Chapter 6

The morning dawned. Light filtered through his silken curtains as a knock sounded on his door. One of the maids spoke through the door, "Good morning my lord. We have prepared a bath and fresh clothes for you. The princess will be awaiting you at the dining hall for breakfast, once you have cleansed yourself."

That's right. Alexandru was in the Elven kingdom of Darnussus. He almost forgot. The soft bed really put him at ease. The place as much as it's magic bugged him, was comforting. Like, he could feel his mother.

Alex awoke seconds before the door was knocked. Being so easily awakened by nature, he was pleased to have someone alarm him when it was time to wake. Though, he wondered how they knew his sleeping schedule since it was partly nocturnal.

Alex changed his armor. Out of his satchel wore a brown shirt and long legged pants with leather laces to them. He exited his room and glanced at the maid. His body showed scars and an extremely fit form, "A bath? Could you please direct me to it? I still have yet to be given a proper tour of the kingdom," he admitted giving the cute maid a grin with sass letting her see him, wondering if they would be disgusted at him or attracted.

She seemed quite professional, or perhaps it was the wedding band on her finger as she politely bowed, "Of course my lord. The princess will give you a tour after breakfast. Please follow me to your bath," She lead him down another hall the a yellow heel encrusted door and opening it to reveal a massive hot spring bath. Within this massive tree kingdom was a hot spring! There were massage tables and a sauna and a potion section for elven vanity of looking different in a moment or to soothe burns or other ailments, "Would you like someone to wash you my lord?" She asked politely, her eyes looking to his as if he was already the new king.

He followed her into the hot spring and he quickly found himself impressed with the magic that had kept this spot in the tree continuously hot. He gave a soft scoff as he never thought this would be within the tree. Not even on the surface level of the tree. He heard her question and he quickly rejected the offer, "Tempting, but I don't think I'd have enough self control for something as promiscuous as that. Just be sure to have a towel and pair of pants ready for me, so I can wear something." He said before entering the hot spring, removing the shirt he wore and started undoing his shorts.

She bowed and left, shutting the door behind him. The air shifting and the sweet smell of lavender and honey wafted through the bathing room. The hot spring smelt sweet as rose petals were decorated in the spring there was a goblet filled with fresh blood with a full wine bottle next to it at the edge of the spring where he could sit and relax. The sweet princess wanted him to be comfortable it seemed.

The goblet and the scented steam was already a little too much for him. He simply wanted a wash as he was not going to stay in for long since water still damages him, if he were to stay in it for too long. His nude body sank into the water and he began scrubbing firmly and quickly. He washed his body for roughly five minutes before he walked out. Even of that short of a time water still made his skin slightly red and burnt looking like he was having a very slight allergic reaction. He grabbed his towel and made sure his hair was dry before everything else. His hair looked so curly and poofy without his kempt style.

He exited the spring to find some silk black pants which he slipped on. He found it entertaining that the maid guessed his waistline perfectly. Maybe She was staring. He then walked into the dining hall completely shirtless. Alex saw Leilania. She smiled at the sound of his foots steps. "Good early early morning Leillania. I do hope my sleeping schedule had not ruined yours," He said softly.

Leilania was in the process of bringing a strawberry to her mouth as the other hand was tracing her braille book. She gave him a soft wave, "Ah good morning my lord, no not at all. I wake up very early anyway. I've been troubled with nightmares since the coma. I wake quite early anyway. More time to read," she gestures her book, "Ah- um. Please sit. We have plenty of fruit if your interested," Her face then flushed as she set the strawberry back down, "And, as of yesterdays news… I have arranged to follow through with my fathers wishes and further aid our chance at peace. Though, there is much to discuss on that topic. Of course, when you are ready," She spoke, once again bringing the strawberry to her mouth and this time eating it.

Alex had frozen to her words. She seemed so sudden and to the point over marriage. He walked over to her and sat next to her and spoke, "Please. Have you really considered this? Just because your father wished upon this, does not mean it's predestined for you. I am more than willing to forever support you and your kingdom, but are you sure that's what you want?" He gave a soft sigh as his hand softly held hers not wanting to let her feel alone in this situation. Her gentle skin so warm and soft. His eyes glanced at the fruit on the table. He wished his body was willing to give it a chance but his body rejects all plant based food.

She nodded, her hands holding his. "Last night I was willing to give my life for your happiness… Isn't marriage done the same way? Also you believe in me. The feelings I feel... I haven't never felt before. I cannot describe it. I am willing to marry you, my lord… I will be your queen, if you will have me," She states softly, her soft hands intertwined with his.

Alex spoke, "I told you to refer to me as Alex, princess" He teased before he rubbed his thumb on her hand, "I... I don't know if this is what I want. I want you and us to be happy, but if there's love between us, I'd rather discover it than enforce it," He said honestly before he let go of her hand and sighed firmly, "So what do we do first after breakfast?" He asked

She blushes more, her face and ears flushed, "Ah! I was thinking tour the kingdom and castle… And perhaps then, we delve in the archives for more of the information you seek, or discuss the blood make-up you need for your experiments and such, my lo- Alex…"

He chuckled lightly again and spoke, "Well first, I should get dressed before anything else. I'll meet back with you here in 5 minutes," He said quickly as he left the dining room rather swiftly just to tease her of her vision. If her eyes worked she would have seen almost all him, maybe. He could hear a minor hic in her voice when she realized he was partially nude.

Alex walked into his room and slipped on a jet black button down shirt and he wrapped his hair into a pony tail. He sipped in the small horn that held prototype crimson he had hidden into his armors pocket but quickly made sure it stayed hidden before he left the room and returned to the dining room. "Okay, Leilania. Ready to meet your land more properly" He said rubbing his hands lightly.