons inside us."

Wina felt the warmth coming from his chest. It made her feel at ease.

"Besides, I like a girl with an edge," Mathew said with a wink.

"Oh, shut up, you corny idiot. I don't even know why I let you hold me." Wina said with a pout.

Mathew moved his lips closer to her ear and whispered, "Because deep down, you enjoy having me wrapped around your finger."