(Prologue)Chapter 7 - Damen's broad shoulders

It had been a straight 8 hours for them since their last stop. It was completely deserted now and hot under the afternoon sun. Just two hours and it would be dusk soon until they arrived in the Southerns. And they can finally repack and change carriage in the Southern Palace.

Talia would doze off from time to time but was too guarded to feel at ease as Damen hadn't revealed any signs of disarray. The young lord had looked his usual handsome appearance, fresh and unstressed with the long travel.

"You know you can sleep...I'll be alert and wake you up once we're there." Damen wakes the heavy silence between them. (She looks so tired).

Talia: "We've almost arrive and we have wasted too much time. Dosing off might slow us down in changing the carriage." (He must have been staring at me ~yawn)

The two were in utter silence. Their breaths echoed with the wind as they breathe slowly in turns. Their eyes laid on the empty and vast sand which had slowly changed into a forest landscape as they come nearing the Southerns.

2 hours later:

Talia was finally embraced by the welcoming atmosphere of the Southerns

"Home at last!" She peeked out the carriage window as they arrived by the entrance.

Upon their arrival, the two were immediately tended by the royal maids and Talia's personal attendant, Mave. They unloaded the carriage without wasting time, returning most of Talia's things inside the Palace and adding a few batch for her attire in the wedding. Damen was also included, as Mave prepared for Talia's attire a few days back, she had ordered a pair for the two.

"Personally, I think sharing a carriage would save as much time." Damen insisted as he saw that two carriages were prepared.

Damen: "Also, I don't have much things to bring with me..." (Talia would probably sleep too and be unguarded)

Talia: "Sigh...Let's do that." (That would be easier).

So the two were finally loaded once again, with fewer things this time, and traveled for a straight 10 hours until they arrived for the wedding. The wind was especially cold at night, and Damen who had a healthy sturdy body wasn't much affected. But Talia on the other hand had felt her body shiver, despite the windows being closed.

Damen instinctively offered his noble coat to the young miss. He had been keeping an eye on Talia from time to time, wondering if she was still going to sleep.

"If you don't mind..." Damen trails off with his hand and coat directed at Talia.

"...thank you…" Talia had responded gently, her mind had drifted off to making her body warm and had accepted the help not minding the fact that it was Damen's coat.

She skillfully wrapped herself in his coat. She had secured herself that none of her skin were bare. She covered herself from the head and tied the two arm sleeves between her chest. She was a site to watch in Damen's perspective.

Damen: "~phh" (She looks like a mummy). He laughed silently, feeling intrigued as he watch the scene before him. He didn't expect Talia was weak against the cold and that she had this side to her too. Damen had thought it was cute for her to act in such a manner.

As hours pass by, Talia became accustomed to the cold that grew because Damen's coat had warmed her in her sit. She didn't move a single muscle and was now in a brazen state of falling into deep sleep, making her head bump unsteadily by the window side. As Damen saw this, he at first was reluctant but had immediately responded to his instincts again and sat beside Talia in a whoosh.

The carriage was slightly shaken by Damen's sudden movement. But he plopped down beside her unknowingly for Talia, who was now into a dark slumber. Damen slowly titled her head to his side and made her rest on his broad shoulders. It was the perfect pillow that ever existed. Talia was finally at peace as she made contact unto his precious shoulder. Her weight was now depending on his sturdiness as she relaxingly depends on Damen, allowing her to be enveloped by his refreshing cool scent that blessed Talia's elegant nose.

And like this, their journey went on with Talia asleep on Damen's exquisite shoulders. She never opened her eyes and had dreamed ahead of the wedding. Damen was rather chill about this and had occasionally leaned back on Talia's delicate head as he relaxed his shoulders. He would sleep with his head placed on hers and then wake up again when he felt his keen senses alarmed.

-

"Talia, we've arrived." His voice soothing and deep echoed unto Talia's ears and had entered her sleep.

Finally, the young lady was up again and full with her batteries. She rapidly untied the coat and without much eye contact thanked him and left.

"T-thanks...again..."

She was bewildered and had felt ashamed with how she had been taken care by the young lord. She didn't like owing anyone, and thus, she stormed her way inside the Eastern Palace, they were almost late and Damen followed after her. The wedding later on, was held without much delay, and the two had dressed glamorously with their paired attire.