When they made their way back to Ebonfall, the journey was long and tiring. Emilia, still feeling the effects of their intense night in Velaris, could barely keep her eyes open. She hadn't seen the Countess that morning and had no time to dwell on it as they were in a rush to leave.
Now, while she rested in the carriage, Alistair sat in front of her in silence, his gaze fixed on Emilia in a way that made her uneasy. The man's eyes had changed since the night before, and though she couldn't quite decipher what had shifted in him, she pushed the thought aside. After all, once they returned to the palace, his attention would inevitably turn back to his girlfriend.
The carriage moved swiftly at Alistair's command, not stopping once until they arrived at Aurelia Palace in the afternoon. The towering spires of the palace shimmered in the daylight, the symbol of power and elegance in Eldenhart Kingdom. When they entered, the couple were quickly led to the dining room, where the King and Queen were already seated with a young man for lunch.
Attempting to read his mind, Emilia realized that he was a son of the King from one of his mistresses and a strong contender for the throne, should the Crown Prince fail in his duties or marriage. The sight of the prince at the table sent a wave of tension through Alistair, though he masked it with a smirk that hinted at his determination to prove his worth. They greeted the King and Queen respectfully, but both could feel the weight of the political undercurrents swirling in the room.
Despite the growing pressure, the Queen looked at them with warmth and kindness, her smile maternal and reassuring. There was something about her presence that made Emilia feel cared for, not just as a member of the royal family but as a person who understood the weight of her responsibilities. The Queen made the first move, gesturing for them to sit.
"Welcome back, Crown Prince and Crown Princess. I trust your time in Velaris was enjoyable?"
The woman's voice is soft yet authoritative. Her eyes shifted between them both, but lingering on Emilia for a moment longer. The Queen's gaze seemed to study her, a protective affection behind the expression.
Emilia smiled politely and nodded, still slightly fatigued from the journey. "Yes, Your Majesty. It was a much-needed reprieve," she answered, choosing her words carefully.
The Queen beamed, pleased with the response. "It's important for young couples to take time away from the demands of the court, to strengthen their bond. Sometimes the weight of the crown can make you forget the importance of… personal connections."
Alistair gave a polite gesture but remained mostly quiet, his thoughts clearly preoccupied. Emilia noticed the subtle stiffness in his posture as his eyes darted toward the other prince seated opposite them. The Queen sensing the tension, shifted the conversation to lighter topics.
"I don't believe you've had the pleasure of meeting properly. This is Prince Dorian, a close companion of the Crown Prince from childhood. They were practically inseparable, weren't you?"
Alistair's smile was strained when he replied, "Yes, we spent many days together as boys. It's been some time since we've caught up."
Prince Dorian chuckled lightly, breaking the tension with a charming smile. "Too long, I'd say. Our paths have taken different turns, but I still hold those days in high regard."
The Queen continued, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Now, Prince Dorian, tell me why you haven't found yourself a wife yet. Surely there are many noblewomen in the kingdom vying for your attention."
Prince Dorian's expression softened while he leaned back in his chair. "There may be many, Your Majesty. But my heart is set on one woman."
This statement caught the attention of everyone at the table, especially Emilia, who watched him carefully. There was something sincere and almost vulnerable in his tone that piqued her interest.
"Oh?" The Queen's curiosity was evident with eyes lighting up. "And who is this lucky woman?"
Prince Dorian shook his head gently. "I'm afraid I must keep that a secret for now. I wish to win her heart on my own terms, not through power or position. When the time is right, I'll let her and everyone else know."
"A noble sentiment." The King, who had been mostly silent until now, raised an eyebrow. His voice is deep and contemplative. "But sometimes, sentiment can be a luxury. You are a Prince, after all. Matters of the heart must sometimes bow to matters of state."
Prince Dorian didn't flinch, his gaze meeting the King's directly. "I understand that, Your Majesty. But I believe that true loyalty and love are stronger foundations for a marriage than any political alliance."
The Queen smiled approvingly, clearly delighted by the man's conviction. "Well said, Prince Dorian. But I must insist, should you need any help, do not hesitate to ask. A love as deep as yours deserves all the assistance it can get."
The woman turned her gaze to Emilia. "Perhaps the Crown Princess could assist? She'll be attending many events in the coming months, and I'm sure her presence could help you get closer to the woman in question."
Prince Dorian's eyes flickered toward Emilia, and for the briefest moment, she could see a flash of something unreadable in his expression before he smiled pleasantly. "I would be honored to have the Crown Princess help, Your Majesty."
Emilia inclined her head, unsure of how to respond. There was something about the man's manner that left her feeling uneasy, but she couldn't quite place why. Nonetheless, she nodded politely. "Of course, I would be happy to assist in any way I can."
The Queen, satisfied with the exchange, moved on. "Speaking of upcoming events, my birthday is just around the corner, and I would like the Crown Princess to handle all the arrangements. It will be a grand affair, I'm certain you are more than capable of managing it."
Emilia's heart sank slightly at the request, though she kept her face composed. Organizing the Queen's birthday was no small task, with the added pressure of assisting Prince Dorian, it seemed her plate was growing fuller by the second.
"Of course, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice steady despite the weight of the responsibility.
"And Prince Dorian," the Queen added, "I expect you to assist the Crown Princess. After all, a Prince should be well-versed in such matters."
Prince Dorian chuckled again, inclining his head. "I will gladly help in any way I can."
