The Count of Memphis blushes as Seth looks at him expectantly.
"She's my...you see," He thinks frantically of a way to phrase such an embarrassing lie. "I met her in the outer world and," He clears his throat and reminds himself that this is for the good of the Empire. "We fell in love." The young girl stares at him skeptically. "Passionately!" He stutters. "But," He lowers his voice and leans in, "It's not allowed." He shakes his head. "You mustn't let anyone know."
Seth smiles slyly. "Your secret's safe with me!"
Ion lets out a relieved sigh. He glances through the open door at the woman lying there. He doesn't know what would have happened if the tea girl hadn't shown up. No hospital in the Empire would treat a Terran. They'd let her bleed to death and charge him with her murder. But he'd risk it. Risk his life to save hers because Esther had done the very same for him.
"She's very kind." There's something in those simmering eyes that speaks of benevolence and sincerity. Ion can do nothing but nod in agreement.
He sits by her side as the sun breaks through morning clouds.
She hasn't moved, only cried out when they'd changed her bandages. And for once, the sight of Terran blood made his stomach turn instead of clench in hunger.
Seth seemed adept at the process, taking only minutes to clean and wrap the wound.
She'd tossed the bloody towel into the basin and warned sternly that he let Esther rest.
That was nearly twelve hours ago.
Ion sighs.
She looks so different without those unsightly Vatican robes drowning her petite frame. Her face seems more mature, but kind nonetheless, not scrunched in fearful determination like he's so used to seeing.
Ion looks away because the more he thinks about it, the more he realizes his lie isn't a lie at all.
The empress watches carefully as the young man takes hold of the sleeping girl's hand. It gives her motherly heart hope that one day her people, Methuselah and Terran alike, will value love, friendship and freedom over thriving on hate, power and destruction. She knows that there is a long way to go. It's a road that will test everyone the Imperial powers and the Vatican have employed. But the two before her are enough to let her believe that the day of reconciliation is not so impossible.
