Adonis, for his part, also had no need for words. His heart was quietly and deeply immersed in love for Daphne, a love that required no explanation, not even a declaration. That girl who suddenly entered his life, like a gentle breeze, changed everything around him. She became an inseparable part of his world, his partner in every detail of life.
Every morning, they would wake up together. They would start their day with a smile, while setting off with Yarwa and Marshmallow for a short walk when Adonis didn't have work. Walking together, in silence, meant more to them than just strolling. It meant shared life, sharing simple moments together in peace.
And when evening came, they would sit around the fireplace, drawn to the warmth of the atmosphere created by their silent understanding and light words. They would exchange small talk, conversation that didn't require much speaking. And sometimes, they would be busy playing with Marshmallow and Yarwa, petting them and laughing. This was their small world, where everything was possible, where tranquility surrounded them, and love resided between every moment.
It was a world where no one interfered, a small world with only the two of them, their animals, and the warmth of the small memories they built together. And more precisely, it was the moments when words became a small means of conveying what filled their hearts with feelings.
.
That morning, the palace atmosphere was charged with tension; imperial messages had arrived, announcing the enemy's advance towards the borders of the city of Thule. Adonis sat in his office for hours reviewing orders and making plans. The Emperor himself had chosen him to lead this mission, and he had to prove his loyalty and competence once again. He didn't have much time, but he decided to return home before leaving with the army.
When he entered the house, he was greeted by a simple scene that filled his heart with warmth. Daphne was standing in the kitchen, engrossed in preparing a chocolate pie. Flour was scattered on her face and clothes, yet her features held a childlike serenity, as if she lived in a completely different world from the world of wars surrounding him. Daphne didn't sense his presence, as her focus was entirely on skillfully mixing the ingredients.
Adonis, who was accustomed to silence and harshness on the battlefields, couldn't resist her tenderness. He approached her slowly without making a sound and gently embraced her from behind. Daphne felt his arms around her, so she stopped working and turned to face him, meeting him with a bright smile that the chocolate and flour couldn't cover.
Adonis smiled in return and chuckled softly when he saw the traces of flour on her face. He reached out and gently wiped them away, saying:
"And what are you doing here? Are you fighting another battle? It seems the flour has completely defeated you."
Daphne laughed silently, moved closer, and then gently touched his cheek as if teasing him. Adonis looked at her with eyes full of warmth and said:
"Oh, don't start with that. You know I can't handle all this pampering."
Before she could say anything, he hugged her again, tightening his embrace as if drawing from her the strength he needed. He whispered in her ear:
"Let's stay like this for a little while. Just a little while."
At dinner, the two sat together in relative silence, but Adonis's gaze held something different. He felt he couldn't postpone the conversation any longer and said in a serious but gentle voice:
"Daphne, there's something you need to know."
Daphne looked up at him, and her worried expression reflected what she felt. He continued:
"I received orders from the Emperor... I have to leave with the army tomorrow morning. The borders of the city of Thule are in danger. The mission will be difficult, and I'll be gone for at least a month."
Daphne tried to hide her worry. She tilted her head slightly, then picked up her notebook and pen and wrote:
"I trust you will be fine. And I will be here waiting for you."
Adonis read her words and felt the confidence she tried to instill in him, despite her worry that she couldn't completely hide. He reached out and patted her hand, saying:
"Yarwa will stay with you. You won't be alone."
That night, while everything was quiet, Daphne indicated her desire for him to sleep beside her. She looked at him with eyes that held mixed feelings of fear and love. She whispered to him through her notebook:
"Just tonight... before you leave."
Adonis agreed silently, feeling the weight of the moment. He sat beside her, then embraced her again, as if trying to give her all the reassurance they both needed.
At dawn, Adonis slipped out of the room silently. He gently kissed Daphne's forehead and carefully covered Yarwa and Marshmallow before leaving. The room was completely quiet, but Daphne was not asleep.
She listened to his footsteps fade away and pretended to be asleep so he wouldn't notice her tears that began to flow silently. She knew she couldn't stop him from doing his duty, but she felt a great emptiness approaching her with his departure.
The next morning, Daphne felt a heavy emptiness surrounding her in Adonis's absence. She tried to fill this void with some activity. She opened her backpack that she had brought from her previous world and began searching through her belongings until she found two packs of fruit-flavored gum, an old phone, and Emma's collar, which held a special memory for her. She sighed with a faint smile and decided to go out to explore the market.
In the market, she stood in front of a vendor who looked bored and wrote in her notebook:
"I want to sell this."
The vendor raised his eyebrows mockingly, saying:
"Sell? What do I sell? This?!" He pointed to the pack of gum. "Are you kidding? What is this strange thing?"
Daphne smiled confidently, took out a piece of gum, put it in her mouth, and chewed slowly. Then she offered him one.
He said hesitantly:
"Alright, let me try."
As soon as he tasted it, his expression changed to pleasant surprise, and he said:
"Delicious... strange but delicious. How much do you want for it?"
She wrote to him: "Three silver pieces for one pack."
After a short negotiation, they reached an agreement, and she soon found herself holding her first coins in this world.
