4. A New Beginning

Sophia stared in disbelief as the car pulled up in front of a massive, elegant villa.

"This… this is where you live?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.

Elijah glanced at her and nodded.

"Arthur Palace," he said casually. "Home, for now."

He loved Sophia’s bewildered state.

Sophia’s eyes widened as she took in the towering pillars, the sprawling gardens, and the grand entrance. She had never seen anything like it.

"I thought… I thought you were just some arrogant soldier," she muttered.

It’s not that she was from a poor family but it was more than her expectations.

Elijah smirked.

"A soldier, yes. But arrogant? Maybe," he said with a shrug.

"I like to keep people guessing. Come inside."

He encouraged Sophia to walk ahead.

Sophia felt the cool air as they stepped in and smelled the fresh flowers that decorated the luxurious interior. She couldn’t help but feel out of place.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked cautiously.

"You don’t even know me," her voice was mixed with surprise.

As if she couldn’t believe that anyone would accept her.

Elijah stopped and turned to her.

"Because I owe you," he said simply.

"And because you deserve better."

He reached for her veil. Sophia instinctively pulled back.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, her hands flying to her face.

"Let me see," Elijah said, his tone softer.

"You don’t need to hide."

She hesitated, fear gripping her heart.

"I don’t like people seeing… this," she murmured, her fingers trembling on the fabric.

She was afraid to be mocked by Elijah like others did with her.

"Trust me," Elijah said, his voice gentle but firm.

Slowly, she allowed him to remove the veil. She watched his face closely, expecting disgust.

Surprisingly, she couldn’t find that in his eyes.

On the other hand, Elijah didn’t flinch.

He looked at her scarred face with calm eyes, and momentarily, she saw something like compassion.

"Does it hurt?" he asked gently.

Sophia blinked, shocked.

"N-not anymore," she whispered, her voice wavering.

"Good," Elijah said. "Because we’re going to fix it."

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat.

"Fix… it? How?" she asked, unsure whether to feel hope or fear.

Elijah nodded. "I’m going to help you heal," he said.

"But you have to trust me."

She studied his face, searching for any hint of mockery or deception.

Finding none, she nodded slowly.

"Okay… I trust you," she replied, though a part of her still felt nervous.

He led her to a room with a large bed and motioned for her to sit.

"Take off your clothes," he instructed, his tone matter-of-fact.

Sophia’s eyes widened, and she clutched her dress.

"W-What? W-Why?" she stammered.

"Are you trying to humiliate me?"

Elijah sighed, shaking his head.

"Relax, Sophia," he said.

"I need to treat your burns. The medicine needs to be applied everywhere."

She still hesitated, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Turn around," she muttered.

Elijah smiled and turned his back to her.

"I’m not here to hurt you," he said over his shoulder.

"I just want to help."

Sophia took a deep breath and slowly began to undress, feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Elijah turned back around and carefully applied the medicine to her burns and wounds, his hands gentle.

"This might sting a bit," he warned.

Sophia winced, but his touch was surprisingly tender.

"Why are you so different from what I expected?" she asked, her voice soft, almost shy.

Elijah chuckled.

"And what did you expect? A brute who only knows how to fight?" he replied, smiling.

"Something like that," Sophia admitted, a small smile playing on her lips.

"You’re not what you seem."

Elijah wrapped her in gauze, his expression thoughtful.

"Neither are you," he said quietly.

"You’re stronger than you think."

...

Days passed, and Sophia’s wounds began to heal.

During her ten-day recovery, Elijah was always there, making her laugh, sharing stories, and even cooking meals.

She found herself smiling more and more.

"I think I’m falling in love," she thought to herself, blushing.

Elijah seemed to sense the change.

"You seem happier," he remarked one evening as they sat on the terrace, watching the sunset.

Sophia nodded, her cheeks pink.

"I am. Thanks to you," she said.

He smiled at her slightly, guessing that he was able to give her happiness.

...

Ten days later, Elijah carefully removed the gauze from her face and body.

As he peeled away the last layer, Sophia saw herself in the mirror.

Her reflection took her breath away.

Her skin was smooth, her scars nearly gone.

She looked… beautiful.

"Is this… really me?" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

Elijah stood behind her, smiling.

"Yes, Sophia. This is you," he said.

"The real you."

Sophia turned to him, her heart swelling with emotion.

"Thank you, Elijah," she said, her voice choked with gratitude.

"Thank you for giving me back my face."

Elijah reached out and gently touched her cheek.

"No one will ever hurt you again," he promised.

"Not while I’m around."

Sophia’s eyes shone with tears.

"I… I believe you," she whispered.

Later, Sophia decided to take a bath.

"I need to clear my head," she said, trying to steady her emotions.

She slipped into the warm water, feeling more at peace than she had in years.

While she bathed, Doug arrived at Arthur Palace.

He handed Elijah a folder. "Here’s the information about the four major families," he said.

Elijah took the folder but didn’t open it.

"Thanks, Doug," he said.

"But I’m not interested right now."

Doug raised an eyebrow.

"You’re not? That’s new. What’s changed, Marshal?" he asked stunned.

Elijah chortled.

"I came here for peace, not war. At least for now," he said, glancing toward the bathroom where Sophia was.

"I just want to spend time with her."

Doug nodded, understanding.

"Alright, I’ll head back to the South. Call me if you need anything."

Elijah inclined. "I will."

Before leaving, Doug added with a sly grin, "You’re going soft, Dragon Marshal."

Elijah smirked.

"Maybe," he said, "or maybe I’m just finally waking up."

Doug laughed. "Fair enough. But don’t go too soft. The South still needs its Dragon."

He was trying to maintain his posture to show respect to the Marshal.

Elijah's eyes darkened a bit, but he smiled.

"I know, Doug. But right now, this is what I need."

That evening, Sophia joined Elijah in the garden.

They walked together under the stars, the cool breeze brushing against their skin.

"You’ve been so good to me," Sophia said, her voice filled with sincerity.

"I never thought I’d feel this… safe again."

Elijah stopped and looked at her.

"I meant what I said," he replied.

"You’re with me now. And I don’t plan on letting you go."

Sophia blushed, her heart fluttering.

"Elijah… would you… would you marry me?" she asked, her voice trembling with hope.

Elijah smiled, his eyes softening.

"Yes, Sophia," he said.

"I will marry you."

They stood there for a moment, the world around them fading away.