Noctisardor Bypass Let Me Introduce You To The New Me

She listened carefully, eyes widening at truths which shocked her to learn. She clutched her brother close so he might not see the emotions that she could not hide. That Etienne had feelings for Anselm was no surprise- and she felt both grateful and warmed to know he could confide in her this way- but Anselm and Heda?!

It was a shock. Of course, she knew Heda well enough to know that she was a desirable woman; motherly, warm, welcoming…But she realized that she had perhaps leapt to assumptions about Etienne and Anselm, which now proved to be false. 

She could not imagine Anselm and Heda together- it was tough enough to imagine someone as bristly and grumpy as Anselm with anyone, but he’d stuck around with Etienne long enough for her to see something of a connection there. 

Of course, there was one more thing to consider. Heda’s children. If they were Anselm’s, she dared not ask- for fear that admitting the fact might hurt her brother even more.

”Oh Eti, I am so sorry,” She breathed. ”My Eti…I t’ought for sure ‘e ‘ad feelings for you, an’ I did not like ‘im at first, but I saw ‘ow you cared for ‘im…” She’d been willing to overlook his flaws, so long as he made Etienne happy. It was clear now that he did not. ”I love you,” She promised him. ”We will go ‘ome…An’ dey will manage, an’ I promise you…It will get better wid time.”