Aselia was rooted to her spot. Unable to move, her face revealed her apprehensions while he understood her emotions.

"Come," Xiran took her hand in his and guided her along. He didn’t want her to rid herself of guilt. So he started talking.

"Your room is the same, I didn’t let anyone change anything. Do you want to stay in your room or mine?" He inquired softly while pressing her hand.

"Mine," she spoke awkwardly. There was tension in her voice.

"Good, because no matter which one you would choose I will be staying with you," he added with a chuckle and she couldn’t help but smile. She was glad he was wearing all white today like her. It was always easier when he acted like an angel and dressed like one too.

Reaching the room he threw open the door and let her go inside, first. She reluctantly stepped in and stood at a side taking in the familiarity of the room she had left less than 2 months ago. It felt weird to be back. Xiran followed her inside and settled down on the bed.

Frila and Carios carried her luggage. Carios placed it aside and exited the room while Frila inquired:

"Señor, you need anything?"

"Lunch, bring everything I had ordered to be prepared," Xiran instructed and Frila bowed before leaving and closing the door behind her.

Aselia was still standing looking around nervously. "Come here," Xiran asked her softly and patted the bed next to him. She obeyed instantly and occupied the space next to him. Reaching her head he removed her cap and tossed it aside. Xiran then wrapped her in his arms and whispered in her ear:

"What happened? Why are you feeling apprehensive?"

"I don’t know, I just feel overwhelmed because of what I did," and he felt her heart beating unevenly.

"Don’t, I don’t want you thinking about it. What’s in the past is in the past, let’s leave it there. Cheer up, you know what my mission this week is?" He chuckled at the last part of his sentence.

"I am sure something mischievous, knowing that a tease you are," she spoke softly while tracing a blue protruding vein on his hand and up his arm.

"Not mischievous but a serious mission. I am going to fatten you up. Just look how skinny you have become, I feel like I am hugging a skeleton and not my Leia," he watched her with a scowl and she burst out laughing before adding:

"I have to train for 8-10 hours daily when I am not on a mission. Here, I used to sit idle and had put up weight, now back to my original self."

"Nah, no, and no. I don’t like you being so skinny, I want you to be chubby you have no idea how cute you will look, that’s why I am going to feed you so much," he kissed her head.

"Xiran, I am a hunter, not a wrestler, I need to be agile on my feet," she face-palmed herself letting go of his hand.

"Having a little more meat on your bones won’t hurt your agility. It’s decided you are getting fat," his eyes danced with determination and Aselia could only shake her head at him. She knew it was useless to argue with him.

"One more thing and promise me you won’t get mad," his eyes shifted to her hair.

"What is it?" She inquired, getting nervous again.

"Promise first," he murmured observing her reaction and tightening his grip around her waist so she won’t escape his hold for what he had to say, in case she flared up because that was highly likely that she would.

"Ok, I promise I won’t get mad at you," she rested her head on his chest, her fingers back on his arm.

"Let me give you a proper haircut and style them..." he didn’t even finish his sentence when she yelled.

"No," her hand gripped his arm tightly where it was resting calmly a few seconds ago.

"Why not? Haven’t you punished yourself enough?" He turned her around so she would face him and cupped her face, tenderly. They stared at each other for a few seconds and her eyes wandered to his hair, they were open but so short now.

"I haven’t, they will remain like this," she lowered her eyes as guilt washed over her yet again. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at his hair anymore.

Xiran grabbed her hand and placed them in his hair, she felt he had placed her hand on live wires and she was being electrocuted. She squirmed her hand but he held her there. While his expression was deadpan, hers was pained. She wanted him to let go of her hand.

"If I can forgive someone for messing with my hair, it’s you. And I have done that and now I want you to forgive yourself too so we can move on instead of being stuck on something that can’t be reversed."

The seriousness in his voice had her gulp but the anguish in her heart wouldn’t subside, no matter what she tried. He let go of her hand and held her face again before murmuring:

"Let it go, for my sake. Please," her eyes welled up as she moved closer and hugged him. Unable to contain the emotions that were building up.

"Xiran, I am so sorry. I have hurt you so much and was the cause of unimaginable pain. How are you so kind to me?" Her cheek rested over his heart as she clutched his white shirt and pulled him closer.

"It’s because I love you and nothing can stop me from doing it," he held her lovingly and gently stroked her hair to calm the storms that were originating in her heart and were dispatching devastating effects throughout her body.

Seemed like he held her for an eternity when she finally separated from him and said in a small voice:

"Xiran, cut my hair and arrange them as you like," and it spread a beautiful smile on his handsome face.