Yasmin felt a strange sense of deja vu. She was currently sitting at the dinner table with Lady Amari and Duke Javier, she and the lady had returned from the garden when it was close to dinner time. Lady Amari was cleaned and dressed by her servants while she got Yasmin prepared herself– something Yasmin hadn't gotten used to– she insisted on being the only one to touch and care for her since it was her responsibility. They arrived for dinner just in time and now Yasmin was sitting around the table right next to Amari , looking at her plate with a feeling of helplessness.
'This setting feels awfully familiar.'
Yasmin felt like banging her head against the table. How could she forget something so crucial, especially when it was about her very own self. She had thought she'd mentioned it to Lady Amari since she was the one responsible for feeding her during the past few days but now that she thought back on it, she really hadn't.
Due to her injuries and barely mobile state, she was mostly fed soft foods like porridge or soup and fruits. She wasn't given the chance to refute any meat dishes because she wasn't given any, therefore Lady Amari had no idea she was a vegetarian.
Yasmin withheld a groan as she slumped slightly in her seat. She discreetly avoided the meat on her plate and started eating everything else, but Yasmin has always been a very expressive person even if she didn't think so herself. She believed she was being discreet when her discomfort was clearly visible on her face. Lady Amari noticed this and gently brushed her hand against her shoulder to get her attention.
"Is something the matter?"
Yasmin looked up, her expression stiff, "...I don't want to be a burden."
Amari furrowed her eyebrows, "what is it?"
"Actually… I don't eat meat…"
Both siblings paused their actions to look at each other before looking at Yasmin strangely.
"Oh."
Yasmin felt flustered for some reason. It wasn't uncommon for one to not eat meat though it still felt odd to actually meet someone who didn't. Especially for the Augusta siblings who came from direct descendants of carnivores.
"That's fine," Amari reassures with a soft smile. "You shouldn't feel too burdened to tell me these things, okay?"
"Yes…, thank you my Lady."
Amari waved over a servant instructing them what to do before they took Yasmin's plate and left.
"Are you a descendant of herbivores?" Asked Javier with barely veiled interest.
"Ah.. I'm not, your grace. I don't have any beast gene."
Javier hummed, "not even a little?"
Yasmin shook her head and Javier hummed again.
"I see…"
The room went silent save for the sound of utensils scraping against porcelain as Javier resumed eating. Amari flashed her brother a displeased glare as she waited until the servant who went to change Yasmin's meal returned.
With a word of gratitude Yasmin accepted the meal and began eating, the table was still silent and Yasmin found it hard to eat with everything echoing against her ear, she even found the the sound of her own chewing grating. This continued until the end of dinner and Javier was the first to speak after dabbing the corner of his mouth with a napkin before dropping it onto his plate and pushing it towards the centre of the table.
"So Little one," he began and Yasmin couldn't help but internally cringe at hearing the title. "Ever been with a woman before?"
"Javier–"
"What?" He shrugged, "It's a reasonable question."
"It's invasive."
"Not like she has much of a choice, we own her–"
"Javier!"
Yasmin was relieved to finally return to Lady Amari's quarters after dinner. After Amari had cursed her brother out for being an invasive asshole, they had stayed even after finishing their meals so the siblings could catch up and make plans regarding Amari's upcoming birthday party in a few months.
A pleased sigh left her lips as she plopped herself down on the bed and spread out like a starfish.
"Change first."
"I already got comfortable," Yasmin groans.
"You should bathe first."
"I don't wanna move."
"Unless you want me to wipe you down…"
"I don't mind."
Amari paused in her actions of taking off her jewellery to level Yasmin with a considerate stare.
"Aren't you a little bit too comfortable?"
Yasmin's head tilts with confusion, "what'd you mean?"
"Most people aren't usually this….placid, in your situation."
Yasmin pursed her lips in thought as she looked up at the ceiling, "I don't see a problem," she finally said after a moment of silence. "I'm well fed and taken care of and also don't have to work as a servant anymore. I might just be a bed warmer but at least the treatment is good."
She then let her eyes roam over Lady Amari, her gaze contemplating. "Besides….the view isn't bad to look at."
Amari snorted out a laugh, "flattery will get you nowhere."
Yasmin smirked, "my mouth isn't only good for words…"
Amari's eyes went wide at the bold statement and if it weren't for her dark complexion, she'd be as red as a tomato.
With a forced cough she made her way to the edge of the bed before sitting down and leaning over Yasmin. Afterall, she was never one to back down from a challenge. "Oh? What other use does it have?"
Yasmin starred up into chestnut brown irises that were framed by thick, long, dark lashes. Amari's braids hang loosely around them, the ornaments reflecting the warm glow from the crystals scattered around the room. Her eyes trailed from her dark pupils, down the curve of her nose, over her cheeks which reflected the shadows of her long lashes and finally down to her plump dark lips that were slightly curved upward in a smile.
"Come closer and you'll find out…"
Amari complied, leaning her head down more to Yasmin's face.
"Closer."
Once again she complied, moving down until she could feel the other's breath warming her cheek and nose.
"Closer."
Amari huffed out an exasperated laugh, "if I come any closer my eyes will go cross." and even though she said this, she still leaned her head down further until her lips were just shy of brushing against Yasmin's.
"Is this close enough?" she whispered, causing warm air to brush against Yasmin's lips. It left behind a tingling sensation and Yasmin tongue darted out to lick away the feeling.
"Yes," Yasmin breathed out, her voice also a whisper.
They stayed like that for a while, staring into each other's eyes and breathing in each other's air. Yasmin could hear the fast pace of Amari's heartbeat and resisted the urge to place her hand against her chest to feel it.
"Now what?" Amari whispered again.
Yasmin slowly raised her head to close the small distance between them, their lips brushed only for a second before there was a knock outside the room.
"My lady, I've prepared your bath."
Both women paused, their eyes still locked and lips ghosting over each other.
"...thank you, I'll be there shortly."
Yasmin eased herself back flat on the bed, "I guess I'll show you another time then?"
Amari only huffed out a small breath of annoyance before sealing their lips. It took Yasmin completely by surprise and she was left frozen before she quickly regained her senses. She took Amari's chin between her fingers, taking over and dominating the kiss.
It wasn't deep or passionate, it was suggestive and a little bit sweet. Yasmin pulled away before it could become more, feeling the lingering sensation of soft lips that once touched hers. Amari stared at Yasmin with a hooded gaze before licking her lower lip. She started leaning her head back down to Yasmin, intending to continue their kiss but as she went to lean in for more she was stopped in place by a finger pressing against her lips.
"Your bath will get cold," Yasmin said, her breathing unsteady.
Amari looked as if she wasn't to refute but nodded before sliding off Yasmin and the bed and making her way to the door. She paused at the entrance, "...care to join me?"
Yasmin looked over at her, seemingly considering, before rolling over onto her side. "No–"
Amari's shoulders sagged a little.
"I'd rather you wipe me off," she finished, her lips curved at the corner in a teasing smirk.
Amari's expression immediately lightened up, "Alright then, I'll get to it after my bath."
"Don't rush now."
She only laughed before leaving the room.
Yasmin watched her retrieving back with a small smile before it slowly pulled down into a frown. She sighed softly, pulling a pillow to her chest to tightly embrace while staring at nothing in particular.
'I miss them…"