Helena... she had been watching Aether all this time.
Ever since Aether started working here... she had been quietly, secretly watching him from the shadows. Her eyes would sneak glances when no one was looking. Her heart would pound whenever he walked by. She watched him with a silent longing she never dared to voice.
Stare...
She stared at him like a hawk, closely observing his every move. Every shift of his hands, every breath he took, she watched it all. It seemed like he was genuinely focused on work—not flirting, not teasing, not chasing after that dragon girl like he did with the others.
And that... that made her oddly happy. It made her heart breathe a little easier. Just seeing him work, just seeing him not trying to seduce someone else... it gave her a faint, foolish hope.
