I woke up to the sound of my natural alarm clock.
The birds nest outside my window.
Morning light slipped through the curtains.
Soft.
Warm.
My eyes opened slowly.
The soft breathing of Eimira.
I turned.
She rested against me, her head on my chest. One arm draped over my side. The blanket covered most of her, but not enough to hide what happened.
I exhaled.
"...Just one premium option, she said."
Then, chuckled softly.
Her breathing remained steady.
Peaceful.
She shifted slightly, pressing closer.
"Warm... Still warm..." She mumbled.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
I adjusted the blanket a little, covering her properly.
"Ah... There we go."
She stirred. Holding on to the blanket tighter.
I slipped off the bed. Then, walked up to the table and poured myself a cup of water.
I sighed.
"Water. Very required."
I emptied the cup.
"Now I feel less drained." I whispered.
I turned to look at her, grabbing a nearby stool, and taking a seat.
And— just looked at her.
"I love her..."
I whispered.
"I don't know what love is, or how it feels."
"But—"
"I felt the warmth that only existed in the vague recollection I had of my past."
"The warmth of being embraced by someone who genuinely cares."
I turned and grabbed a trouser that was close to me.
Then, I walked to the window.The wooden floor, creaking softly beneath my feet.
I opened the curtains, and the sunlight streamed in.
The birds chirped, happy to see me.
"Hello guys..."
I stretched out a finger.
One flew and perched on it.
"Hehe."
Knock!
Knock!
"Oop."
I flinched, startled by the sudden knock. Then carefully placed the bird back in its nest.
"I'm coming."
I opened the door slightly.
"Good morning."
A male voice.
"Good morning." I replied.
"I am Varek, an attendant from the reception." He said.
"Oh, hi. What's up?"
"Someone redirected a delivery to your room, from the House of Aevorah."
"Oh, uhh."
I turned back and saw Eimira still sleeping.
"...umm."
I turned to Varek.
"Do I need to do anything in particular?"
"Not really." He replied. "I just need some signatures, but the sender did say that anyone can sign it."
"I assume you have some connections with the Aevorahs." He added.
"Yeah. Yeah."
"Great. I'll have the papers prepared by the time you get down."
"Alright... Uhh.. just a bit then."
"Ok.."
He left.
I clicked the door shut.
Wanted to wake Eimira up to ask about the package or get her to sign it, but she was still deep in sleep.
I don't want to disturb that.
"I wish I could have you painted just the way you are right now." I whispered, smiling.
I leaned in, and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
I grabbed a tunic from the wardrobe, quickly putting it on and leaving the room.
Locking the door behind me.
I arrived at the front desk.
"Oh hey, Zandren. What's up."
The receptionist I had become friends with greeted me.
"Yyuita, Good morning." I said
"Good morning to you too, Zandren." He smiled. "How was your night?"
"Well uhh..."
I recounted what happened last night.
"It was... eventful?"
I shook my head
"My night doesn't matter. What do I have to sign."
"Oh, yeah. One moment." He said, turning to look for the package.
"Eh.. but another guy said he'd have it prepared."
"Oh, I sent him on another errand the moment he got back, so he didn't get the chance." He said, as he disappeared into a room beside the desk.
"Ah that makes sense." I replied.
"So uh, this package is a bit—"
"What? I can't hear you."
I stepped closer to the door.
A few moments later he came out with two boxes in hand, and a bouquet of flowers.
"This package is a bit... Not your style." He said, chuckling anxiously.
"What do you mean by that?" I chuckled. "A random girl could've sent them."
He laughed. Then—
Stopped.
He stared at me.
"Oh, you're serious..."
We both laughed.
I smirked. "I mean, between you and me... You're most likely not to be popular with the ladies."
"Arrghhh.."
He pushed the packages on me.
"Take it and get out." He wiped his face. "Please learn to mince your words. My heart is fragile."
I chuckled. "Sorry. Anyways thanks."
"Sure thing."
Something fell.
"Oop."
"What's that?" I asked.
"Oh uh..."
Yyuita bent to pick it.
"It's a letter."
He placed it on top of the boxes in my hand.
He spoke with a serious tone.
"...and it got sent from the House of Aevorah. And they received it from The Royal Family."
"Oh..."
"So, don't get in trouble." He added.
"Sure thing."
I made it back to my room and unlocked the door.
Eimira had invited the birds inside and was already feeding them the seeds I had bought, while making breakfast.
She wore my tunic, which was a little bit too big for her. It left me stunned and slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, you're up." I said. "Good morning."
She turned.
"Good morning." She replied. "Where'd you go?"
I dropped the boxes.
"Oh uh— a package got sent from your house."
I stepped closer.
"And also, why my tunic?"
She kissed me.
Short, but soft.
"Should I take it off?" She smiled. "Afterall, you've seen it all."
My face flushed.
"Still though..."
She smiled.
"You don't need to be shy. You did well."
I walked away, flustered.
"Jeez, stop."
"Cute." She whispered.
I brought the letter back to her.
"This was also in it."
"Oh?"
She collected the letter, and opened it.
A familiar scent spilled from it.
Jasmine and Rose.
"So who's it from?" I asked.
"Tsk."
"Hmm?"
"It's from Yunok." She replied.
"Yunok? What does he want from you?"
Eimira proceeded to read the letter.
"Hey Mira, how are you doing?
Firstly I want to apologise about how I behaved when you visited the palace, but it wasn't entirely my fault.
I've loved you for a long time, you were even promised to me. But then you showed up with a male servant you held too close.
It's all good though. All you have to do is come back to me, and I'll forgive both of you, and spare his life. Afterall, Father's sickness is getting worse, and I'm the next in line to be king.
Could you write back to me? I'm desperate to hear from you.
You don't want to make me come get a reply from you personally.
You are mine, and you will fore—"
She crumpled the paper.
"Tsk..."
She squeezed hard.
"This bastard still thinks I'm his. And who the fuck does he think he his to threaten me?"
I pulled Eimira close.
"He sexually assaulted me." She said, her voice trembling.
"I only managed to escape thanks to a male servant that was later killed after Yunok accused him of plotting against the king."
I stroked her hair, trying to calm her.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"I'm scared." She whispered.
"Why?" I whispered back.
"I-I don't know..."
She tightened her grip.
"I've been strong for too long that now I've exhausted my strength."
She took a deep breath.
"I just want to rest, and not worry about anything."
She looked up at me, and giggled.
"Live a life on a farm in the dense plains of Sylphaeris, become a potato farmer like you've wanted."
We both laughed.
"Oh yeah."
Eimira pulled away.
"I have something on fire. I've to make sure it doesn't over cook."
"Ok.."
She walked past.
"I really hope it didn't over cook. It's gonna ruin the texture, ahh. Yunok, you bastard."
I chuckled softly.
Then, I picked up the letter.
Continued reading from where she had stopped.
"And you will forever be mine, because I will gain a level of strength that'd make it impossible for you to leave me even if you tried.
And if you managed to leave, your loved ones would pay the price.
So my dear Eimira.
Do yourself a favour, and submit to me.
Love you."
I gritted my teeth.
"Yunok..."
I crumpled the letter.
Hard.
"Just who do actual fuck do you think you are?"
—-
"I am the heir to the throne, and the second son of King Zyron. Yunok Elruka."
He bowed.
"Pleased to meet you, Madame Seraveth."
Seraveth smiled.
"Welcome, Prince Yunok."