Do You Like What You See?
Hector moved away, his eyes involuntarily turning to Lana. The Queen caught his gaze and traced it to Lana who was standing behind them, her head bowed, her thoughts all over the place. Nothing could be going on between Hector and the Queen, right?
The Queen turned back to Hector, her brows raised. With a small smile on her lips, she stood, moving away from Hector.
"Why are you still here?" The Queen asked Lana as Hector stood up.
"I am..." Hector started to say, but was stopped by the Queen's finger.
"Is she the one? The reason you are not accepting my request?"
Lana looked up, confused. What request?
"No, your highness. I am not refusing your request."
"Are you accepting it, then? Answer me."
He shook his head. "Your highness...I am sorry. I fell sick some time yesternight, that's why I couldn't attend to my duties by your side. Please forgive me."
The Queen sighed, watching Lana as she in turn, stared at Hector.
"I need you to understand something. It does not matter whether you are sick, about to fall sick, dead, or about to die, do it by my side. Only my hand can save you."
Hector bowed. "I understand."
"If you do, then come with me right now." She answered, then turned away, letting herself out of the servant quarter.
Hector dropped the blanket he had been using, and made to go out to the queen when Lana caught his hand.
"I believe I deserve an explanation. The Queen herself came here, held your face and looked at you so affectionately...What has happened between you?"
Hector swallowed, unable to look at Lana. He wasn't sure how to explain or if he should even be explaining to her. He didn't know how to put it, especially when he didn't even understand it himself.
"I am sorry, Lana. I have to go." Hector said, then started to walk away.
"Because she is the queen? Because she owns all of us? All of this?"
"Yes," Hector answered. Why else would he have to go to her? "Because she is the Queen. Because she owns all of this, all of us, everything. She owns the world I know."
Lana suddenly came in front of him, seething with rage, her eyes filled with angry tears.
"Repeat that, will you, Hector?"
He looked up, meeting her eyes. Her anger was stopping the tears from going any further, but behind the glassy shield they formed, you could see her breaking.
"I said, yes. You are right. It is because she owns all of us, and the world I know."
He hoped she would understand. He wasn't leaving her. Going to the Queen was just duty. Being with her was his choice. His priority. And he would choose that over anything else over and over again.
"How dare you.?" Lana said, and before Hector could say a word, she slapped his right cheek hard, her breath ragged fron the effort and the heat inside her.
"How could you do that? I trusted you. You were in love with me."
"Lana." He said, surprise on his face. "What is wrong?"
"You are asking me that?" The incredulous tone in her voice.
"Lana." He said and came closer to her, but she stepped away, pointing to the door.
"Go to her."
"Lana."
"I said, go to her!" She yelled, pushing his chest, and then turned away to go the female part of the servant's quarters.
Hector stood there, broken between two women who he didn't know what to do about. The queen who he had absolutely no feelings for...and Lana who he felt everything for.
It should have been a very easy option if she wasn't the queen. If it was another ordinary woman.
He sighed and walked away, farther from where his heart was safe, and closer to the war zone ahead.
"Your highness. I am here."
He announced from outside the door, and the door opened to usher him in. He walked in, his hands behind him, and his head bowed slightly.
"Hector." The Queen's voice had come from behind him, and he turned swiftly to her.
"How do you feel?" She asked. She had changed into a black fitting dress, her hair long and down her back. Her veil was nowhere, and he could clearly see her eyes.
"I feel..." He started to answer, then looked up. Her face was kind, as if she was asking because she cared not just for asking sake. But she had said and did all that the other night, so it wouldn't be a surprise if she cared.
"Tell me." Her voice was soft, low.
"Torn. I feel torn, your highness." He said, then let out a small laugh. "You should not be the one I am telling this."
"There is nothing wrong in telling me. It just shows I am fortunate enough."
He cracked up. "What is so fortunate about a servant like me?"
She smiled and walked to the bedside, makimg herself comfortable. "What is not fortunate, Hector? Do you know how many other servants could have brought that plate of grapes instead of Mrs. margaret?"
"I thought I would get punished." He said, feeling a little more comfortable.
The queen looked at him. The worry lines on his face were mostly smoothed out. She might be the only causing the turbulence in his life, but she could also distract him from it.
"Maybe I should start now?"
"I do not want to climb ladders, your highness."
She burst into laughter, as he did too, his quick defense amusing them. His laughter, even though controlled was rich, like it came from someone who knew how to be happy.
"Do you have a fever?" She asked after, concern returning to her eyes. "I wont bother you about that. I just want you to be well now."
He bowed. "You are generous, your highness. I believe I will be fine with some herbs."
She nodded. "I have that. Come sit here."
"Sit? Your highness, how could I...?"
"Sit, Hector. This is a royal command."
He swallowed, then went to the seat she had indicated, and sat on it, clasping his hands close together.
She took out a wet towel she seemed to have prepared before that, and touched his forehead with it, dabbing it gently to lower his temperature.
Occasionally, his eyes left his fingers and traveled across her face, taking her features. It was strange that he was the one she chose to bestow this favour on. It gave him a funny feeling deep inside.
He didn't realize when she left the towel on his forehead and leaned closer, her brow raised, a half smirk playing on her lips.
"Do you like what you see?"