Akane's POV

  I'm escorted by the soldiers until I reached the tall wooden gates, upon leaving it's vicinity, the first thing that came to my attention is a girl. She has messy shoulder length silver hair, covered by a brown cloak which covered her from head to toe, smooth pale skin, petite body and slender figure, her eyes dyed crimson right and golden left.

  Our eyes made contact, the girl quickly strode off, I ran after her at full sprint, grabbing her wrist to stop her tracks.

  Removing the hood which covered her face, the girl had a scared look on her face as I asked her.

  "Why are you here Yuni, didn't I tell you to wait for me at the inn?"

  Yuni looked downwards, avoiding eye contact, her face dyed red, she gulped and replied with a dejected tone.

  "I-I was worried that you'll leave me behind, that's why I decided to follow you here. I'm sorry Akane, please forgive me."

  Hearing her reply, I unconsciously grin, I sighed and formed a sadistic smile on my face, I wanted to tease her more, I pinched Yuni's cheeks.

  "I didn't expect you to have this little trust in me."

  Yuni looked up and stared at me, her mouth agape, she stared at me in the eyes, wiping off her tears as she replied weakly.

  "I-I trust you Akane, I'm just worried that if you leave, you might not come back, like mother."

  I sighed and pulled Yuni closer, wrapping my hands around her small figure, hugging her, gently caressing her hair and back.

  "Silly you, I won't ever leave you behind. Please have some more faith in me.

  Either from hearing my words, or from her being embraced by me, Yuni's face became redder, I released her from my embrace and poked her nose.

  " I won't leave you behind, promise."

  "W-Will you hold my hand Akane?"

  Yuni asked with an embarrassed look on her face, I smiled back at her and nodded.

  "Sure."

  She took my hand and dragged me throughout the city.

  "Nn."

  While walking on the streets of Dalen, west-most city in Hakuroku kingdom, something caught Yuni's interest, she tugged the sleeves of my dress. I turned to her and asked.

  "What is it?"

  "C-can we buy some?"

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Yuni points her index finger at a small stall which sold skewered meat, Yuni looked at me with her glistering eyes. I let out a sigh and took out my purse.

  "Sure, here's the money. Don't run okay?"

  Handing her a few copper coins, with a face filled with joy.

  "Geez, I told you to don't run..."

  Yuni ran to the stall at full sprint, ignoriny words.

  After being through so much, seeing that smile brings comfort to my heart. Your optimistic personality is something I truly envy Yuni.

  Flashback

  I was playing at the fields near my house with carefree smile, blissfully ignorant of the world's troubles, raised by caring parents. I had everything a child would want.

  I received education from mother regarding geography, warfare, history and martial arts, whilst I learned about medical herbs and first aid from Father.

  As I was resting beside a tree, tired from Studying and Gardening, I noticed stains of red on the grass, sweat dripping from my face and back, I panicked.

  I took a deep breathe too calm myself, built up my courage and examined the red stain, it had the sickening scent of iron, which made me realized. It's blood.

  I looked around the tall grass and saw two figures, one is a girl whom is breathing roughly, beside her is the body of a man, limbs torn to shreds, his corpse mutilated to the point of being unrecognizable. I vomiting from the stench and mangled appearance of the dead body.

  After regaining composure, I quickly rushed to the girl's side, examining her body, I found multiple stab wounds on her abdomen, I tore some cloth from my dress, disinfecting her wounds with water from a nearby stream, I wasted no time, using the cloth as substitute for bandages, I somehow manages to stop the bleeding. I checked her heartbeat, still beating, yet slow.

  I picked up the girl, she was surprisingly light weight, carrying her on my back, I ran as fast as I could to my house.

  "How was your day dear?"

  Father asked, he noticed the girl on my back and his expression went serious.

  "Tell me what happened later, for now this girl needs treatment, get my things from upstairs, I'll carry her to the operation room."

  I nodded and ran upstairs, whilst my father without further delay began treating her wounds.

  After a few hours, Father exited the operation room, he patted my head, his expression softens, he ruffled my hair and told me.

  "She's safe now, Akane you did a good job bringing her here, you also applied first aid on her. If she lost more blood she would most likely be dead. I expected nothing less from my daughter."

  I approached the girl, who was sound asleep.

  She's around the same age as me, maybe even a year younger, there's no way she's older right? Who could have done this and why?

  I sat down on a chair beside her bed, tightly gripped her hand and constantly told her.

  "Please don't die."

  Mother entered the room, she patted me in the back and whispered to my ears.

  "Get some rest dear, don't worry I'll watch over her for you."

  Following mother's advise, I went upstairs to my room and went to sleep.

  I woke up early in the morning, I cooked up a light breakfast, without delay I went to the girl's room, checking up on her condition.

  After opening the door I heard a voice which asked.

  "Who are you?"

  Turning around I noticed the girl as she tried to stand up, I ran up to her and told her to rest. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth as I told myself.

  "Thank goodness you're safe."

  Confused the girl looked around and asked.

  "Where am I?"

  I lightly patted her head.

  "A cabin near the forest of Elafas."

  She stared at me with teary eyes, as if remembering something tragic, I embraced her, stroke her back lightly.

  "There's nothing to be afraid off. I'm here for you."

  After hearing my words the girl began to crying on my shoulder, unaware on what to do, I embraced her, and lightly caressed her back, whilst repeatedly telling her.

  "I'm here for you, Everything is going to be alright."

  After a while she finally calmed down, she wiped the tears off her face, I looked at her straight in the eyes.

  "I'm Akane, what's your name?"

  With a weak replied.

  "Yu-Yuni."

  I patted her head and clenched my fist.

  "I'll protect you, I'm here for you."

  Yuni grabbed my hand, unabke to break free from her grasp. I stares at her in wonder.

  How can one with a small body like her, be this strong?

  Yuni looks down, avoiding eye contact.

  "You said that you'll protect me? Even if I'm not human?"

  I paused for a moment. Processing my thoughts, upon having a clear answer, I looked at her straight in the eyes.

  "Human or not I will protect you."

  That's right, it doesn't matter if she is human or not, all I feel when I see this girl is pity.

  After hearing my reply she turned around.

  "Why? you hardly even know me."

  "I don't know the answer myself, but one thing is for sure, that you'll be safe with me."

  Her face turning beet red she asked again.

  "W-why?"

  This time I didn't gave a reply and continued to patting her head lightly. Because even I can't find an answer to her question.