(Noah's POV)
"Noah~"
The door creaked open.
The soft scent of jasmine drifted in first—then Layla, tiptoeing in with a wooden tray in her hands. Steam curled from a bowl of porridge, accompanied by neatly sliced fruits and a tiny flask of warm mana tea.
She wore a loose white tunic, her long black hair tied into a lazy side braid, and her amber eyes glimmered like embers. She looked calm. Normal. Like nothing in the world had changed.
But for me?
Everything had.
I didn't move.
I couldn't.
The vision still clung to me like smoke. I could smell the ashes. Hear the screams. See the hollow eyes of the woman with the harp… and Olivia, falling into oblivion.
My hands trembled beneath the sheets.
Layla tilted her head.
"What's with that expression?" she asked, placing the tray gently on the side table. "Did you have a nightmare?"
Nightmare?
No.
I lived it.
But I couldn't tell her. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
If she knew what I saw… if anyone did…
Would they break the way I had?
She walked closer and crouched beside the bed, resting her chin on the edge of the mattress. Her voice dropped to a playful whisper.
"Don't tell me you're still sulking because we made you stay in bed today?"
I didn't reply.
My heart was still racing. I could feel the cold sweat trickling down my spine.
Layla's smile faltered.
Her eyes scanned me with unusual seriousness.
"…Noah?"
I turned away slightly, trying to collect myself.
"I just… had a dream."
It slipped out before I could stop it.
Her ears perked, but I quickly added, "It wasn't a good one."
"Bad… how bad?" she asked softly.
I shook my head. "Like watching the world burn while you're paralyzed. Just watching."
She blinked.
And then gave a tiny pout. "You're being cryptic again, you know."
I almost laughed. It was strange—how easily she could bring warmth into a room that had gone cold inside me.
She didn't press. Maybe she sensed I wasn't ready.
Instead, she carefully slid the tray in front of me and stood.
"Eat. You may be made of celestial stardust and divine flames now," she said, sticking her tongue out, "but your body still needs real food."
I glanced at the food. The fruit looked bright. Alive. The tea steamed like comfort. But my stomach twisted with guilt.
I had seen a world where all of this was gone. Where she was gone. Where everyone I loved was dust.
How could I eat after that?
But then again…
That was why I needed to.
I couldn't break now.
Not when I had people who would casually walk in, bring me breakfast, tease me with a smile… and unknowingly anchor me to reality.
With shaking hands, I picked up the spoon.
Layla grinned.
"That's my Noah~"
Then she plopped onto the nearby couch and stretched out, her arms above her head like a sleepy cat. "We'll give you some time before your training resumes. Mom said not to let you run wild . You've earned a small vacation."
I ate in silence while she hummed softly.
But the vision didn't leave.
Those black and violet flames.
Those masked figures.
The corrupted heroes.
The harp.
The bow.
And that man… who saw me.
That should have been impossible.
[Clairvoyance] didn't let the user interfere. It made you a ghost—a watcher.
But he saw me.
And that woman…
Who was she?
She didn't speak. Didn't laugh. Didn't even show hatred. Only a terrifying, complete emptiness.
And yet, when she fired that arrow…
She cried blood.
There was something inside her. Or… someone?
I couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't just a monster.
She was once…
Human.
Maybe even someone like me.
And Olivia…
My chest tightened.
Even if it was just a vision—watching her die like that…
It made something break inside me.
I couldn't let that future come true.
I wouldn't.
As I was eating with a tense look on my face, I knew Layla will notice me.
She has always been observant especially with me.
The only reason she is silent because she trust me that I will tell her what ever the problem is or I will be fine.
After I finished eating, Layla put the tray aside and went to bathroom.
I didn't understand why she did that until she came back wearing loose clothes normally wore as sleep wear.
I knew it.
She was not going to leave me alone after all.
"Come, Noah~."
She climed to bed and lay on one side gently tapping the bed for me to join her.
I simply lay down beside her. Now it was not awkward at all.
Moreover, I feel safe around her.
Just as I went to bed and tried to sleep, Layla came closer, her hand reached my
Waist and other coiled around my neck while ruffling my hair.
