The first rays of sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting the room in a soft golden glow. I blinked my eyes open, adjusting to the light, and for a moment, I just watched Aeliana sleep.
She looked so peaceful, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, her lips slightly parted, her hair fanned out across the pillow like a halo.
It was a rare treat to see her like this—completely at ease and without a care in the world.
I couldn't help but smile as I leaned down and pressed a feather-light kiss to her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn't wake, murmuring something incoherent that made me chuckle softly.
I decided I'd let her sleep a bit longer. After all, she deserved it. And what better way to wake her up than with a surprise breakfast?
Sliding out of bed as quietly as I could, I padded over to the closet and threw on one of my oversized shirts and a pair of lounge pants. The castle was still quiet, the morning hush settling over the halls as I made my way to the kitchen.
Cooking had always been something of a solace for me. It was calming and creative, a perfect way to channel energy into something meaningful. Today, I wanted to make something truly special for Aeliana.
The kitchen gleamed with its polished counters and rows of neatly organized ingredients. I tied an apron around my waist, already picturing the smile on Aeliana's face when she saw what I had planned.
"Alright," I muttered to myself, cracking my knuckles. "Time to impress."
First up: fluffy buttermilk pancakes. I mixed the batter with precision, ensuring just the right consistency before setting it aside to rest. While the batter settled, I moved on to a savory element—perfectly scrambled eggs with a touch of cream and a sprinkle of chives.
The scent of sizzling butter soon filled the air as I poured the first ladle of batter onto the griddle. The pancakes cooked to a golden brown, their edges crisping up just enough to give them that perfect texture.
Next, I worked on the bacon, laying the strips carefully on a hot skillet. The sound of it crackling was music to my ears, and the smell—oh, the smell—was enough to make anyone's mouth water.
But I wasn't done yet. I reached for some fresh berries—strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries—giving them a quick rinse before arranging them in a small bowl. A dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of honey later, and they looked as good as they smelled.
Lastly, I brewed a pot of coffee, the rich aroma filling the kitchen as I plated everything neatly. Pancakes stacked high, eggs perfectly creamy, bacon crisp, and a side of fresh berries.
I stepped back to admire my work, feeling a swell of pride. "Not bad," I said, smirking to myself.
Balancing the tray carefully, I made my way back to the room, pushing the door open with my foot. Aeliana was still asleep, curled up under the covers like a cat in the sun.
"Aeliana," I called softly, setting the tray on the bedside table.
She stirred, her nose twitching slightly before her eyes fluttered open. The moment her gaze landed on me, a sleepy smile spread across her face.
"Morning," she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.
"Morning," I replied, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "I made you breakfast."
Her eyes widened slightly as she propped herself up on her elbows, taking in the sight of the tray. "You did all this?"
"Of course," I said, feigning offense. "Only the best for you."
She laughed, the sound like music to my ears. "It looks amazing, Ciara. Thank you."
I handed her a fork, sitting down beside her as she took her first bite of the pancakes. Her eyes closed, and she let out a small hum of approval.
"These are incredible," she said, opening her eyes to look at me. "How are you so good at this?"
"Natural talent," I teased, earning a playful nudge from her.
We ate together, the quiet morning filling with soft laughter and the occasional hum of appreciation from Aeliana. She insisted on feeding me a few bites, despite my protests that I'd already tasted everything while cooking.
As the meal came to an end, Aeliana leaned back against the headboard, her plate empty and a satisfied smile on her face. "You're going to spoil me, you know that?"
"Good," I replied, leaning in to steal a quick kiss. "You deserve it."
She blushed, her cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Seriously, Ciara," she said after a moment, her tone more serious. "Thank you. For all of this. You make me feel...so loved."
I reached out, taking her hand in mine. "That's because you are," I said simply.
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she squeezed my hand tightly. "I love you."
"I love you too," I replied, my voice soft but full of conviction.
