A Scent, A Glance, A Spark

Once she finished soaking, Laverna stepped out and wrapped herself in a soft towel. She slipped into the lavender nightgown provided by the palace staff.

After combing and loosely braiding her hair, she stepped into the main room. Spotting Shin on the veranda, she grabbed a robe and draped it around herself.

The gown featured lacy sleeves that flared gently at her wrists. Its deep V neckline crossed delicately, with the hem brushing just above her knees.

The soft fabric hugged her curves in ways that made Shin feel... things. He had seen her step out of a bath before, modest and slightly damp, but tonight was different—ethereal.

There was a quiet elegance to her, an allure that stirred something deeper than passing desire. His gaze lingered longer than it should have, and he found himself questioning the shift in his emotions.

Was it the aftermath of battle, the moonlight, or the bond they had been forming? Every detail of her presence tonight captivated him—the sway of her hips, the glow of her bare shoulders, the way her braid framed her collarbone like a ribbon of midnight silk.

Her lavender scent drifted to him, mingling with the warmth of her skin and the faint remnants of soap and steam. It wasn't just calming—it was intoxicating, dizzying, and sent a subtle shiver down his spine.

He could see how the moonlight danced across her figure, accentuating the softness of her curves and the scars that peeked through her gown. They didn't diminish her beauty—they intensified it, telling a silent story of resilience and grace.

Her beauty wasn't delicate. It was raw, fierce, and alive. The kind of beauty that refused to be tamed.

For the first time in a long while, he was speechless. His throat tightened as he tried to force his eyes away.

He turned, cheeks burning, his heartbeat pounding louder in his ears. The scent she carried—lavender and a trace of something sweet—wrapped around him, and he took a breath so deep it almost hurt.

Why was he reacting this way now? He had seen her bare skin before, especially after missions, but none of those moments compared to this one.

Tonight, she wasn't just his partner in battle. She was radiant, like a vision pulled from a memory he had yet to make.

Unintentionally, Laverna sensed the flicker of heat in his thoughts through the crest they shared. A smirk tugged at her lips, knowing exactly what was on his mind.

They spoke of survival, of resilience. His face flushed with a rising blush, and he quickly turned away, taking a deep breath to calm himself.

Why was he reacting this way now? He had seen her bare skin before, especially after missions.

But tonight shook his control. His thoughts spiraled, and he tried to rein them in.

Unintentionally, Laverna sensed the flicker of heat in his thoughts through the crest they shared. A smirk tugged at her lips, knowing exactly what was on his mind.

She took in the way he avoided her gaze, his fingers tensing slightly. Her bare feet padded softly as she joined him outside.

She leaned against the railing, her eyes scanning the forest below. "Sorry," she said, voice quiet. "I got caught up in the bath."

Rubbing her eyes, she looked at him. "Thanks for letting me go first. I don't mind blood, but theirs smelled... wrong."

A soft disgust curled her tone. "Who do you think they were? I wasn't expecting anyone bold enough to target the King and Queen."

She shifted her weight and scoffed lightly. "Foolish, but someone's moving their pieces or making a statement."

Another yawn escaped as she leaned further on the railing. "I'd say it was annoying, but that'd be a lie... I had fun."

Her smile returned, lingering. "Thanks for stopping me from killing the guests. Probably wouldn't have looked great."

Her tone dipped into a grumble. "But gods, they were so stupid. We were clearly fighting for our lives, and they thought it was a performance."

She looked away, eyes fixed on the trees. "Tells you what kind of 'entertainment' they enjoy."

She swung herself onto the railing, letting her robe flutter around her legs. "I'm just going to chalk it up to stupidity."

He watched her perch on the wide railing. The moonlight bathed her in silver, tracing the contours of her form and the calm curve of her smile.

Seeing her like this made it harder to suppress his instincts. Her presence stirred something deeper—emotional, not just physical.

His blush was impossible to hide. Through their crest, she could feel the flutter in his chest.

The blend of her lavender perfume and his lingering blood scent created a euphoric haze. He didn't understand the feeling, only that it was new and overwhelming.

There was a beauty in her that surpassed the physical, a light that shimmered in the darkness. Her quiet strength, the way she carried her scars, the calm way she teased the edges of vulnerability.

He noticed how the moonlight seemed to cling to her like a veil. The gleam on her skin, the way her lashes cast shadows across her cheeks, the gentle flutter of her robe in the breeze.

Her beauty was raw and untamed, and it left him speechless. Even as he tried to hold himself back, the emotions bubbled beneath the surface.

He hid his face, his blush deepening. The air around them grew warmer.

"I need to take a bath too. If you'll excuse me..." he murmured, voice low and tight.

He picked up his bloodied clothes and stepped into the bathroom, needing space to cool his thoughts. As the door clicked shut, Laverna's gaze lingered.

A faint blush colored her cheeks as the remnants of his thoughts brushed hers. Feelings crept in where once she had built walls.

She brushed them aside quickly, but her eyes fell on the setup at the veranda. The wine, the glasses, the quiet thoughtfulness behind it.

The scent of the wine drifted gently, sweet, perfumed, like crushed berries soaked in desire. Her pulse hitched.

A flicker of heat colored her thoughts—fleeting, muddled, laced with something intimate. She didn't realize where her mind had wandered until Shin's image crossed her thoughts again.

She bit her lip and forced herself to focus elsewhere. Still, something had changed tonight, and even she could no longer pretend not to feel it.