Your reviews have been great! I'm very happy you guys are enjoying the falling in love gradually theme. And to whomever commented on the love is a choice thing, my mom says the exact same thing! Yah, there would definitely be less divorce if people were taught that. That's partially why I wanted to write a story like this, because most of the stories are "she gazed into his eyes and felt herself melting" or something like that. Not that there's anything wrong with those stories, it's just that eventually she's not going to look at him like that. So yah, I'm really enjoying this.

And I want to go on the record as saying your reviews matter! I read each and every one of them and I'll try to fulfill your suggestions and wishes. So if you want to see something in the story, put it in a review. If you absolutely hated or loved something, make sure I know. I'm more than happy to accommodate you, since you guys wanted an Andromache-comforting-Hector scene I'm going to do my best to put one in. It won't be for a few chapters though, but I'll try my hardest to put one in for this story. So yes, your reviews matter very much!

And finally, Maira's coming back into the story. Sorry she's been out of it for the past few chapters, I was focusing on H/A and I wasn't successful at working her in. So yah, be ready for a little surprise.

…

Andromache's wounds healed quickly and the bruises she was able to cover with her clothing. Sure enough, none of the servants ever let a word escape their lips so Andromache's secret was safe. Hector never mentioned the incident to her, wanting to forget it and feeling as though she would also. She was grateful for his silence; reliving it was something she did not wish to do. She shared it with Maira, who hugged her and told her the gods had been watching over her, but no one else knew. Andromache never informed Briseis of what had happened after she'd left and Briseis was grateful for it. She's too innocent, Andromache thought. And she should be allowed to stay that way. Even Paris was never informed, though he certainly guessed. Unlike Briseis, Paris knew the ways of the world and he had a fair idea of what had taken place, but thankfully never mentioned it. In time, it grew to be forgotten, remembered only by Andromache and Hector. And after awhile, Andromache stopped thinking about it; it became as a distant memory. Only Hector remembered it vividly, and the feelings of that night continued to stay with him.

Priam had announced that a celebration was to take place, in honor of the gods. He announced his intention to sacrifice one hundred bulls to Zeus himself and that there would be games held in honor of him. The celebration was to take place in two weeks, and Andromache decided that she'd make a new gown for herself.

This having been decided, she called for a servant girl to summon Maira. She wanted her company when she went out shopping for the right material. The servant girl came back in, informing her that Maira wasn't feeling well. Andromache frowned.

"What's wrong with her?"

"She's ill, my lady," the girl said evasively.

"Someone should have informed me sooner, I'll go into see her," she replied, concerned.

"She doesn't wished to be disturbed, some of the girls have already offered."

"Well, she'll see me," Andromache said confidently, striding towards her room in the servant's area of Hector's quarters. A small area of the palace was his and inside he had his own gardens, kitchen, as well as other various area.

She softly knocked on Maira's door then entered, not waiting for a reply. She stopped short on the threshold. Her brow furrowed and she returned to her own room, where the girl was waiting with trepidation.

"Funny," Andromache said softly. "Most sick people don't suddenly leave their beds as though they hadn't even lain in them."

The girl was trembling and looked as if she was about to cry.

"Where's Maira?" Andromache asked, annoyed at having been lied to.

"I- I don't know, my lady," the girl said.

"You don't?"

The girl shook her head mutely.

"Did she sleep in her room?"

The girl hesitated and then nodded.

"What time did she go to bed?"

"I don't know," she whispered miserably.

"You two share that room, do you not?"

"Yes."

"So then you were asleep when she came to bed?"

"I suppose so."

"Was she there when you awoke?"

The girl shook her head.

"Then how do you know she slept in her bed?" Andromache asked, repressing the desire to slap her.

The girl looked down at the ground, miserable. "I awoke when she came in, my lady."

"And what time was that?"

"Around midnight," came the barely audible response.

"And what was taking her so long that she didn't go to bed before then?"

"I- I can't say," the girl cried in a burst of courage.

Andromache stared at her. "Tell her to come to me when she returns. You're dismissed," she said coldly. The girl scurried away, most likely going off to cry. Andromache stood there fuming for a moment, annoyed at the circumstances, then made her decision. Grabbing a light veil she set off for the marketplace, almost smacking into Hector as she turned the corner to leave their quarters.

