Teases and duty
Aurelia.
The princess lay there, her deep blue eyes gleaming with amusement as she stared at Lysara, her golden locks spilling across the pillow like molten sunlight. The mischievous smirk tugging at her lips sent a jolt through Lysara's chest.
She should have pulled away immediately, should have demanded why the princess had slipped into her bed unannounced, but instead, she found herself staring—tracing the delicate arch of Aurelia's eyebrows, the curve of her high cheekbones, and those lips—rosy, soft, and slightly parted as if she were about to say something.
Lysara swallowed hard, her mind struggling to process the situation. Why wasn't she moving? Why was she…admiring her?
Aurelia's smirk deepened.
"You have a small waist but a well-toned abdomen," she mused, voice husky from sleep, her fingers twitching as if she might reach out again. "And your face while you sleep? Quite pretty, actually."
Lysara jolted upright as if burned, tearing herself from Aurelia's grasp. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and a warmth crept up her neck. "What—what are you doing in my bed?" she demanded, forcing her voice to remain steady despite the rush of heat flooding her cheeks.
Aurelia stretched lazily, completely unfazed. "I came to wake you up, but you looked too cute while sleeping, so I figured I'd join you." Her tone was teasing, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes, something unreadable.
Lysara clenched her fists. "And my guards and maids just let you waltz in?"
Aurelia waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, please. Who would stop me?"
Lysara inhaled sharply, trying to regain control over her thoughts. The proximity, the teasing, the way her heart reacted—it was all too much. "Stay a distance from me," she muttered, slipping off the bed in an attempt to clear her mind.
Aurelia propped herself on an elbow, watching her with a smirk. "You're flustered."
"I am not," Lysara snapped, grabbing a robe and tying it around herself hastily.
Aurelia hummed in amusement. "You are. But fine, I'll change the subject." She sat up fully, the golden strands of her hair cascading over her shoulders. "Where are you taking me today?"
Grateful for the distraction, Lysara crossed her arms. "It's a secret."
Aurelia raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I like surprises." She leaned forward slightly, her smirk playful. "I'm also glad to know you don't snore in your sleep."
Lysara narrowed her eyes. "I do not snore."
Aurelia chuckled, tilting her head. "No, but you do mumble sometimes."
Lysara scowled, about to argue when Aurelia continued, "At least it's better than drooling in your sleep."
Lysara's lips curled into a smirk of her own. "I don't drool, but you do."
Aurelia's mock indignation was immediate. "I do not!" She huffed, crossing her arms, but the smile tugging at the corners of her lips betrayed her amusement.
Before the playful argument could continue, a knock echoed at the door.
Lysara's amusement faded instantly, her sharp instincts returning. She glanced at Aurelia, who arched an eyebrow but didn't press for information. Lysara tightened her robe and moved toward the door, pulling it open just enough to see the visitor.
A voice spoke in a hushed but urgent tone.
Lysara's face grew cold as she listened, the amusement of a moment ago vanishing entirely. Her fingers gripped the edge of the door as she took in the words, her mind already calculating the implications.
Behind her, Aurelia watched with silent curiosity. She could tell something had shifted in Lysara's demeanor, but she chose not to pry. At least, not yet.
Lysara shut the door, her expression unreadable. She turned back, and Aurelia, sensing the shift in mood, decided to let it be. She stood, stretching. "I should go freshen up," she said casually. "I have to look my best for whatever surprise you have planned."
Lysara gave a small nod, her mind still elsewhere. "Yes… I'll see you soon."
Aurelia hesitated for a fraction of a second, as if considering asking what had been said, but then simply smiled and exited the room, leaving Lysara alone.
The silence was suffocating. She sighed, rubbing her temples before heading to her bathroom.
The warm water in the tub was a welcome reprieve as she sank into it, submerging herself beneath the surface for a moment before resurfacing with a deep breath. The tension in her muscles eased slightly, but her mind remained unsettled.
She hated being bathed by the royal maids, always preferring to handle it herself. But today, as the warm water enveloped her and the scent of lavender filled the air, she wished, just for a moment, that she could shut out the world entirely.
Her thoughts drifted back to Aurelia, to the teasing words, the warmth of her arms around her waist, and the way her heart had stuttered at the sight of her in her bed.
Lysara exhaled sharply, willing the thoughts away.
She had far more pressing matters to deal with. And yet, no matter how hard she tried, the image of Aurelia's smirk—of her golden hair shining in the morning light—lingered in her mind.