Corina opened her door and entered the room. She turned around to look toward the door.
Alexander waited by the door, staring at the ground as he felt his cheeks warm. "C-Corina, I'm sorry," he stammered. "If I'm overstepping my boundaries, you need only say so, and I'll be on my way."
"Please," she called to him from within the room. "Join me. I don't want to be alone tonight."
He looked at her as he stood in the doorway, unsure of what to say.
"Please," she whispered, reaching out for his hand. "I want you to join me. I don't want you to leave my side. You're the man I'll marry. It would be an honor to fall asleep next to you."
Alexander felt a smile tug at his lips. "T-Thank you."
He stepped forward and took her hand.
Corina's lips curled into a warm smile, her cheeks flushed. She turned away and led him into the room.
Once they entered the bedchamber, he closed the door behind them, then they made their way to the bed.
She sat down and pulled back the blankets, then climbed into bed. "Are you coming?"
"Yes," he responded as he made his way to her, taking a seat on the side of the bed.
She noticed he looked uneasy, so she placed her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. "What's wrong, Alex?"
When he felt the warmth of her palms, his chest flutter. Her touch sent an electric jolt through him, making him feel dizzy and weak. He closed his eyes, letting the feeling pass before responding to her. "I'm afraid that this is all a dream," he whispered, looking at the princess with a soft expression. This is some elaborate hoax, and you're just a figment of my imagination."
"Is that all that's on your mind?"
He looked away. He was ashamed he would doubt such a sweet person, but it was a natural reaction to be so uncertain in the current situation.
He sighed, shaking his head.
"I don't want to keep my emotions pent up."
"Then don't."
He sighed once again. "I'm sorry, Corina, but you don't understand. It's complicated. It's always been my dream to marry, but I've never been interested in women. I would never take the first step to ask a woman for her hand, because I have always been afraid to."
He looked back into her eyes, seeing her soft gaze, it gave him a little hope. He knew he could continue with the confession. "My mother always wanted me to be married. I wanted to, but I was scared I would lose a love interest."
She reached up and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Alex," she began. "I think you need to understand that this situation is just as terrifying to me. I'm nervous about my duties. I fear my life will change and it'll be difficult to adapt, but you've made me comfortable here."
He placed his hand over the top of hers, smiling slightly as his eyes looked down to his feet. "Thank you. You don't understand how much your words mean to me right now."
She scooted closer to him, their hands remained overtop one another.
He sighed as he felt her close the gap. The sensation in the pit of his stomach made his body tingle with nervous energy. He looked down at her, seeing the bright smile on her lips, and her bright eyes made him feel calm and content. "Thank you."
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Her body fit so perfectly next to his. She felt as though she were made to be beside him, to fit so well in his arms.
She rested her cheek on his chest. He felt his heart beating so loudly that he was afraid she'd hear it, but she didn't seem to care.
He muttered, "Corina, I," as he looked away.
Corina sat back on the bed, looking into his eyes as she waited for him to finish the sentence.
His body was frozen, and his throat felt tight. He wondered why it was so difficult for him to finish such a simple sentence.
He closed his eyes tightly, then felt her lips against his. It surprised him, but he felt the anxiety that once filled him drift away. His lips responded, his kiss was tender and soft. He held her face with his hand, gently pulling away to look into her eyes.
"Corina, I'm going to lay with you. I need to hold you."
The princess blushed and looked down at the blanket. "O-Okay. You can hold me," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Alexander removed his jacket and laid beside Corina on the bed, pulling the princess close against his body and holding her tightly in his embrace.
He ran his fingers through her hair, admiring how silky and soft it felt between his fingers.
"Your hair is beautiful. It's so soft, so lovely."
Corina's face turned crimson. She placed her hands on his chest and held on tightly.
Alexander was lost in her beauty. He was hypnotized by her. She was unlike any other woman he'd ever known. She was unlike any person he'd ever known. She made him feel whole. She was so sweet and genuine, she was the only person to make him feel the way he did in the moment.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me. It's true. Your hair is very lovely."
"Okay, hubby," she giggled. "My hair is very lovely."
He loved hearing her say the word, and the thought of it made him giddy with joy.
Corina's lips curled into a warm smile, her face flushed, and she pressed her lips against his, her heart fluttering at the contact. "Thank you," she whispered as she pulled back, her eyes glistening in the room's light.
She held tightly to Alexander, her head resting on his chest. The feeling was warm, but not too warm. She felt the beating of his heart, and she wondered what it was about the man that made her feel the way she did. He made her heart race, and when he was near her, she felt calm. It was an intriguing sensation that she found herself enjoying more and more as time went on. "Hubby?"
He looked at her with a curious expression, waiting for her to finish her thoughts.
She giggled as she snuggled closer. "Will you hold me a little tighter?"
He didn't know why, but he found it incredibly endearing how she had come to address him with the nickname. "As my bride wishes," he laughed softly as he tightened his hold around her body, hugging her closely, holding her against him.
The princess' eyes closed, and her breathing began to even out. She could feel herself drifting off.
She couldn't think of a moment where she'd been so happy, but she knew it wouldn't be her last moment of happiness.
She'd always be happy.
Always.
A soft snore filled the room, causing the princess' eyes to open slightly. She looked up and saw that the man beside her had fallen asleep. He was breathing deeply, and she could feel the steady beat of his heart.
She smiled, feeling warm and content as she snuggled against him, falling into a deep slumber, filled with dreams of her future life with the duke.