Kapitel 27: Rising Hope - 4

[Atalante pov]

When was the last time I had felt such peace? When the soles of my feet still brought comfort to the nerves within. Hiding them from the harsh twigs and scraps that scattered themselves around the forests I grew within.

Was it?

My head shook, hands ghosting past the seams of my clothes and bringing with it a bunch of cloth. A sign long unnoticed by the face in front of me. At his closed eyes that seemed to convey pure tranquil thought.

Where energy spread through my body, my feet, once soaked in nothing but fiery pain. Now sat with naught but a small spring. Gasps leaving my mouth with but a moment to spare. As Gabriel gave me his thanks.

Healing that would have cost hundreds of thousands. All to hire some entitled mage, one who had graduated this very school, specializing in medicine. Yet who were they to quote outrageous prices. Who were they to take advantage of a noble house when they went around like a beggar selling themselves at such a price.

But still, the treatment was one that not even us, of such a noble stature could afford. For it was the equivalent of expanding our walls another meter. Another meter against the endless tide of monsters that threatened the liveliness and health of our own citizens

In short, a treatment that my family could not afford.

Yet a treatment that my noble family found so hard to acquire, that took so much money and effort to track and quote a time upon.

Who was he to heal me so. To grunt so lewdly, with a tone of almost astonishing clarity. Taking my wounds for himself. Deriving some base pleasure from the simple act of healing.

Where was he when I had to wear crutches for the better part of a year, when I had to walk with a limp for another two, and where was he when I had to learn to fight with a broken foot. One that barely moved trivial distances without searing pain.

And now, of all times now. When I had grown so used to the pain. Had used that pain and searing determination to clear through the obstacles that stopped me from healing.

All for what!? For merely veiling his from from the ravenous lust of those girls. Who wanted nothing more than for him to whore his body out for a simple copper. What was so good about me that he had given me something others would sacrifice much for.

That others would kill for.

All while giving me that perfect smile of his, eyes hooded in pain and fear at the thought of being surrounded by those women.

It was what one was supposed to do. It was what a noble was, to protect the weaker, to give safety to those of lesser birth. A lesson those girls had never learned. Yet as he huddled beneath me. Quivering in fear at the sudden anger I had exhibited.

I could do nothing but awkwardly twirl in my spot. As seconds drew by. Moment after moment. Of him twiddling his hair with his thumb. Nervously playing with it.

Nothing more for me to do than scoff. At the ridiculous behavior those so called nobles were showing. Ruining a relationship with such a person. For such baser desires.

Could they even be called nobles, with an attitude so sour.

The cube turned in my hands, creating this whirling noise. One that distracted me from my thoughts.

I only lightly played with it. Touching the grooves and other rough edges in order to find some sort of solution.

Yet when I turned it over once more it splayed out. Creating a sort of array of cubes. It was then, and only then, that I turned my attention to the desk. Placing it down and studying it with a critical eye.

Breathing a sigh of relief as Gabriel sat next to me. And from the corner of my eye I watched as he felt around it. Using some sort of special sight, for it was obvious that he was blind, in order to play with it.

That golden hair of his, tinged with green. It swayed as he turned his cube in his hand. Twirling his hair with the other. I tried to turn my nose the other way. Trying to ignore the cute noises that he made. Trying to puzzle out the puzzle.

But… But… he was just too cute.

'No, bad Atalante'

I scolded myself. No thoughts like that, never had I had such… such… such lewd thoughts about another. And to let my desires overtake my mind. Like those overzealous simpletons. A disgrace.

It would be an utter and absolute disgrace to my image. For that was what I had come here for. My image, for the money, for the prestige. To raise my family to heights unknown.

That was why I focused solely upon the object in front of me, divining its secrets with but a thought and a small touch.

There was a click, one that seemed to bring apart the box. Scattering pieces all around and giving it some sort of new shape.

Progress. Something that seemed to catch the professor's attention. But it was only that, attention.

A mere raised eyebrow.

A sigh once more echoed as I looked it over once again. There was a pattern here. But I wasn't going to be able to find it with such little time remaining. That was why I turned to Gabriel, wanting to help as I could.

Of course to return the favor. That was my only intention.

But when I turned, expecting that same face, I didn't see him. Curiously there was another person here, holding my healer hostage against her breasts. Tugging him here and there. Saying their goodbyes.

Who was she!

Who was she to take away my…

I blinked… What the hell was I thinking? No, I wasn't thinking that was why. I… I just need to take a small break. A breather.

And that was what I did. Fiddling with the cube and letting my thoughts rest.

…