The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Chapter 457

In a private room, Hector beamed. "Xena, I cleared my evening to celebrate with you. Where are you taking me to dinner?"

Looking at him, Xena felt nothing but gratitude. Without him as her mentor, she would not be where she was today. "Let me cook for you at my place. I can't think of a restaurant worthy of this occasion."

Though she was now Phoenix Warlord and was equal in rank to Hector, her respect for him remained unwavering,

"Sure. I'll try your cooking, then." Noticing her expression, Hector asked, "Is there something on your mind?"

After hesitating, Xena asked, "Lord Hector, did you have Leia bring Felix to my ceremony?"

He thought it was something more serious, so he laughed and said, "Yes. Is that a problem?

Xena pressed on, "Do you know

a few times. You

revelation stunned Xena. Why had Felix never mentioned

you think Felix

a real man! Wasn't the orphanage incident proof enough? If he were a coward, he could have walked away from that situation, but he put himself on the line instead." His words struck like lightning to her. Combining with

coward risk himself for others like

to this, she found herself telling Hector everything about

his head. "You've been through a lot. I understand being worried about your grandfather and misjudging the situation. But

we can't prove Felix's innocence. But I believe he's not that

hand on her shoulder. "Trust me. Felix is an exceptional man.