A month had passed since August and I had confessed our love for each other, and things between us had changed in the most wonderful way. Every night, without fail, August would come to my room. Instead of playing board games, our nights had become much more intimate.
We would spend the entire night wrapped in each other's arms, simply enjoying the warmth of one another's presence. I loved how he'd pull me close, his arms around my waist as he buried his face in my hair. Sometimes, we'd talk in whispers, sharing our thoughts and feelings in the soft glow of the moonlight. Other times, there was no need for words—just the quiet, comfortable silence between us.
And then there were the kisses. They were slow, lingering, and filled with a depth of emotion I had never expected. Each one made my heart race, yet there was a sense of peace in being so close to him. It wasn't about passion or desire alone, but about the pure love we felt for each other.
I found myself looking forward to those quiet moments, where it was just the two of us, away from the responsibilities and pressures of the day. It was our own little escape, and I treasured every second of it.
Ember had grown accustomed to the routine as well, often curling up at the foot of the bed, seemingly content with the peace and love that filled the room. The bond between August and I grew stronger with each passing day, and though we were busy ruling the empire, these nights together gave us the rest we needed.
As we sat under the shimmering night sky, the moon casting a soft glow over the garden, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. Tonight, August and I decided to have a picnic, just the two of us, enjoying the peaceful ambiance. The soft rustle of the wind and the gentle hum of the night creatures made it feel almost magical.
I turned to him with a smile. "August, do you know the meaning of my name?"
He shook his head, his curiosity piqued as he looked at me. I could tell he was interested, so I began to share the story that was dear to my heart.
"My father almost drowned at the beach during a sunny day," I explained, my voice soft as I recalled the tale. "It was before I was born, and my mother happened to be there. She saved him, pulled him out of the water just in time." I paused, smiling at the memory of how my parents' love began. "My father always said that in that moment, he thought she was a Nereid—a sea nymph. He was so captivated by her that they fell in love soon after."
I looked at August, the warmth of the memory filling my chest. "That's why they named me Nerina. It means 'sea nymph,' in honor of the way they met."
August was silent for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. Then he smiled softly, a tender look in his eyes as he took my hand. "It's a beautiful story. And it suits you," he said quietly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "You're strong, graceful, and a little mysterious, just like a Nereid."
His words made my heart flutter, and I found myself leaning closer to him. The night air, the moonlight, and his presence made everything feel perfect. In that moment, I realized how much I loved sharing these quiet moments with him—where the world felt distant, and it was just us.
Just as we are about to kiss, I felt a small nudge against my leg. At first, I ignored it, too focused on August, but then there was a soft whimper.
We both pulled back, and there stood Ember, staring up at us with his big, pleading eyes. He was wagging his tail, clearly waiting for something.
I couldn't help but laugh, the moment broken in the most adorable way possible. "Oh no, we forgot about him, didn't we?" I said, shaking my head as I reached down to ruffle Ember's fur.
August chuckled beside me. "Looks like someone's hungry for treats."
I pulled out a small snack from our picnic basket, offering it to Ember, who immediately snatched it up, happy with his reward. August and I exchanged amused glances, and I leaned back into his side, smiling.
Days had passed peacefully, and today, I found myself in August's office once again. We were seated across from each other, discussing the final details of the agricultural reform I had been working on. The documents were scattered across the desk, but we had nearly finished reviewing everything.
"That should cover all the aspects of the reform," I said, feeling a sense of accomplishment. It had been a long process, but with August's support, we managed to put together something that would truly benefit the farmers and the kingdom's food supply.
"Good work, Nerina," he said, his tone warm, yet focused. "I knew I could trust you with this."
I smiled softly at the compliment. "Thank you, but it's a team effort."
He nodded, pushing the final papers aside. "Now that we've settled that, there's something else I need to discuss with you."
I raised an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?"
"The ceremony to celebrate the end of the war with Themon is in three days," he began, leaning back in his chair.
Themon, a neighboring country that had been in conflict with Nokturna for many years, was now a nation with whom we were working to maintain peace. The scars of the war were still fresh in many minds, but the passage of time had begun to heal some of those wounds. The upcoming commemoration ceremony was especially important, marking the fifth anniversary of the end of that brutal war.
August continued, his voice steady as he shared more details. "Our relationship with Themon has been tense for many years, but recently, it has greatly settled down. The fact that we will finally end this war for almost 10 years is amazing."
I nodded, understanding the significance. "The King and his delegates from Themon will soon come here to agree to the peace treaty is that it?"
"That's right," he confirmed. "This commemoration is an opportunity to show Themon that we are committed to long-lasting peace."
"I see," I responded softly, understanding the weight of what he was saying. "I just hope this will go well."
August wanted to say something more but chose to kept quiet.