Unveiled Secrets: The Promise of the Fae

Chapter 34 - They're right

For his part, he was able to confirm the extent of his abilities. It was a little disconcerting how fragile a body seems as he tore a limb or two. He doesn’t actually feel anything, as a part separates from the rest but seeing the flesh and blood… he almost wanted to throw up.

“There’s something I need to check in the books, would you be alright here?” Nate stood up from her seat.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I’ll go and rest. I need to check on mother as soon as I feel rested.”

Aaron smiled at him before nodding.

After the doctor tended to her wounds and scratches, he left with some instructions for Aaron.

“I understand.” He bowed as the doctor goes. He took the wet towel and brushed it on her exposed skin, mainly her head and arms. She has a slight fever, which according to the doctor can go up if untended.

He sat on her bed as he watched her.

After the initial apprehension of going to the fae world and the weariness of returning, looking at her reminded him of Philip and Selene’s words.

He propped his head on his hand as he watched her. She looked very serene in her sleep. The occasional frown on her face, which he acquainted with the pain she must be feeling, tells him she’s just like any other person. Though there are things that makes her extraordinary, she hasn’t openly displayed them when she can avoid it.

He noticed her earlier actions during battle. She wasn’t used to it and she hadn’t been physically training herself. That was… a bad choice? If she knew she would be in a fight today, she should’ve prepared herself well. He has a guess on why she insisted to go in the frontline today.

Oddly, she doesn’t make him feel intimidated. He was, at first. But after they have talked to each other on the way to the north, and they agreed on each other’s requests, they’ve treated each other as friends. Well, he does. He’s not sure how she sees him. Sometimes, she would still act as his mentor. Or to be exact, there are moments that she speaks as if she’s his mentor. He does train with her so it’s only expected.

Hannah slowly opened her eyes. She could feel a stinging sensation from various parts of her body.

“Hey…” A familiar voice sounded close, then his face loomed over her. She could tell the concern in his features.

“Hey…” She replied in a croak, before trying to swallow. Her throat feels dry and she was feeling a little cold.

Aaron quickly stood to get a goblet of warm water. She sat up, grimacing as she endured the pain. She held the left side of her head, which feels swollen.

“You got hit on the side of your head.” Aaron explained as he helped her drink.

“I remember.” She replied weakly.

“Do you want to continue sitting?” Aaron thought she doesn’t have the strength to sit up on her own.

“Yes.”

He immediately arranged the pillows on the bed and propped them at her back. She leaned back with a sigh.

“Thank you. How did we get back?” She frowned as she tries to remember. When Aaron finished relating what happened, she grimaced. She was actually knocked unconscious.

“You need to get close to them to be able to read their minds, is that right?”

She visibly flinched before answering, “Yes.” She took hold of the blanket’s edges and played with it.

“So, why didn’t you train with us? You use daggers? Have you been training on your own?”

Hannah slowly shook her head as she bit her lip. “I thought it won’t matter. I’m more agile now given this young body. I’ve used them well before and I have the energy to wield them now, but yes… I should’ve practiced.”

“Or were you embarrassed to join us?” Aaron watched her expression closely. She flushed a little red after hearing his question.

“In a way…” She admitted. They look up to her. That can’t be denied. Although she wanted them to treat her like a friend, an equal… there is that unspoken understanding that she is still their mentor.

“That was stupid.” Aaron didn’t mince his words. Because of it, she got hurt.

Hannah was even more flustered. Her cold feeling was gone, replaced by something hot. She feels hot all of a sudden, embarrassed all over again. Yes, it was stupid. As their mentor, she failed to follow her own rules and advices. It was foolish.

“I’m sorry.”

Aaron was surprised. He didn’t think she would apologize.

“There’s nothing to apologize for.” He frowned and Hannah lifted her head to look at him.

“You’re the one who was hurt. You should be mindful next time.”

“I know. I’m sorry I became a burden.”

“You weren’t. Maybe things could’ve been easier to handle, but I don’t see how… Today was unexpected. Were you successful in your objective?”

