We Are Not Close

"There." Esme said, taking a step back as she felt satisfied with her work. She had carefully wrapped Althea's wound with a strip of cloth. The precision and care in her work caused Althea's eyes to widen in astonishment the moment she was done, and her gaze sparkled with a mix of surprise and admiration

"You didn't feel any pain?" Esme asked, meeting Althea's eyes. "You hardly flinched when I bandaged it." She noted her observation, and Althea's eyes widened at her pending question.

She quickly averted her gaze, her head bowing slightly. "The wound is already healing," she admitted. "But you were so focused on helping me, I didn't want to interrupt."

Althea still couldn't believe that her wound got treated by an Illyrian. It felt surreal, like she was in the midst of a dream.