Chapter 3: To be protected

Pt 2

The look on both of their faces is absolutely priceless. The whole thing would have been funny… if Silvio hadn't just tried to force himself on me seconds ago. The shock on Silvio's face turned into a glare going between Hal and I. He scrambled to his feet and with one last glare at Hal, he walked out.

The silence that followed was deafening. Hal and I simply stared at each other, neither of us really knowing what to do. We both were in too much shock to a thing.

But then, "Amelia?" Hal's voice held a twinge of hesitation but I didn't miss him skipping on the formalities. He was at my side in an instant, taking my hand. "Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head, watching as he relaxed. His ears twitched, flopping forward in relief. "Thank goodness…" my breath hitched as Hal lifted my hand to his lips, giving it a gentle brush of lips. The simple action sent a fiery trail up my arm. Hal's eyes never left mine, and I found myself unable to look away at first.

"The doctor was out…" Hal explained after a moment of quiet. His brow furrowed in worry. "I have a feeling that your paralysis is a side effect from the ritual."

If someone found out that the rituals were affecting me this way there would be a stop to them. This world needed me to fulfill my duty as Queen. No one could find out.

Without thinking I'm blurting out my thoughts. "No one can know about this. You can't tell a soul!" My voice had risen in my panic and I realized too late I'd made a mistake. I tried softening my voice, "No one can know their Queen is weak."

Hal looked ready to protest and his grip momentarily tightened on my hand as he furrowed his brow in worry.

"Thank you, Hal. This means a lot to me and I mean it."

His hand slipped from mine and Hal closed his eyes, dipping his head in agreement. It was such a formal action that it took me aback. "Your wish is my command, My Queen." The shining light in his pink eyes faded. My Hal was gone and instead was my butler. What had sent him into such a drastic change?

After the exchange everything had turned awkward and quiet once more.

Hal never left my side, but he hadn't said anymore after everything. There was no question that he was upset with me for keeping my episode a secret. Only because I was the Queen kept Hal silent. The closeness we had seemed to be severed. As if he realized just now that he was being too forward with me and reverted back to servant but somehow even more detached.

I was trying hard to not let it get to me but I really shouldn't care so much! I told myself this all the way into the night but in the end I was only kidding myself.

As Hal bid me goodnight the first teardrop fell and before long there came a torrent. Why is it that the more you try not to cry the harder you do?

I'd been too stern on Hal. My voice had turned harsher than I'd meant it to. I sounded just like a ruthless Queen bearing down on her servant… which in truth is what we are. No matter how we seem to try to forget… we are Queen and servant. When had I stopped seeing Hal as just my butler but as a man… that I was falling for? I wasn't quite sure, but I knew it was gradual.

Me and my big mouth! "Oh Hal… what have I done?"

Scrubbing at my face I know I'm a sight and as red as a tomato. There's nothing Queenly about me anymore. My looks don't matter at this point. I must apologize to Hal. It can't wait until tomorrow; I don't think I'd ever sleep tonight otherwise.

Gathering my wits about me, I try to hide the evidence of my tears and step out into the hallway so I can go and look for him.

I take a few turns about the halls but I eventually come to a chamber I'm sure is Hal's. I give the door a small knock just in case it's not. The door opens not long afterward and I'm met face to face with the beastkin boy.

Hal's eyes widen in surprise at seeing me at his door. "Miss Amelia? What's wrong?" the alarm in his voice only grows with each word.

Not breaking my gaze from his I give a small smile, "Nothing is wrong. I just want to talk about earlier and apologize."

"C—come in, Your Majesty." Hal gestures me through and left the door open as was proper.

We sit down on the small loveseat at the end of his bed.

"Hal, I— "