Her eyes widened at his reminder. “Yes, I should speak to the king. Now.”

She was about to scramble out of bed, but Aaron held her down, holding her arms.

“Sit back down. It can wait.” His heart thudded against his chest. He was surprised at her sudden actions.

“It will be a while before we return to that dimension. If I were able to deduce what you were doing, I’m sure the king did, too. He wasn’t in a rush. Rest first.”

Hannah was distracted. “Alright.”

She replied but her gaze was on his hands holding her down. Noticing it, Aaron awkwardly withdrew his hands.

“Sorry.” He muttered quietly.

Hannah looked at him with rounded eyes, smiling, “What for?”

He scratched the back of his neck, unsure what to say.

Hannah watched his awkward expression with a smile. Why is she happy to see how awkward he is at this moment? When the answer came to her, her expression stiffened. Her smile was gone and she found herself biting her lip. He… is he aware of her feelings now?

“Did I make things awkward?” She carefully asked, still watching him.

Aaron is still not used to seeing her starting at him so intently. He only started noticing it himself today. How is he to know that Philip and Selene were actually telling him the truth the other night? He thought they were merely teasing him.

Does she really…? He stared at her, but he feels awkward doing so he would normally withdraw his gaze. Somehow, Hannah was unbothered. She’d been staring at him for days since they came to the north, she’s not going to change that now.

“No. It’s not…” When he glanced at her again, she smiled widely. She clearly saw the moment his ears reddened as he looked away quickly.

“Is it because I’m old?” She teased, though she’s hurting a little at the thought of it.

Aaron frowned at her. Oddly, he could tell that she’s uncomfortable.

He sighed before replying, “I promised I wouldn’t treat you differently and would think of you as someone our age. I haven’t thought of you as someone old since.”

“Thank you.” She was glad, but still…

“What is it, then?” She unabashedly watched him closely.

“It’s just that… they’re saying you might like me. They’re wrong, aren’t they?” He went about it in a very roundabout way. He was direct, but he was also in denial. They’re wrong, aren’t they? It made her smile bitterly inside.

“They’re right.” Why did she impulsively reply? She wasn’t ready for his rejection so despite herself, she looked down upon saying it.

Aaron watched her somewhat sad and defeated expression. She pursed her lips thinly, keeping her eyes down.

He took a deep breath as he stood up. Well, this is something he wasn’t prepared for. What happened to his resolve last night?

“But you’re a noble.” He recalled.

Hannah bit her lips. She doesn’t think she’d be able to speak, else she might cry. So, she simply shrugged her shoulders.

“I am not.”

She glanced at him and stared, frowning she asked, “Is that what you’re concerned about? I don’t care about those things.”

He’s considering, isn’t he? She had hope.

“I haven’t… liked anyone before.” She admitted before looking down again.

Well, that makes two of them. Aaron thought. But… she’s surer of her feelings than he does. He ran a hand through his hair. He’s still not sure if he likes her. Well, he likes her as a friend, a mentor… someone to talk to. A companion to spend time with, do things together… What else is there?

He looked at her with a blank expression, “Rest first. I should go.”

Hannah caught her breath when he walked out. What was she expecting? But it hurt. She smiled as she felt as if her heart is being squeezed. She’s happy to experience such an emotion. She wasn’t expecting much anyway. From the beginning, she knew there’s a much higher chance that he won’t reciprocate her feelings. It still hurt, nevertheless. She let the tears flow. So, it’s an unrequited love. Would she be able to act around him as if she felt nothing?

That was the scene Aaron saw when he opened the door of her room again. He forgot his blade inside. Hannah froze, then she turned away.

“Sorry.” Aaron closed the door again. Forget the blade. There’s a ton in the armory.

Anyhow, his word felt empty. Something gripped his heart as he recalls her tears. Did she…? Why was she crying? He leaned his head against the door, tempted to smack it against the surface. No, he really needed to think this over. He shouldn’t rush into things. No matter what. He can’t just… he could hurt her more if he does.