Flame Inside ✿ Damien and Matthew

Chapter 32

After she dealt with Emma, Thalia went to the grand hall, knowing Saero would either be there expecting her or would arrive there shortly after her. Nevertheless, she was ready to train again with him. What she didn't expect was seeing Saero and Diana in the room. She quickly ducked back around the corner and listened, not wanting to disturb them if they were talking. "That damned little– How dare she–" Ezaeur exclaimed in frustration.

"My lady, please. Calm down..." Thalia furrowed her brow as he tried to understand what was happening.

"No, Saero! It is not alright! That selfish brat had the nerve to–"

"Ezaeur, please! I'm alright, I swear–"

"Stop talking and let me finish!"

Diana's harsh tone echoed through the hall before a soft sigh followed. Thalia peered around the corner and watched as Diana ran her hand along Saero's cheek gingerly, tracing a mark on it with her fingers. Radiant purple light emanated from her hand as Ezaeur glided it back and forth over Saero's skin. Saero had a small smile painted over his lips as he watched her work. "Damn her to the deepest depths of Hell..." Ezaeur growled angrily.

"You're being too harsh, my lady–"

"Booskia is being a selfish brat, Saero. I saved her from dying and this is how she repays me? Ungrateful little..."

Thalia raised a brow at Diana. Her anger towards this 'Booskia' was absolutely adorable. Saero seemed to have the same thought as he said with a teasing smile, "You're being adorable right now..." Ezaeur stopped moving and looked up at Saero in surprise, a large blush splashed across her cheeks. A blush that made Thalia smile because a blushing Diana is a cute Diana. Saero, growing bolder, gently lifted a hand up between them and placed it under her chin, lifting her head slightly. "I promise that I'm alright... She barely scratched me." Saero said.

"B-But, she–"

"Loves her mistress very much, just like I do. She couldn't help it. I did try to surprise you after all. She was startled and wanted to protect you, just like I would have."

Ezaeur grumbled, pressing her lips into a fine line as she stared down at his chest, "She still attacked you."

"Which I'm sure she's very sorry for. Let it go..." Saero moved his hand to cup Ezaeur's cheek, rubbing his thumb along her cheekbone. Ezaeur closed her eyes, but didn't lean into his hand. Saero then gave Ezaeur a teasing smile, "You know, you didn't yell at me for saying your name–"

"My priority was not correcting you."

"You were concerned about me~"

"Yes, I was. Why wouldn't I be?"

Saero frowned a bit as Diana opened her eyes and looked up at him, trying to appear unfazed at his teasing. However, the blush that still radiated from her face didn't lie. "Why are you concerned about me, Ezaeur? You've protected me my whole life when it's my job to protect you..." Ezaeur stayed silent in reply, "You didn't correct me again." Silence followed as Saero waited for her to answer. Thalia was tempted to read her mind to find out what she was thinking, but the apprentice was already intruding on matters that didn't concern her, so she decided to respect Diana's privacy.

Ezaeur closed her eyes and took a small breath before finally replying, "...I care about you, Saero. You've been by my side ever since we were mere children. Every time you've gotten hurt, I..." Thalia watched with a small smile as Diana brought her hand up and ran her fingers along the scar on his chest, between the lapels of his jacket. Saero stared as Ezaeur traced around it, her face painted in sadness. "I know you vowed to protect me with your life... but that doesn't mean you must accept every wound on your body as insignificant..." Ezaeur closed her eyes, forming a fist against Saero's chest and clenching it hard. The scar has held some significance to make her that upset. The same way the mere mention of Emma's scar caused her to become cold and unfeeling for a few moments.