Heiress

Chapter 2- You scared me!

The outside was dark. Only the light of the torches illuminated the corridors of the Black Bulls base. The adrenaline in Oriana's veins had dissipated and her body started to cool down. As she walked by the wide open windows in the corridors, the cold wind made her shiver ever so slightly.

"It surely was a productive day!" Vanessa cheered, one hand rested on her hip when facing the other women.

"It really was!" Noelle agreed. "The Rose Knights squad are immensely capable."

"I-It was so em-embarrassing." Grey's voice shaked.

Vanessa rested a comforting hand on Grey's shoulder, however this only caused the woman to hide her face deeper into her palms.

"I'm totally beat. I just want my bed." Oriana said.

"Want a snack for bed, la?" Charmy twirled in front of the group.

"We just had dinner..." Oriana laughed.

"What about the second dinner?"

"How does she eat so much?" Noelle wondered.

It was truly a mystery yet to be solved. Charmy was such a tiny creature with a bottomless stomach. Not even Asta could keep up with her. As they followed the corridor, one by one, the group reached each one's bedroom doors and said their good-nights. Oriana opened the door to her room as she waved to Noelle, which room was right in front of hers. She was rubbing her eye as she closed the door and then gasped in surprise and took a step back as she tightened her fists. In her bed was a lean figure with spiky red hair and the serenest face she had ever seen. Zora was back. In her bed. Asleep. With one of her horror novels on his lap. Her shoulders dropped. Oriana swiveled her head to her desk and his mask layed there. She glanced at the sleeping man once again. She couldn't take her eyes off him. If the room was in flames, she wouldn't even notice.

"What's with the face?" his voice was croaky with slumber.

He opened one single eye towards Oriana.

"You scared me!"

"Well, I am naturally terrifying."

She bit the inside of her cheek, uncertain of what to say. If she should say anything at all. Her heart skipped a beat everytime he moved, everytime he spoke. Three words were at the tip of her tongue. Oriana had to change her weight to one leg in an attempt to control the urge to fling herself into his had to be a reason for Zora to go immediately to her room, on the same day he arrived from his journey. Would it be possible that they would finally walk in the same direction together?

"Nobody's seen you in days." Oriana paused. "It's been lonely."

There was still so much in him and her. So much to say.

"Is that blood?" he asked, his brows furrowed in worry.

"...I don't think so?" she answered as she browsed her skin for any injuries.

He swinged his long legs off the bed and walked towards her. Silently, he grabbed her arm and turned the inside of her elbow upwards. His touch was so gentle and careful. There was a gash of red in her skin. One single drop made its way down her arm.

"I didn't even notice it."

"You have an emergency kit here somewhere, right?" he searched for her eyes.

"Yes, in the last drawer in the desk."

As he rushed to her desk, Oriana sat in the edge of the bed. After training sessions, Oriana would normally tend to her own smaller injuries by herself. There was never a need for fuss over cuts and bruises. One time, she noticed Zora neglected his own injuries all together. She offered to help him. It had become an habit. That time, roles were reversed. He sat next to her and asked her to extend her arm for him. His hands were warm in comparison to her chilly skin. The cut didn't hurt, however it stinged when the cold alcohol rubbed against it. She peered over to his unmasked face. His eyes were focused on her arm only. She took that moment to take his features in. A mental picture like the first time she saw him without his mask on. His face and arms had discolorations, At that distance, she spotted small bruises that tainted his skin green and yellow.