Later, Daphne decided to go to an art supply store and bought some paints and paper. Drawing had always been her way to escape her reality and seek beauty amidst chaos. Then she entered another store that sold dresses and wrote to the tailor:
"I have a unique design. I want to sell it."
The tailor, a stout man with a sharp look, laughed, saying:
"Design? And do you think I buy just anything from anyone?"
But Daphne didn't back down. She wrote:
"Give me a chance. I'll draw it here in front of you."
He replied after a moment of thought:
"Alright, but quickly. I don't have time to waste."
Daphne sat quietly in a corner of the store, with Yarwa lying near her as if a bodyguard, and Marshmallow sitting innocently on the table beside her. She began drawing her design with careful and confident movements.
Meanwhile, whispers of women began to echo in the background:
"I heard she's Adonis's lover. Can you believe he left that beast with her to protect her?"
"Honestly, I envy her. Adonis is unlike any man I've ever seen. His strength, his handsomeness, his majestic personality..."
"Quiet! If your father hears you say that, he'll kill you. Don't you remember you're engaged to a rich man?"
The first woman laughed sarcastically:
"Ah, you mean that fat fool? If Adonis were in his place, I wouldn't hesitate."
Suddenly, another girl approached with an angry tone:
"Get that dog away from here! Is it a dog or a wolf? It's scaring me!"
The tailor, who had been watching the situation nervously, said quickly:
"Calm down, miss! The dog won't hurt anyone... right?"
Yarwa, who had been sleeping, slowly raised his head when he sensed the threat. He stood up and bared his fangs, which frightened the girl who screamed:
"Oh my god! You didn't tell me it was this big!"
The tailor raised his hands, trying to calm the situation:
"Calm down, dog. Please, finish your drawing quickly!"
After a few moments, Daphne finished and presented the design to the tailor. The man's eyes widened as he examined the details carefully. He said in amazement:
"This... is amazing! I've never seen anything like it before. Did you just draw this?"
One of the women approached and said:
"Let me see it! Oh my god, it's so beautiful! Can I order a dress with this design?"
Daphne smiled and wrote in her notebook: "Of course, order it from the tailor."
Then she looked at the tailor and wrote: "The price of the design is ten gold pieces."
The tailor laughed and said:
"Ten? Impossible! This design is worth at least thirty pieces. But I don't want trouble with Adonis, so I'll pay the real price."
He paid her the money, and Daphne wrote: "So we'll do business again?"
The tailor replied enthusiastically:
"Of course, you talented one. Your designs are unparalleled!"
As she was leaving, one of the women approached her and said in a low voice:
"You are brave, but be careful, Adonis is not what he seems. He may smile at you, but he is a beast inside."
But Daphne didn't flinch. She knew the truth: Adonis was not a beast. He was the man who had sacrificed so much to protect others, and she was the only one who knew his heart as it truly was. The smile that appeared on her face was full of pride because she saw beyond the mask of strength that others saw.
On a quiet night, Daphne sat by the fireplace, gently stroking Marshmallow while looking at the dancing flames as if searching for something to dispel her loneliness. Yarwa lay beside her, faint snores emanating from his breaths, while Daphne silently thought about Adonis's absence. She took a small piece of bread and began to eat it slowly, trying to fill the emptiness that weighed on her chest.
Far away from this warmth, Adonis stood in front of his tent on the battlefield, where the cold air whipped his face and tousled his long hair. He looked at the star-filled sky, which seemed to him like a map full of secrets. A soldier approached him with cautious steps and said:
"Sir, may I have a word?"
Adonis turned to him, a quiet smile gracing his lips: "Please."
The soldier hesitated for a moment before saying: "I have heard much about your tactics, but what I have seen surpasses all I imagined. You are amazing, sir."
Adonis returned his gaze to the sky and said calmly: "The battle is like these stars. From afar, it looks peaceful and beautiful, but it hides endless chaos."
In the city, the days passed very slowly for Daphne. She spent her time designing dresses and painting pictures, trying as much as possible to keep herself busy. In the market, whispers circulated about news of the army:
"The Emperor's army is strong, and they are close to achieving victory!"
"Commander Adonis leads them with unparalleled skill. He is invincible!"
But the words of the people were just noise to Daphne. In her heart, there was only waiting, and longing to see Adonis return safely.
One day, while she was in the market with Yarwa and Marshmallow, an old woman with a warm smile approached her. The woman stopped at a short distance, watching Yarwa who remained calm beside Daphne. Daphne felt some reassurance, so she raised her head to look at the woman.
The woman said in a confident voice: "You are Daphne, the beloved of Commander Adonis, aren't you?"
Daphne simply nodded, her expression remaining neutral.
The woman continued: "Don't listen to what people say. Adonis is a good young man, and you are lucky to have him. But envy has no mercy, my dear."
Daphne took out her notebook and wrote: "I trust him. Thank you."
The woman smiled and left, saying: "Be strong."
