Thank you @Anonymous, @GraceMwangi, @Favour, @Amandaupton for the power stone voting
"Fine then." Selina settled back onto the plush sofa, her fingers brushing against the luxurious fabric. "You should consider yourself lucky; you have such a wonderful woman as a wife."
"If I didn't know that, I wouldn't have chosen her." Silverstein remained standing behind her, rolling his eyes in a familiar gesture that suggested a long history of banter.
Queen Selina mimicked his action, the similarity between mother and son striking. "What do you know? I'll be leaving you two then. I need a massage. This boy's body has gotten stronger than I thought." She sighed dramatically, rubbing her left wrist—the hand she often used to swat at him when he misbehaved.
As the queen left the room, a sigh escaped Alexandra's lips. "You don't even know how to make tea? What have you been doing all your life?" She turned, chuckling softly as she playfully hit his arm.
Silverstein wanted to respond but thought better of it. Instead, he leaned against the tea table, watching her as she prepared their drinks.
She wore her hair in her usual ponytail, but today it was complemented by a dark blue off-shoulder Victorian dress that accentuated her neck, leaving it bare for his appreciative gaze. He felt an involuntary ache at the sight, his fangs tingling as he admired her beauty.
Things were progressing quickly between them; they no longer acted as mere strangers, and he found himself liking that. Alexandra was far from shy or reserved; she was fiery, and he was drawn to that flame. He reminded himself to take things slowly, but patience had never been his strong suit.
"Here." She placed a cup of tea filled with the exquisite aroma of raspberry in front of him before circling around to sit beside him. As she sipped her tea, her eyes danced over him, waiting for his reaction.
"Mm. It's good," he said, his tone genuine. Alexandra's smile widened, and the tips of her ears turned a delicate shade of red—almost imperceptible, yet charming.
"Can I ask a question?" she ventured hesitantly.
"You already have. Go on." He didn't understand why she felt the need to ask for his permission; she was free to inquire about anything.
"Why do you have three names? Is that a normal thing for royals?" she asked, her voice soft and inquisitive.
Silverstein smirked at her curiosity. "So, little things like this interest you? I was named 'Silverstein' by my mother, 'Ashton' by my father, and 'Ivan' by my grandmother. According to my mother, my grandmother claimed I was a special child, though I don't see why one would burden a child with three names."
"What does the name Silverstein mean?" she pressed, her eyes wide with interest.
"Silver stone," he replied with a shrug. "I don't know the rest of its meaning, nor do I care." He took a sip of his tea, savoring the flavor.
Alexandra joined him in sipping her tea, then remarked, "I guess it's good to know the meaning of your name." She lowered her gaze to her cup, suddenly feeling the intensity of his stare.
"Do you know the meaning of your name?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
"No." She chuckled, her laughter light and melodious, which made him smile in return. As she looked down at her cup again, he felt compelled to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing against her soft skin.
"You're very beautiful, and I love your eyes," he stated, his expression serious. There was no playful smirk this time—just honesty.
Alexandra couldn't help but meet his gaze, her cheeks flushing a deeper red. "Thank you," she murmured, and he heard every syllable.
He chuckled softly; she was adorable. "What, are you shy? We'll be having more of this, so it's best not to be." With a smirk, he finished his tea, stood, and extended his hand to her. "Let me escort you to your room. I have an errand to run."
Without hesitation, she placed her small hand in his, feeling a rush of warmth at his touch.
As they walked through the ornate hallways of the castle, Silverstein felt an unfamiliar thrill. The air was thick with the scent of blooming roses from the grand gardens outside, and the castle seemed to hum with a life of its own. He walked her to her new room, a smile gracing his lips as he prepared to leave her.
Stepping inside, Alexandra marveled at the lavishness of her new quarters—fancier than the previous room she had occupied. The decor was rich and inviting, the colors warm and vibrant.
She moved to the window, gazing out at the sprawling grounds of the castle. The view was breathtaking, with lush gardens sprawling in every direction, and she could see Silverstein's carriage rolling away into the horizon, taking him further from her sight.
After unpacking her luggage and arranging her clothes and books, she retrieved her diary and settled onto the soft, welcoming bed. The day's events replayed in her mind, and a smile tugged at her lips as her heart fluttered at the thought of Silverstein.
"What was that, Alex? Don't tell me you're already falling for him!" she mused to herself, her voice barely above a whisper.
What was there not to fall for? He had the height she adored, an undeniable handsomeness, and a gentlemanly demeanor that made her heart race. He was understanding, and supportive; she felt an inexplicable connection to him. How could she not think these things about a man who was, after all, her husband? It was hardly a bad thing, was it?
Sighing, she opened her diary and began to write, pouring her thoughts onto the pages. "Today was wonderful. Silverstein is intriguing, and I can't help but feel drawn to him. I miss you, Mama," she wrote at the end, her thoughts lingering on the mother she had left behind.
...
Later that evening, Alexandra was called from her room for dinner. The atmosphere in the dining hall was warm and welcoming, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on the walls. Only the king, queen, Silverstein, and she were present at the table, the maids diligently serving and arranging the sumptuous feast before them.
"Great evening to you, Your Majesties," she greeted, her voice steady as she curtsied gracefully before taking her seat beside Silverstein, who occupied the left side of his father and faced his mother.
"Mm. Evening to you, Lady Alexandra," King Aaron replied, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "How are you feeling? This is not too much for you, right?" The concern in his voice stemmed from his wife's insistence that Alexandra's arrival be postponed. However, King Aaron had only granted a week with her parents because Silverstein had requested it, and he felt a protective urge over her, as she was the daughter of his close friend, Alfred.
"I'm fine, Your Majesty. It is not too much for me, and it only seems right to quicken things up." Her tone was confident, and a satisfied smile crossed King Aaron's face, pleased by her intellect.