Liana ran towards him, her face alight with disbelief and joy. "Young Master, you're awake?" she cried, tears spilling as she threw herself, wrapping Leo in a fierce, trembling embrace.
Her warmth enveloped him, her sobs muffled against his bandaged chest. "I thought you were gone," she choked out, voice raw with fear and gratitude. "When they brought you in—blood everywhere, barely alive, I prayed, Young Master Leo. Thank the gods you're here!"
Leo wheezed, her hug squeezing the breath from his aching lungs, a half-smile breaking through his pain. "Liana… gonna… suffocate me," he rasped, voice hoarse but teasing, his hand weakly patting her back.
She pulled back, cheeks flushing, wiping her tears with a shaky laugh. "Oh, gods, I'm so sorry!" she stammered, her brown eyes sparkling with embarrassment and relief.
"I'm just… you're awake, Young Master! I couldn't—" She stopped, her smile softening, radiant. "You scared me so much."
