A warm bowl of egg soup on a tray sat in front of Selina as she was recounting her memories of the war with Erich.
Erika didn't say anything but continued placing food onto the tray as Selina continued to talk. As soldiers they had been taught one thing by their commander, not to hold any grudges. Emotions can be a strong motivator for action but they can also cloud your judgement. Therefore it was important for all of the Wienian generals to be disciplined, to not bear hatred and simply fight for the people.
"In Nautilus we were taught in military school to die in the name of the King. That it was our sole purpose in war."
Erika sat down next to Erich and a spoon extended out towards Selina's mouth. Selina gratefully thanked Erika for her assistance and opened her mouth.
"And…" as Selina was chewing on pieces of egg she bowed her head towards Erika.
"I sincerely apologize for my misconduct towards you."
Erika put up her hands trying to push away this sincerity from Selina.
"No, no, don't worry about it, you were just trying to protect my brother weren't you? Matter of fact I'm glad."
Selina looked up, confused, seeing Erika smile.
"I'm glad that my brother has someone that is willing to go so far to protect him. He has always been the reckless type, rushing head first when it came to protecting those he loved."
Erika chuckled and told her a story of when she got bullied as a child and Erich came flying out of nowhere like an eagle, striking the bullies straight in the dome.
"A damsel under a knight's protection!" Selina laughed.
"Indeed! Quite the hero isn't he?"
The girls began to giggle as Erich was just hiding his face, shaking his head.
"And this one time, I told him that I would go out to hang out with some of my friends until 9 pm. I recall coming home and not finding him anywhere. Apparently this worry-wart had gone out searching for his irresistibly adorable little sister. When he came home two hours later he was soaked from the rain, when he saw me he was like, SIS! SIS! And went up to hug me like a little baby."
Erich's hand reached out to cover Erika's mouth from continuing talking.
Selina listened carefully to the story as if she was taking notes.
"That's pretty much the same on the battlefield, he worries too much about his soldiers. Constantly checking up on us to make sure we were alright."
From small gaps in between his fingers Erika managed to squeeze through:
"That sure sounds like my brother. But that's why I'm happy knowing there is someone who is willing to return his kindness."
Erika put the tray to the side and held up Selina's hands.
"That's why I must thank you from the bottom of my heart."
She put her head against Selina's hands.
"Thank you, for saving my brother."
Erika's body started to tremble as her head rubbed against Selina. She then raised her head to see her savior leaving two gray dots on the blanket.
Shaking her head Selina gently put Erika onto the bed.
"I don't deserve your gratitude. I saved him out of my own selfish goals."
"You still saved him, and that's good enough of a reason to thank you."
"I saved him because I wanted to use him to end other people's suffering. I wanted to abuse his kindness to help my own people," she said, looking away.
"I'm a selfish person who merely wanted to use your brother for my own personal gains."
Erich looked hesitantly at his sister whose hands were clutched on her thighs.
"I must disagree," Erika said.
"You can't disagree, you know I'm right."
"No, you are wrong."
"Did you not hear what I said? I wanted to exploit Erich's kindness."
"But you had a good reason for why."
"THAT DOESN'T EXCUSE IT!" Selina swiped her hand and knocked the tray onto the ground.
Scalding hot soup began to seep into her cast as Selina watched the soup stain the floor.
"I'm sorry, I just can't accept your kindness after how much I have exploited you both."
"Lieutenant Selina!" A powerful voice called out that immediately made her body tense up.
Her body steeled as she was ready to take any orders at any moment.
The eyes of her general were not ones of animosity or contempt for her greed. She couldn't understand why, why her greed was received by eyes of admiration and respect.
Selina glanced over at Erika who had the same look in her eyes.
"The desire to protect those who you cherish is natural. It is in your nature to protect those you love, I do not blame you for reaching out to me to be your salvation. Had it not been for your selfishness as you describe it, then I wouldn't be alive right now, would I," Erich said, smiling at her.
Erika began cleaning the food off of Selina.
"Just look at how beaten and battered you are from how much you have sacrificed just to protect my brother."
Erika paused before looking Selina straight into her eyes.
"I will always disagree with you, the fact you call yourself selfish for wanting my brother's help to help others."
Selina looked away, only saying a single word.
"Sorry."