Brandt tosses in bed again, trying to find a better position to fall asleep. He hasn't been able to even close his eyes with everything going on. His thoughts keep drifting to the threat at the Eastern borders, but mostly to Saga and Siv. He has been trying to decide what to do about the situation. Unfairly comparing the two women since he remembers every encounter, every touch of Saga's, but when it comes to Siv, his mind is completely blank.
'Have we even kissed before?'
Brandt remembers the first time he met Saga. When she smiled at him, his heart skipped a beat. He remembers the feel of her cold fingers on his skin, and the joke they shared about her being coldhearted. She always laughed at that. He remembers how she always smells of spring, and how the scent calms him. There is no doubt that he is in love with the woman.
"I should probably answer her letters tomorrow, she never liked being ignored."
It is also obvious that he cares for Siv and he wants to protect her. But compared to his feelings toward Saga, he is certain that it is not love that he feels for Siv. Although he was quite jealous when he found out about how close she is with Gary, it is probably because of the rivalry they've had since they were children.
Brandt sighs.
Now, the issue is that Saga can never be his wife. So they would have to go back to being secret lovers. He does not mind, and he knows she does not either. But then, he still needs a wife.
Siv would be the easiest choice, since she was groomed to be crown princess since her childhood. However, Shelby said she has lost her memories too, so she does not remember much about that. Choosing her would make the king happy though, since he was reluctant about the Vying from the beginning.
One of the princesses would be a great choice too, in order to forge new relations with other countries, especially the nation of Jyvaskyla. Choosing Princess Helga would at least appease the elders and some nobles and keep the tradition of the Vying alive. The only issue with that would be if he ever regains his memories of Siv and discovers that he was in fact enamored of her.
"Maybe I can ask the Grand Mage and see what the possibility of that happening is." Brandt is surprised when a knock disturbs the silence in his room.
'Who could it be this late at night?'
He walks to the door and opens it, but no one is there. Then he hears the knock again. It takes him a moment to realize that it came from the hidden door in his closet. He has not used that secret passage in such a long time, and the thought of who is behind that door makes his blood race. He rushes to his closet to unlock the door, and sure enough, he finds Saga standing before him.
"It is quite late, dear."
"You have not written back." She seems a bit annoyed. " I sent four letters."
"I apologize, I have been busy." She eyes him for a moment.
"Are you not inviting me in?"
"Of course I am." Brandt steps back, away from the threshold as she makes her way inside his chambers.
"Nothing has changed in the past… year, was it?" She looks around the room.
"So, to what do I owe this nocturnal visit?"
"Has it been that long that you have forgotten what my nocturnal visits mean?" Saga holds his gaze for a moment.
She removes her coat letting it slip to the floor. Then she unbuttons her dress and takes it off, still holding Brandt's eyes captive. In one forceful move, she opens the front of her corset and drops it with a light thug. Finally, she slips her light chemise off and lets it drop to the floor.
Brandt just stands there with a racing heart and hungry eyes. His eyes travel her naked body as the dim light from the fireplace colors it different shades of yellow, orange, and brown.
He takes two urgent strides and lifts her on his shoulder until his bed where he throws her. He does not waste any time removing his clothes and climbing on top of her.
"Well, at least you still remember this part." Saga giggles as Brandt nibbles her neck.
"I have missed you, Saga." The prince whispers before claiming her mouth in a passionate and demanding kiss.
"I have missed you too, my love."
***
Brandt wakes up to a note on the pillow next to his. He smiles even before reading it.
My love,
Last night was magical as always. Until next time.
Yours lovingly,
S
'I have missed her little messages too.'
Brandt gets out of bed and freshens up before heading to the training grounds. He is planning on training a bit and also keeping an eye on Siv. Last night, he has decided that he will not give her up, especially not to Gary.
But the first thing Brandt sees when he reaches the training area is Gary and Siv sword training. He clenches his teeth.
'No, I am in a good mood, I will not let that bastard ruin it.'
"Where is Earling?" the prince asks a few soldiers walking by.
"An emergency with her family, Your Highness, she had to leave last night."
'How did she not even tell him? She is usually on top of these things.'
He watches the pair from afar and notices that Siv is actually quite good with the sword. Knowing Gary and his weakness for women, he is taking it easy on her, but she is holding her ground and even making him sweat a little. Brandt is very impressed, considering the fact that she has only started training a few weeks ago.
"Your Highness." Shelby greets Brandt, a little out of breath. "I finally found you."
"What is it Shelby?"
"There is an article on The Silver Moon newspaper about the Vying Ball."
"The Silver Moon? Isn't that the tabloid that writes about nobility scandals?"
"Correct."
"Why should we even read such garbage?"
"Because they have started rumors about lady Siv and Duke Jostad, Your Highness."
"Bloody fools." Brandt curses.