I woke up to the sound of soft rustling, the faint golden light of morning spilling into the room. Ciara, with her fiery hair mussed from sleep, was sprawled halfway across me, her arm thrown lazily over my stomach.
Her peaceful expression made me smile. For someone who was a force of chaos when awake, she looked almost angelic in sleep—almost.
I shifted slightly, trying to untangle myself without waking her, but as I moved, her arm tightened around me.
"You're not going anywhere," she murmured, her voice husky with sleep.
I laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Good morning to you too."
She cracked one eye open, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "Morning," she replied, pulling me closer. "You can't escape me. Not now, not ever."
"You say that like I'm trying to escape," I teased, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Good," she said, rolling on top of me playfully. Her weight wasn't oppressive; it was comforting, grounding even. "Because you're mine."
"And you're mine," I replied, my voice soft but firm.
The mood shifted slightly, her playful grin turning into something more affectionate. She leaned down, brushing her lips against mine in a kiss that was sweet and unhurried.
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as the warmth of her love wrapped around me like a blanket.
Of course, this perfect moment couldn't last.
"Ciara, you're squishing me," I laughed, trying to push her off as she stubbornly refused to move.
"That's the point," she teased, peppering my face with quick kisses. "You're trapped forever!"
Her antics sent us both into fits of laughter, her hair falling like a fiery curtain around us. I tried to retaliate by tickling her sides, but she was stronger, pinning me down with ease.
"Admit defeat, Aeliana!" she declared dramatically.
"Never!" I shouted, giggling uncontrollably.
Before I could mount a proper counterattack, the door slammed open, and a familiar, commanding voice filled the room.
"CIARA MARIE RAVENNA!"
Both of us froze. Ciara, still straddling me, turned her head slowly towards the door. Standing there in all her glory was Leora, arms crossed and eyes blazing with righteous fury.
"Do you want to tell me why," Leora began, her voice as sharp as a dagger, "you thought it was a good idea to try and override my menu for the wedding?"
Ciara groaned, flopping onto her back beside me. "Here we go…"
Leora stormed into the room, her purple eyes narrowing as she jabbed a finger in Ciara's direction. "I've been planning this menu for months. Months! And you, with your… your ideas, think you can waltz in and change everything? Do you know who I am?"
Ciara sat up, holding her hands out defensively. "Grandmother, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just—"
"Just what?" Leora interrupted, her voice rising. "You don't think I can handle a wedding feast? Me? The greatest chef in both realms?"
I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying—and failing—not to laugh. This was clearly a battle Ciara wasn't going to win, and watching her squirm was far too entertaining.
"Grandmother," Ciara started again, her tone placating. "I wasn't questioning your abilities. I just thought… maybe we could add a few modern touches?"
"Modern touches?" Leora repeated, her voice dripping with disdain. "Do you think my cooking isn't modern enough for a princess's wedding?"
"No! That's not what I meant!" Ciara said quickly, her eyes darting to me for help.
I raised my hands in mock surrender. "Oh no, don't drag me into this. You started it."
Leora turned her gaze on me, her expression softening slightly. "Aeliana, darling, please tell me you agree that Ciara's ideas are absurd."
I hesitated, glancing at Ciara, who was mouthing, Please, help me!
"Well," I said slowly, "I think Ciara means well, but… your menu is already perfect, Leora. There's no need to change it."
Leora's satisfied smirk was all the answer I needed.
Ciara groaned again, flopping back onto the bed dramatically. "I'm outnumbered. Betrayed by my own fiancée."
"Oh, stop being so dramatic," I said, nudging her with my foot.
Leora clapped her hands together. "Good. Now that's settled, I'll leave you two to… whatever it is you were doing."
Her gaze flicked pointedly between us, her disapproval evident. With that, she turned on her heel and swept out of the room, leaving behind an air of authority that could rival even the most fearsome of rulers.
Ciara let out a long sigh, rolling onto her stomach to bury her face in the pillow. "I can never win with her."
I laughed, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Maybe don't challenge the best chef in the realms next time."
She lifted her head just enough to glare at me. "You're enjoying this far too much."
"Of course I am," I admitted, grinning.
