Tale of Two Lovers

The breathtaking rose flowers glistened in the moonlight, and the well-kept, round bushes swayed softly in the cool night wind. I took Nora's hand and rushed towards the wonderfully groomed garden, where I sat on a rock bench in the corner of the various rose flowerbed, barely touched by the light and well covered by a yellow-flowered tree. As she clasped my face in her delicate palms, she smiled sweetly at me. I focused my gaze on her, gradually warming and reddening her cheeks, then rubbing my face against her hands, shutting my eyes and kissing them tenderly...

"You've been through a lot, and I'm sure you're covered with scars and wounds... "I'm concerned about you"... I examined her luscious lips as they moved towards me. My surroundings became much slower, and her lips became more prominent. My lips pleaded with me to taste them, my heart pounded as they moved, and my body grew hot as she smiled. I was impatient, but I didn't want to frighten her or make her think of me as a deviant...

"Esa? "I'm talking to you; are you wounded in any way?" She inquired, worried.

"No, my lady"… I answered with a smile... "I was completely enchanted by your beauty... I've always thought of you and fantasised about your warm smile... Nora, I counted down the days till I could see you again, embrace you in my arms once more, let me hold you, kiss you, my leef"... Her blue eyes twinkled with excitement as I seized her palm and put it over my hammering chest. I ran my fingers through her dewy arms and went for her shoulder, gripping that elegantly smooth neck and slowly drawing it towards my face. She grasped my clothes with both hands and went in close.I can see her golden hair shimmering in the night wind, feel her heart racing, and smell her alluring aroma, which makes me weak and turns me into a ravenous beast.

"My love, My leef, I shall always be yours and only yours... And I, too, was counting down the days until your triumphant arrival... Now, I'm pleased that you're with me, nearby... I can't take my gaze away from you, as if I'm doing a sin, I can't keep myself from desiring you... "You are the beginning and end of my existence." In my ear, she whispered a lovely poem. My entire soul became more aroused...

"Nora, I swear you're the only one; until my spirit departs Uran, I'm yours alone... You are my eternity"… I hummed back, reddening her ear and caressing beneath her skin, making her thin fur bristle with eagerness.

Our nose tips pushed against one other, keeping our faces closer. I kissed that tip, and then moved on to the cheeks, forehead, and chin. She wrapped her hands around my neck and closed her eyes. As my lips took in hers I rushed my hand into her tiny waist, unlacing her garment, and feeling her downy bare skin, warmed by my touch. Our tongues were on the prowl, and mine had defeated hers several times. As my hands reached her erected bosoms, I swallowed the flavour through my tongue. I was even more enthralled by the lovely sound she made in tandem with my own. I nibbled on her lips before moving down to her neck and smooching like a blood bug.

The cool wind and murky moon, her wonderful scent and warm touch, that soothing voice and adoring gaze... I was totally stimulated throughout my entire body. When her delicate palms began stroking, I realised that she had noticed it before I had felt it. I moved like a drunken man with clouded senses, enjoying myself with my whole body from inside to outside. I want to make her happy, to take her to the zenith of ecstasy, I thought as my fingers raced in and out, drenched in gooey delight.

How much time has passed? Did anyone notice us? Has anyone heard us? Is she all right? I pondered this while I softly rubbed her head on my chest.

"My prince, Are we getting wed soon?" ... She inquired, purring on my chest like a kitten.

"Yes, my brother has requested a meeting with your father... I believe we'll tie the knot this season... Are you happy?" I answered, kissing her unkempt hair.

"Happy? What exactly are you saying? I've been waiting for this day since I was a youngster... to be your better half... your wife... your special someone... My bliss has reached such a high point that I am at a loss for words to describe it… My love, I am ecstatic"... She hugged me.

I don't want her to leave me, even if it's only for a few hours... Nora returned home shortly after... I decided to tell my brother about everything that had transpired, including Nora, our nuptials, and my uncle's abrupt visit.

I'm a fool for allowing the words of a traitor to bother my thoughts and emotions. I should have notified my brother as soon as I reached the country. I am such a stupid. I wondered as I headed towards the king's chamber.

When I arrived in the king's chamber, Shazi and my brother were conversing on the balcony... I made the decision to stay there till my brother returned from his discussion with Shazi.

Is the Queen in the Queen's Chamber tonight? .. I should pay her a visit tomorrow... I need to give Cizilin her present... While waiting for my brother, I pondered...

I overheard them discussing the wolf-masked group that had ambushed me in Yathri on our way back.

"Wolf Mask? ... Really? .. Alphas? ... Why did they suddenly attack Esa? Is it a coincidence or purposeful?" ... When my brother asked Shazi this, he seemed nervous.

"I'm not sure... They fled when I rushed for the Esa... He said they were looking for money, but knowing that man is still alive and with Alphas makes me uneasy," Shazi added... I was certain he was referring to my uncle Donte.

"Alphas… are the terrorist gang under Ollyorn.. he has his men around many regions… so it might be a mere coincidence… But, Shazi, judging by the dramatic shift of Isthon and the engagement of Alphas there, I doubt that was all this bustle to entice Esa out? Is he the mastermind behind it all? We can't allow Esa to meet him... We can't allow the truth to reach Esa's ears... Alert your spies to keep a sharp eye on the Alphas and our boundaries." Shazi was ordered by my brother. I've never seen my brother as concerned as he is right now. He appeared to be scared.

Shazi went a step forward, apprehensive, and then took a position next to my brother. I sensed a warm and kind atmosphere between them. I was taken aback and astonished. I only felt this tension when Nora was closer to me. What's the connection between them?

"Cana... I don't feel well... Something is about to happen... I'm more concerned for you... Please allow me to shield you"... Shazi's compassionate side was fresh to me. He reached out to touch my brother's face with his hand. But as my brother turned his head back and moved away from his hold, he came to a halt and withdrew. I was amused by their behaviour. Both of them showed me greater affection and a strong desire, which was strange for a King and his commander. I was baffled.

"Shazi… You are aware of everything... When the time comes, do what has to be done... We must keep Esa alive at all costs... If it's him, don't allow him to breathe any longer; that's an order"... My brother's menacing gaze toward Shazi intimidated me as well. Shazi clenches his fist and grips the hilt of his blade, his head lowered.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I am aware"... my brother watched Shazi departing, he disappeared without looking back... King then raised his eyes to the sky, where the moon was hidden. Under the dim light, his face conveyed anguish, as if he was concealing something behind that warm smile.

I crouched behind the curtain and watched it all unfold, my heart awash with doubts.

Why did I hide here? However... Right now... Did Shazi try to casually touch the King's face? ... In front of my brother, he appeared with tenderness and compassion... Why? What's going on here? What were they talking about, exactly? ... Suddenly, Donte's words rushed across my mind…

"The Great King of Uran.. The eldest one of Osiris Yakul Allblaze… Canael Yakul Allblaze… that lowly tribal blood …. The one who hides her identity and pretends to be a male king"...

Pretending to be a male ruler... But the king is already married and has a child... he won't be able to do that if he's a woman... Then Shazi and King have a correlation? What is the truth that he doesn't want me to know? ... I'm not sure which side I should take. I was reared by my brother... Was he, however, manipulating me the whole time? Is it my uncle who's to blame? Or Is he the truth?. I can't tell my brother anything right now since I need to acquire more... Whatever the world tries to hide from me, I'll unveil it... With a heart full of enthusiasm and a mind full of questions, I returned to my champer.