Yes, Your Highness.

5. Next step?

CHRISTOPHER'S POV

The feeling of her fingers and lips on my back and shoulders made goosebumps run down my body. My heart started dancing in my chest. The wounds did hurt... But not so bad anymore. Every negative feeling disappears when she's next to me. My eyes became watery.

- You shouldn't care about this, your h-

- How can I not?!

She suddenly stood up from my bed. I almost regretted my words but saw her in front of me in a second. She looked down at me, but the next thing that happend was another hug. This time half of my face was buried in her upper belly. She had her palms on the other side, brushing my hair gently.

- Please don't hide your pain. Don't hide yourself from me, I beg.

- It was worth it...- I murmured quietly, barely even hearing myself.

- Nothing is worth your pain and tears, precious.- She still heard it.

I felt like my heart doesn't fit in my ribcage anymore. She called me precious. Out of all the words in the world, she chose to call me with one that doesn't describe me at all.

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As a little kid I was told that I am not even worth a cent. My mother, in fact, kept reminding me how I was worthless and just a weight on her shoulders. Kept crying to me and yelling that if I was never born, she would have been free. I am just a burden.

I still remember how I showed her my drawing once... It was a drawing of us. We were happy, next to a big pink flower and a blue house. Big smiles were plastered on our faces.

- What is this?

- I drew us, mommy!

- Don't call me that.- She was drunk. Again.

- Oh, okay. Do you like it?

She took it from me and started laughing. I was confused: Does she like it? Is she happy?

And she ripped it in half.

Panicking, I tried to take it back, only to be pushed onto the wall. I started crying.

- Stop crying before I give you an actual reason to.

- M-mommy!- I sobbed.

- I said don't call me that!- A slap across the face.

She ended up leaving me in front of a martial arts school. I was lucky the master was a kind man. He took me in and taught me everything he knew, saying it was destiny that I appeared here out of nowhere. Now, hearing about my achievements, he's proud.
-----

"Precious." I looked up to meet her gaze. I tried my best to find the lie in her eyes. The only thing I saw were stars. So many, it takes your breath away. Her cheeks were wet from tears, I lifted my hand to wipe them with my thumb. She stopped breathing for a second, as I gently touched her face.

Notice how when it's dark outside, you have the rising urge to share some secrets? A sense of boldness made me let out the words I was trying to hold back:

- If I knew I'd end up in your arms like this, I'd go through that excruciating pain countless times more.

Her eyes widened. I noticed how she scanned my face, not knowing what to say. The moment I was ready to curse myself for the awkwardness I caused, she leaned in. In the next second I felt like a cloud touched my forehead. Like I was blessed by an angel. My heart jumped to my throat, I met her eyes in shock. She left a peck on my forehead.