"Argh! I'm too exhausted to even think about sleep!" Eleanor clenched her teeths in frustration.
She paced around the room, her fingers tracing her chin in thoughtful circles. Her eyes scanned the space as she moved, her nightdress fluttering around her.
The room was cozy, the temperature just right for drifting off to sleep. Yet, despite the comforting atmosphere, her mind raced. It had been a rocky day, and the events of the past few days weighed heavily on her.
The massacre, the assassination attempts... she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Sleep seemed like a distant dream, and she wondered if she'd ever find peace again.
"That monster! That outcast!" She stomped her feet angrily, her chest heaving heavily. "Does he really expect me to believe he had nothing to do with the massacre? That he's just an innocent bystander?"
She paused, her eyes widening in disbelief. "My life.. the lives of all vampires?!"
She let out a scornful laugh. "Should I drop to my knees and worship him just because he's powerful? If he's so mighty, why didn't he save everyone?"
"Ridiculous!" Huffing, she flopped down on the edge of the bed, her lips pursed in a scowl as she glared at the roaring fire in the fireplace.
Her eyes narrowed, sparks of anger dancing in their depths. Then she moved her gaze to the silver ring on her finger, its gleam building as it caught the flickering flames. "Where is he?"
Hours had passed since their return to the castle, and she was growing restless. Part of her yearned to escape the confines of the chamber, but another part warned her that venturing out might not be wise.
With a deep sigh, she reclined on the bed, her body language unveiling exhaustion. But her relaxation was short-lived, as the door swung open and Ares entered, a majestic black snake draped around his neck.
Eleanor's eyes widened in terror as her soul seemed to escape her body for a moment. She let out a blood-curdling scream and leapt onto the bed, her fingers trembling as she pointed accusingly at him. "What in the world...?! Why on earth is there a snake?!"
Ares raised an eyebrow, his expression nonchalant. "This is Nyx."
Eleanor screamed out again. That enormous snake was Nyx?! "You mean that...that thing was with me in the carriage?!"
"Yes?" Ares cluelessly answered, watching her carefully.
Eleanor shrieked, her body trembling with fear. "Get it away! Get it away from me!"
Releasing how terrified she was, Ares tried to calm her down, explaining, "Nyx is my guardian beast, passed down from my mother. He's harmless, I assure you."
But Eleanor was having none of it. "Harmless?! You call that thing harmless?!" She screamed, her voice rising. "If you're going to carry that...that snake around your neck every time, you'd better stay away from me!"
Ares' eyes widened in surprise and he took a step forward, but Nyx, sensing Eleanor's fear, let out a loud, menacing hiss.
Eleanor's scream pierced the air, and she crumpled to the bed, fainting instantly.
"Ah.." Ares stared in disbelief, his face etched with guilt and awkwardness.
"Wow..." he trailed off, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"Looks like you'll be on your own for a while, buddy," he said to Nyx who was now looking at him with a blank expression. "Join Kaito on the investigation, I'll take care of myself."
Nyx disappeared from his' neck in an instant, and he let out a deep sigh of relief as he walked towards the bed. He gently lifted Eleanor's limp form and carefully placed her comfortably, covering her with the warm duvet.
She hadn't been sleeping. Perhaps fainting because of Nyx was a blessing in disguise. At least she wouldn't have to deal with panda eyes.
Ares then removed his cloak and headed to the bathing room, where he indulged in a refreshing bath. Emerging feeling revived, he dressed in a simple yet comfortable outfit consisting of a loose-fitting white shirt and black trousers.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his nerves on edge as he stared at the woman sleeping in his bed. This was uncharted territory for him. He had never had a woman share his bed before, and he couldn't believe he was about to sleep next to her.
He lay down, wrapping himself in the duvet, and turned to look at Eleanor's beautiful peaceful face.
His own words echoed in his mind, a vivid reminder of the reality they were both entangled in. "Her hatred and pain will only increase when she learns the truth about this betrothal. She's a sacrifice, nothing more."
He exhaled heavily, his eyes closing shut as he resigned himself to the truth. Eleanor was indeed a sacrifice, nothing more. Her purpose was singular, and he couldn't afford to forget it.
The room fell silent, the only sound the soft crackle of the fire, which echoed into his somber thoughts.
"What am I doing?" He breathed in complete disbelief, taken aback by his own actions. He rarely slept, and when he did, it was never at night. Yet, here he was, unconsciously trying to adjust his habits for the sake of his betrothed.
Just as he was starting to relax, a soft snore filled the air, shattering the stillness.
Ares' silver eyes flew open, widening in shock as he turned to face Eleanor. She was now sitting upright, her eyes still closed, her lips parted slightly as she snored softly.
He blinked rapidly, feeling an inexplicable shiver run down his spine despite the warmth of the room. "What the.. Why is she sitting like that?"
Suddenly, Eleanor threw the duvet off her body and climbed out of bed, her eyes still closed. She walked towards the door, opened it, and drifted out into the night, the door slamming shut behind her with a loud thud.
Ares stared after her, his head cocked to the side, his initial shock giving way to amusement. His little bird, it seemed, was sleepwalking.