“I would like to try again!”



Marietta had been working with the healer and his assistant with what felt like an hour but was likely not even half that. With their help, she was to walk from her bed to the chair in the center of the room. Every time Marietta did that her body felt like screaming. It was so incredibly stiff. Despite the herbs, the healer and the assistant had her on, herbs that made her quite foggy and very confused, she could still feel the pain every time she moved. But that did not stop her insistence. She had been in bed long enough. No more!



“My lady, I must insist you rest. When your body is ready you will be able to lift yourself from your bed.” The healer insisted as they helped Marietta sit upon the edge of her bed.



“No, I would like to try again! Once more!” Marietta was rarely like this. She was the type to just allow things to happen. She was delicate as a flower. It was easier to agree to not anger someone and produce conflict. But even a rose had its thorns, and Marietta was frustrated with being constantly stuck on her bed completely helpless.



“Alright, once more then I will have to say no. Should I be forced to, I will go to your mother and father and tell them you are being insubordinate.” The healer warned as once more the pair helped Marietta to her feet.



That was when she saw someone out the door of her room. “Hector!” Marietta said brightly as she took one step and then another. Her body screamed in agony, but both the drugs and the sight of Hector kept her from realizing it. Another step, and another, this was the first she was seeing of Hector since…



Well, that night.



She was told what had happened. Marietta threw herself ontop of Hebe and it was Hector that saved her. He carried her all the way to the Antonis house. He was responsible for not only getting her home but Hebe as well. This was the second time Hector had saved her. He had… a habit of showing up in her life when she most needed it. If Marietta didn’t know any better she would say he was sent by the gods.



She would call it fate.



Marietta should be dead. She should be on the ferry crossing the styx, and yet Hector was there. Her protector. Her savior. Never could Marietta thank him properly, how does one do that for saving her life? “I was hoping you would be by,” Marietta said honestly. She wanted to see him. She needed to see him. She needed… to know he was alright. And to show him that she was alright.



It was slow, but she got there. She stood in front of Hector. The healer looked surprised and went to compliment Marietta, but to the Lady he didn’t exist. Only Hector existed, “I wanted to thank you properly.”



She lifted herself slightly and left a soft, gentle peck on his cheek.