The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 177: hold on

Chapter 177: hold on

"Ernest," Anastasia repeated the name. She did not know why but after hearing his name she did not doubt him so much.

But she had learned to be cautious after living with Duchess Anita.

"Can I ask a question?" Anastasia asked. She was almost certain that he was the man that had really saved her.

Ernest looked at her he wondered what question she would have to ask but he still nods her head.

"Why did you give the credit of saving me to the Marchant?" Anastasia asked. She felt that if she asjed him directly he would definitely refuse to admit that he was the one that saved her.

Ernest was shocked, he always felt that she was in a half conscious state and might not not remember what the person who saved her looks like. He did not expect her to recognize him.

"How do you know is me?" Ernest answered her question with a question of his own. He did not want to lie to her so he could only find a way to change the conversation.

Anastasia saw the surprise in his face when she asked the question. She guess he did not expect her to recognize him. "Your voice," Anastasia answered honestly. Although she still had doubts she felt that if she hoped for the man to be honest with her she needs to fight because honestly to him.

Ernest gaze turned a bit strange, when he was helping her he had complained about many things. He wondered if she heard them all. "I did not speak to you, you were half conscious when I found you, your sense could not have been so good right?" Ernest asked. He looked at her with eyes filled with curiosity.

"You are yet to answer my question," Anastasia decided not to answer his second question and returned to her previous question.

"If I said I don’t like leaving my name after good deeds would you believe me?" Ernest asked.

Anastasia frown, she felt this reason was far fetch but she really could not think of another reason. After all, he clearly did not look like he wanted to harm her.

"You really don’t like to leave your name behind after a good deed?" Anastasia asked.

"Yes, it was like one time... About a month ago a saved a lady from balmost been tremble by a horse. I did not leave my name behind. Good deed brings good fortune," Ernest said seriously. Since he could not tell her of his forbidden feelings or his real reason he might as well joke about.

Anastasia upon hearing those words paused. About a month ago, she almost died when she went out shopping with Elizabeth and her cousin. "Do you know the exact date?" Anastasia asked. He heart beating with a bit of anticipation even if she was not sure what to expect.

"A day before the crown prince wedding," Ernest said. Even if he knew his forbidden feelings could only be buried forever he still selfishly wanted her to remember him.

Anastasia frown, his words that morning after saving her began to make more sense. Indeed she was always in a bad pace when she meet this man.

"I also almost got tremble by a horse before my wedding," Anastasia said in a casual tone. "Where did this lady almost get killed?" Anastasia askedm she was curious to know what his answer will be.

"Marchant Street, I was actually drinking tea at a tent opposite the situation," Ernest said.

Anastasia paused, she was now sure he knew more about her that she was aware of, thinking about the situation it seems seem they have met five times. Out of this time had saved her four times and she had spilled her drink the fifth time. This was really unexpected.

"Do you really not just like leaving your name?" Anastasia asked.

Ernest looked at her and smiled, "I don’t like leaving my name unless I intend to gain some benefits," Ernest answered. This was part true.

Anastasia frown, "surely you will be rewarded for serving the princess?" Anastasia raised her brows feeling that there was something wrong with his words.

"I know, but it’s a time for war, I should be resting or training not ran off to the forest at Lowe pass to hunt. Even if I am rewarded for serving you, I will still be punished. The reward is not Worth it," Ernest answered.

His answer made perfect sense so she decided to stop. Anyway as long as she knows something in her heart it was enough.

The two keep quiet and continue to warm by the fire. Anastasia noticed from time to time that Ernest would frown in pain. Although she was not let certain if this man was a friend or foe but at the moment he had saved her life and she wanted to do something for him.

She looked outside and seeing the vegetation she hated herself for not reading those old books left behind her mother so deligently. This way, she might be able to look around and see if there was any suitable herb.

As time pass Ernest gaze continue to turn pale, Anastasia watched with anxiety. She wanted to call her hand together and pray but with one hand injured it was really next to impossible.

She could only close her eyes and pray that rescues would come soon.

"So you think we are hiding to deep under the slope?" Anastasia asked. She wondered why no group of people had come to save them after all judging from the palace they fell anyone with a bit of brain would search the area under the slope first.

"Maybe there is an emergency, someone would find us soon," Ernest said in a Lowe voice.

Seeing him so pala made her very worried. She was not a person to worry so much about a strange’s situation. She could feel sad or angry at that time the situation but never anxious.

"Then try to hold on," Anastasia advice, balling her fist. She prayed to be fin too.

Ernest force a smile to reassure Anastasia he knew he could not hold on anymore but he did not one to scare her

He relaxed his back against the body of the slope responding from time to time, when Anastasia spoke.

The they both kept quiet for a long time. After a while, Anastasia heard foot steps and voices coming towards them. She smiled hoping that they have been found.

"I think we have been found," Anastasia said and looked at Ernest who had his eyes close but there was no answer.

"Ernest.... Ernest.... Ernest," she called out in panick.