CH 25 : Rooftop

He gently took her by the waist, guiding her to stand in front of the mirror. The proximity of his touch sent a shiver through her, and she cursed her body for reacting so easily to his presence. As he began measuring, Alistair's hands brushed her waist, shoulders and hips in a manner that felt far more intimate than necessary, each touch lingering just a little too long.

"Raise your arms," Alistair instructed, his voice smooth and steady as he stretched the tape across her back.

Emilia complied, though she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She bit the inside of her lip, trying to focus on anything other than the feel of his hands moving over her.

"You're quite tense," Alistair remarked softly, his breath brushing her ear as he leaned in to check the measurement. "You should relax. It's just me."

"That's exactly the problem," Emilia muttered under her breath, catching his amused smirk in the mirror.

As Alistair finished measuring her waist, he paused, his hands resting lightly on her hips, his eyes meeting hers in the reflection. "You know," he said in a lower tone, "I could make this a lot more fun, if you'd like."

Emilia rolled her eyes, though she couldn't suppress the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Is this how you treat all your clients?" she asked, arching an eyebrow. "Or am I just special?"

"More than special," he murmured, his fingers brushing her skin. "But you already know that."

Before she could respond, Alistair's fingers slipped just a bit lower, his hands settling on her hips with a firmer grip as he leaned in, his lips dangerously close to her ear. "Are you sure you don't want to enjoy this moment a little more, my lady?"

Emilia's breath hitched, her resolve wavering for a moment before she cleared her throat and stepped away from him, turning to face him fully. "We're here for business, remember?" she said, her tone a mix of teasing and warning.

Alistair grinned, clearly unfazed. "Of course, my lady. Just business."

He finished the rest of the measurements, but the tension between them was palpable. Every touch, every glance, was laced with unspoken words, and Emilia found herself both relieved and disappointed when it was finally over.

As she gathered herself, Alistair gave her one last lingering look, his smirk firmly in place. "I'll make sure everything fits… perfectly," he said with a wink, his voice dripping with innuendo.

Emilia shook her head, though she couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips. "I'm sure you will," she replied, before turning to leave the room. But even as she walked away, she could feel the heat of his gaze on her, and it took all her willpower not to glance back at him.

When she returned to the main room, Countess Evelyn and Prince Dorian were still engrossed in their conversation. Emilia took her place beside them, her mind still spinning from the unexpected encounter with Alistair. But she kept her expression calm, masking the flurry of emotions beneath the surface.

After a moment later, Prince Dorian and Alistair stood just outside the boutique, their eyes occasionally drifting to the windows as they watched Emilia and the Countess finalize the details of the fabric selection. The faint sound of their conversation inside was barely audible, leaving the two men in a moment of quiet.

"She has quite the eye for quality," Prince Dorian remarked, his gaze still lingering on Emilia, who was engrossed in the selection process. "Her understanding of the Queen's taste is… impressive."

Alistair nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "She's always had a unique way of seeing things. Not just luxury, but what's meaningful."

Prince Dorian shifted slightly, turning to face Alistair more directly. "The Queen's birthday. It's a pivotal time. Public sentiment is delicate, especially with the changes in the kingdom's tax policies." He paused. "But it seems she's more concerned with connecting with the people than flaunting riches."

Alistair's expression darkened slightly at the mention of the taxes. "Taxes are a necessary burden, but we can't afford to alienate the citizens. This celebration could mend some of the tension." He hesitated for a moment, before adding, "And Emilia understands that better than most."

Prince Dorian nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. She aims to bridge the gap between the crown and the common folk. I must admit, her influence on the preparations is… refreshing." He gave Alistair a sideways glance. "She's an intriguing woman, isn't she?"

Alistair's eyes hardened slightly, though he kept his tone even. "She is. But I would caution you not to let intrigue cloud your judgment. She's focused on her duties, and I trust you'll respect that."

Prince Dorian chuckled lightly, sensing Alistair's protective tone. "Of course. My admiration is purely professional. It's clear she's deeply committed to her role. A quality any crown prince would appreciate." There was a slight undertone in his voice, though Alistair didn't rise to it.

The Countess and Emilia emerged from the boutique, interrupting their quiet exchange. The girl approached them with a smile, unaware of the tension lingering between the two men. "We've finalized everything. Now we can move on to the next preparations."

Prince Dorian smiled, the air of their previous conversation dissipating. "I trust your choices will be perfect for the Queen's birthday." He turned to Alistair, his tone light. "Shall we continue?"

Alistair immediately reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers with a firm but gentle grasp. His touch was warm and possessive, causing Emilia to glance up at him in surprise. Before she could say anything, the man turned to Prince Dorian and the Countess, his tone casual but leaving no room for argument.

"You two should head back first," Alistair said, nodding slightly to dismiss them. "Crown Princess and I need to take care of something."

Without waiting for a response, he pulled Emilia away, leading her down the street. His grip on her hand was steady, leaving the girl no choice but to follow as they walked away from the boutique. Prince Dorian watched them go, his gaze lingering while the couple moved farther. 

"Such a lovely pair, don't you think?" Countess Evelyn, who stood beside him, offered a knowing smile.

Prince Dorian's jaw tightened subtly, though he kept his expression neutral. "Yes."

