"Welcome Ignis" Roana cheered and embraced her tightly.
"Thank you Princess Roana! How have you been?" Ignis felt a little uncomfortable in her embrace.
"I am good. I can't wait to know more about you." she was too excited "Adrian told me that he was looking for a Lady-in-waiting. You cannot find a better option than me in this Kingdom. As for our sessions, let's start tomorrow morning." one after another, she started talking about many topics. Ignis was having a hard time remembering everything. "We also need to go visit the temple. I will ask Adrian to accompany -"
"Mother, please talk slowly" a girl, not more than 5 years old, pulled Roana's dress.
Roana clasped her mouth with both her hands. "Oh my! I was going too fast, weren't I?"
Ignis smiled and shook her head "You were not that fast". She looked at the little girl and gave her a slight bow. The little girl replied by doing a cute curtsy.
"Good Afternoon Lady Ignis. My name is Jenna. Since you will be my aunt soon, you can call me Jen. That's what my family calls me" the girl seemed smart.
"I am honored to meet you Jen" Ignis has never tried to have a proper conversation with any child. But, Jen will be family in a few days. even if she is just a child, Ignis wanted to look her best.
Before she could say anything, the little girl was swooped up and thrown in the air, only to catch back a giggling roll of bundle. Adrian laughed with her.
"This little devil enjoys annoying the elders and testing their patience. I wish I could just leave her in the Council room tomorrow". He spun rapidly. Jen shrieked with laughter, holding his coat tightly.
"Oh right, you have to present yourself in front of the Council. You must get back to your room and start preparing." Roana took Jen from Adrian and pushed him towards the exit.
"I want to play with my uncle" Jen made a sad face to her mother. Roana was about to decline when Ignis crouched down "How about playing with me?". She turned to Roana "The room we got yesterday is big for me and my attendant. Would you both like to spend the night with us?"
*****
Ignis tiptoed out of her room in the dark hallway and closed the door behind her. She glanced at her hand and summoned a small globe of light. The yellow light illuminated the hallway. By the time she reached the main hall, the light started to flicker and completely vanished when she set foot outside the palace.
A hand caught her waist and pulled her behind a pillar. Ignis was about to shriek but the same man shut her mouth with another hand.
"It's me, calm down" she saw Adrian looking up at a room where the light was still glowing. "My mother is watching. Stay quiet for a minute". She exhaled in relief and nodded at him. He removed is hand and took hold of her hand.
"Lets elope" he smiled mischievously.
'What?'
They both ran, occasionally hiding behind large pillars or trees and crossed the main gate without the guards knowing. Once outside, she saw Fenix tied to a tree.
"Your Highness, where are we going? Albert told me you had something urgent to discuss"
"To bathe in the golden shower" he said.
Her eyes widened. Lascivious images of both of them close, bathing under a waterfall came in her mind and she involuntarily took a step back. She was completely horrified.
'How can he say something so impious on her face?'
"Adrian, how could you - " without any warning, he picked her up by her waist and placed her on the saddle. She shrieked in shock but quickly closed her mouth. Adrian just laughed at her baffled face.
"Oh, I have wanted to do this for a long time" He took the rein and kicked the horse, grinning about something. Fenix started to move slowly. Once the estate vanished, they picked up the speed.
"What do you mean by 'wanted to do for a long time'?" she asked once she got comfortable at the speed. She looked at him doubtfully. "Are you abducting me? Where are we going?". Her questions kept coming.
"Goodness, you are ruining my mood. I just wished that someday I would get this opportunity to help you mount the horse" he clearly looked amused. "Also, if I am really abducting you, why should I tell you where we are going?" he was enjoying every second of tormenting her.
Ignis stayed silent, but she made sure to express her vexation on every interval.
They reached a small hill surrounded by open plains. Adrian got down and later helped her to get down. Though it was dark, Ignis could see that the hill was covered with a blanket of thick grass and flowers. The flowery scent and the gleaming fireflies made the scene more charming.