I looked at her eyes.
Those amber eyes— Caring, Gentle, Beautiful, Kind all at once which are trying to say, "Don't worry I am here. Every thing will be fine."
"Layla-," I tried to say something before Layla close the distance and our lips met — gentle at first then with a hungry passion her lips moved fiercely.
I was caught in sudden attack that I nearly forgot what to do?
Yes, this is Layla. Until now she had been very controlled because I was happy and that's what important for her. But now after watching me depressed like this maybe something inside her snapped.
Her lips continued to press on mine. If that wasn't enough then occasionally nibbling my lips softly while making eye contact.
I was getting out of breath when she suddenly let me out for a sec just to resume her lips again.
This time she was more fierce, her tongue reached slipped my lips reaching inside my mouth. A battle for dominance was started i didn't back at all, neither did she. We continued kissing each other like some hungry beast as if this is the only thing left for us to do.
But just now only did I notice something. She was continuously patting my back and ruffling my hair.
She was trying to comfort me all this time, so that I don't feel bad for something, she wasn't even aware yet.
She is helping me to clear my head.
What more can I ask from a life partner?
To have such understanding.
Aren't I blessed?
I hugged her back and reciprocated even more now.
Layla understanding my intention came even closer. Our body touch each other.
But none of us wanting to stop.
But Alas! We both got out of breath after few minutes.
Our lips parted by a silver thread of saliva connecting us together.
Haa...haaaa....haaaaa....
Gasping for our breath we both looked at each other flushed, lips swollen a little.
"Do you feel good now?" she asked me.
"Yeah. All Thanks to you or maybe your lips," I said as my finger brushed her lips.
"Don't worry honey. They are all yours," Layla replied with a laugh.
"Thank You. Layla," I said and this time I was serious I really needed this.
To think with a cool mind.
"Ok, enough being serious. Come here," Layla said as she brought my head to her bosom and kept stroking my head.
"Let me help you sleep today.
It will be sweet dream mode sleep—Layla edition.
Whether in sleep or not only dream about me.
Dear husband.❤️"
Hearing her say those words something stirs inside me.
"Now your wife Layla will sing a song for you which will give a night of blissful dreams."
Ah! She was going to sing. It never happened before.
I never knew she could actually sing.
Third person (POV):
(Layla started singing for Noah)
(softly humming at first... then words begin)
🎵 🎶 🎵🎶
"Close your eyes, my lovely flame,
Let the stars forget your name.
Rest your sword, your weary soul,
In my arms, you're safe and whole."
"No more shadows, no more cries,
Just the hush of velvet skies.
Let my heartbeat guide your way,
Where the pain will drift away."
🎵 🎶
"Walk the fields of silver mist,
Where the moon and morning kissed.
Chase no foes, no fate to bend—
Only dreams that never end."
(soft hum again... fingers brushing through his hair)
"Mmm-mmm…
Hmm-hmm-hmmm…
Mmm-mmm…
You're safe now…
With me…"
🎵 🎶
"Lay your fire down tonight,
Melt into the quiet light.
Let the world be still and kind,
Let the storm leave you behind."
"In your dreams, be light as wind,
With no sins you need to mend.
Sleep, my love… just sleep and see—
Every dream will start with me."
(a final hum, lips near his ear)
"Hmm-hmm… sleep…
My flame…
With me…
Forever free…"
🎵🎶 Hmm-hmm..
Just like that both of them finally drifted to sleep while letting go of his depressing thoughts.
To be continued....
A/N:
Hey everyone, it's been a while~
So... what did you think of Layla's lullaby?
Sweet, right?
Like damn—I'm here writing chapters at 2 AM, lonely in my hard chair and this guy Noah is out here living the dream on her chest. 😩
Honestly… I'm jealous.
I hope Layla is asleep or I'm done for.
(Please, Layla—don't turn me into ash 🥲)
Anyway!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you felt—about the lullaby, the kiss, the mood. I always love reading your thoughts.
Alright, someone's knocking at my door…
If I don't return…
Tell Scarlett she was my first crush .😭
—Your Author ❤️