Belia- The Next Morning

Belia wakes and is slightly startled by the arm around her waist. She rolls over to face Timur, who is still fast asleep. Belia takes this opportunity to look at her soon-to-be husband and to study his features. He has a nice profile, Belia determines. Some of his jet black hair has fallen over his eyes, and Belia brushes it off to the side. His hair is softer than what Belia had expected. She traces her finger down the bridge of his nose. Timur lets out a small moan, and Belia freezes.

"Don't stop; that felt good," he says with a yawn.

"I didn't mean to wake you," Belia tells him.

"Well, you keep stroking my nose like that, and you'll put me back to sleep." Belia sits up feeling awkward. This is the first time she's had someone in her bed who wasn't a relative spending the night. "You okay?" Timur asks, looking up at Belia.

"This is illegal on my planet; you, sharing a bed with me." Timur sits up.

"Well, it's not exactly illegal here, but it is frowned upon for an unmarried couple to cohabitate."

"This isn't your first time, is it?" Belia asks, seeing how Timur is a little too comfortable and nonchalant with it. His face turns bright red as he blushes. "What was her name, assuming it was a her?"

"Ivanna, Ivanna Voronin. She and I had been dating for three years."

"I'm sorry," Belia says, feeling guilty.

"It's not your fault, besides I'm sure you had a special someone." Belia shakes her head. "No?" Timur has surprise written all over his face.

"Never. After the incident with my brothers, my father didn't really let me leave the palace dome, and I really had no interest."

"So you haven't had anyone, not even suitors?"

"My father forbade it."

"Didn't even have a crush on someone?" Obviously, Timur couldn't wrap his head around Belia being nineteen and single for the entire duration.

"I never said that," she says, getting defensive. Timur sits up.

"Who was it?" Timur asks, and Belia bites her lower lip.

"Well, if you must know, it was Rin."

"Rin, as in your guard Rin?" Timur says with a surprised laugh.

"He was Hareph's best friend before he became my guard."

"Hey, no need to get defensive," Timur tells her, "I can understand the attraction. Most princesses fall for their guards." Belia's face feels hot as she blushes.

"You probably should go back to your room before someone comes in," Belia says, feeling uncomfortable with Timur's presence. He nods in agreement and slowly gets up and off the bed. Before he goes back to his half, Timur turns and looks at Belia. She can tell he has more questions, but he instead goes into his half of their room and shuts the door. Belia gets up as Kya comes in. "How did you sleep?" Belia asks her.

"Better than I have in a while," Kya replies with a smile. "And you, Miss?"

"As well as can be expected."

"So, not well."

"I had a few nightmares," Belia confesses.

"About your brothers?" Belia nods. Kya stops working on Belia's hair and faces the princess. "It is not your fault, Bel."

"That's what everyone keeps telling me, but it is my fault." There's a knock on the door, and Timur tells them the morning meal is ready. Kya finishes up, and Belia leaves without another word. Timur escorts her to the dining room, with Rin following at their heels.

"Good morning," Timur's father says with a smile, "did you both sleep well?" Belia's cheeks feel hot again as her paranoia causes her to be slightly embarrassed.

"I slept well, although I can't say for Belia," Timur tells him.

"I did as well," Belia says, trying to act as if nothing happened.

"I'm glad to hear it." Timur's mother gives Belia a side-eye glance as they sit. The doors to the room burst open, startling everyone. Rin draws his sword but doesn't light it.

"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses," the man says out of breath. "There's been a breach in security…" Rin moves closer to Belia, ready for a fight.

"What happened?" The Emperor demands as he stands, pounding his fist on the table.

"We're not entirely sure at the moment, but to be on the safe side, we're putting the palace on a soft lockdown." An alarm begins to sound. "Scratch that; this has just become a level two threat. I am going to ask you all to go to the bunkers immediately." More guards enter the room, and Belia follows Timur's lead. Rin stays as close to Belia as he can, which makes Belia feel a little more nervous. Timur and Belia are separated from his parents and take a lift down several levels. Guards take them to a large, windowless room. Based on the door's thickness, Belia assumes the bunker could withstand a plasma beam shot from orbit.

"You okay?" Timur whispers to her as the guards lock them in. Belia doesn't answer him. "Belia?"

"I'm frightened," she whispers back.

"We're safe down here."

"Or are we fish in a barrel?" Belia tells him, and Timur puts a reassuring arm around her.

"What could it be?" Rin asks.

"I don't know. Rin wants to know what's going on," Belia tells Timur.

"More than likely, it's either a drill or protesters. This happens every so often."

"This is normal?"

"Well, not normal, per se, but often enough, we can run drills. Don't either of you worry. Because of the drills, we're ready for anything."