EPISODE 5

The forest was unusually still that morning, the usual chorus of birds and rustling leaves replaced by an eerie hush that set Maria’s nerves on edge. She had ventured farther than usual, collecting herbs for her small bundle of provisions when she noticed Karl in the distance, swinging his axe to chop firewood near a dense thicket. The sunlight caught the lines of his muscles as he worked, each movement precise, controlled, and efficient, yet there was a tension in the way he moved, a subtle awareness of something Maria could not yet see.

“Good morning,” she called softly, trying to keep her voice light, though a shiver of unease ran down her spine. Karl glanced up, eyes scanning the forest beyond her before settling on her, a small nod of acknowledgment his only response. Maria frowned slightly, sensing the same cautious vigilance she had noticed in him so many times before. Something was off.

As she approached, the distant crack of a branch snapping echoed through the trees, louder than it should have been. Karl stiffened immediately, setting the axe aside and reaching for his bow with fluid speed. “Stay close,” he instructed quietly, motioning her behind a nearby oak. Maria’s heart began to pound in her chest, but she obeyed, moving closer as he crouched low, scanning the forest for the source of the noise.

A rustle came from the underbrush, quick and deliberate, and Karl’s dark eyes narrowed. “We’re not alone,” he said, his voice calm but edged with the tension of a soldier who had seen danger more times than he could count. Maria felt a surge of both fear and adrenaline. She had never been this close to real danger before, but being near Karl, watching the way he analyzed every movement, every shadow, gave her a strange sense of security.

“Should I—” she began, but Karl shook his head. “No. Stay here. Move only if I tell you. The forest can be unpredictable, and a princess wandering carelessly could be an easy target.” His words were firm but careful, protective in a way that made Maria’s chest tighten.

The rustling grew louder, and from the shadows emerged a small band of forest raiders, likely displaced soldiers or desperate men seeking easy prey. Karl’s movements were precise and practiced; he notched an arrow, then stepped forward with measured calm, his stance ready, every motion controlled. Maria’s pulse raced as she watched him work, her fascination deepening, tinged with worry. She realized then that she admired him not just for his strength, but for the quiet discipline that allowed him to face danger without panic.

When one raider lunged from the brush, Karl intercepted him with swift efficiency, knocking the man to the ground and disarming him before the others could react. Maria felt herself freeze, a mix of fear and awe washing over her as she watched him handle the situation with unparalleled skill. But even in the midst of danger, Karl’s gaze flicked to her briefly, a silent reassurance that she was safe if she stayed hidden.

The encounter ended almost as quickly as it began, the raiders scattering into the deeper forest, leaving Karl standing among the fallen leaves, breathing steady, eyes sharp. Maria emerged from behind the tree, her legs trembling slightly, the fear subsiding into a rush of exhilaration. “That… was incredible,” she said softly, letting her voice carry the awe she felt. Karl didn’t smile, only nodded, brushing dirt from his tunic. “It’s over,” he said. “Stay close from now on.”

They walked back to the camp in silence, the forest slowly returning to its usual rhythm, though Maria’s mind was far from calm. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way Karl had moved, how his quiet confidence had carried them both through the threat, how the careful precision of his every gesture seemed to draw her closer without him even speaking a word of affection.

By the time they returned to the camp, the sun was high, and Karl set about repairing the small fire and tending to the camp chores. Maria watched him work, her curiosity and admiration growing with every motion. She noticed the way he handled each task—careful, deliberate, almost ritualistic—and felt a sudden urge to do something for him in return.

Later that afternoon, she quietly gathered herbs, water, and a small pot from the camp supplies, determined to make tea for Karl. She had learned over the months that it was the small gestures, the simple acts of care, that mattered more than grand words. Kneeling near the fire, she set about her task with the same focus she had seen in him, her hands steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest.

Karl appeared suddenly, returning from checking the perimeter, and paused when he saw her crouched by the fire. “Making tea?” he asked quietly, tilting his head. Maria looked up, slightly startled, then nodded. “For you,” she said simply. “You work so hard… I thought you might like a warm drink.” Her voice was soft, hesitant, carrying a sincerity that made Karl’s chest tighten unexpectedly.

He knelt beside her, observing her movements with quiet fascination. “You didn’t have to,” he said, but there was no scolding in his tone. Only curiosity, tempered with a cautious warmth. Maria shrugged, stirring the water gently, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I wanted to,” she replied, meeting his eyes briefly before returning to her task.

Karl watched her, noticing the careful attention she gave to the boiling water, the way her fingers moved with delicate precision, the subtle grace in every small gesture. He realized, as he had so many times before, that her presence in the camp had grown into something more than fleeting curiosity. She was here not for the novelty, not for mischief, but because she cared. And Karl… he felt the weight of his own feelings tighten in his chest, a mixture of admiration, protectiveness, and an unspoken longing that he refused to give voice to.

Maria poured the tea into a small wooden cup and handed it to him, her fingers brushing against his hand ever so slightly. Karl caught the cup with a steady grip, his eyes locking with hers for a fraction longer than necessary. He felt a warmth in that simple touch that went beyond the heat of the tea, a spark that made him acutely aware of her closeness, her presence, and the quiet power of her attention.

“Thank you,” he said quietly, finally allowing a small, almost imperceptible smile to tug at his lips. Maria’s heart fluttered at the sight, though she tried to hide it behind a light laugh. “You don’t have to look so serious all the time,” she teased, nudging his shoulder gently. Karl glanced at her, the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes, but he didn’t speak. His silence was deliberate, protective, and yet it only drew her closer, urging her to test the boundaries of this fragile connection they shared.

They sat together by the fire, the steam rising from the cup between them, and for the first time that day, the forest seemed to hold its breath. No danger, no raiders, no duty—just the quiet bond that had been growing over months of small visits, shared glances, and fleeting touches. Karl felt it—the pull of her presence, the warmth of her care, and the ache of feelings he could not yet speak aloud. Maria felt it too, a thrill of intimacy she had not expected, a deepening connection that made the forest feel more like home than the palace ever had.

As the sun dipped low and the shadows lengthened, Maria reluctantly rose, her cup empty but her heart full. “I should return before it gets too dark,” she said softly. Karl nodded, watching her every movement with careful attention. “Be careful,” he said quietly, his voice carrying both concern and unspoken affection. Maria smiled faintly, stepping back into the forest, feeling the warmth of the tea linger and the memory of his steady gaze burn in her mind.

Karl remained by the fire long after she had disappeared into the trees, sipping the tea slowly, savoring the quiet moment and the closeness they had shared. His chest ached with the words he could not speak, the feelings he could not reveal, but he allowed himself a single thought, whispered into the cooling evening air: Maria More had become a part of him, and no silence, no duty, could erase the bond that had formed between them in the heart of the forest.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***