Forbidden Help

Clap, clap, clap. 

"That was amazing! You sing and dance so well!" Hina's voice rang out, filled with genuine awe and excitement as she clapped her hands enthusiastically. 

The woman who had been singing froze, visibly startled by our sudden appearance. Turning toward us, she bowed slightly, her face reddening. "Oh, thank you, thank you," she said, her voice soft yet melodic. "I didn't realize I had an audience." She laughed nervously, her hands brushing down her dress as if trying to regain composure. "It's… kind of embarrassing, hehe." 

Hina took a step closer, waving her hands in dismissal. "Ehh, you shouldn't feel embarrassed! You're seriously amazing. Like, professional-level good!" 

The woman blinked, a smile spreading across her face. "Oh, I see. That's very sweet of you to say. Thank you." 

"It's not just sweet—it's the truth!" Hina insisted, beaming at her. "So," she extended her hand with her usual enthusiasm, "what's your name?" 

The woman hesitated for a moment before reaching out and shaking Hina's hand. "I'm Serina," she said, her smile warm and inviting. 

"Nice to meet you, Serina!" Hina chirped. "I'm Hina." 

Serina turned her attention to me, her head tilting slightly as she studied me with curious eyes. A playful smirk tugged at her lips. "And who might this handsome gentleman be?" 

I held her gaze for a moment before answering in my usual straightforward tone. "I'm Esther." 

"Ohh, so you two are a couple?" Serina asked, her smirk widening as she looked between us. 

"Wh-what?!" Hina's face turned a deep shade of red, and she immediately started waving her hands in front of her. "No! No, no, no, no! It's not like that! We're just flatmates!" 

"Flatmates?" Serina echoed, raising an eyebrow. Her smirk took on a mischievous edge. "So you share a room?" 

"N-no! We don't share a room! We just… live in the same apartment building, that's all!" Hina stammered, her flustered state only making Serina chuckle softly. 

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. This was starting to feel like a waste of time. 

Both women were smiling now, their energy bouncing off one another in a way that was strangely harmonious. Despite their different personalities, they seemed to click almost instantly. Hina's carefree and excitable nature contrasted with Serina's more mature and composed demeanor, yet they complemented each other perfectly. 

Serina's attention shifted back to me. Her gaze turned sharp, almost calculating, as she began circling around me with her hands clasped behind her back. I tensed slightly, unsure of what she was up to. 

"What are you doing?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her. 

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she leaned in closer, her nose almost brushing against my neck as she sniffed. 

"Hmmm…" she murmured, her expression turning thoughtful. 

"Did you just sniff him?!" Hina's voice rose in disbelief, her face a mixture of shock and horror. 

Serina pulled back, unfazed by Hina's reaction. "You seem… strong," she said, her eyes locking onto mine. "And calm. Very calm." 

"Well, he is strong," Hina admitted, still giving Serina a side-eye. "But how did you know that just by sniffing him?" 

Serina crossed her arms, her expression turning serious. "It's his aura. It's… different. People can't control their aura like that—it leaks out naturally, fluctuating with their emotions when we are sad, angry, happy But him?" She gestured toward me. "His aura is completely contained. He knows exactly when, why, and how much to release. That kind of control isn't human—it's the result of endless years of training." 

Hina turned to me, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You're a weird one, Esther. How come you never told me about this?" 

I raised an eyebrow at her. "It never came up," I said simply, though my thoughts were racing. No one's been able to read me like that in years. This Serina… she's more perceptive than she lets on. 

Hina huffed, clearly dissatisfied with my answer. "Still, you could've said something. It's not every day you meet someone with superhuman aura control."

Serina chuckled, her demeanor lightening once again. "You two are funny. It's refreshing." 

"So," Hina said, eager to change the subject, "Where are you from? Do you sing here every day?" 

Serina shook her head, her smile fading slightly. "No, not every day. I just come here when I need some peace. I'm actually from a little far away." 

There was a note of sadness in her voice, and Hina picked up on it immediately. "Is everything okay?" she asked gently. 

Serina hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. "Not really," she admitted. "I come from an island… an elven island. It's a beautiful place, but a plague has hit it recently, and now we're… endangered." 

"A plague?" Hina's eyes widened in shock. 

"Why haven't you sought help from the government or the Queen?" I asked, crossing my arms. 

Serina's shoulders slumped slightly. "Elves are proud people. They don't want to show weakness or vulnerability. If they do, others might take advantage of them." 

I frowned, my mind racing. What kind of advantage is she talking about? In this era, dwarves, elves, humans, and others all have equal rights and freedom under civil law. What could make them fear exploitation? 

Hina, ever the optimist, stepped closer to Serina. "Is there anything we can do to help? I mean, if it's okay with you." 

Serina looked at her, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then she smiled warmly. "Sure. I'd love that." 

Hina's face lit up with excitement. "Really? That's great!" She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Esther, you're coming too, right?" 

I looked at her, then at Serina. Both of them were watching me expectantly, their expressions filled with hope. I sighed, already knowing I didn't have a choice in the matter. 

"I'll come," I said, my voice resigned. 

Hina grinned, clapping her hands together. "Yay! This is going to be so much fun!" 

Serina's smile widened, though there was a hint of something else in her eyes—relief, perhaps, or gratitude. "Thank you. Truly. I promise I'll do everything I can to make it worth your while."