The conversation shifted abruptly when the King addressed the Crown Prince with a serious tone and sharp gaze.
"About the matter of the increased taxes in Velaris. I hear you've been pushing for this to be made public soon. I trust you've thought through the consequences of such an announcement?"
Alistair straightened in his seat, his expression firm. "Yes, Your Majesty. We've done the necessary research, and the people have been waiting long enough. The delay is only causing more unrest, I believe it's time to act."
The King's face darkened modestly, his voice lowering. "And yet, announcing it too soon could spark resistance. The kingdom is already strained. A poorly timed decision could do more harm than good."
Alistair didn't back down. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, we cannot afford to wait any longer. If we hesitate, we risk losing the people's trust. They need to see that we are taking action to improve their lives."
Prince Dorian spoke up, his tone calm but supporting the argument. "I agree. The people's frustration is palpable, and continuing to delay will only increase their discontent. A decisive action now may actually prevent larger issues down the road."
The King glanced between the two princes, his brow furrowed. He clearly wasn't convinced but was finding it hard to argue against their logic. "Perhaps," he said slowly, "But the timing must still be carefully considered."
The Queen interrupts smoothly. "I'm sure with a little more discussion, we can find the right balance."
The meal ended on a more subdued note, with the tax issue left unresolved. As they prepared to leave, Emilia couldn't help but glance at Prince Dorian once more. She attempted to read his thoughts, but something about him made it difficult for her to fully grasp his emotions.
Still, from what she could sense, he was a man of deep integrity. He wasn't driven by politics or ambition, but love and loyalty to someone he cherished deeply. Emilia found herself wondering who this woman was, feeling a strange sense of intrigue about the man who seemed to value devotion over power in a world where the opposite was more common.
***
When Emilia lay in bed half-awake, she could feel Alistair's scent enveloping her. The familiar weight of his arm draped over the girl's body and made her heart beat a little faster, this was the first time he had come to her room since she had lived at Silvercrest Manor. The man's presence was unexpected, even intimate, considering they usually slept in separate chambers.
Still groggy, Emilia turned her head and asked, "Are you finished with your matters?"
Her voice was faint, barely above a whisper in the moonlight filtering through the glass window. Alistair's deep voice answered from behind the girl, "Yes, I've dealt with everything. There was much to attend to after being gone for so long."
His reply made sense, there was always some urgent duty calling him back. Emilia nodded sleepily, her body already sinking back into the bed, ready to fall asleep again. "Then rest."
But before she could drift off, Alistair's hand cupped her face, delicately turning Emilia toward him. In the glow of the moonlight, the girl could see him clearly, his handsome features, the way the man's dark eyes seemed to gleam with an intensity she hadn't quite noticed before. For a moment, she was mesmerized.
Alistair's voice broke the silence. "How can I rest," he said with a playful and husky tone. "When I haven't had my dinner yet?"
Emilia blinked, still somewhat drowsy. "You could ask the maids to prepare something," she suggested, her mind not yet fully catching up to his meaning.
But then his lips curved into a mischievous smile. "That's not the kind of dinner I had in mind."
Emilia's eyes widened vaguely in realization. The girl was about to respond to dismiss his flirtation, but before she could, the man leaned closer and his lips brushing her neck, trailing soft kisses along her skin. His touch was slow and deliberate, each kiss sending a shiver down her spine.
"Al… I'm exhausted. We've just returned, and you've had a long day…" She tried to keep her voice steady.
"I know. But I need you, Em..."
His lips moving lower, the heat of the man's breath making her pulse quicken. Alistair's voice was almost pleading, a mix of desire and need that surprised Emilia. The girl hesitated, biting her lip, torn between the fatigue and growing fondness spreading through her body at his touch.
Alistair's persistence was undeniable, his kisses more insistent now while his hands slid beneath Emilia's nightgown, tracing the curves of her body with a familiarity that sent a flush of heat across the skin.
"Why are you even asking if you've already started touching me?" she asked half-joking while his fingers teased her waist.
The man paused, looking her in the eye. "It's never as good unless you want it, just as much as I do."
The girl didn't answer right away, her breath catching while Alistair's hands roamed her body with increasing confidence, his lips never leaving her skin. The man's words lingered in her mind, stirring something deep within her.
"Give yourself to me tonight, Em... I've worked hard, pushed through all those tedious meetings… I even skipped dinner to come back to you."
Alistair's voice was low and persuasive, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Can't you reward me for my efforts?"
She smirked slightly, her voice a touch teasing. "If you're that tired, maybe you should just sleep."
The man's lips curled into a grin against Emilia's skin. "Even if I'm tired, your body has always been more than enough to bring me back to life."
His words sent a rush of heat through her. There was a teasing light in Alistair's eyes, but beneath it was something real, a hunger and need that had only grown since their return from Velaris. And as much as Emilia wanted to resist, her own body was betraying her, reacting to his every touch and kiss, in ways she couldn't ignore.
The girl sighed, a mixture of exasperation and surrender in her voice. "You're impossible."
"Only for you." He smirked, sensing her weakening resolve. Alistair's hand sliding up her thigh as he captured her lips in a deep, slow kiss.
Finally, after a long pause, Emilia relented. "Fine," she murmured against his lips. "But you owe me a real dinner later."
Alistair chuckled softly, his breath warm against her skin. "Anything you want," he promised before his lips met hers again, more fervent this time, while their bodies intertwined beneath the moonlit room.
***