I watch Nikolai flee from the room, his haste almost comical. Despite being the flirtiest of the three, he's now reduced to a blushing, scrambling mess. The sight is too much to handle, and I burst into laughter, my amusement filling the room.
As the laughter dies down, I still find myself giggling at the memory. Shaking my head, I get up from the floor and make my way to the bed. I sink into the cozy blankets, feeling the softness envelop me. The room is bathed in the warm, golden light of the setting sun, casting a serene glow over everything.
*
An hour later, I hear the faint squeaking of wheels. Opening my eyes, I see a trolley being pushed into the room, laden with dishes. I smile to myself, feeling spoiled by this luxurious treatment.
"I swear, Valendor, you wish to fatten me up," I say to the beautiful blonde elf as he carefully arranges the dishes on a nearby table.
Valendor flashes a blinding smile and winks at me. Stacy always describes him as cold and detached, but I find it hard to believe when he's right here, behaving like a sweet, overgrown puppy. I can practically see his figurative tail wagging.
"It would be an honor," Valendor says, walking over and offering me his hand. His long blonde hair is styled in a traditional elven braid, and his green eyes, always a showstopper, shine with warmth. Just as I'm about to place my hand in his, another hand swoops in, stealing Valendor away from me.
"That's enough, elf. You're coming with me," Nikolai declares, stepping in and pulling my beautiful elf aside. I watch in amusement as Nikolai drags the pouting Valendor to sit next to him.
Before I can react, I'm lifted into the air. I glance down at the arms that have effortlessly scooped me up. Despite my weight, Haroun carries me as if I weigh a feather.
"Hello, Haroun," I say, snuggling into his chest, savoring the comforting feel of his strong arms. I glance at the buttons straining to keep his shirt closed and feel a pang of jealousy for those little things.
"Your Highness," Haroun acknowledges, his voice deep and soothing. He gently places me on a chair and takes the seat next to me. Across the table, Nikolai sits opposite me, with Valendor seated opposite Haroun. I hide a smile behind my hand at the sight.
"Vale, this looks amazing," I compliment him, gesturing to the marvelous array of dishes he has prepared. Valendor preens at my words, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. It's adorable how he reacts to praise.
The table is laden with an assortment of delicacies, each dish more tempting than the last. I take a moment to appreciate the effort Valendor has put into preparing this feast. His culinary skills are nothing short of magical. As I take my first bite, the flavors explode in my mouth, and I can't help but let out a small moan of pleasure.
"Valendor, you've outdone yourself," I say, savoring the sweetness of the fruit.
"Anything for you, Your Highness," Valendor replies, his smile radiant.
Nikolai and Haroun exchange amused glances, but I can see the pride in their eyes.
As we continue our meal, the room fills with light-hearted banter and laughter. Haroun regales us with tales from his academy, Nikolai shares snippets of his magical research, and Valendor chimes in with humorous anecdotes from the kitchen. The camaraderie is palpable, and for a while, the world outside these walls fades away.
We dig into dinner, engaging in a flurry of normal conversation. The meal is a lively affair, filled with laughter and stories.
After we finish, I find my favorite seat: Haroun. Not that he'll complain; he seems more than pleased. As I settle on his lap, I feel him tracing little circles on my waist, lost in thought about something. I let him be, focusing my attention on the two fools on the floor playing rock-paper-scissors.
Nikolai has won two rounds, and Valendor is fuming. Watching them, I realize that my favorite thing since coming back from pilgrimage—aside from Haroun's comforting presence—is the interesting friendship between Vale and Niko. It's a source of endless amusement and fascination.
As a 21st-century girlie with access to the internet and certain... spaces, the relationship between the two is something I greedily drink in. I watch as the competition shifts to thumb wrestling, both of them intensely focused. Their beautiful faces, locked in concentration, are a sight to behold. I laugh a little, but I must admit, having two such attractive men look at each other like that... Begone, evil thoughts!
Haroun chuckles softly behind me, his chest vibrating against my back. "You find this amusing, don't you?" he asks, his voice a low rumble.
"Absolutely," I reply, unable to tear my eyes away from the spectacle. "They're like children."
"Children who happen to be exceptionally powerful and skilled," Haroun adds, his tone sounding like he just rolled his eyes behind my back.
"True," I agree. "But it's still endearing to see them like this."
Nikolai finally pins Valendor's thumb, earning a triumphant grin. Valendor scowls, but there's a playful glint in his eyes. "Best two out of three?" Valendor challenges.
Nikolai laughs. "You're on."
As they continue their playful rivalry, I lean back against Haroun, feeling a deep sense of contentment. These moments of peace and camaraderie are precious. Despite the chaos of our lives, these simple pleasures keep me grounded.
Eventually, Valendor concedes defeat, flopping onto the floor dramatically. "You win this time, Nikolai," he says, feigning exhaustion.
Nikolai smirks, clearly enjoying his victory. "Better luck next time, Vale."