Chapter 107 - INSIST

"I mean, I was strolling for some time and I did not see any harmful animals," Yanarym added wanting to smack her head for exclaiming that this was not a dangerous forest. She sounded like she was living here for some time! Stupid! 

"I insist," Lapil uttered firmly, which made Yanarym couldn't refute him anymore. If she continues to decline, isn't that too suspicious? 

"B-but --I'm taking a bath." She attempted to reason out for the last time. And he let her arms go, thank goodness, he was willing to let her go. Interacting with another main character would not be good. 

"I'm not going to watch you," Lapil said politely, which stunned her. "I'll guard you and take you back to your family." 

"W-why? My Baba is cheap, he won't pay you even if you do that." 

"It's alright." He affirmed with firm eyes and smiled at her. "I don't mind." She minds, she minds! Why would he even persist in coming with her? She's taking a bath!

"B-but I can't let a stranger be with me while taking a bath." She muttered. 

Lapil paused, "I am not going to hurt you, I will guard you instead." Yanarym sighed, and surrendered, nodding in agreement. She was confused, why was this male lead being a gentleman with her? He was no gentleman! He was never gentle to Tala in the original plot. 

Don't tell her that he found out who she was and was willing to kill her to please the female lead? It's possible! Judging from the plot progression, he already knew that Tala is a vicious woman. If that is the case, should she run away? She might not be strong enough but this body runs super fast. 

"What's your name?" Yanarym looked at him when he asked for her name.

The sun was shining high, signifying it is afternoon. The trees were safeguarding them from the sun rays and the refreshing breeze hitting her face as she sauntered along with the dense forest. 

Upon pondering her next action, she was startled when the young man spoke out of the blue. Inquiring for her name, she wanted to cry. What was that supposed to mean? Did he want to know her name to confirm his speculation? Or did he just wanna know who she is? Did he have no idea who she was? 

"Guide-sama! Tell me!"

Guide-same: "Don't worry Yanarym, he has no idea about you being the daughter of the Datu." 

"Oh?" Yanarym had her worries flashed out after hearing that. She had a sigh of relief but she was not safe until it was over. 

"It's Rym." She answered weakly. 

Lapil gaped at her, he was not sure why he was hanging around with a strange woman who came from the forest. Her unusual clothes and her way of speaking, even her beauty, all were ethereal. 

"Rym? Even your name sounds unique." Lapil showed an angelic smile again. But Yanarym could not be fooled even though he seems so seraphic with the boyish grin. 

She knew his character better than anyone. He was no good person, even though he was the male lead. It does not mean he was the 'good' protagonist. There were, sometimes, characters who are leads because they have the worst background story. As a result, they develop this sadistic and villainous nature. And Lapil was one of the best examples of that character, he was only good to Tala, his female counterpart, who was made for him. Because they mirror one another. 

He's good but not nice to Tala. Then, what about her? Why was he being nice to her? Taking a peaceful saunter to the woods, guarding her against wild animals, coming with her to the river, even sending her back home after everything. What was his agenda?

Lapil thought maybe he had no malice of helping her at all—or maybe there was…

He didn't understand what it was though. He just knew from the moment he saw her, he was enthralled by her beauty and he was yearning to be with her.

He wasn't a superficial type of person who gets easily attracted by someone's appearance, yet how could he be so captivated by her beauty?

He intently examined her, her eyes there was a glimpse of fear in it. Like a prey that was cornered by its predator. She's flustered at him, he was wondering why though? This was not the initial reaction that he could get from a woman. 

And this was not what response he wanted from her. He had this kind of crazy conjecture that she was not from this world, she looks fictitious. But he wanted to grasp her, he didn't want her to leave. Yet, it appears that it took an advance and she will disappear in front of his eyes that was why he was being extra careful interacting with her. 

"Is - that a compliment?" She shyly asked as she bowed her head, not to meet his eyes. 

"Yes." Silence ruled once again and they had reached the destination. Yanarym was awkward while Lapil had no idea what to say. Initiating a conversation especially with a woman was not his forte. Or he should say that talking generally to anyone and taking their opinion into account had never come to mind. 

"I'm… going to take a bath, are you staying here?" Yanarym looked around then turned to him. 

"I'll go to that tree, if something happens call me." He answered her with a bright smile on his lips. Instead of being comfortable, Yanarym was in awe. This young man, his smile never reaches his eyes. 

"Okay." She nodded and turned her back around but was stopped again by Lapil's big hand. "I-is something wrong?"

"Won't you ask my name?" 

"Your name?" She muttered in a thin voice, "Right! I don't know you yet, hehe...sorry about that. Ahm, what's your name?"

"My name is Lapil," he introduces himself gallantly.. Yanarym smiled at him awkwardly, not wanting to prolong this conversation.