ZER:

I park at the very back of the parking lot and sit still inside for a minute.

Two minutes.

Three minutes.

What is happening?

I honestly don't want to go back to the office. I know they will stare. I know they will talk. But I still prefer that than being close to that strange... female.

I have a female.

I rub my eyes with the heels of my hands. How did that happen again? Oh, yes, Lor, Grah, and I came to the Great Hall, Lor needs to be there as he is the Ministry of Inter-race Affairs, I have to be there as the High General giving my blessing to my men who's got chosen, and Grah... well, because he wanted too.

From the first time I saw her walked out of the quiet dark corner, I know things weren't right. Her small, weird white eyes with green circles at the center looked at me with such a determination I know I won't be able to shake it off of her. For a moment I thought she even look at me with sadness.

And she handed me the silver band. My eyes automatically go to the silver line around my right wrist.

But then she starts to do things... and say things. First of all, her vow. Who in their right mind would vow to stay for better for worst until death comes? WHO?

Apparently, she does.

She would even walk behind me. Why would she do that? Doesn't she know that we're equal? Neither of us should follow, we are two different individuals, with different lives, different dreams, and hopes, and target. I have no right to lead her, as she has no right to lead me.

And if I think she couldn't get any stranger, she, an independent female, asks me to carry her. Why would she degrade herself so low to deny her physical ability? Her legs are perfectly fine, are all female from the earth like this? If yes then I feel sorry for them.

The way she said please, she even said it's her duty to appreciate me. Did she even hear what she was saying? What duty? I need to appreciate myself, she needs to appreciate herself, that should be the end of the story. And of course, she wanted to see me to the door, bid me goodbye and wishing me to have a nice day.

What is wrong with her?

I stay inside my car for a good 15 minutes, I take the elevator, which thankfully is empty, but as soon as I reached my floor, everybody goes quiet. I can see, and feel that all eyes are on me. If only they know I'm more shocked, surprised, and confused than all of them combined.

I walk past my secretary and his head even follows me as I walk straight to my office. I have to admit, I might have closed the door with a bit too much force.

I keep myself busy so I won't think about her, about what happened today. I work everyone in this building to their bones today. My secretary had barely sat down from the amount of time I ask him to come to my office.

He didn't complain, he's smarter than the last one.

But there can only be so much for me to work on until the sun goes down and the whole floor is dark and quiet, I have no more excuse, I have to go... home.

When I get back home the sky is dark, the wind blows harder and the grass glows. But I can see one light inside my home is on—our home. I flinch with that thought.

She is awake?

Good evening, High General Zer.

DAI greets me, I look around and cannot find her anywhere. Huh, maybe she left the light on? As I walk past the couch to the stairs I notice something out of place.

Kate is sleeping on the couch. Her short legs curl and her delicate hands tucked under her chin. She is lying down on her side with her dark hair spread on the cushion.

Why isn't she on the bed?

As if she senses my presence her eyelids lifted open. The whites with green circles in the middle look confused for a moment before she realizes where she is. She sat up and looks at me. "You're back." I simply nod. "What time is it?"

It's thirty minutes to midnight. DAI answers.

"Oh," She mumbles. "I thought you said you'll only be gone for five hours."

I forgot.

My fist clenched as the realization hits me hard on my chest. How can I forget?

"I was waiting for you to have dinner. DAI help me prepare some. Have you had dinner?" she asks me sweetly, has my ears deceived me? I cannot hear any anger or disappointment in her voice. But I could be mistaken, anyway, she is the first of her kind I ever have seen, I still cannot tell her body language right away.

"I'm sorry I forgot to tell you I will be home late."

"It's okay, you're the High General, you must be busy." She rubbed her eyes sleepily. Her hair is a bit all over the place and her skin looks paler under the dimmed light.

This female is very odd.

"You waited for me for dinner?" I ask her.

"Yes... they are in the oven, but after cooking I got sleepy, it seems my nap was longer than I expected." She is holding her head on her palm with her elbow resting on her knee. She looks... delicate, those twigs she calls arms are looking too fragile to be useful for her, and don't get me started with her long neck, how could such a delicate part holding up her head? She is very small, she is short and I don't see any muscle on her body, how did she defend herself all this year?

"Shall we eat?" I ask her and she smiles.

"Yes, please." There, that word again.

She notices me freeze for a moment when I heard her, but she just brushes it off. She swings her fragile hands and gets two sets of utensils and two plates.

What is she doing?

"I can get my own plate," I tell her, I cannot help but feel offended by her action. I'm the High General, I lead my battalion to numerous victories, does she really think I'm incapable to set my own plate?

She just looks at me funny, "Why should you? I can help."

I want to tell her badly that it's not helping. Help is needed when one gets in a difficult situation. Walking to the cupboard and get a plate is not a difficult situation. But remembering my mistake not to inform her I'd be home late, I keep my mouth shut.

"So, honestly speaking I have no idea what is this dish, and I hope DAI is a good cook." She explains to me. "Would you like a glass of water?" she offers.

I cannot take it anymore. "Kate, I can get water for myself." I stand up but she holds up her palm to me, stopping me.

"But I'm already by the fridge, just tell me what you want I'll get it for you."

"Kate." I said curtly and she looks at me.

For a while, she tries to read my expression. "Oh, okay." She said slowly and walks back to the table.

"It's uncommon for Tzarian to offering or receiving small favors," I explain to her.

"But I'm not Tzarian." She replies biting her lip. Have they always looked so... plump?

"You're living in Tzar. You are Tzarian." I said ending the discussion.

She stays awfully quiet. DAI prepared Frashk Roon, my favorite dish. But I cannot taste anything. I can only taste her scent on my tongue, she smells like rain and something sweet.

We finished our meal and she thanked DAI, who give no reply, I think DAI isn't programmed to receive thanks. She puts her utensils in the middle of her plate and reaching for mine. I know for her it's more of a habit, but it's not Tzarian way. "Kate." I remind her.

She realizes and pulls back her hand before she reaches for my plate again. "No." she said.