Return of the General's Daughter
Chapter 144: Her Saviour

Chapter 144: Her Saviour

That night, Alaric found sleep elusive. The moonlight filtered through the crack in the walls, casting delicate shadows across the room. Lara’s bed, nestled against the slatted wall, felt so close to his own, which was positioned just a breath away.

The faint rustle of the bamboo slats separating them seemed to echo in the stillness, creating a barrier that was both fragile and palpable. Each of her gentle movements, each creak of the bamboo bed offered a reminder of her presence, stirring a restless energy in him as thoughts of her danced through his mind.

Alaric could sense her unique fragrance lingering in the air, a delicate blend of wildflowers and mint. Each inhalation deepened the connection, making his heart race. He could hear the soft rhythm of her breath, a gentle whisper that seemed to resonate with the very core of his being. The unfamiliar sensation he had encountered before washed over him once more, igniting a swirl of emotions he could hardly comprehend.

He inched nearer to the slatted walls, drawn to her presence like a moth to a flame. The intoxicating aroma of blooming flowers enveloped him, a fragrant tapestry woven from jasmine, wild rose, wild lavender, and mint notes. The scent swirled around him, cradling his senses and soothing his restless mind. Surrendering to the comforting embrace of this floral symphony, he finally allowed himself to slip into a deep, tranquil sleep.

...

Lara woke up early the following morning. She brought her backpack, bow, and arrows before heading to the secret pool.

The hanging bridge swayed gently in the breeze, looking untouched. She glided across it with almost effortless ease, her heartbeat synchronized with the rhythm of her footsteps. Crossing to the other side, she followed a direct path to the secret pool. She emerged from the dense underbrush in just thirty minutes, arriving at the rock formation that hid the pool.

Lara crawled into the small hole, the entrance to the secret pool. She was met by the crystal clear water, which sparkled under the sun, inviting her with its tranquil beauty.

She removed her outer clothes and placed them on top of a rock, out of the water’s way. She was left with tight shorts and a shirt.

How good would it be if I could take a bath, stark naked? She chuckled at her thoughts but shook her head to dsipel it.

She had been to the pool several times and knew every nook and cranny like the back of her hand. She stood on a mid-rise, protruding rock, and jumped into the water. She gasped when the water hit her.

Damn, It was cold!

The frigid touch enveloped her, sending shivers racing down her spine. It was like plunging into a glacial lake, an icy embrace that momentarily stole the breath from her lungs.

She took quick breaths until the coldness no longer bothered her.

Lara released her hair from her topknot, allowing the rich, copper-brown tresses to cascade freely like a waterfall of silk. As they tumbled into the water, the locks danced and shimmered, their vibrant hues reflecting the golden sunlight, creating a stunning tapestry of color that mingled beautifully with the gentle ripples below.

She was not in a hurry, so she bathed lazily after washing her hair.

She took her time in the cold embrace of the water, allowing it to envelop her as she swam leisurely. After washing her hair, the strands glistened like spun silk, cascading down her shoulders.

Though the water was cold, a soothing sensation wrapped around Lara. She glided through the depths, alternating between graceful strokes, her limbs flowing effortlessly like a dancer in a serene ballet. Each movement was unhurried, a gentle dance of relaxation as the water sprays swirled around her, creating a tranquil oasis. Each paddle of her hands and kick of her feet sent ripples cascading away from her, merging with the shimmering surface.

Unbeknownst to Lara, a tall figure followed her from the house to when she entered the pool. The man was curious about what Lara was doing inside. He peered, and he froze. It took a long time for his racing heart to calm down.

Time slipped away, and as she lazed around, a gentle sense of tranquility enveloped her, making her momentarily forget the world outside. She finally decided it was time to return, her spirit refreshed by the invigorating swim.

But before she could get out of the water, something coiled around her waist and hoisted her up. In a blink, she was suspended in the air. The pool below her reflected the yellow-cream color of the python around her body. The orange rings patterns shimmered in the morning light.

The snake’s upper body was coiled on a thick branch of an old tree protruding from a rock while the other half was doing its job, wrenching the air out of Lara’s lungs.

A python! How did it get here? The water was cold, and pythons are not fond of the cold.

Lara tried to relax. Her arms were useless, and though she was stronger compared with other females, the snake’s crushing strength was beyond her limit.

She tried to move her hand to reach the knife sheathed in her right thigh. It was just two centimeters from her grasp.

Lara’s vision started to go black. Was she going to die again? Would she wake up and find herself in her previous world?

No! She did not want that. It was the life she wanted to escape so much. She wanted to experience the love of a family. She did not want to go back.

In desperation, Lara lowered her head and bit the snake’s scaly body with all her might.

The snake hissed. It was hurt. Its hold on Lara loosened.

Despite her weakened state, Lara grabbed the knife from her thigh and repeatedly hit the snake’s body with all the strength she was left with.

Then she felt she was falling.

Splash!

She was underwater. She wanted to move her hands and legs, but they felt like they were lead.

Then, she saw a blur of yellow color coming for her.

But then, she heard a loud splash, and a disturbance was beside her.

She felt that her life was ebbing away as her lungs were about to burst.

But before darkness could consume her, she felt two strong hands pull her out of the water.

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