For a while, we just sat there, basking in the warmth of the moment. The world outside could wait. Right now, it was just the two of us, wrapped up in each other and the quiet joy of being together.
And as I looked at her, her eyes bright and her smile radiant, I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest person alive.
As we sat there, basking in the warm glow of post-breakfast bliss, I leaned back against the pillows, content to watch Aeliana stretch her arms over her head. Her oversized shirt—the one I'd reluctantly loaned her—slid off one shoulder, and I couldn't help but grin.
"What?" she asked, catching my expression.
"You look adorable," I teased. "My shirt looks better on you than it ever did on me."
She rolled her eyes, a blush creeping up her neck. "Don't get used to this. I'll give it back once I've changed."
"Oh no, that shirt is yours now," I said, smirking. "It's a perfect excuse to keep you wearing my clothes."
Aeliana tossed a pillow at me, which I caught easily, laughing. "Don't push your luck," she warned, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
I was about to throw a playful retort when a sharp knock echoed from the door.
"Come in," I called, sitting up straighter.
The door swung open to reveal one of my younger cousins—Kieran—his hair sticking up in every direction and a sheepish grin plastered on his face. He carried a small stack of papers, though his attention immediately darted between Aeliana and me.
"You're up early," he remarked, clearly fishing for something.
"Early? It's nearly midday," Aeliana replied, her tone light but pointed.
"Well, considering it's you two lovebirds, I half-expected you to still be asleep," Kieran teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Is there a reason you're here?" I asked, ignoring his jab.
"Oh, right!" He held up the papers. "Just thought you'd want to know that the kitchen staff are debating whether or not to name the pancakes after you, Ciara. They said they were divine."
Aeliana snorted. "Are you serious?"
Kieran grinned. "Completely. It's the talk of the castle. 'The Ciara Stack,' they're calling it."
"Perfect," I said dryly. "Now everyone will expect me to cook every morning."
"You should be flattered," Kieran said, shrugging. "Anyway, enjoy your fame." With that, he darted back out, leaving us both shaking our heads.
"Well," Aeliana said, still chuckling, "you've got a legacy now."
"Great," I muttered, though I couldn't help but laugh. "A legacy of pancakes."
Before I could say more, there was a loud crash from somewhere downstairs, followed by a muffled shout. Aeliana and I exchanged a look, and I groaned. "Why do I have a feeling this is about to get worse?"
The sound of footsteps racing up the stairs confirmed my suspicion. This time, it was Kieran again, his face a mix of amusement and panic.
"Uh, Ciara, slight problem," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"What now?"
"So...you know that vase in the main hall?"
I narrowed my eyes. "The one that's been in the family for generations?"
Kieran winced. "Yeah, that one. It kind of...fell."
"Fell?" I repeated, already dreading the answer.
"Okay, so technically, I was juggling," Kieran admitted.
"You were *juggling*?" Aeliana asked, incredulous.
"Look, I didn't think it'd be a big deal! But then Zephara walked in and startled me, and—"
I held up a hand, cutting him off. "Please stop talking."
Aeliana tried—and failed—to suppress her laughter. "Ciara, I think you're going to need to supervise your relatives more closely."
"I think I need to ban juggling entirely," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"On the bright side," Kieran offered, "the pancakes were really good?"
"Get out," I said, pointing to the door.
Kieran bolted, his laughter echoing down the hallway.
Aeliana finally let her laughter spill out, doubling over as tears formed in the corners of her eyes. "Oh my gods, your family is chaos."
"Welcome to my life," I said, throwing my hands up.
She leaned over, resting her head on my shoulder. "It's kind of endearing, though."
"Sure, endearing until they're dragging you into their antics," I warned, though I couldn't help but smile.
"Don't worry," she said, wrapping her arms around me. "If I can handle you, I can handle them."
Her confidence was admirable, but as another crash sounded from somewhere in the castle, I couldn't help but wonder if she was in over her head.