London (3)

Year 1863

Knock ... knock, knock ...

Thea turned around. Without even opening the door, she knew who was standing behind it. The beat was Kay's signature beat. Thea ignored him. She did not move an inch from her place.

Knock... knock, knock ...

One… two… three… four… five… he counted to himself and a third beat was heard.

Knock ... knock, knock ...

This time Thea counted to ten and the door opened.

***

Kay couldn't sleep. He was restless from earlier. Kay finally got up from her bed and left the room.

He hated fighting with Thea.

He had to see Thea.

If the fight dragged on, Kay would not be able to concentrate in the hospital tomorrow as usual. He went to Thea's room and stood in front of her door for a long time.

Kay didn't know what to say. He had no intention of apologizing. He just wanted to talk to Thea. Kay knocked on the door of the room after pacing for a long time there.

Knock ... knock, knock ...

Kay waited and there was no answer. That means Thea didn't want to talk to him. Kay counted to five then knocked again. Still, there was no sign Thea wanted to see him. He knocked again and counted to ten. Thea still didn't open the door. Kay didn't care. He opened the door as soon as the tithe was over.

Thank goodness during this summer the moon was shining brightly. The natural light that night was able to illuminate a completely dark room. The girl hated being lit by an oil lamp or a candle.

She hated fire.

At first Kay was not used to it, but over the time he was trained to see her in the dark. He found Thea standing with her back to him, facing the window.

"You're awake?" asked Kay. As soon as he got closer, he saw that the girl was still wearing her dress earlier, she had not changed to her night gown at all.

"Are you still angry?"

"You want to apologize to me?"

They both talk at the same time. The two of them stared at each other. Thea nodded, answered Kay's question and Kay shook his head.

He saw Thea's eyes narrowed.

"You don't want to apologize that means you still intend to ask me, right?"

"Yeah ... look ... I really don't want to apologize, but I don't want you to be mad at me."

"Selfish."

"You know that."

Thea snorted. Kay is selfish. He wouldn't apologize if he didn't feel wrong himself.

"Come on… don't be angry with me. I know you don't like us fighting either."

"Just say you won't ask me, then I won't be angry." Thea crossed her arm over her chest.

Kay knew that was the only way for them to make up but he didn't want to say it. Kay opened the window and pulled her to sit on the balcony. He remained standing in front of Thea.

"I've never had good reason to ask you out. You remember, right? You even refuse to study at school."

"Now do you think your match is a good reason?"

"Well… I thought 'I' could be a good reason. I thought my hopes weren't wrong. But seeing you mad at me, it seems like I am not strong enough either." Kay sighed. His right hand gently massaged his temple.

"I still hope you will come. I'll have the maid dress you up. Then if you make your hair ... "

Thea gasped. Kay pulled her hair tie. Thea's reddish brown hair fell down over her neck and nape.

"... like this, the marks won't be seen."

"Kay ..."

"I'm so bad… I can't even ask a girl out, how can I get married. If you don't want to accompany me, I won't go either, " Kay smiled. He rubbed Thea's head. "I'm sorry ... even though I'm a doctor, I can't even get rid of that scar."

"Kay, no–"

Kay touched Thea's cheek. "Looks like I have to try harder at the hospital and… seeing that you can already stare at me, means we are good. Okay?"

His gentle gaze made Thea uncomfortable. She knew Kay cared about her. After she left the orphanage, only Kay really loved her sincerely. But what would happen if he found out what this woman in front of him was doing?

She's always doing the dirty work behind his back.

A work that only she could do. No. It something she must do.

Her uncle, Kay's father, was a noble who was trusted by the King and earned the title Earl, the third highest title in England. Uncle called her, gave her an assignment and when the task was done, she came back to report. Done. Thea used to do that.

That was her way of paying for the life that the uncle gave her, as the "cleaner" of city rebels.

And Kay never knew all of this. He must not know at all.

"Ah, I feel hungry suddenly. Shall we eat something?"

Kay's voice pulled Thea out of her mind. "You're missed your supper?"

"How can I swallow my food when I know you're mad at me?" Kay frowned a little. "Have you eaten?"

"Of course, I am. Why would I starving myself for?" she had a lot of emergencies that required a lot of energy so she couldn't skip eating.

"Heartless. Here I feel that I can't help fighting with you." Kay dragged her into the dining room before ringing the bell for the maid.