Chapter 18

Heather could see that Alexander was truly stunned by the new information he had learned. Although he appeared considerably more at ease than just a minute before, he was still deeply contemplating something. For the moment, it seemed for a while that he was absorbing what she had told him; new questions were simultaneously emerging in his mind.
He resisted the urge to confront her with further questions to assuage his worries.
“Are you alright?” Heather questioned him, breaking him out of his thoughts in an attempt to make him voice out his worries.
However, as soon as he heard her voice, his statue relaxed. “I should be asking you that.”
“I am doing good. Much better than the day before. I may or might not be able to get up right now if you ask me to. But aside from that, I feel okay. I am still worn out after yesterday's activities.” Heather stated.
Alexander could see that she was definitely exhausted on the other side.
“It is foolish of me to burden you with my inquisitiveness when I should be helping you. You might be famished. I doubt you ate anything at the Oscars.” Alexander said.
His concerns touched Heather, "Hunger was far from my mind. But what about you? I am confident that you slept on an empty stomach because of me."
"Taking care of you was my top priority. I did, however, prepare supper for the two of us while I waited for you to return from Oscars," Alexander added.
"Perhaps we ought to eat it for breakfast?" Heather suggested.
“That would be perfect. Why don't I bring the food over so we can dine together?” Alexander asked her, to which she nodded in response.
As Alexander rose from the bed, he saw that Heather was struggling. She did manage to get on her feet, but sudden dizziness hit her, and she jerked back right on the bed.
"Are you alright?" As he ran near her, he questioned her.
“I suppose.” She stated, sounding not so sure.
“Let me assist you.” Alexander extended his hand, which she gratefully accepted.
He waited outside for her while she freshened up and guided her back to her bed after he helped her to the bathroom so she could wash her teeth.
Once she was comfortably settled, he freshened and went to get them their meal from the kitchen.
“The food is delicious,” Heather said as she took small bites of the rice he cooked for them.
“Thank you. I am glad you liked it.”
Heather smiled and said, "I do.
Even when they were eating, she could tell Alexander was lost in his own thoughts and disconnected from the surroundings.
"What is going on in your mind?” Heather asked him.
“I am thinking about how it must have been for you to strive alone while discovering new things about yourself. For you, the unpleasant surprise of helping someone would have been terrible. How did you handle it?” He looked at her with a questioning gaze.
"Well, the pain I had the first time was nothing compared to what I experienced yesterday, but yes, I always anticipate the exhaustion I might get once I get home. I often take care of my patients at my cabin. So, it becomes easier for me to rest. However, yesterday was one of the few times when I went to the Oscars to treat someone. It was fortunate for me that my first experience of losing my vitality was at their home.”
“What happened the first time?”
Heather smiled a little as she reflected on the memory.
“It was simple wound infection. A young child, not more than ten years old, had hurt himself while riding a bicycle. As I was rubbing the ointment on his cut with my bare hand, I suddenly felt something drained inside me, and I was starting to get tired. I was able to fight the impulse to shut my drowsy eyelids until the youngster went out with his mother on his way home. The moment he left the place, I lost consciousness. Oscars and Junior made sure that I didn't attempt to cure anybody without their permission since they had a sneaking suspicion of what may set things off. Once their doubts were confirmed, they made a formula for me. Initially, merely a drop in my mouth would do the work, but as the depth of my healing expanded, the intensity of my energy after doing so also heightened. They modified the formula. If energy drained is minor, then I drink a drop, or else I would take a bath and take a long nap.”
Alexander, though, was blinking hard at what she had just told him. He never once considered the possibility that treating someone may come with a price. It was not fair, as what Heather was doing is a noble work. She did not deserve to suffer after she treated people with compassion.
She is entitled to feel bliss and ecstatic.
She was not used to Alexander's kind gaze on her. She had seen the greater desire in men's eyes, but the emotion in his gaze was much more intense. She felt something stir inside of her, and all she wanted was for him to kiss her.
She wanted to feel the emotions burning inside her, and the only person who would be able to help her with it was Alexander.
He, unfortunately, had other plans. As they finished their meal, he kept plates in the kitchen. Fortunately for her, he quickly returned to his position on the bed in front of her.
He said, "You feel better now?
“Much. The food you made helped me a lot.” She stated.
“But not much than what your bath would.” Alexander pointed.
"Yeah, but I am afraid I'd need your help. Even now, I don't feel strong enough to exert myself. I'd rather go to bed." Heather elucidated.
"Heather Crown, I am not going to let you sleep any more than you already have. I would use any means at my disposal to help you regain your former self." Alexander pronounced.
“Won’t your future wife mind?” he teasingly questioned him. She knew that they would willingly be crossing a boundary once they got up from the bed.
On the night Alexander saved her, the circumstances were different. She had granted him complete authority to guide her to warm water even if she wasn't quite cognizant.
Alexander's eyes flickered for a brief moment in response to her remarks, and then he said audaciously, "If it's you, only you could answer it."
Heather gave him a flustered glance and said, "I would not mind."
"Are you certain about that?" He teased her.
"Without a doubt. I am aware that you are a decent guy; therefore, my virtue won't put you in danger. The incident from last night was just more proof of it."
Alexander could not help but scoot closer to her at her words, “You truly are a remarkable woman, Heather Crown.”
Heather, however, shied away from him, “No, I am not.”
Regarding her intransigence, Alexander shook his head and said, "Yes, you are to me."