"My Lady" Ignis turned around to face him. He looked equally charming under the moonless night. "This is for you" he offered her a single stem of Lavender flower. "I heard this one is your favorite".
Ignis felt a soft smile on her face. She cleared her throat and took the flower "Thank You".
"Now tell me, what are we doing here?" she asked. Adrian took her hand and walked towards the slope. He helped her to settle down on the grassy slope and sat beside her. He removed his pocket watch and checked the time.
"Pay attention to that mountain" he pointed to the tallest mountain, far ahead. She instantly recognized the mountain.
"Isn't that the same mountain behind the palace" she asked at which he nodded. She turned back to the mountain.
'What does he want me to see?'
Her thought was cut by a hazy golden light which slowly started to become more clear. Shortly, thousands of meteors filled the moonless night. It looked like a million gold threads floating in the sky. Adrian pointed a finger up "Golden Shower".
'So this is the Golden Shower he was talking about. Ignis, you foolish girl, what were you thinking?'
"This is so beautiful" Ignis couldn't help but marvel at the sight. She looked at him and found him gaping at her. He quickly turned his gaze upward and gave a short "Yes".
Ignis hugged her knees and put down her head on it, looking at him.
"Adrian" she tugged at his sleeve. He looked down at her. "Why are you so beautiful?".
The moment she asked the question, the sky went dark and silent again. Ignis couldn't believe her courage to ask such a question without giving much thought. It was difficult to see his exact expression, but, she was relieved as she herself blushed a little.
"We should go" Adrian started to get up.
"That's it? That's what you wanted to show me? What about the important thing you wanted to say"
"I just wanted to show you this phenomenon which doesn't happen everyday. We have a big day tomorrow, so, I thought this might relax you a bit" he offered his hand for her to get up.
Ignis took his hand and they both walked towards Fenix.
"I am going to ride as fast as possible. It will be uncomfortable for you to hold me but just bear it for sometime" he gave her some space so that she could mount the horse herself, but she didn't move.
"Err... I need help ... the dress" she felt embarrassed to ask for help.
Adrian laughed "You do not need to be embarrassed to ask for such things, Princess"
He helped her on the horse and settled behind her. "Hold me tightly" he said and she did.
Once inside the estate, they silently entered the palace and then vast hallway towards Ignis's room.
"Here we are" she whispered looking at the door.
"Are you fine? The Council will try their best to pressurize you tomorrow. Make sure to take ample rest. And if you ever feel like not answering a question, feel free to decline. I will handle them". The deep frown that was missing this evening was back on his head.
"Your Highness, you need not be concerned. I will manage everything" she assured him.
Adrian widened his arms to embrace her but hesitated. Ignis was unsure where her action would lead to. But, her heart wanted her to take that step. For once, her heart wanted her to listen to it. She took a step forward and slid her hands around his waist. His body felt cold, but when he embraced her, she felt warmth spread inside her. He smelled of flowers and grass. Her body relaxed to the scent and she slightly felt dizzy. He gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb.
"Since you talked about consent, can I give you a kiss? You look no less than a nymph tonight". Ignis looked up at him. His smiling eyes looked lazy but his voice was on edge. She nodded slowly, but she could feel herself going stiff. She closed her eyes and clenched his tunic.
Ignis felt his body trembling and opened her eyes, only to see him controlling his laugh.
"You look nervous yet resolute. That is so adorable." mortified, she hid her face on his shoulder.
He leaned and pressed his cheek on hers playfully and whispered "You're truly beautiful".
Before she could react, he placed a light kiss on her cheek. She looked up in a daze, placing her hand on her cheek. The area felt cold yet hot.
Suddenly, they both heard clatter from inside her room.
"I should go now" he took her hand and planted a kiss on her fingers. "Good Night Princess"
"Thank you for tonight. The sight was truly beautiful. I will never forget it."
He rubbed the back of his neck and nodded. Then turned and left.
Ignis entered her room and saw Domi sleeping on her usual sofa. Roana and Jen were sleeping on the bed with a huge pile of pillows Ignis kept on her stead.
"I know you all are awake" she heard Jen silently giggling.