Fulfilling my duties as a Wife

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ELIANA'S POV;

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I sat beside him, my hands wrapped around his as I watched him. He looked too delicate, almost ethereal—like something carved from porcelain, not flesh. His long feminine lashes fell softlyon his cheek bones, his thick brows which twitched every now and then. His silky hair which spilled over the pillow— masking it with it's dark strands.

As I stared, my heart raced in my chest, thousands of questions invaded my mind. Would he be okay?

What happened to him?

Why does my body react to him this way?

Every time I look at him, something stirred deep inside me— gentle but impossible to ignore.

Even when he's hurt, my chest tightens. Just like that day; when he got whipped. Or when his brother's mocked him. Or the day the prime minister tried to shame him publicly. Every single time, I defended him.

Whenever he furrowed his brows or looked at me with pain etched in those mysterious blue eyes, I felt the need to protect him.

Maybe it's because I'm used to protecting others or maybe it's just because I pity him.

Yeah, it's just pity. Cause if it's something more, then I'm in trouble. The whirlwind of thoughts stopped when I heard a light knock at the door.

" Come in." I spoke adjusting myself on the seat. The door opened and Amara stepped in.

" My Lady, it's late you didn't have dinner and also you need to rest." She said, worriedly. I smiled weakly. " I'm fine." I assured, returning my gaze to Xavier.

" But my lady—"

" I said it's fine." My voice came off colder than I intended. I exhaled, stressed. " I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tell at you."

" I'm sorry too My Lady but you have to rest. You didn't even finish your food because you were worried and now you're depriving yourself from sleep." She pestered.

I know she meant well but couldn't she just let me be! " Amara. That's enough! Please let me be." I barely contained my tone, especially because Xavier was right beside me and I didn't want to disturb him.

She bowed. " Very well then my lady, I'll take my leave." She turned and walked out of the room. Cold silence followed and my chest tightened.

I shouldn't have been so rude to her. She was just worried about me and I pushed her away. I'll make sure I apologise to her in the morning but for now, I needed to be here with him. Slowly, I made my way to the bed and laid beside him.

I touched him forehead, to check if he'd improved but he was still cold, but not as cold as before. His body jerked, his teeth clattered his lashes pressed against each other tightly. I needed to do something.

Slowly rising from the bed, I shuffled to the wardrobe— rumaging through it, looking for a blanket. But there was nothing, it was empty.

It was already late so I couldn't ask Amara for help, she could be sleeping and I didn't want to disturb her. So, I walked back to bed and adjusted the blanket on him, making sure he was fully covered.

Then, I tucked myself in and scooched closer to him, sharing my warmth. I pulled him close, my small arms wrapped around him as I placed his head in between my arms, cradling it.

My hands brushed through his silky strands, enjoying the feel of it between my fingers. Soon, i let the calmness wash over me, my lid pressed together and I fell asleep.

—

THE NEXT DAY

Morning clawed against the once dark sky. It's beautiful golden rays shattered into the room through the slightly parted curtains. Warm air swept into the room, brushing against my skin.

With my eyes still shut, I reached for Xavier at the side of the mattress but was met with the cold embrace of the silky sheets beneath my palms. He wasn't there

My eyes flew open. Where was he?

I jumped out of bed, my eyes darted across the vast room but it was empty and cold. Dread settling deep inside my chest. I ran to the balcony but was met with the same emptiness. I ran to the door, just as it creaked open. My breath hitched, heart halfway to my throat— It was him. Xavier stood there, pale but upright, balancing a tray of food.

I exhaled, clutching my chest. " You shouldn't be running around, you're still sick!," I scolded, annoyed and worried.

He smiled weakly, his pearl teeth glistening in the morning light. " I'm sorry for worrying you. I just wanted to get some fresh air." I glanced at the tray of food whuch he held in his hands, my stomach grumbled.

I didn't eat last night and now; my stomach craves food. " You want some?" He offered and I shook my head, it was his food— he needed it more than I did anyways.

With a sigh, he walked to me and took my hands in his; my stomach flipped. My hands felt so cold, yet soft and tender. He gently tugged me back toward the bed, guiding me to sit. " Amara told me that you didn't eat last night because you were worried sick about me—"

Curse you Amara. Why did she tell him that?

I clicked my tongue. "I wasn't worried," I said quickly—maybe too quickly.

My heart gave a small jolt, and I swallowed hard.

"I was just… fulfilling my duties as a wife," I added, eyes darting away.

But even as the words left my mouth, they felt wrong. I wasn't just worried. I was terrified. And the way my chest still aches… God, I hated it.

I didn't want to care.

But I did.

" Whatever, I brought you some food cause I thought you might be hungry. And, you are so eat up."

My lips twitched. " I'm not hungry, I'll get some food later on, you have it. You need it cause you're sick."

He inched closer, my lungs stopped. His ocean blue orbs lingered on mine." Do you want me to feed you?" No way, no way I would let him do that.

" N-no, I'm fine" I muttered, scooting away. Heat rushing to my cheeks. even though my stomach said otherwise. Thankfully, he stepped back and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.