It was late in the night when Corina woke up. Corina pulled back from Alexamder and moved her hand, her eyes going wide with shock as she accidently brushed it against his privates. She blushed and looked down, noticing he was asleep. She sighed with relief, but then heard him talking in his sleep.
"Mmm, touch me there, Corina," he mumbled in his sleep.
Corina blushed, then walked away, standing on the floor in front of the sofa. She couldn't believe he had just spoken her name in his dreams. She wondered what kind of dream he was referring to while sleeping.
Corina walked to the door. She began to turn the doorknob, then looked back to make sure he hadn't moved. Once she was sure, she slipped out of the room.
Her hand moved to her forehead as she looked down at her feet. Her stomach began to violently growl—a sound that she was sure the entire palace could hear.
Corina looked around as she made her way to the kitchen. Corina chuckled to herself, recalling the times when she used to experience hunger as a teenager. She would sneak off and find fruit to eat when everyone else was asleep. Jeffery had covered for her back in the day, as the palace was much more guarded than the long, silent halls of the Duke's palace.
When she found the kitchen, she snuck in. She didn't know her way around, so she tiptoed around and searched until she uncovered something that caught her attention. There were a few chocolate pies covered up on the center of one of the pantries. "I've hit the jackpot," she hummed as she pulled it down.
The girl sat crossed-legged in the pantry as she began to essentially inhale the pie. A moan escaped her throat from the smooth, chocolate texture contrasted by the buttery crust. "It's heaven," she murmured.
Corina managed to eat half the pie before she heard footsteps approach. Her eyes widened as she sat silently, an attempt to conceal her position. Her eyes clamped shut tightly, hoping the person who approached wouldn't find her.
"My, what a sweet pie I've discovered. I bet the duke and princess would enjoy a piece, or two," Nadine's voice called out as she uncovered the pie, noticing one missing.
Nadine groaned and looked down, noticing a certain blonde with a half eaten pie in hand.
Corina crossed her arms, annoyed that the woman had discovered her, but gave her a weak smile.
Nadine shook her head at Corina and grabbed a couple of plates and utensils. She grabbed a different pie from the pantry. She cut it, and placed the slices on the plates. "Here."
Nadine joined Corina in the pantry, taking a seat on the floor with her plate.
"I know it's late, but I'm hungry," Corina defended as she grabbed one of the pieces and ate a fork full. "Oh! It's so good. Maybe even better than the first!"
The girl moaned softly and ate it again, then looked over to Nadine and started laughing.
The two of them continued to eat in silence, creating a comfortable atmosphere as they shared the chocolate pie.
Corina broke the silence after some time. "You're a very nice person, Nadine, despite everything."
The brunette raised a brow and looked toward the princess. "Despite what?"
"You kind of dress like a witch," Corina explained. "I saw a witch in a storybook wearing your favorite dress."
Nadine smirked at Corina. "Is that why you've been nervous around me?" she asked, amusedly glancing at Corina. "You were frightened I might eat your soul?"
Corina nodded, her face bright red, as she realized Nadine had read her emotions well. "Maybe a little bit, yes. "I was confused because the books I have read only depicted the wicked witches dressed in black and purple."
Nadine reached over to touch Corina's shoulder gently as she gave the girl an apologetic smile. "I am sorry to have caused you worry," she whispered softly, half joking.
The princess returned Nadine's smile, then shook her head. "No, don't apologize. It's my fault, because I didn't know how to approach the subject. I wanted to talk to you, but I felt a bit nervous and didn't want to be rude."
She bit her lower lip and focused her blue eyes on Nadine. "It's late now, and I'm feeling better after talking to you, so I'm going to ask you to answer something, and I promise I won't be afraid of you if you're honest with me."
Nadine nodded slowly. "Of course. You can ask me anything, Corina."
