There was one good result that had come from the news though. Asrar was being highly attentive to her – more so than usual. In fact, he treated her in a way that was not only highly considerate, but also rather… misleading.

It was to the point that she had trouble not imagining that he had feelings for her, even if it might be buried deep. Very deep. Most of his usual reserve had totally vanished, as he constantly made sure that she was handling her father's wounds well.

He had even cuddled with her, providing her with a sense of comfort from the physical closeness. Which, admittedly, was something he normally would not have done. Even if he always allowed her to hug him, he would often draw a line at anything more. But not when she was dealing with this.

So, yes, one good thing had come from the news, and Hazel took advantage of the effect it had on her knight. Opportunities like this were hard to come by, after all. Besides she really did need the comfort.

Which all this explained just how she had managed to get the opportunity to sit on his lap in the library. It really did help to distract her from the worry she had for her father as she really found it hard to concentrate when Asrar was this close to her.

It made her feel nervous as b.u.t.terflies seemed to take over her stomach. She wondered if he could hear her heartbeat. And if he did, whether he might be pointedly ignoring it like he seemed to ignore every indication of her feelings.

Whether or not he heard her heartbeat, ignored it, or whatever he was doing, she reveled in the comfortable embrace she found herself in. One of his arms snugly about her waist as his other held a book, which she realized he had not turned a page in quite a while. The soft breath that made her hair move gently by her neck. All of it caught her entire awareness as she etched it into her memory forever.

She snuggled her shoulders deeper into his chest, resting against him as if he had been made specifically to fit against her. Which he did, quite well.

As a sigh escaped her, she felt him s.h.i.+ft a little as his worried voice came into her ear, "Ist everything alright, my princess?"

She tilted her head to look at him. She really did love his eyes, the way the light caught them making them almost seem to glow. There was worry though sitting on his brow, which made her feel slightly guilty. She had not meant to worry him.

"Y-yeah, I am fine. Well, as fine as I can be." She managed to say, "You've helped a lot. I don't tell you this nearly enough, but Asrar… I am really lucky to have you as a best friend."

He nodded, a slight look of relief coming to his face, "Well, I twill always be at your side…. For as long as I can at least."

She shook her head at him, "Let's not think of that. The future will be what it will be. Better to enjoy the time we know we have, rather than thinking of how it might end."

She liked the way his eyes softened, and the slight hint of s smile that came to him, "Yes, of course. Thou art completely right."

They fell quite foe a bit as Hazel's mind started turning to what was going on at home. In a quiet voice she asked her knight, "Do you think Heron is doing all right? I mean –"

"He twill be fine." Asrar was quick to console her, "Heron might have always been sickly but he is quite an intelligent fellow. What he lacks in strength he makes up for with his quickness, both physically and mentally."

She smiled, noticing that most of what Asrar had just said had not been in as formal of a speech as normal. He was getting better. At least with her.

What he had just said about her brother was true. Heron had always made due with his weaker body by relying on his quickness. And he was quick, which she was glad of. He had probably needed it in Jarenkul.