I relaxed in the bathtub while Lisa helped me wash. I felt strangely excited for no particular reason. Maybe it was because Regan had promised to have breakfast with me. Oh, how things have changed so much. I remembered the last time we ate together, I was so scared. I didn't dare to look at him or talk to him. All I wanted was to leave quickly. His presence made me feel all kinds of things and it made me nervous. But now, I couldn't wait to have a meal with him again.
After the bath, Ciara came in to help me get dressed. I really missed the way she styled my hair and picked out the perfect outfit for me. She always knew what suited me best, and I trusted her choices.
She was quiet the whole time she was getting me ready, and I could tell something was bothering her. She seemed like she wanted to say something but didn't know how.
"Okay, you can scold me," I said, noticing some emotions in her eyes, though I wasn't sure what they were.
"My lady... I'm scared for you," she said in a hushed tone, and I turned to look at her, feeling confused.
"Why are you scared, Ciara?"
She let out a sigh and continued, "Your husband might take another wife if you continue to remain innocent, my lady, and I don't think you would like that."
Her words hit me hard. As I thought about what she said, I realized she wasn't entirely wrong. Regan could indeed take another wife, and the fact that Ellena had feelings for him made me even more anxious.
I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror. "That's not true, Ciara," I defended.
"Trust me, my lady, men can be unpredictable. They often take time to show their emotions. That goes for your husband too. The fact that he's waiting for your agreement means he cares about you. But once that care is gone..." she trailed off, and I felt a mix of embarrassment and nervousness. It's not like I was still completely innocent like she claimed.
"He kissed me," I said, and her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Really? How did it feel?" I could hear the eagerness in her voice.
"It felt like..." I recalled the moment our lips touched. It was more than just a simple kiss. The sweet sensation and the warmth that spread through my body were both exhilarating and terrifying. And when our lips parted, everything changed. The warmth faded, replaced by a cold emptiness. But despite that, I liked it. I wanted more. "It feels good," I replied.
"Just a kiss and nothing more?" she asked.
"No."
"Don't worry, my lady. There will be more."
"Ciara..."
"Yes, my lady?"
I shook my head and let out a sigh. "Are you finished?"
"Yes, my lady," she replied, and I stood up, leaving the room.
I entered the dining room, and Regan was sitting in his usual spot. When he noticed me, he stood up, a gentle smile playing on his lips as his gaze lingered on me. I walked towards him, returning the smile, and he sat back down.
"What's the special occasion, Nora?" he asked, and my cheeks instantly turned red. I had forgotten how Ciara had made me look.
I shifted my gaze to the food and picked up a piece of steak. "No special occasion," I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and looking at him. "How do I look?" I asked, patiently awaiting his answer.
His eyes traveled from my face down to my chest, lingering on my breasts a bit longer than necessary before scanning the rest of my body.
"You look beautiful as always," he said, and my heart skipped a beat. To be considered beautiful in the eyes of the most alluring man I had ever seen was truly remarkable.
We continued eating in silence until a knock on the door interrupted us. I looked at him, but he was not looking back. It was as if he already knew who was at the door.
Soon, the door opened, and the last person I wanted to see walked in with a wide smile on her lips.
Ellena approached the table and took a seat across from me.
What does she want? I clenched my fist tightly under the table, despising her presence. Regan noticed and gave me a questioning look, but I shook my head and smiled at Ellena.
"Prince Regan, Princess Alanora, I hope I'm not intruding with my uninvited presence?" she asked.
"No, not at all," I smiled.
"Thank you. I heard you were having breakfast, so I decided to join you, but..." She glanced around, feeling the awkwardness in the room. "But... I will make it quick and leave you alone," she continued.
"Prince Regan, can we meet after breakfast? I have something to tell you," she said, and my heart skipped a beat. She wanted to see my husband? For what? And what was she planning to tell him? Confess her feelings?
No, no, I couldn't let that happen. But to my surprise, Regan agreed to meet her, and she left with an even wider smile.
"What are you doing? And why? Why do you want to meet her?" I blurted out in anger.
"Is something wrong? You don't seem to like her," he said calmly.
"It's not that I don't like her, Your Highness. It's just that... I don't want you to meet her," I admitted.
He let go of his wine glass, and his gaze turned to me. "Is there a reason you don't want me to meet her, Nora?" he asked. His voice was calm yet cold, a sign that he was becoming annoyed.
Why couldn't he connect the dots and understand what I was trying to say?
"I have no reason, Your Highness. You can meet her," I said calmly, trying not to let my frustration show.
"Nora…" he called out as I walked out of the dining room, but I didn't stop.
I reached our chamber and paced back and forth. There was no way Regan would refuse Ellena. And the fact that her father was the emperor's advisor was even more alarming. What if the emperor wanted them to get married? What would I do?
I couldn't let that happen. I would do anything to keep my husband for myself. Even if I had to share him eventually, it couldn't be with someone like Ellena.
Feeling exhausted, I sat down, my mind racing through all the possible things they could talk about. But I couldn't figure out anything, except the fact that she would shamelessly confess her feelings to him. And I had to stop it. I couldn't let Regan entertain thoughts of another woman. So, I left the room to find him.