Theo burst into laughter at Ellinor’s response, "Are you really that tough? Then I've got a bodyguard from now on!"
Ellinor stared at him angrily, "What's so funny? I'm serious! You’re my man; only I can bully you!"
Theo paused for a moment, looking at Ellinor's protective expression. He was touched, and he couldn't help but lean in and give her a gentle kiss. Then he whispered, "It's okay; don't worry. That was all a long time ago. I'll take care of myself and won't leave you alone."
Ellinor blushed when she was kissed suddenly and shyly buried her head in his chest, "I'm serious; don't just kiss people like that. It's not fair!"
Theo chuckled and ruffled her hair, "Sorry, I'll try to control myself."
Ellinor leaned against him, her mood gradually calming as she started to recall the small village of West Water Ridge that Theo had mentioned.
She had been there before.
When she was a kid, she went with Karan from the monastery to find a rare herb, and they stayed in one of the villagers' houses.
At that time, she'd get up early every day to pick herbs with Karan. Sometimes she'd lose track of him because she got distracted, and then she'd have to make her way back to the village on her own.
One day, she got separated from Karan and ran into an injured man on her way down the mountain.
The man was wounded and had been bitten by a snake, which had blinded him with its venom.
That day, she found the exact herb that could neutralize the venom. So she sucked the venomous blood out of his wound and applied the crushed herb to it.
At first, the man thought she was a bad person and was rather unfriendly. But when he realized that she was trying to save him, he softened up.
However, he was a man of few words and didn't really talk to her.
After that, whenever she passed by, she would bring him some food. He didn't say much, but he always said thank you.
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