A/N: I quite enjoyed making this...Hope you enjoy reading it too. n_n

Saei found Matthew at the far end of the town. She clapped him on the shoulder with an eerie smile.

"Well Matthew? Are you going to return my little book of stratagem?"

"It's quite interesting, the stuff you have written here." Matthew said, returning the tiny booklet.

"And why did you steal this?" Saei said, putting it back into her unseen pouch.

"I'm quite interested how on earth you can write in such puny letters neatly."

"And you timed it when I'm chastising Lord Hector? Just because of mere curiousity?"

"Well, you seem to pretty much love picking on milord Hector. I'd like to save him from any more head ache."

"Am I really that harsh on him?"

"Yes. Very. Is that the only way you can show that you care for him?"

"Well, he'd be disturbed once I start being shy around him, or start acting like the other women in camp."

"I'm sure he'd understand. He's almost pouring his frustration out on poor Lord Eliwood."

"Oh dear..." Saei said softly. "My dear Lord Eliwood...Lord Elbert, bless his soul, would be mad at me if he snaps."

"That's why it's best if you don't frustrate milord Hector any more. Can't you show your love for him in a different way?"

"We'll see...Once he gets his wits back and stop bellowing at me." She squinted at the setting sun. "Time for us to go back. And no more stealing."

Hector found Saei entering the inn with Matthew in tow. He could hear the two of them arguing. Saei turned her head to look at him and grinned.

"Is there something you need from me?" she asked. Matthew went ahead to his room, which he shares with Guy.

"Please return whatever you stole yet again to me later or else I'll flay you alive. I'm serious this time." Saei called after Matthew before turning to Hector who motioned for her to sit with him and ordered a drink for the two of them. Saei looked at him sternly.

"I didn't order ale." Hector said defensively. Saei raised an eyebrow, and looked at the two goblets of wine came to their table.

"I appreciate it." Saei said as she took her goblet. "So what is it that you want to talk about?"

"Why do you pick on me all the time?"

"I told you I don't pick on you. I'm looking after you."

"So then, why do you always flit about, flirting with other men, when you know that I want to talk to you in private?"

"First off, I'm not flirting with the others. Second, how am I suppose to know that you want to talk to me? And third, why do you always notice even my tiniest actions?"

Hector ignored her last question. "You know perfectly well when I want to talk to you."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I...just know it. Since it's too much of a coincidence you always walk off to the other direction when I'm going to approach you."

Saei shrugged. "And then?"

"How come you treat me differently from the others?"

"I don't."

"Yes you do."

"Example please."

"Eliwood."

"He's nice to me. And it was he who helped Lady Lyndis last year. And he was the one who hired me for this certain campaign."

"Marcus."

"He's a really nice person, looking after milord Eliwood and our band of army."

"Oswin."

"He's a nice person, when I finally charmed him. Who would have thought your retainer is so fierce to his oath that he'll look after you? It took me a long time to get him talking to me."

"Matthew."

"Whoever said I'm nice to him? He keeps stealing my book. He steals from me twenty times a day, and only half of what he steals from me returns. You should teach him how to control his nimble hands, milord Hector. There's no point in stealing from someone who's your ally and who doesn't have enough property."

"Lowen."

"Not really, we're still kind of awkward with each other."

"Kent."

"Who wouldn't like him?"

"Sain."

"Who wouldn't LOVE him?" Saei smirked, enjoying the conflicting emotions that flickered on Hector's face. It's true though, Sain is the most lovable knight in camp.

"Nils."

"Oh come on...Don't drag kids into this."

"Dorcas."

"He's so reliable. I kind of envy Natalie for having him as a husband. Wish someday I find someone like him."

Hector stared at her for a long while. Then he resumed his list.

"Barte."

"He's a bit of a wild man, always eager for a fight. Though I like that certain trait in him. At least he's dependable when there's a fight."

"Wil."

"Oh, he's an absolute dear too. I like hearing his jokes. Especially about being normal..." She trailed off wistfully, remembering that certain day when she eavesdropped on Wil and Rath talking. "He absolutely cracked my ribs, trying hard not to laugh out loud and give away my bad habit of eavesdropping." Hector made a mental note to check around first before talking in public just in case she had the urge to eavesdrop on him.

"Canas."

"I like the way he thinks. And that he likes to study stuff so he's good company when I'm bored. Studying is my life."

"Lucius."

"Well...I thought he was a girl first. Then looking closely...well, yeah...Even though everything's smoothed out between us, I'm still a feeling a bit awkward."

"Raven."

"I don't even go near him."

"Lord Pent."

"He's like an uncle to me, dimwit."

"Rath. And don't call me dimwit."

"He's reliable enough. Why are you listing off the people in our camp anyways? Especially the male ones?"

"Because I'm jealous." Hector said hastily, reaching for his goblet and drained half of its content. Saei looked at him.

"Did I hear that right?"

"I said nothing."

"Can I ask a really personal question then, milord?" her tone was soft, somewhat shy. It sent Hector's wits flying to pieces. It was the very first time she had used such feminine tone on him. Normally she acts like a man.

"As long as it doesn't step over the line of rudeness." Hector said, keeping his mouth near to the goblet.

"Do you like me?"

Hector coughed. "I beg pardon?"

"I said, when was the last time you shaved? You're starting to have an unsightly beard." She said with an annoyed expression. She reached out for his chin and rubbed her slim hand over his stubble. Hector was dimly surprised by its softness. "I hate men with beard." she added with a grimace. "Though I don't mind if it's Lord Uther..."

"I'll shave tomorrow morning." Hector said glumly, annoyed that he heard his brother's name from the tactician.

"You should. Or else I myself will shave it off from you."

Hector looked at her straight at the face. "You better go to sleep."

"The same goes to you. Don't forget to shave tomorrow morning or else."

"I know." Hector said, annoyed. "You don't have to rub it in."

"If I don't you won't do it at all."

A/N: Chapter three is on the way.