Chapter 5

The man carrying me was very quiet.

Since earlier, he hadn't asked a single question.

Lying on his back, I could feel his steps—steady, unhurried, like someone who'd walked night roads a thousand times before.

He must have figured it out.

Figured out who they were laughing about, figured out that the person who could "tear the roof off" was me.

But he said nothing.

Just kept walking.

Until at a bend in the path, we came face to face with that other group.

Torchlight swept toward us. Someone from the other side spoke first: "Lucas?"

His steps paused briefly. He responded flatly, "Yeah."

Ethan, carrying Chloe, walked closer a few steps.

Smiling, he looked him over: "It really is you? You're doing a bride snatching too tonight?"

"Yeah."

"Which family's girl?" Ethan's gaze swept over, landing on me.

I buried my face in Lucas's shoulder, showing them only the back of my head.

"From the neighboring village." Lucas said, his tone neutral.

Ethan stared at me for another moment, then suddenly laughed: "Well, well. I always thought you were the stay-away-from-people type, figured you weren't planning to settle down. Congratulations."

Lucas responded with another "yeah."

Ethan took two more steps forward. The torchlight drew closer.

I could feel his gaze land on my back, lingering for a moment.

I thought he was about to recognize me.

"Let's go." Lucas suddenly spoke, taking a step forward.

"Wait." Ethan blocked our path.

Ethan frowned, about to say something else.

Chloe's voice suddenly rang out, soft and sweet: "Ethan, the cut on my foot hurts a little."

Ethan immediately turned to her: "What's wrong? Did you bump it just now?"

"I don't know, it just hurts..." Chloe's voice grew fainter. "Let's hurry. We need to reach your place before dawn."

Ethan couldn't worry about anything else.

He nodded at Lucas: "Gotta go. When we're back in the city, drinks are on me."

Their footsteps gradually faded.

Only then did Lucas say quietly: "He really didn't recognize you."

Lying on his back, I said nothing.

My eyes felt hot.

But I didn't cry.

He seemed to sense something. His steps slowed slightly, walking steadily onward.

The moon was bright. The mountain path was long.

I didn't know where he was taking me.

But in that moment, I suddenly felt that anywhere was better than turning back.