[Luke…]
He was from one of the prominent Noble family unlike Tubby and she. They were from the lowest of the lowest noble family. She got in using the name of her grandfather who was a Knight and Tubby got in because he was a Baron's son. They were barely eligible to enter the academy while Luke – he was begged to attend the academy.
His father was the Archduke and the right-hand man to the King of Lethusia. Luke was the sole heir. His family was richer than the King and his sister was the Queen. He was from a different world from them. He belonged to the Aristocrat class and they were just the thanes. She never came in contact with him before although she had heard a lot about him.
She didn't understand why that brawl became an issue when it was common among the thanes. Usually, they let it pass. But that day, even the aristocrats got involved and the issue was brought to their superiors.
'You're a girl, aren't you?' he whispered in her ear that day.
That was the first time she felt her heart pound as if a persistent donkey is kicking the walls of her heart incessantly.
She loved wearing dresses but loved being a Knight more. And she never minded the dirt on her. But in his presence, for the first time, she felt ashamed of the dirt covering her body.
Unlike Tubby, Luke smelt differently… He smelled rich. Even his breath smelled so good. He was wearing the finest silk shirt that was so smooth against her skin. His embellished scabbard on his waist glittered in the ray of sunlight. Among the men around her with lighter hair, his hair dark as a raven's feather was rather alluring.
And in his golden orbs, she lost herself. All she had to do was say 'No'. But that simple word stuck in her throat.
'Stay away!'
With a shout Tubby pushed Luke away from her. She did not like Tubby doing that.
*Bang*
The loud bang of the door snapped her out of the memory and she got back to the present and she was inside the library now.
Just as she gathered herself, she felt slithering wetness on her palm followed by a sting. The pain made her wince.
Maximus, bowing in front of her, ran his tongue through her wound. Her eyes ended up behind him. The translucent bird – the phoenix, looked right at her, fluttering its wings.
[Why is it here now… When I remember Tubby and Luke…]
"Don't do this again," Maximus' unimpressed voice was low like the grumble of a predator. She could feel the vibration on her palm. His warm breath made her licked palm go cold, making her hair stand on edge.
He looked at her. "…hurting yourself."
Felixa gulped.
[Has he found out how I got hurt?]
"I… couldn't open the drapes…" she pointed at the window farther away in the library. "I…"
She bowed her head unable to meet his golden orbs. Maybe because she is lying, she wouldn't meet his eyes. And with her memories of Luke, she could see the resemblance of Max with Luke.
[He is not Luke…]
She tried to tell herself but her heart doesn't want to listen to her and is pounding on its own.
Maximus looked at her hand once more. Clearly, this is not a wound made by opening the drapes. No matter how weak she is, her hand is not going to get hurt by trying to open a curtain.
He knew when he saw the spell covering up the dead body. It was Kefir's spell and he knew it then. It has to be her. She can kill if she wants. That maid was the one responsible for the scars in her body according to his investigations.
If she wants to get back at her now that she has his support, she can do that. Even if that maid didn't hurt her, she can kill her if it pleases her. Who will ask her to take responsibility?
His heart hurt. He told her that she can live fearless now that he is by her side. He told her that she can do whatever she pleases. But she still is not trusting him.
The bellowing wind softly blew the curtains and the sound of the gentle flutters filled the room. Felixa pushed herself to look up.
"Are you scared of me, Lexa?" he asked. "Do you think I will hurt you?"
Felixa shook her head, "No," she said immediately. "I am not."
"Then why..?" he asked.
«Why are you always bowing your head in front of me? Why are you lying to me? Why am I not the one you smile at gleefully?»
Felixa saw the rippling emotions in his eyes and reached out her hand to his cheek. He held her hand and resting his cheek in her hand, closed his eyes.
"She… Lucy was not a kind woman. I…"
"Mmm," he opened his eyes.
"She called me a wastrel and I... I'm not a wastrel," Her voice shook and her eyebrows trembled.
"You're not!" he let out a short breath and hugged her. He could sense that her fingers has gone cold. "You don't have to explain anything to me, Lexa…" he rubbed her back to warm her up.
"But… you're sad…" she stuck to his chest.
She needed his warmth. When she lied, he knew she was lying and he became sad. She could see that. And here she is, confessing her crimes to him. But his word still stands. He won't hurt her.
"You're hurt. That makes me sad," Maximus looked at her. "And it hurts me that you find it hard to talk to me about your wound…"
Felixa bit her lips. He is telling her that her lying made him sad in the gentlest way possible. She remembered how angry he got when he thought Pricilla lied.
But with her… It seems like she doesn't have to adhere to any rules of men?
It made her heart melt with a warm feeling. As always, being him gives her a relaxed and warm feeling, except for the pounding of her heart.
"I lied because…" she pressed her lips. "Because I felt guilty for taking a life," she told him the truth.
She did what was necessary but she doesn't feel proud of it and find the need to brag about it. And she still is not honest with him and is feeling guilty. But until she figures out more about herself, she decided to keep her magical capabilities a secret.
"Hmm…" Maximus held her hurt hand once more and kissed the wound. "That's why, seek me… Then you won't have to feel guilty."
Felixa's lips trembled. The more he kissed her hand, she could feel the pain in her hand reducing.
[Is he telling me that he would kill for me?]
"Why?" she asked. "Why am I special?"