Chapter 71 - WHAT IS LOVE?

No matter how many times Violet pressed for an answer, Veronica had the same answer that she didn't have any relationship with him. There was nothing more she could say.

Laticia remarked, "He is Arthur, isn't he? I've seen him in the palace before. All the girls have the hots for him. He doesn't refuse beautiful women either. If you like him, get him before anyone snatches him. Or you will lose him to another."

"Like…" Veronica pondered deeply and then commented, "I don't hate him. Can't it be considered as liking?"

"You… don't tell me you are clueless about these kinds of things." Violet gaped at her. She couldn't believe her ears.

Veronica felt slightly embarrassed as the two healers gave her astounded gaze. She stated, "It's not that I didn't read romance books. I just don't know what it feels like to like someone. How will I know if I like him?"

Violet let out a sigh and patted her shoulder saying, "Girl, you need to think about your emotions a bit."

"Think about my emotions…" Veronica repeated the words. "Like reading my emotions? I have to sense it or something?"

Her questions made those two realize how confused she had become.

Violet told her, "Liking or loving someone means you will think of him constantly."

Veronica thought of her lively friend and commented, "I do think of my friend Catherine constantly. She is my best friend and I love her. Does it mean I'm into women?"

Laticia understood that leaving this to Violet wouldn't work. She said, "When you are close to him, your heart will flutter and you will feel butterflies in your stomach. You will feel nervous and excited at the same time. When he is away from you, you will think of him. Your emotions will go on a rampage."

"…Rampage?" Veronica's head became more and more muddled. Her head couldn't process everything Laticia was saying.

Laticia explained, "Like your heartbeat will increase whenever you think of him or see him."

Violent agreed and went along with her friend, "Yes, yes, your heart will pound harder as though you had run a marathon."

"Marathon?" Veronica was even more puzzled. She couldn't figure out how her heart could beat so rapidly without running a marathon.

She had read a medical book once and there she read rapid heartbeats weren't good for health. She said, "I think I will pass on loving or liking someone."

"What?" Violet looked confused.

"Loving someone isn't good for the heart or the body. Why should I fall for someone knowing that?" Veronica questioned her in a matter-of-fact voice.

Violet: "…"

She forgot to utter another word. Veronica's thoughts were so rational that she didn't know what to say. Furthermore, she felt like she should agree with her (Veronica).

Leticia sighed. "You are right. Loving someone is painful. If that love is unrequited, it hurts even more. Arthur is a downright ladies' man. Falling in love with him means enduring hardships. It's better if you don't fall for him. You will get only pain in the end, not him. Veronica is so wise."

It had been a while since someone called her wise or intelligent. After meeting Arthur, she had begun to think that she was the dumbest person in the world. After being complimented by Leticia, she regained her former confidence.

Veronica gave her a bright smile and shyly responded, "It's nothing like that. I just don't want to walk into the unknown future."

Leticia couldn't agree more. "It's normal to think that way."

She added, "Before cherishing others, one must cherish themselves. This way, others will start cherishing you."

Veronica placed her hand on Leticia's arms and said, "Thank you for telling me this. No one had ever told me this before."

Leticia replied, "Don't mention it. As long as it helps."

Veronica wiped her mouth and placed the empty bowl on the table. "I'm full. I want to sleep. It was a tiring day."

Violet shared her opinion, "It was indeed. You have found the enemies and came back in one piece. You must be dead tired. Hurry up and sleep. You don't have to work tomorrow. Take as much rest as you want."

Leticia also agreed with her. "Violet is right. Seeing you in one piece and breathing is what makes me happier. We thought we lost you forever when we couldn't find you anywhere. We weren't sure about your whereabouts but kept praying for you."

Veronica smiled. She was touched by their kindness. "Thank you for praying. I think that's what gave me strength. Good night everyone."

Leticia replied, "Good night."

"Sweet dreams!" Violet gave a rather cheerful response.

Veronica covered herself with the blanket and shut her eyes. In spite of being tired, she kept thinking about tonight's incident. The world was more dangerous than she thought.

Right after sneaking out of the temple, she got tricked by a man, almost got raped, was chased by assassins, her neck was about to be sliced, nearly got captured by enemy soldiers etc.

Thinking about all that made her shiver. However, despite all that, she had wonderful times with Arthur and other people. She saved herself four times from dangers. She learned about the world. She learned the hidden story about her country and Goddess Juvena. She began training under Saint Ava. She understood what hunger and thirst were.

The best thing she could ever hope for – she rescued the missing healers. In her eyes, it was her biggest achievement. All her achievements in the past few months wouldn't happen without Arthur's assistance. She was grateful to him.

Thinking of Arthur, she realized that she would be sleeping alone from today. The warmth she felt at night and the unique odor that had become quite familiar to her was nowhere close to her.

'Aah, I can't fall asleep,' she thought. She shut her eyes and tried to sleep but she couldn't do it. She recalled when the soldiers teased her for being with Arthur.

Thinking about that made her face flush. Her heartbeat increased. 'I can't believe I'm thinking about this.'

In the end, she fell asleep at dawn because she couldn't control her imagination and racing heart. By the time she woke up, it was noon. She freshened up and went to look for Adam, the chef.

"Yo, miss!" Adam noticed her and called out to her. "I've heard a lot about you last night. You have become a hero."

"Oh please," Veronica bashfully averted her gaze. "I'm glad you are safe."

"Of course I am." Adam slapped his chest. "Although I'm a cook, I'm also a trained soldier you know. I was appointed to cook for everyone only because my cooked food is edible. If you eat others' cooking here, you will faint and never wake up. I can promise you that much."

Veronica laughed. "That sounds terrifying."

Adam commented, "It is terrifying. By the way, I'm glad you are safe and sound. I hope you aren't hurt."

Veronica answered, "Nope. I'm perfectly healthy. A healer took care of my injuries."

"Those Riverhill bastards! When I get them, I'll finish them off," Adam swore. He served Veronica breakfast and said, "Just you wait Miss, I will tear those bastards' throats and hang them for your sake."

"Cough!" Veronica almost choked upon hearing his words. She lost her appetite completely. She wiped her mouth and hurriedly said, "You don't have to go that far. I was able to bring the missing healers and I'm fine with it."

"Oh, that's too bad." Adam scratched his cheek. "I was getting all fired up thinking about getting revenge on them."

"That aside, shouldn't there be  a battle going on today?" Veronica mentioned. "The camp is filled with people. Did the battle got postponed?"

Adam burst out in laughter. "Haha, what do you think? It was a trap set by us. We would have called for a battle soon but they sneak attacked us at night once again. We got scattered. So, we had to delay our plan. Later, we regrouped and continued with our plan. We called for a battle but last night we sneak attacked them. They were completely unprepared and caught with their pants down. Ahahaha! I had so much fun killing."

Veronica's throat was dry. She gulped down a glass of water and then said, "I see. That was the plan. But how did Arthur know about your sneak attack? He seemed to be prepared."

"Oh, don't you know?" Adam sounded puzzled. He was surprised and then explained the situation, "It was him who gave us the signal to attack last night. We had been hiding close to the enemy camp for three days, you know."

"Arthur knew?!" It was Veronica's time to be surprised.

Adam told her, "I'm astonished that you had no clue. I thought you two were working together."

"We were but to think he would hide it from me…" Veronica looked down and did her best to control her emotions. When she couldn't, she smiled at Adam and said, "It looks like I have to talk to him." Although her lips were smiling, her eyes were not.