The Cherished Wife

"Silly girl," Charles said with a gentle tease, flicking Noelle's nose affectionately. "Look at me. I'm totally fine. There's not a scratch on me." He gently stroked her cheek, trying to ease her worries. "Don't worry. I knew I'd be okay. That's why I had to draw them away by myself." "But..."

Noelle still felt uneasy. She still hated the thought of losing him. She would rather face any danger by his side, even if it meant their end could come at any moment. "I can't bear the thought of facing danger without you again."

Charles let out a heavy sigh and pulled Noelle into a tight hug. They flopped down onto the bed, gazing into each other's eyes. "I messed up this time. I promise I won't leave you behind again, okay?"

"Okay!" Noelle spun around and clung to Charles, pressing her face into the warmth of his chest.

With one arm wrapped around her, Charles used his other hand to gently soothe Noelle's back. "You got a bit scared today, huh?"

in Noelle's mind. She had not actually seen any blood, but

save you. Those guys aren't from around here. They snuck into the country, and nobody here has heard of them. They're

seized on the word. "That's what Steven said when he came to my rescue. So, they're really assassins?

got this

get you. If they don't get

talk it over

failure, they probably won't try again anytime soon. Feeling sleepy?". Charles glanced at his watch to see as four in the morning. "You

tension melted away when she saw him safe and sound. Now, the full weight of her fatigue hit her. Charles tenderly ran his fingers through Noelle's hair, gently twirling the strands, and soothingly rubbed her back.

Noelle's anxiety to fade, and