His eyes fluttered, slightly narrowing at the sudden light. The room’s windows were open allowing the sunlight in. The heat had settled on his skin making him sweat, the pain that followed acting to add on it. Fortunately, it was bearable, unlike the first few times he had came to.

He tried sitting up on the bed but every muscle in his body was against the idea, so he gave up. Staring blankly at the ceiling, he heard the door open but was too tired to even look that way. He felt the steps click on the floor until a figure towered over him. From the corner of his eyes, he could tell it was Newton.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, walking to the nightstand and pouring a glass of water for him.

He tried to say something but his throat was burning and the mere thought of having water at arm’s reach turned him mute. And as if Newton had read his mind, he helped him sit up before handing the glass to him. He was quick to drain the contents in one go.

He sank back on the bed, sighing softly like one who had fought with a thousand soldiers alone. Silence grew between them for a while and judging from the aura surrounding Newton, he knew someone was not happy.

"What?" He asked, unable to take the awkwardness anymore.

Newton leaned forward, his hands rested on his temples. "Why did you do it?" He asked.

Zed sighed heavily. It’s not like he didn’t have the answer already. He decided to answer nevertheless. "Because I couldn’t imagine a life without you."

"Why don’t you understand?" He asked, anger evident in his voice.

"I don’t," Zed said only to annoy him more, but it was genuine. "I don’t understand why you’ve changed."

"Changed?" Newton forced a laughter.

"Yes. You’re not the man I was used to anymore. Did she change you?" Zed asked.

"She has nothing to do with this. And about changing, I’ve not changed. I just realized you want to use me. And to make it worse, you want to kill yourself because of me!" He let out without not caring what he’d say. It was his life for heavens sake.

Zed turned mute for a while surprised by Newton’s outburst. He opened his mouth to say something but no words came.

"I’m sorry but I can’t do it!" Newton said, heaving a tired sigh.

"And about helping me," he paused to look at him,"you can if you want to." And without waiting for a reply, he made for the door when,

"I thought you loved me Newton," Zed said with a pained voice that made Newton halt. Loved? He turned to face him and for once, he saw pain on his already awful face. A purge of sympathy could have coursed in him but that would only act to make him weak in front of Zed. He put up a brave face and said,

"I’m sorry but I don’t love you." His hand on the door, he was ready to leave when Zed’s question came.

"Then why did you save me? You could have let me die if this is what I’d go through!" Didn’t he know this was more painful than what he’d gone through? 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"I did it because it was the right thing," Newton answered and closed the door behind him without sparing him another glance.

Walking through the hallways while putting on a stoic face proved to be the hardest thing Newton had to do. And when he found the door to his room, he couldn’t help but lean back trying to fight the tears that threatened to fall anytime soon.

He brushed the tears away and unbuckled his sword. The bed in his room wasn’t that large but enough for one person. After all, he wasn’t married. It was Newton’s dream to construct a house by a water body where he’d enjoy his old days. The thought of a woman by his side had never crossed his mind until recently. He unbottoned his shirt and lay on the bed staring at the ceiling.

He was lost deep in thought when a knock sounded on the door. With a slight frown, he wondered who had summoned him at this hour. Still, he got up, shirtless, and made for the door.

"I was looking for you and....," Roselyn’s voice trailed, her eyes scanning his naked upper body before her cheeks red. God! This was awkward! Newton rubbed his head nervously, his gaze darting everywhere else but her.

"Come in," he said and walked in, his jaw ticking when he noticed out of place his room was.

Roselyn walked in after him noticing a scar on his back. It was curved on his left side like a mark. It must have been painful for him.

"Do you prefer coffee or tea?" Newton asked. She sat on his bed touching the silk sheets that he was ford of. He was quick to give her a sheepish smile. Surprisingly, he didn’t put his shirt on as he had planned.

"Coffee will do," she said caressing the edges of the bed. Apart from his bed that looked extra neat, everything else seemed out of place. Some of his boots were lying on the floor, and a jacket she had seen him wear severally was lying on the table! She offered him a polite smile when he made effort to collect the items.

Newton had lost count of the last time a maid had delivered food or coffee in that case to his room. He always preferred having his drinks in the gardens or with the royal family. But now that she had come to visit him personally, he was forced to do it.

The maid walked in with the strong coffee as he liked it and normal coffee for Roselyn. She gave him a sheepish look that didn’t go unnoticed by Roselyn. She blushed at the thought of it. Looks like Newton had been a bachelor for a long time.

She placed the coffee on the table and tucked some stray strands of her shoulder length hair behind her ear and when she turned to look at him, he was enraptured by the simple action.