37 Awakening (2/2)
”Your fiancée is spending time with the witch.”
”How long until he ran away.” She chuckled at the thought of her great aunt.
”They seem to enjoy each other's company. She was actually laughing!” Alexis shook her head in disbelief and Elya could understand. Whatever her influence, Great Aunt Natalia remained aloof, especially from her descendants, coming out only to criticise or praise.
”That's amazing.”
”Right. As if that wasn't enough, he managed to get her in a wheelchair which he was pushing around.”
”I think that's scarier than any curse in existence.” She quipped but Alexis seemed to consider the statement seriously.
”You may be right.”
The door swung open with a bang at that moment and a smiling Nikolai came inside pushing a cart while being followed by a flustered Maid.
”Milord, please don't behave like this, what will others say if they see you doing menial tasks?” the maid begged, almost on the verge of tears.
”Relax Demitra. If the Head Maid bothers you, just say I was adamant. She's not going to get angry at me.”
”She watched you grow up Milord and you never talk back to her. I can't believe you.”
”Uhh… Look we'll pretend you pushed the cart in and served my fiancée if anyone asks. I'm sure these wonderful ladies will be happy to assist in the subterfuge.” He shot them a glance and Elya assured the frantic maid they wouldn't call her out on the lie. Placated, the young woman curtsied and left, Alexis close behind her. The Vice-Captain excused herself, dismissing Nikolai's half-hearted attempts to make her stay.
”How do you feel?” Nikolai started setting the food onto a tray as he spoke. Gently arranging everything in precise order.
”Tired Nikolai.”
”It will pass soon. You might feel very sleepy sometimes during the next few days, it's an aftereffect of the spell that kept you under so don't worry and just sleep. By next week everything should return to normal. Wait a moment and I'll give you dinner.”
Seeing her fiancée hum to himself while he worked brought a soft smile to her face. He was a man of contradictions, calmly capturing horrors one day and puttering around a cart to prepare a meal the next. She didn't have her Great Aunt's unfathomable ability to understand people's motives but there was something genuine about him, like he lived every moment, unafraid of consequences. The room was warmer, livelier with his presence.
”You could have let Demitra handle it.” She remarked, drawing one of her blankets around her shoulders.
His nose wrinkled in disgust at the thought. ”While you're recovering, I'll take care of you.”
”So when I'm well you won't take care of me?”
Nikolai fumbled with the butter knife he held at the comment, catching the slippery utensil by the blade. The panicked expression as he wiped his hands of the greasy butter caused a small grin to flash across her face.
”I didn't mean that!”
”That's what you said though.”
”No.” He appeared flustered, staring at her with aconfused look. ”I'll always look after you.”
”How can I trust that?” each question increased his agitation and Elya turned her face away to hide the smile threatening to break out.
”Uhh… I'm not sure. I promise to take care of you though.” Crestfallen, Nikolai played with the napkin in his hand, folding it into random shapes.
”I'll forgive your mistake if you prepare a nice meal for me.” She declared, trying to pout at him as she'd seen her younger sisters do. Her father always gave in to their pleading.
”Of course!” Brightened at the prospect of forgiveness he returned to his task with gusto.
”With lots of boiled eggs.” She added, thinking to gain as much benefit as possible. Her mouth watered at the thought of the delicious little morsels.
Nikolai brought the completed tray and laid it across her lap, dragging a chair over for himself. They ate together, chatting over minor matters of their pasts, childhood escapades and gossip, avoiding any mention of the battle. As she munched on a buttered roll, Elya observed Nikolai's actions, analysing every movement of his arms, faintly remembering the sensation of laying in them. The desire to embrace him pricked at her, raising a soft blush on her cheeks.
Alexis' words churned at the back of her mind and she reached out to grab his hand. His mouth hung open, waiting for the spoonful of mashed potatoes dripping near his lips. Taking a deep breath she calmed her trembling body, afraid to dig too deep. Nonetheless she had to know now.
”Are you a True Imperial?”