Though a flicker of something else crossed his face unease. He watched as Alistair and Emilia laughed together, their heads close, clearly lost in their own world. Though he couldn't hear them, the intimacy between them was undeniable.

As they walked further from the boutique and the crowd began to thin, Emilia glanced at Alistair with a raised brow. "Where exactly are we going?" she asked, her tone light, though there was curiosity behind her question.

Alistair smirked, pulling her closer as they walked. "Somewhere quiet, just the two of us. We've been surrounded by people all day. I thought we could use a little escape." He squeezed her hand, his thumb brushing over the back of her palm.

Emilia laughed softly, shaking her head. "You do realize people are going to notice if we just disappear, right? Especially with everything going on for the Queen's birthday."

Alistair stopped for a moment, turning to face her. "Let them notice," he said, his voice low but full of confidence. "I don't care what they think. Right now, I only care about you." His gaze was intense, locking with hers, making her heart skip a beat.

"Always so serious," Emilia teased, trying to lighten the mood, though the warmth in her chest was undeniable.

Alistair chuckled, pulling her along again, this time with a more relaxed pace. "Maybe. But I mean it. You've been working hard. You deserve a break, even if it's just for a little while."

They continued walking, occasionally laughing as they exchanged playful banter, their voices lost in the soft rustle of the city around them. At one point, Emilia nudged Alistair lightly with her shoulder.

"So, what's this secret plan of yours?" she asked, curious despite herself.

Alistair smirked again, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You'll see soon enough," he said cryptically, keeping her guessing. "Let's just say it involves you, me, and a lot of peace and quiet."

Emilia rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. Despite the constant hustle of the palace and the preparations for the Queen's birthday, moments like this where they could just be themselves were rare. And in those rare moments, she cherished how close they had become, the way his laughter mixed with hers in the quiet city streets.

As they walked farther away, the city's noise began to fade, leaving them in their own private world. Though neither said it out loud, there was a shared understanding between them, a deep bond that needed no words.

Alistair led Emilia up a narrow staircase to a private rooftop room of one of the finest restaurants in the city. When they stepped out onto the open terrace, the girl's breath caught. The view was breathtaking, the city sprawled below them, bathed in the warm, golden hues of sunset.

This was the highest building in the area, and from this vantage point, they could see the entire cityscape, the rooftops and streets stretching out to the horizon. The place was elegantly decorated. A small table set for two was adorned with delicate flowers and soft candlelight, flickering gently in the evening breeze.

"Surprised?" Alistair asked with a smirk, his eyes studying her reaction.

Emilia blinked, pulling herself out of the daze. "I… didn't expect this," she admitted, glancing around. "This is… romantic."

Alistair chuckled softly, guiding her to the table and pulling out her chair. "It's supposed to be," he replied simply, taking a seat across from her.

Emilia sat down, still slightly suspicious. She had thought this dinner was just another part of their royal charade, a way for them to be seen together, to further dispel rumors about their relationship. But as she glanced at Alistair, something about his demeanor seemed different tonight.

He wasn't the playful, teasing man she was used to, nor was he putting on the facade of the perfect prince. There was a sincerity in his eyes that made her feel strangely exposed.

"Are you trying to make sure everyone sees us?" Emilia asked, her tone light but probing. "Is this part of the performance?"

Alistair raised an eyebrow, his smirk softening into a more genuine smile. "No performance tonight," he said quietly, his gaze locking with hers. "I didn't bring you here for them. I brought you here for us."

Emilia felt her heart skip a beat at his words. "For us?" she echoed, her voice a little softer now, uncertain.

He nodded, leaning forward slightly, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of the table. "I know you're probably thinking this is all part of some plan. That I'm just playing my role, like we've done so many times before. But tonight, I wanted it to be different."

Emilia studied his face, searching for any hint of deception, but found none. There was only sincerity in his expression, the kind she wasn't used to seeing from him. "Why?"

His voice was low, almost vulnerable. "Because you deserve it."

Emilia felt a mix of emotions swirl inside her, confusion, curiosity, and something else she wasn't quite ready to name.

Alistair leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving hers. "I mean… this isn't just for show, at least not for me."

Emilia's heart pounded in her chest as his words sank in. Was he really saying what she thought he was saying? She had always considered their relationship as strategic, built on necessity rather than emotion. But now, as she looked at him, she realized that the feelings in his eyes weren't ones you could fake.

"Are you… falling in love with me?" The question slipped out before she could stop herself.

Alistair's eyes darkened with an intensity that made her pulse race. He didn't look away, didn't try to laugh it off. "I don't think I'm falling," he said softly, leaning forward again. "I think I already have."

The weight of his words hit her hard. Emilia's mind raced as she tried to process the shift in their dynamic. Had she missed the signs all along? Was his teasing and protectiveness more than just part of their royal duties?

"You're serious," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

He nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I am. I didn't plan for this to happen. I know you didn't either. But here we are." His fingers reached out to brush against hers, a gentle touch that sent warmth coursing through her.

Emilia swallowed hard, her thoughts a tangled mess. Part of her wanted to retreat, to keep things simple and professional. But another part of her, one that she hadn't acknowledged before, was tempted.

She looked down at their hands, his fingers lightly intertwined with hers, then back up at him. "I don't know what to say," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

"You don't have to say anything right now," Alistair said softly, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of her hand. "I just wanted you to know."

***