Chapter 4: Our little secret

Helena was careful to prepare for her adventure better this time. She peeked through the flap and after making sure that no one was around, quickly left the secret passage and waited for the boy near the spot where he found her last time. She couldn't see him anywhere and just when she was about to give up and go home, she noticed his shiny raven hair, this time hidden under a cap. She waved to him enthusiastically.

''You came!''

''Did I have any other choice?''

''Well...''.

''It was a rhetorical question, you don't need to answer those''. His tone was snappy but she didn't mind; after all, what mattered is that he came for her.

His gaze examined her from head to toe; she made sure to borrow (she would never steal!) a barn maid's attire and find an apron that would fit her.

''Are you preparing for a play? Your face is still too clean if you truly want to fit among us'' he mocked her. In response, she crouched and quickly mudded her face, much to his disapproval. ''Hey, don't do this! Don't you know you can get sick from that?!'' his hand jerked her up.

Last night, she thought long and hard about this boy. His pretty face and manner of speaking stood out from the other boys she saw in Bronovice. He even knew what a rhetorical question was. Yet, his dirty clothes didn't lie - he wasn't like her, there was no denying that. Despite the circumstances, she couldn't help being thrilled about the prospect of spending more time with him.

''Let's go, I can't wait to see Rachel!''.

She went ahead, and the boy followed her unwillingly. ''Listen, you can't just keep coming here, we don't want to get in trouble once your family finds out where you are coming''.

''Oh, don't worry about it, they are most agreeable people'' she beamed. He didn't look too convinced.

''All I am saying is that it's not good for you to be here, that much is clear''.

They entered his house; Rachel didn't wake up from the sound of them entering. Helena looked uneasily at Rion while rummaging through her apron. ''Here, take this''.

Rion looked down at her hands, his eyes grew to the size of tea cups. ''I cannot take this, I will be hanged if they find this amount on me''.

''If you go to the Bouncy Pony tavern and request to see a doctor who came there just before midnight, he will help you further''.

His resolve faltered when he looked at her and then at his sister. Helena followed his gaze. ''Trust me, this will work. Just tell them that a lady from the House of Lynx sent for him. I will wait here for you'' putting money in his hands, she gently pushed him outside.

Helena cared for her sick siblings before but her efforts usually consisted of telling them silly stories and staring at them while they were asleep, which they found immensely disturbing once they woke up and found her staring at them in silence. This time, she knew it wouldn't be enough. She gently patted Rachel on her head, inadvertently waking her up.

''I'm sorry, I didn't mean to''.

''It's okay, I'm glad to see you here''.

Helena once again rummaged through her apron and pulled out an apple. ''I know this isn't like a baked apple your mum used to make, but would you like to try it? I could cut it for you''.

''Where did you get it? Are you sure it is alright for me to have it?'' her voice trembled.

''Of course, I even brought a few more with me'' she looked around the room and found a little knife, which she used to carefully cut the apple. She passed the pieces to Rachel, who accepted them gladly.

''Thank you''.

Helena felt a wave of warmth seeping through her body. This was a different kind of happiness that she was used to. As the youngest child, she was always the one to receive. She didn't know yet the joy of giving, the sweet feeling of being relied upon.

''I also brought a book full of stories for you to pass the time'' she revealed another item hidden in her apron.

''Oh'' Rachel's tone surprised her.

''What's wrong?''.

''Well, it's...'' she hesitated for a bit. ''I cannot read'' she blurted. ''Rion learned how to read from our mother, but I was still young when she passed''.

Helena gave it a bit of thought. ''Would it be alright if I tried to teach you how to do it?''.

''Can you?'' Rachel's eyes sparkled. ''It is a most desirable skill!'' her enthusiasm was contagious and Helena laughed wholeheartedly.

"Let's try it together then''. She opened the book and showed Rachel the first page. ''I will first read the passage out loud, and then explain which letter belongs to which sound. Next time, I will also bring some paper for you to practice writing''. Seeing Rachel nod, she proceeded with the text.

Some time has passed before they heard Rion return with a distinguished man beside him. Rachel froze, panicked. ''Brother?'' her voice faltered.

''It is alright Rachel, I brought a doctor with me''.

Helena looked at the doctor with a blank expression. Upon meeting her gaze, he gave her a discrete wink. ''Miss Rachel, let me examine you please''. The girl looked at her brother for affirmation and after seeing his approval, she relaxed slightly.

Helena stood up next to Rion and put her arm around his shoulder. He didn't protest and together, they watched the doctor examing Rachelor's condition and asking questions, which Rion sometimes helped her answer.

''Very well, I have finished'' announced the doctor. ''As I suspected, your sister suffers from prolonged lung disease. I brought some medicine with me, which should be taken with a warm meal twice a day. Most importantly, she needs to start moving to gain strength. She cannot stay bedridden like this or else her condition shall never improve''.

''How can I help her with it?'' Rion seemed determined, his eyebrows frowned.

''First, you need to start moving her limbs, up and down, back and forth. Once she starts to gain muscles, she needs to engage in light exercises'' he stood up and took out bottles of medicine from his bag. ''If you need more, please inform lady... Elena and I shall deliver them'' he excused himself and left the house.

Helena clapped her hands, making the other children startle. ''Excellent news, isn't it Rachel? From now on, I will come here every evening to nurture you back to health''.

''Are you sure about it? I don't know if I and my brother can impose on you like this''.

''Nonsense'' Helena took out the remaining apples from her apron and put them in a nearby basket. ''Unfortunately, I have to go now. Rion, would you be so kind as to escort me? Bye, Rachel!'' without waiting for a response, she exited the hut and inhaled deeply. Rion followed her outside and to her surprise, grabbed her hand.

''Thank you'' his eyes weren't meeting hers. ''I will repay your kindness one day''.

''You don't have to. I am glad to hear your sister will get better''.

They walked slowly in silence, her hand felt warm in his. She didn't want this moment to ever end.

''Rion, who do you want to be when you grow?''.

''To think so is a luxury, Elena, which I cannot afford. I will probably end up working at the Walniczka salt mine, just like my father.''

''But you mustn't, this is most dangerous!'' she cried and stopped abruptly. He looked at her softly, his eyes were undecipherable.

''This is just how it is in my world''.

''But if you had a choice, what would you rather do?''.

He seemed to know the answer immediately.

''I would like to contribute to our people. Invent things that make our lives easier and safer. Maybe even cooperate with the great minds of our country? If only it were possible'' he laughed.

''Ah, you're talking about technological improvements! That would be great for our economic growth'' he looked at her weirdly.

''What about you, Elena? Who would you like to become?''.

''It's rather simple, really. I just want to make people happy''.

''Pfff'' he snorted. ''What kind of job is it?''.

''I don't know, but I'm sure can make it one!'' her resolution was unwavering.

''I'm sure you do'' his tone was warm. ''You already make my sister happy. She cannot stop talking about you''.

''Really?!''.

They reached the flap, but Helena didn't want to part yet. Rion let go of her hand and put his back into a pocket.

''Rion, please don't tell anyone about me. Can it stay our little secret?'' she swayed on her feet.

''Alright''.

She looked at him and just like yesterday, kissed him on his cheek. This time he accepted it calmly, his expression didn't falter.

''Goodbye, Elena''.

And just like that, he was gone.