Chapter 181: Are you feeling better?

"Who was that man?" Strax asked, stepping back a little from Cristine. They had been too close, which made them both somewhat embarrassed. But there was no time for sentimentality; the murderous aura from that man was far worse than anything he had ever felt in his life.

"Elites of the Association..." Cristine murmured, still a bit flushed after realizing what she had done with Strax—feeling his body that way. It was a problem for her as she was suppressing some things.

"Elite? Are they all like that?" Strax asked, looking around while maintaining his camouflage with the Night King's Steps. Cristine did the same, using her shadowy steps to blend into the air, but their voices could still be heard if someone approached.

"Honestly, I don't know completely. My branch has always been focused solely on your family's Duchy, so I'm seeking more information. The Elders are easier to handle; the problem is with the Elites, which is why we came here," Cristine said, panting. She seemed... "Are you okay?" Strax asked. She nodded, "Yes... I just... ah..." She couldn't finish her sentence, her body visibly trembling.

Her legs buckled, and she leaned on Strax to avoid falling.

"Oops," Strax said, catching her and helping her sit on a nearby stone ledge, his expression now darker. "What's going on? You didn't look like this before."

"It's just... sudden fatigue," Cristine explained with difficulty, trying to regain control. "I wasn't prepared for the intensity of that man's murderous aura. Combined with recent stress, it's affecting me more than I expected."

Strax frowned, assessing the situation. "You should rest a bit before continuing. There might be more dangers around, and you need to be in condition to handle them."

"I know," Cristine replied, still panting. "I'll recover quickly. Just... keep watch."

Strax nodded, keeping a vigilant eye around while Cristine took deep breaths to regain her strength.

"I'll stay close to you," Strax said, trying to offer some comfort. "Don't worry too much, no one will see you like this."

Cristine looked at him, her eyes still somewhat glazed but with a glimmer of gratitude. "Thank you. I... guess the stress is really getting to me. I just need a moment."

As she tried to compose herself, Cristine's face went pale, and her legs started to tremble alarmingly. Without warning, she collapsed, falling to the ground with a soft sigh. Strax, on high alert, was momentarily paralyzed before quickly leaning in to help her.

"Christin!" Strax exclaimed, his voice filled with panic as he lifted her in his arms. His eyes widened at her unconscious expression. "No! What's happening?"

He quickly examined her, trying to gauge the seriousness of the situation. The stress and weakness seemed to have done more damage than he had imagined. His heart raced, each second felt like an eternity as he checked if she was breathing normally.

"This fool... how long has she gone without sleep? This isn't just stress or some nonsense; her body was already at its limit," Strax said, struggling to stay calm. Realizing that his priority now was to ensure Cristine's safety and that she would regain consciousness, he cradled her securely in his arms like a princess.

"It looks like stress defeated her," Strax murmured, concern evident in his voice. "I need to find a safe place to rest. We can't stay here too long."

The nearest motel seemed to be the most viable option, considering the urgent need for a safe place and the distance to the inn they were staying at, which was too far to travel in such a critical situation.

The sense of safety provided by Strax helped dispel the memories of the nightmare, and she started to breathe more calmly.

"Thank you," she said with a trembling voice.

The warmth of Strax's presence and the security of his embrace were beginning to bring an unexpected comfort to Cristine.

She felt something deeper and new stirring inside her, something not merely gratitude but something she had never experienced before.

As her breathing steadied and the fear began to dissipate, Cristine pulled back slightly to look into Strax's eyes.

The eye contact between them was intense and charged with unspoken emotions.

She was beginning to realize the depth of her feelings, something that challenged her cold and calculated nature.

Strax noticed the change in Cristine's expression and, with a gentle gesture, brushed his hand along the side of her face, as if wanting to reassure her that she was truly okay. "Do you feel better?" he asked kindly, waiting for a response.

Cristine nodded slowly, her eyes locked on his.

Strax's touch, though subtle, seemed to ignite something within her that had long been dormant.

Her feelings were in conflict, but there was a growing clarity that she was starting to see Strax in a very different light.

"I am," Cristine replied, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I never thought I could feel something like this." They were so close that she could feel his breath against her.

With a gentle gesture, he tilted his head slightly, as if inviting Cristine to take the next step. Well, he had already suspected something like this could happen, so there was no reason to pretend it wasn't.

Without thinking much, Cristine leaned towards Strax, her eyes fixed on his with an unexpected intensity. She hesitated for a moment, struggling against the overwhelming sensation consuming her.

But she didn't mind doing what she wanted.

Their lips met in a soft kiss, a tentative attempt to express the complex feelings emerging inside her.

The kiss was brief but intense, filled with raw and sincere emotions. When they pulled apart, Cristine's eyes were filled with a mix of vulnerability and insecurity. She seemed surprised by what she had done, and Strax, still with the touch of her lips on his, smiled gently.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked.

"Yes..."