215 Good Food and Nice Bath

EARLIER

It's been an entire day that Freya tried to open portals for Helena. Failing at every pursuit, she almost give up from trying. On her tenth attempt to open Helena a portal, it brought them in a dark castle that smelled of iron, may it be blood or steel from the knights' armors.

White panelled walls.

Silver chandeliers.

And the only vibrant color in the entire castle - crimson red. There were several portraits hanging on the walls. It was too dark to see but eventually, she caught a sight of an undeniably a young Stellan in one of the portraits. She's finally in Hesam. Helena felt relieved, as if a certain heavy weight on her chest was lifted.

It's him.

The boy in the river.

Helena curved her lips in all of the memories that have flashed in her mind. His tousled hair, clumsy wounds, and uneven socks. Who knew that the great Stellan had his gawky stage in his younger years. She continued to look at the wall portraits where there's little Stellan, his brother Evandrus and their parents. Suddenly, she felt belittled knowing Stellan comes from a highly respectable family, far from hers.

"Who are you and how did you get in?", a man's voice startled her, giving her a heart attack.

"My apologies good Sir, I'm looking for Sir Stellan", she blurted out.

The man neatly dressed in a black kirtle with a black coat and trousers looked at her from head to foot. "A lady looking for a man at this time of the hour? Is he expecting you?", he asked. 

"I'm afraid not. Can you tell him I'm here to see him?", Helena asked.

"No!", the man fearfully refused. Stellan prefer his alone time and never accepted visitors except the paladins.

"Please good Sir! I just want to tell him something important", Helena uttered showing her pleading eyes.

"It's Radovid. I'm no knight to be called Sir. If it's important, and Sir Stellan must know, then I shall inform him of your presence right away.", he instantly said, assuming that frail woman might deliver a message that is of great significance for the paladin knight.

"Thank you, Radovid!", Helena exclaimed, flashing a beautiful smile.

"Please wait here and do not wander around", he immediately left in quick strides leaving Helena in the receiving chambers. 

Helena stayed there as told. Even in the minimally lit room, she can tell that the furniture are made of exquisite materials and beautiful fabric. There were so many white marbled porcelains and fine crystals on the tables.

As she look outside the window and saw the garden of beautiful blooming flowers, something just struck her as if she have been here before. She looked back the room and wondered how everything suddenly seemed familiar. 

Later, Helena heard soft footsteps coming forth. It was Radovid with a fretful smile. "He doesn't wish to be disturbed at the moment. You may come back tomorrow, when the tides have changed. Go on, you may leave where you entered", Radovid said. 

It saddened Helena that she won't seeing Stellan after all. "Oh.. if that's the case. Can you at least give this to him?", Helena asked, handing her crest wrapped in a white cloth. She thought, it is enough of a good sign to let Stellan know that she's alive. "Please?", she begged as she see doubts written all over the butler's forehead.

"Alright, then you may go", Radovid took the nicely wrapped crest and nervously went back to Stellan's chambers. Helena followed the butler until he disappeared at the top of the stairs. While she wait for Freya to open the portal, Helena decided to roam the castle a bit more. It's beautiful everywhere, despite being hidden in the dim lights. Then, unknowingly, Helena started comparing.

While Stellan have everything, she had nothing. He have a family whom he can call home, while she have none. And so, Helena wondered if she deserves a man like him. Moments later, Helena heard fast and heavy footsteps running down the stairs. It was in a quick pace that led out of the castle. Hidden in the dark, she hoped Freya's portal would appear anytime now. 

Helena returned to the receiving chambers and found Freya having troubles with opening a portal. "Wait here, I'll find a good spot to open us a portal, alright? Stay hidden", Freya said as she turn to a black bird and flew out of the window. Helena hid in the dark as she put on the hood over her head. 

"Who's there?", a familiar voice sent shivers on her skin. "Reveal yourself", It's Stellan. Her heartbeat skipped a lot as she come closer, unsure if Stellan wants to see her. He looked different, with a moustache and beard on his face, and the long hair over his shoulders. 

"Hello... Stellan", Helena didn't know what to say. She removed the covering her head, as she step into the moonlight showing her face. Stellan stood in front of her as if he saw a ghost. "It's.. me". 

Stellan was too stunned to speak. He dropped his jaw at the sight of the woman who haunts his dreams, yet long to see. "Is.. it really you?", he said, as he gaze at her fixedly, not breaking the eye contact. Her face is no different than the last time, but it's more gentle, and fairer than a snowdrop in a cashmere.

Helena smiled a little, whereas her eyes became overwhelmed with tears. "Sorry, I'm late.. I had to open a lot of doors to get here". 

Stellan dashed towards Helena and grabbed her into his open arms. He buried his face in her neck, taking in all her scent that blew away all his sorrows. "If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up", he wrapped his arms around her tiny body, and squeezed even more by the second. "You got thinner", he noticed.

"And smellier!", Helena chuckled as she move away from Stellan a little. However, he held her close, not wanting to let go. Helena caressed Stellan's cheek and looked straight into his eyes. Magically, her heart which has been a stone in her chest became lighter. "How about we start with good food and nice bath?", she asked.