12 A Star (2/2)

\”Aaah… it's embarrassing.\” she replied, sitting on her bed, her face slightly pink-red.

\”I think it makes you even more beautiful. White suits you.\” said Hector with a little smile. \”So stop worrying about it.\”

\”Thank you… So… Why did you come for?\”

\”Nothing terrible. I just need to get out a little, I'm suffocating in there. But I need you if I go out.\”

\”Anyway, I don't really have a choice, you're kind of my superior now… But you want me to go out like that...? In this outfit?\”

Hector nodded, which made the young elf blush a little more. She took her sword with her, while her white hair floated in the air with elegance. Her faces showed obvious signs of fatigue, the dark circles she had reminded him of the one he had when he was struggling for the people of his camp.

They headed for the front door unlocking the door discreetly to avoid disturbing Amy, Hector took the opportunity to pick up a jacket for Selena who was not very clothed and they both left the house as the crescent moon was almost at its zenith. Selena was closely following Hector, she could see better in the dark than he could, so she was guiding him.

A few minutes later, they ended up sitting on a bench near a small fountain, only the sound of the wind and water made their eardrums vibrate, strangely reminding Hector of the first night he had spent in this world with his throat cut. The wind swirled their hair; Selena's hair seemed to merge among the stars, like a white veil of soothing softness. The young woman's yellow eyes sparkled in the dark like two forever united stars that contrasted with her dark, matte skin.

Hector admired her almost hypnotized by the purity of the woman he had in front of him. After a short moment, he smiled, then he looked up and pointed with a finger, a star.

\”Selena.\”

\”Huh? Uh… Yes?\”

\”Ahahah, sorry, I caught you off guard. The history book taught me things.\” he laughed as he lowered his hand. \”Selena is the name of this big star, the second brightest in the sky and the one mainly used to find your way around at night. She fits you well. Beautiful and bright.\” he said, turning to her, hoping to comfort her and see her blush.

\”I don't think my parents thought that for a second what you seem to think, Hector.\” she whispered, looking up to the star.

\”In any case, me, I think so.\” he smiled as he put his hand on her shoulder. \”When you're ready to tell me about your parents and your past, all you have to do is come and see me, I'll be there to listen.\”

\”Why are you talking to me about all this?\” Selena asked in a wobbly voice.

\”I know you're working your ass off for someone, the dark circles you have, I know them too well to ignore them.\” he began by looking the ground, his head full of memories. \”I don't pretend to say that I can understand you, however, I had no one to talk to when it happened to me and I suffered a lot. I don't want someone else to live there the same way I do, especially when it's a kind person like you.\”

Selena removed the belt that held her sword and placed it on the bench while blowing as if to expel her anxiety. She watched soldiers walking by, doing their guard duty, wiping their hands with a torch, then rubbed her arms because of the night breeze. Hector put the jacket he had picked up for her on her shoulders and made fun of her because of her many yawns and sneezes. She decided to speak out and put her hand on Hector's thigh, who immediately stopped laughing.

\”Is that why you're trying to get so close to me so quickly? Because I remind you of what you were before?\”

\”I guess you can say that even if that's not exactly how I feel.\” he explained, scratching his head.

\”So you feel pity for me?\”

\”Yes.\”

Selena was confused by Hector's answer, it was too frank. Generally, the word: pity is frowned upon by many, but Hector seemed to understand the true meaning of the word, he didn't seem to judge her or take her for a weak one, he just took her for a woman, an elf, who needed help, nothing more.

Sincere words and not thoughtful and manipulated as do most nobles, clergy, and knights. A sneeze cut Selena's thoughts.

\”I have a feeling you've given me your cold.\”

\”Let's say it's my first gift to you.\” she replied with a smile.

\”No, your first gift was to tackle me on the ground when my throat was slit.\” he said sarcastically. \”That was a wonderful gift. At least thanks to this, I won't forget the date we met.\”

\”Stop… I want to forget this moment of my life from the moment I realized who you were… don't remember things like that…\”

\”It hurt me really hard, you know-\” Hector couldn't finish his sentence, Selena pinched his cheek with force while pulling at it.

\”I said: stop.\” she concludes with a shy voice and a blushed face. \”I chose to come to work for you for several reasons, the first one was that you told me you could get me out of trouble, but the second one is more personal.\” she explained while waiting to see Hector's reaction. \”I feel like I can trust you, and even more so after tonight, so… that's why I volunteered…\”

\”Well… thank you, I really appreciate it.\” he replied, stroking the young woman's head.

Selena didn't know what to answer and preferred to keep quiet rather than stutter. After half an hour outside, they both ended up inside the house and both left for their respective rooms, Hector had realized what he had done, but his purpose was not to do anything sexual, at least for that night, and this despite Balam's repeated complaints.

Hector was tired, but one thing worried him.

Since he had returned to his room, he had heard footsteps from the attic.