Ciara huffed, but her pout quickly turned into a smile as she pulled me back down onto the bed. "Fine, laugh at my misery. But you owe me for not taking my side."
"Oh? And what do I owe you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She leaned in, her lips brushing against mine as she whispered, "A kiss."
I rolled my eyes but obliged, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss that was equal parts playful and loving.
And just as things started to heat up again, the door creaked open.
"Ewwwww!"
We broke apart instantly, turning to see a small, familiar face peeking around the doorframe. Lily, Ciara's little sister, wrinkled her nose in exaggerated disgust.
"Why are you always kissing?" she demanded, her tone accusatory.
Ciara sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Because we're in love, Lily. Something you'll understand when you're older."
"Gross," Lily said firmly before skipping away, her laughter echoing down the hall.
Ciara turned back to me, shaking her head. "This family is going to be the death of me."
I laughed, wrapping my arms around her. "And yet, you wouldn't trade them for anything."
"True," she admitted with a grin. "But maybe just for today… I'd consider it."
We both dissolved into laughter, the chaos of the morning already fading into fond memory.
No sooner had Lily scampered off down the hall than she reappeared, her small face peeking back around the doorframe with a wide grin that spelled nothing but mischief.
"Ciara! Aeliana!" she sang out, practically bouncing on her heels. "Come play with me!"
Ciara groaned, flopping onto her back on the bed. "Lily, can't you see we're busy?"
"You're not busy," Lily shot back, her hands on her hips. "You're just lying there and kissing! Boring!"
I couldn't help but laugh at her audacity. "Lily, what kind of game do you want to play?"
"Hide and seek!" she declared, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "You have to! It's a royal command from me!"
"Oh no," Ciara muttered, throwing an arm dramatically over her face. "Not the 'royal command' again."
"Yup!" Lily chirped. "And if you don't, I'll tell Leora you're kissing too much again."
That got Ciara to sit up. "Fine! Fine. We'll play your silly game."
Lily's grin widened, and she clapped her hands with glee. "Okay, Aeliana can be it first! Close your eyes and count to thirty!"
I laughed as I slid off the bed, indulging her. "Alright, but no peeking from either of you."
"Deal!" Lily said, already scampering away before I even started counting.
I leaned against the bedpost, covering my eyes with my hands. "One… two… three…"
I could hear Lily's light footsteps thundering down the hallway, her giggles trailing behind her. Ciara was less subtle.
"Where can I hide?" Ciara muttered under her breath. The creak of a wardrobe door confirmed her plan, and I smirked.
By the time I hit thirty, the room was silent. "Ready or not, here I come!" I called, stepping into the hallway.
Lily's hiding spots were always easy to find—she was young and hadn't quite mastered subtlety yet. I followed the faint sound of suppressed giggles to a nearby curtain, pulling it back to reveal her crouched behind it.
"Gotcha!"
She squealed, jumping out with mock indignation. "How do you always find me so fast?"
"Maybe because you can't stop giggling," I teased, ruffling her hair. "Now help me find Ciara."
"She's not good at hiding," Lily said with a conspiratorial grin.
I let her lead me back to the bedroom, where the wardrobe door was still cracked open. I gestured for Lily to stay quiet as I crept closer, then flung the door wide.
"Found you!"
Ciara yelped, nearly tumbling out of the wardrobe in her effort to pretend she hadn't been caught. "You cheated!"
"No, you're just bad at this," I teased, offering her a hand to help her up.
"Rematch!" Ciara said, pointing an accusatory finger at both of us. "I'll be it this time, and I'll prove I'm the best at hide and seek!"
Lily clapped her hands, her excitement doubling. "Yes! Ciara's it!"
As Ciara began counting, Lily grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the hallway. "Come on, Aeliana! I know the perfect hiding spot!"
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and despite the chaos, I found myself grinning as I let her lead me deeper into the castle. Playing with Lily wasn't exactly the relaxing morning I'd envisioned, but it was impossible not to be swept up in her boundless energy.
Somewhere behind us, Ciara's counting ended, and her playful voice echoed through the halls: "Ready or not, here I come!"
The game was back on, and the laughter that followed was enough to make even the most stressful days fade into the background.