The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 272: Hurt (3)

After Rafael returned with food, Annalise laid on his bed to get some rest after a long eventful day. Rafael joined her in bed and laid with her as they did the night before. Annalise rested her head on his left arm while his right arm held her in place to lay close to him. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

As it became late in the night and the corridors were empty because everyone had gone to bed, Annalise opened her eyes since it was her time to start moving around.

She couldn’t sleep when she knew her people had to have followed her back here. Before they could attempt to attack and take her home, she wanted to sneak out to have a word with them. Inform them of her plan to leave once she reunites with Thomas.

Annalise laid silent, listening to Rafael behind her. His warm breath was on her neck and she felt his chest rising and falling because of how close they were. He claimed to not need any rest, but as soon as he joined her in bed and she pretended to be asleep, Rafael fell into a deep slumber.

She started to think that he was lying about her sharing his bed did not make it easier for him to sleep. How could he think of anything else when she was in his arms?

Annalise carefully moved to place her hand over his so she could attempt to move his hand from holding her without waking him. Trying to move Rafael’s hand caused him to shift in his sleep and hold Annalise even tighter.

’Wonderful,’ Annalise thought, smacking her face with her hand.

She waited again and when it seemed like he was in deep sleep again, Annalise tried to move his hand once more.

"What are you doing, Annalise?" Rafael’s voice came from behind her. "Where are you trying to run off to?"

"Seriously, what would it take for you to just sleep at night like everyone else? I want to go get water and no, you cannot go get it for me. I have two legs that work just fine. Can you please let go of me? You hold me like I am someone who tends to roll off the bed," Annalise said, trying once again to move his hand. It was like a big tree had fallen on her.

"I hold you because you are someone to try to sneak off in the middle of the night," Rafael replied, loosening his hold on her so she could leave to get her water. "You are not attempting to lock yourself in your room are you?"

"No," Annalise answered, sliding to the edge of the bed. "I will be right back. Can you please trust that I am not trying to run away from you and stay here? I don’t want it to be as if I do not have to lift a finger or not walk for what I want. I am not the type of person to laze around even though I enjoy you being like my servant."

"You don’t get much sleep. I wish I had not woken you," Annalise said, looking at Rafael as she sat at the edge of the bed. "You are a lighter sleeper than I am. You need to find a way to be able to sleep like normal at night. One of these days, you might not have the energy you need when you are fighting someone and you will be seriously wounded. Would it be alright if I make you tea in the kitchen?"

"Yes," Rafael replied. She was free to use any part of this house.

Annalise walked around the bed to go to the door. "Good. Stay here and try to get more sleep. I will bring you tea along with my water. Consider this me returning a favour after you brought me food earlier."

She hoped he would find her actions romantic and stay here while she sneaked outside. She was trying to keep everyone safe by having a talk with who was sent to take her home. No one needed to fight to keep her on either side.

Annalise exited the bedroom and closed the door behind her. Before she started to walk, she looked down at the dress she picked from her room shortly after Rafael returned with food. She already had planned to sneak out late in the night and going outside in one of Rafael’s shirts was not a good idea so she went for a dress.

Annalise started to walk down the corridor to the first floor which was quiet as everyone else was asleep. At least she hoped they were. Now was not the time she wanted to bump into someone looking for a late-night conversation.

Annalise went to the kitchen instead of trying to sneak out one of the doors just yet. She was aware of the knights roaming the home to look out for danger and wanted to check first for any blindspots she could use to sneak out. It was late and though the knights were eager to protect the family, they would sit around at some point or talk to each other to help stay awake.

Annalised entered the kitchen and went straight to one of the windows to look out to see where the knights were walking. She spotted two of them walking around right away. "One of you must be slacking off," she muttered, moving to another window. "Of course none of you are," she sighed when she spotted another knight moving around.

They didn’t appear to be tired and stood guard as they did in the day. If she were to sneak out now, she would most likely be caught. To be spotted and have the knights keeping an eye on her as she walked around or them attacking her thinking she was another spy was something she wouldn’t be able to explain to Rafael without looking suspicious after she said she was just going to the kitchen.

Annalise tapped her fingers on the counter. Unfortunately, she would not be able to speak to her people and tell them about her leaving soon. She could only hope that they would not make any attempt to take her tonight or tomorrow. That they would continue to follow her until she was alone.

Annalise moved away from the window and started to look around for a pot to make the tea she promised Rafael. His inability to get a good rest worried her and she wished Thomas would have gathered all the ingredients she needed to make her mother’s tea to help Rafael sleep.

Knocking him out was still an option, but she didn’t think he would want to take it.

After putting a pot of water over a fire, Annalise leaned back on the counter to wait for it to be finished. She continued to look out one of the windows in case an opportunity would present itself for her to sneak out.

Minutes later when she was putting together a good mix of leaves she found in the kitchen to add to the hot water, Annalise heard footsteps coming toward the kitchen and looked over her shoulder. She expected it would be Rafael unable to stay in bed alone, but to her surprise, it was River with an empty glass jar in his hands.

"Good night Mr-"

"Just River is fine and it is actually morning at this time. Beatrice wakes in the middle of the night looking for water to drink and then goes back to sleep. I forgot to fill it," River said, raising the jar slightly as he explained why he was there. "Tea? Is it for you or for my son."

Annalise got the feeling that River knew she was spending the night with his son. Still, she didn’t want to confirm his thoughts. "It is for me," she answered.

"I see," he said, going to the sink to fill the jar with water. After a short moment of silence, he asked, "Are you a long way from home, Annalise?"