"So, you live alone in the forest?" Francis asked.
"No, I live with my friends." She smiled a little.
Henry started to pick fruits from Madels fruit box. Francis noticed it but he did not want to jump into conclusions. Madel did not mind Henry's gesture. But what shocked Francis the most was when Henry took Madel's glass of water and drank from it.
Cheska smiled and asked Francis if he was bothered.
"In our world, such gestures are only shared by husband and wife." Francis said with hesitation.
Cheska gave a meaningful smile. Francis felt a complicated relationship on the three and made a mental note. From the looks of it Cheska had a very wide insight and way of making things happen. Henry looked at Madel in his peripheral vision. Her eyes were devoid of emotion as usual so he did not mind.
"I'm a gay. We do not mind these things in this world unless I'm straight." Henry said nonchalantly.
Madel on the other hand became more conscious, she knew Henry's habits and believes that it has no special meaning for him, but having someone point it out she felt flustered. She was afraid that she would be discovered if Francis kept on talking more.
With the all-seeing eye, she can see that a person's microbes are faithful only to its host, but if it is transferred to another host it may become pathologic. But it was not so, for couples who knew each other. "Knew" means that the couples body were joined to the point that the RS gene recognizes the partners body, and codes.
Although some transient microbes may still retaliate, resident microbes and antibodies will submit under tolerable conditions. Meaning exposure to their mucus, and body fluids to some degree will be tolerable and will not cause a reaction (battle of microbes leading to disease or inflammation). It does not include gene transplant, organ transplant and blood transfusion of course. But transfer of unpure zhenqi is tolerable.
It was not the first time that Madel became flustered. Her cheeks nose and lips were always covered with mask so it was hard to see if she was blushing. She only had to maintain her calm demeanor.
"By the way, since you are in a polygamous world, how do you deal with sexually transmitted disease?" Francis asked.
"That's what I will discover in my course." Cheska smile.
Francis almost choked with what she said. He did not know how his neurons were wired this time. He interpreted it like Cheska was planning to share his husband with another woman.
Madel with her silent yet caring nature flicked her hand and a glass of water appeared. Francis accepted it and in his fit of cough he did not noticed that his fingers brushed Madel's hands. The temperature in the environment suddenly went cold. But nobody noticed it except Cheska.
Finally, after eating every fruit in Madel's box, Henry asked Cheska for another sparring.
"Do you want to join us" Henry asked Francis.
Francis refused and said that he does not know how to fight. Cheska sat down implying that the two man can go ahead without them.
"we will do it with our bare hands then." Henry said.
Madel stood up, wore her gloves and said that she can continue practicing again. It irked Henry more, so without second word from Madel he went to position and waited for her.
Since it was the first time that Francis met them he did not dared to ask if there was something going on between Madel and Henry. Cheska continued filling him with details, about cultivation, academics etc.
The sun was about to set when Henry told them that they should go home.
Henry was a very careful man and would not do something out of the ordinary. But knowing Madel's kind nature he knew that she will not think twice about asking him to stay with her in her house. Her naivity and innocence are more harmful than her lack of zhenqi. Though it was against his will he had no choice but to act. There are a lot of times when Madel really disappointed him with her attitude but not this time.
"Francis, you can stay in our house until I find you a place to live in." Henry said.
Madel and Cheska gave him that mischievous smile. Their eyes glistened saying" Looks like Henry has finally found his man."
Henry really loathed this decision of his. He never ever and will never ask someone to sleep in his grandfather's house if not for Madel. She is not the type of woman that I would want to marry if ever he said to himself.
Seeing the discomfort in his eyes, Madel said. "It's okay Henry he can stay at our house, your grandfather might be mad if you suddenly bring home someone." It was of pure intent that she spoke but Henry's eyes shot daggers.
He was thoroughly disappointed. He knew it would happen, but to think that she would insist. Her stupidity, and naivety was immeasurable. Just as they were on a starring match, the maids from Helen's Clan walked towards them in two straight line and opened a path for Helen's mother.
"Oh so, there you are handsome man. We will take you with us if you don't have any accommodation's for tonight." She said.
Though reluctant, Francis had to go with her in order not to cause any trouble to Henry, Madel and Cheska.
"Ok" he said.
"Don't worry child I will not put Helen into your room and make you take responsibility for her if you do not want to." She said with a smile. "But if you want we can arrange the marriage as soon as possible."
After a few minutes, Henry looked at Madel sternly.
"You…" he wanted to scold her badly. "He is a man and you are a woman Madel, and to think that you are alone in the same house, who would want to take you in as their wife if they knew about it?"
He was like a nagging father. Cheska knew Henry's temper and decided to arrange her things while waiting for the two. Madel was passive. It frustrated Henry more, when she told him that she has a mission and she did not think about her life after accomplishing that mission a sudden fear crept out to him. This is the same fear that added to his anger now. He felt like Madel would disappear in the face of the planet once he found the king that she was looking for.
"Are you two done?" Cheska asked.
"You have to say sorry to Henry Madel, for making him worry." She added.
Henry looked at Cheska and thought that her level of maturity and grasp of the situation is what he is looking for in a woman. But since he was presenting himself as a gay, those thoughts are merely for assessment purposes only.
Henry waited. Madel stooped her head. He was surprised when Madel held his hands and said sorry. Instead of letting it go. Henry held on it tightly and walked.
"Let's go home." He said in a stern voice.
Madel's heart throbbed faster. This man is really torturing her. It was hard enough to control her emotions when she sees him but does he really have to do such subtle yet mind wrecking gestures. They are walking while holding hands.
"He is a gay, calm down Madel, breath in breath out." she said to herself.