"Andromache," he greeted her, quickly changing direction and keeping pace with her.

"Hector," she snapped, not very happy at the moment.

"Something wrong?"

"Just that our- well I should say your servants since they apparently pay me no heed- are refusing to answer my questions."

"What happened?"

"Maira's missing, and when I inquired about her whereabouts one of your servant girls outright lied to me."

"I'll speak with her," Hector assured his wife. "But where's Maira?"

"If I knew that I wouldn't be going to the marketplace alone, would I?" she snapped.

Hector was about to point out that it would be grossly improper for her to do that, but quickly changed his mind. "Well, no matter. I'll accompany you."

"You're not a woman," she said, irritated.

"Intelligent observation," he replied dryly. She turned to snap something at him but ended up smiling as she saw the teasing look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, genuinely repentant. "It's just that I wanted Maira to come help me pick out some fabrics for a new dress for the festival, and I can't find her. Then your servant girl-"

"Our servant girl," he corrected.

"Not in her mind," she murmured sweetly. "But no matter. That girl then lied to me when I tried to find out where Maira was and refused to give me straight answers. So now I'm off alone to pick out fabrics."

"Not alone, I'm coming with you," he reminded her.

"Hector, you are the best husband in the world, but you cannot understand fashion if your life depended on it. You'll be no help to me this time."

"Well, I can tell you if I like something," he defended himself. "And I am the one that is supposed to be captivated by your beauty."

An hour later he was partially regretting his situation as Andromache narrowed her choice down to two fabrics.

"Which one?" she asked him. He hesitated. It made no difference to him- one was dark blue and the other a dark purple- but he knew she'd get annoyed if he didn't supply an answer.

"I like both," he said honestly, then quickly continued as he saw the look on her face. "Well, which one would last longer?"

"They're the same fabric," she patiently told him. "Just a different dye."

"Well then, how many blue dresses do you have and how many purple?" he evaded.

She paused. "Excellent point," she replied, choosing the purple. The purchase was quickly made- though Hector's eyes widened as he heard the price- and they returned home, Andromache's spirits restored. She'd gotten a light silver fabric to accompany the purple and the two went very well together. Besides that, Hector had generously bought her a bracelet that would accompany her new outfit so the earlier quarrel was completely forgotten.

A servant girl came up to inform Andromache that Maira had returned and was waiting for her in her room. Andromache handed the fabrics to Hector and quickly went into Maira's sleeping chamber.

"You wanted to see me?" Maira asked as Andromache settled herself on the opposite bed.

"Where were you earlier?" Andromache asked curiously. "The servant girl was very mysterious when speaking of your whereabouts."

"I'd rather not say, Andromache," Maira replied quietly. With any other servant Andromache would have demanded an explanation, but the two girls had grown up with each other and enjoyed a special bond. They were more like sisters than mistress and slave.

"Are you alright?" Andromache asked, concerned.

"I'm fine." Maira smiled. "I just don't wish to talk about it."

"Alright, well I needed your help with making a dress."

"Forgive me, I'd finished my duties and I thought I'd be free for the afternoon."

"No matter, will you help me now?"

Maira nodded, following Andromache into her bedchamber where she laid out the fabrics and described what she had in mind. Maira nodded, cutting in with a remark here and there, and for the rest of the day the two girls worked in peace. That night, as Andromache and Hector were lying in bed together, he remembered her quarrel earlier.

"Did you find out where Maira was?" he asked.

"She didn't tell me," Andromache replied.

"She refused?" Hector was slightly put off and wondered if he should speak with her.

"I didn't make her," Andromache said. "It's the first secret we've ever kept from each other, though."

Hector didn't reply, not quite understanding but willing to let his wife take care of it. Soon he was asleep but Andromache lay awake for awhile, thinking about Maira and her secret. Slaves didn't have secrets, but Maira was more than a slave. She was a friend, and friends told each other everything, Andromache was sure of that. Her thoughts went in all kinds of different directions as they tried to figure out what that secret was and finally Andromache forced herself to fall asleep, knowing guessing would get here nowhere. But why won't she tell me? Andromache wondered.