I Was So Close

She gasped when fingers rolled over her hips and down close to her-

Her entire body froze. Sir Bruin Huffman, one she thought could be her chosen, was touching her without her permission. With… out… her permission!

"Is this what you do?! You are shameless, disgusting! I told you I do not know who you speak of and you still wish to do this! Let me go!"

The hands left her and she was forcefully turned around with her back against the wall. Her eyes were teary and her nose with twitching from the need to cry. She couldn't believe someone would do such things to women, even when she told him to let her go.

Her face was cupped and blue eyes seemed to be hesitant. Did he… make a mistake? He really thought he was right in what he assumed. The leader of Rosemount hated his leader. Both cities were wealthy and were always pinning to be the top of all cities. The leader of Rosemount sent a few females before to gather intel from his fellow warriors, so he assumed…

"I-"

A slap rang into the living space and his cheek felt hot, burning, and pulsing. He deserved it. He had touched her without permission just so he could scare her. Stupid! He shouldn't have done that! His fellow warriors had told him this was what they did to scare the females off. So, he did the same even when he knew it was wrong.

What the hell was wrong with him?!

"Hit me again," he said softly not turning to look at her.

He didn't hear her reply. He didn't hear anything.

"Go on. Anywhere with whatever you want," he offered pressing a palm to his eyes, "I apologies. It isn't enough for what I did. I accept your punishment."

Another smack across his face and then he was being punched. Scratches and kicks, grabbing and shaking, everything he accepted. He was no worthy warrior.

"Why! Why did you do this! If you've done it, then the others have too! Why! Why…"

The Moon Goddess cried before she tired and fell to her knees, clutching his silk blue shirt.

"You were perfect. I was so close," she dropped her head as tears were slipping down her eyes.

Bruin heard her cries and he knew it was his fault. He fisted his hands and shut his eyes. He wouldn't dare touch her any longer. There was nothing he could do to take what he did back. If she wanted, she could kick his balls and he would gladly accept it. When he was frisking her, that was for show. When he was touching her now, it was to scare her.

He got what he wanted, didn't he?

She was angry with him.

'Then why is she holding my shirt like this?' He wondered staring at the white knuckles from how tight she was squeezing. He watching her shaking body and he wished she would hit him harder.

"The house with the red roof and the house with a woven basket on the porch," Bruin said quietly and when Moon lifted her head, he felt his heart clenched.

Seeing her in tears… shouldn't make him feel so desperate to make her feel better. He had seen females cry for his attention, but none that made him this invested. They had only just met and he was already feeling this way?! No, he did not believe in love at first sight the people kept spewing about. This couldn't be the same thing.

"What?" She whispered.

"Those devoted to the Moon Goddess. I'll bring you to them."

She bowed her head, thanking him slowly. Nodding his head, he stood up and offered a hand, but the female pushed herself up to stand on her own. Of course. What did he expect from her?

Heading out of his home, he walked quietly down the street of his city. Smiling and nodding to the villagers, he did his best to ignore the female behind him. Well… not ignore her, but ignore what he had done.

"Sir Bruin," a few females flocked to him, "Oh, you look handsome today."

"Very."

"Hm, this outfit makes you look even more dashing."

"My thanks," he bowed and smiled charmingly at them, "But your beauties are incomparable."

The females giggled and gushed. They followed him on his walk and he inwardly sighed. Although females of Springcall are beautiful, they are also clingy. These three females he had denied their interests multiple times, yet they still continued to wish for his time.

As they neared the house with the woven basket, the females suddenly stopped, pulling him to stop as well.

"Why are you going there?"

'Yeah! That lady is crazy!"

"Ugh! What a Moon Goddess lover! How pathetic."

"Do not speak of elders that way," Bruin narrowed his eyes, but the females continued on. He glanced over to check on Moon. He knew she was a loyalist, so if these words were hurting her…

Moon had already walked up the steps and knocked on the door. Trying to leave the females, they were pulling and their voices were picking up.

"Enough!"

He shouted and the females let him go. He glared at them and turned swiftly to leave. He took quick steps up the porch and bowed to the elder who was watching him.

"Sir Bruin Huffman," the elder tilted her head, "What brings you to my door?"

His blue eyes saw the female was already inside the house.

"I am making sure Miss Moon is fine. She asked for a devoted worshiper of the Moon Goddess."

"Yes. She told me. She is fine, Sir Bruin. You may return to your post. Thank you," the elder bowed and closed the door on him.

He stared at the closed door and gritted his teeth. This elder did not respect him, any of the guards, or his leader. She was truly devoted to the Moon Goddess and her belief of being protected was stronger than her dependence on them. Exhaling deeply, there was nothing more that he could do.

Inside the house of the woman's, the Moon Goddess felt her skin prickle from the devotion she felt. Just like the elders in Woftown, this woman had a shrine erected for her. She smiled and watched the female brought over a bowl of rice porridge to offer.

"I was about to pray. Do you wish to join me, young lady?"

"Yes."

She knelt beside the female and followed when the elder bowed. She heard the light mumbling so clearly in her ears. The elder prayed for her health and for her wish to see the Moon Goddess one time before she dies.

Ah, that was something she could grant her once she learned more.

Once they were finished praying, she joined the elder at the table and thanked her for the tea.

"Madame," the Moon Goddess smiled behind her cloth covered lips, "Your devotion to the Moon Goddess is felt. May I ask why you are still praying to her when others have long forgotten about her?"