Weeks passed, and Daphne continued her daily life, drawing and working, while Adonis steadily led the army on the battlefield. Despite his physical and mental exhaustion, the longing to return to Daphne gave him strength. He saw her image before him every night, with her violet eyes and soft hair, and found in her memory a reason to persevere in the face of all difficulties.
As for Daphne, she spent her nights by the fireplace, rereading Adonis's letters from the past, and smiling despite the emptiness his absence left in her heart. And as time passed, she knew he would return, and that this waiting would not be in vain.
... 15 days later ...
The sky was gloomy, shrouded in a thick fog as if refusing to witness another massacre. Adonis stood tall amidst the battle, but his weariness was evident in the fine lines etched by dirt and blood on his face. His long black hair was damp and disheveled from sweat, sometimes sticking to his forehead, which shone with effort and tears that never fell.
He shouted in his deep voice, which sounded rougher than his soldiers were accustomed to:
"Come on! There's no turning back now! Take courage, we are closer to victory than you imagine!"
His blue eyes burned like hard ice, piercing through the enemy ranks and seeing beyond them, but he blinked frequently as if fighting off exhaustion. Every word that came out of him was heavy, almost betraying his fatigue, but he did not allow his voice to tremble.
A soldier approached him eagerly, his eyes gleaming with joy and fear:
"Sir, the enemy is retreating! They are collapsing!"
Adonis responded only with a curt nod. His focus was on what lay ahead, his eyes searching for hidden dangers. But suddenly, an arrow shot from the heart of the mist, slicing through the air and piercing his left shoulder.
The impact was shocking. Adonis's face contorted for a moment, his eyes widening involuntarily before narrowing again in defiance. He gripped his injured arm tightly, holding his breath so no one would hear his groan. Blood slowly seeped, mingling with his armor and sword, but he barely gave himself a second to think.
One of the soldiers cried out:
"Sir! You've been hit!"
He replied in a low but confident voice:
"Fall back, and locate the archer."
He took a step forward even though his body screamed in pain with every movement. His face, which had always radiated strength, looked pale, his lips tight, and lines of pain were visible around his eyes and mouth.
With all his remaining strength, he grasped the arrow with his right hand and tore its head from his body. His torso arched slightly, as if the wound was slowly consuming his strength. But he raised his head, and his harsh features grew even colder. He followed the archer as if the pain no longer meant anything to him, and delivered a decisive blow that ended his life, as if that was the answer to the pain he had caused.
---
... After the battle ...
Adonis sat on a rock at the edge of the field, his back straight but looking as if he was fighting a deadly exhaustion. His injured shoulder was wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, and his disheveled hair clung to his forehead. He stared at the ground in front of him, his blue eyes having lost their usual sparkle, now holding a shadow of sadness he had never shown before.
A soldier approached, a clear worry on his face:
"Sir, your injury looks serious. You must receive treatment!"
He replied in a low voice, almost a whisper, but as firm as ever:
"It's just a scratch. There are those who need me more than I need treatment."
Despite his strong words, his hand trembled slightly, and his thumb pressed into his fist as if trying to control something internal.
---
... In the palace ...
The hall was lit by luxurious chandeliers that reflected their brilliance on the faces of those present, but Adonis, who entered late, seemed out of place in this splendor. His steps were slow but steady, despite the obvious pain that weighed down his movement. His injured shoulder was wrapped in white bandages, but the bloodstains that began to seep through betrayed that his wound had not yet healed. His pale face bore prominent lines of fatigue, and his blue eyes looked dim as if their brilliance had lost battles no less harsh than those he had fought on the field.
The Emperor raised his goblet high, trying to break the charged silence:
"This victory belongs to you, heroes, especially our brave leader Adonis. I wanted the Prince to accompany you in battle to learn courage from you, but he refused."
Heliabor laughed coldly and slowly approached the central table where the Emperor stood, saying in a voice that carried mockery:
"Why should I go when I have those who reap victories for me?"
Adonis stepped forward with confident strides, despite the weakness that made his breaths heavy, and said in a calm but pain-laden voice:
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, I apologize for accepting your invitation tonight. We have lost many soldiers in this war. These men sacrificed their lives for us, and celebration is not so simple."
The sound of Empress Imiphaera's heels clicking cut through the tension, and she advanced with excessive confidence, her eyes carrying a coldness befitting one who paid no heed to the lives of others. She said in a mocking tone:
"You speak these arrogant words because you stand before your father, isn't that so? Never forget who you are, you are just the son of a traitor."
Adonis drew a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes held a shadow of suppressed anger. He said calmly, as if each word he uttered pressed on his open wound:
"I know very well who I am. I don't think there is any confusion about it. We don't even share the same name, so how could he be my father?"
Heliabor grew angry and raised his voice:
"How dare you answer the Empress in such a way?"
He lunged to raise his hand to slap Adonis, but the latter seized his wrist with unexpected force. The veins in his injured hand stood out, and his tired face turned into a mask of rigid composure. His eyes pierced Heliabor, and he smiled with bitter sarcasm:
"Many see you as a threat to the Empire. It is said that you love drinking and women and spend your time in amusement, you don't even know how to wield a sword."
Then he released his hand harshly as if