"The way you act around Alexander... do you like him? Do you like Alexander?" she nervously asked, her fingers fidgeting in her lap and her eyes focused on her. "I'm not mad at you or anything if you do, just... I have to know if you want my man!"
The woman stared at Corina with surprise, not expecting such an accusation. "Oh, Corina, no!"
Corina let out a soft sigh, and a wave of relief washed over her as Nadine responded to her question. "It's fine. It's good. You and him would look lovely together," Corina teased. "But he's my husband. At least he will be soon. You've got to find a new man."
"I can't believe you thought such a thing," Nadine breathed out, looking away from the blonde.
"I had to be sure! I don't want to be jealous," the princess joked, then smiled brightly toward the woman.
The two of them froze and looked at each other as yet another pair of footsteps approached. Just outside the pantry, a soft voice spoke. "My, my, I was not expecting such company. Is there any of that delicious chocolate pie for me?"
The girls' eyes widened with shock, both of them turning around quickly to face the source of the voice, but their attention immediately focused on Alexander's bulge as he stood with his arms crossed, smirking at them. "I would appreciate a piece, thank you, ladies," he added.
The girls both turned bright red at his request, neither speaking nor moving to give him a piece of the dessert they were sharing. "It seems both of you were in search of dessert," Alexander spoke.
He sighed softly, then grabbed a plate from the counter, serving himself a piece of pie.
"What brings you down here so late? Can't sleep?"
He nodded in response, then took a bite from the pie. He smiled softly at the sweet flavor, then took a seat on the ground with them. "I couldn't stop thinking about you," he said to Corina. "I was worried something happened. I got up and came looking for you. I was afraid someone might have stolen you away," he breathed out with relief before giving Nadine an annoyed glance, which caused her to chuckle softly.
"No one will ever steal me from you," she reassured Alexander, then leaned over to place a kiss on the tip of his nose.
She grinned brightly, her face blushing bright red as she looked up into his eyes. She felt grateful that he had woken up from that dream, whatever it was about.
Alexander was certain the pie was for the banquet, but he wouldn't say. More pie could be made.
The trio stayed together and ate the pie. The three of them began laughing at the absurd situation they had found themselves in. The three of them, sitting in a pantry, eating the pie.
Corina and Alexander made their way back to his chamber. He guided her to the bed and sat down beside her.
The princess could feel herself becoming aroused. The thought of the man having such an impact on her made her smile softly as he lay by his side. She couldn't resist touching him, so she placed her hand on his chest and felt his heart beat against her palm.
He kissed her forehead. "I can tell you're thinking about something. What's on your mind?"
Corina blushed and turned her back toward Alexander's. She had to focus on other things rather than allow her mind to wander too far into her lustful desires. "I was wondering... about something. I think about it a lot."
"Tell me."
"I heard there are ways to make a man happy," she whispered. "How can I do that?"
"I'd prefer not to tell you," Alexander said. "I do not wish for you to feel obligated."
She looked back over her shoulder, her blue eyes meeting the duke's. "Please? I want to know," she pleaded, her voice sounding a little more desperate than she had meant. She bit her lower lip nervously and averted her gaze.
"Corina, it's something we have to wait until after the wedding to do," he groaned in displeasure at the thought of waiting, but he was a gentleman, and even though it had been revealed she was physically male, he saw her as being as much of a woman as any other.
"The sex dance that Mama told me about?" She asked.
The duke could feel himself becoming more aroused with Corina's question. He didn't want to make her feel like she needed to please him in bed. He wanted to wait.
She nodded slowly, then turned around, placing a chaste kiss on her husband's cheek before moving to the pillow to get comfortable. As she lay on the pillow, her eyes met his, looking into his eyes with curiosity.
Even though Corina was by his side that night, he barely slept. He wasn't having any nightmares, but his mind was filled with provocative thoughts.
He didn't know if he could wait. He loved Corina so much and desired to feel such a level of intimacy with her. Would it really be wrong to just touch her a little before the wedding?