The tranquility of the room shattered as Aeliana began to stir restlessly in her sleep.
Lucian, roused from his light sleep, immediately noticed her distress. He sat up, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
The once-vibrant light lands lay in ruins, their beauty replaced by ash and despair. Before her stood Lucian, clad in his full demon armor, his glowing eyes cold and unrecognizable. His blade was drawn, dripping with the blood of her kin.
"Why?" she whispered in the dream, her voice trembling.
Lucian in the vision only smirked darkly. "You trusted too easily, Princess," he said, his voice devoid of the warmth she had come to know. "Did you really think this truce would last? That I would change for you? Foolish."
"Aeliana," he said again, more urgently this time.
"How could you betray me so easily?" she whispered in her sleep, her voice thick with grief. "I trusted you… Lucian… I loved you…how could you..."
Her lips were warm but trembling beneath his.
To his shock, she stirred and began to kiss him back—only to suddenly bite down on his lower lip, hard enough to make him wince.
"Aw!" he hissed, pulling back slightly, though he didn't want to let go of her face.
"How could you?"
"Aeliana," he said softly, his own voice trembling now. "It was a dream. It wasn't real. I would never—"
But her words continued, stabbing into him with unrelenting force. "I trusted you, Lucian. I gave you everything. Why would you destroy me?"
"Aeliana, please," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Wake up. Look at me."
" Never."
"You're safe. I promise, Aeliana. I'll never betray you."
For a long time, they stayed like that, her tears soaking into his shirt as he whispered reassurances.
"But… if that's something you're afraid of—me betraying you—I need you to know it won't happen. Ever."
She nodded, though her gaze remained downcast. "I believe you," she said quietly.
"Good morning, Princess," Lucian's deep, velvety voice rumbled above her.
Her head snapped up, her eyes locking onto his smirking face.
"L-Lucian, w-why am I so close to you?" she stammered, pulling back slightly, only to realize her legs were still tangled with his. "And where are the cushions I placed between us?!"
He raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "I got rid of them."
"You what? why?" she demanded, sitting up further, clutching the linen sheet to her chest as if it were armor.
Lucian gave a small shrug, his crimson eyes twinkling with mischief. " See?"
He pulled back the linen sheets slightly to reveal his waistband of his pants was still on. "I still have my pants on. Fully intact."
Aeliana squinted at him suspiciously, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Why is your torso exposed, then?"
He leaned back into the mattress, looking completely at ease despite her mounting embarrassment. "Well," he began dramatically, "it was quite a chilly night, you see, and someone looked like she was about to catch a cold. I figured my body warmth, combined with the linen sheet, was the most effective solution."
"Body warmth?" Aeliana repeated in hysterics.
"You're so shameless!" She exclaimed
Lucian chuckled softly, his voice carrying a warmth that made her heart skip a beat. "You seemed comfortable enough last night. And for what it's worth, I'm glad you slept peacefully after that nightmare."
His usual teasing expression had shifted to something more sincere, his eyes holding a tenderness she wasn't sure how to handle.
"I… I guess I should thank you," she mumbled, though her face was still flushed.
Just as Aeliana finished attempting to recover from her flustered state, the door to her chamber burst open, and a small army of maids filed in with an array of garments, perfumes, and jewelry in hand. Each maid was impeccably dressed, their movements precise and coordinated like a well-rehearsed performance.
"Good morning, Lady Aeliana," chimed the new head maid, Elyra, her voice crisp but polite. "We must make haste. You are to attend your cousin's soiree this evening, and preparations are paramount!" Aeliana blinked in confusion, her brows furrowing.
"My cousin's soiree? I'm only hearing about this now?!" "Yes, milady," Elyra replied with a calm, knowing smile as if this sort of sudden announcement were entirely normal.
"Queen Celithe herself sent word late last night. You are to represent the royal family alongside Lord Lucian. It is a grand occasion." "Of course it is," Aeliana muttered, her voice tinged with sarcasm. She glanced over her shoulder at Lucian, who had suddenly taken on the appearance of someone desperately trying to vanish into thin air.
"Ah, there you are," came a new, velvety voice. Standing in the doorway, arms folded with a bemused smile, was a tall figure—a woman with shoulder-length raven-black hair, piercing violet eyes, and an air of authority that made even Lucian straighten slightly. She was draped in dark, flowing robes adorned with intricate silver patterns that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow.
"Lady Velexia," Elyra greeted, bowing slightly. Velexia smirked, stepping into the room with a predatory grace. "Attempting to escape already, Lucian? Typical. You never did have the patience for social obligations." Lucian groaned, running a hand through his hair.
"Velexia, you of all people should understand. Extravagance like this blinds my eyes. I much prefer the quiet solitude of my castle, loomed in glorious darkness."
Aeliana shot him a pointed look. "Alone?" she asked, her tone teasing but also laced with a hint of curiosity. Lucian hesitated, clearly caught off guard. "Well… solitude can be quite peaceful," he muttered, avoiding her gaze. "Why not a change of pace for once? For me?" Aeliana said softly, stepping closer to him. Her expression softened, her voice laced with sincerity.
"Come to the soiree. It's one evening. And after this is all over, we can go back to your castle. Deal?" Lucian sighed, glancing at Velexia, who raised an eyebrow as if daring him to refuse. Finally, he turned back to Aeliana. "You do drive a hard bargain, Princess," he said with a small, reluctant smile.
"Fine. Deal." Aeliana's face lit up, and Lucian couldn't help but feel a tug at his chest. Before he could say anything else, Elyra clapped her hands, and the maids surged forward. "Enough chatter! There is much to do!" Elyra declared.
"Lord Lucian, if you would kindly follow me, we shall prepare you first. Lady Velexia, ensure the Lady Aeliana is ready as well." As the maids whisked Lucian toward a separate chamber, he shot Aeliana a wry look.
"Princess, remember our deal," he called over his shoulder. Aeliana laughed softly, shaking her head. But as Velexia approached her with an armful of silken fabrics and a knowing smirk, Aeliana suddenly realized the chaos that awaited her. "Oh, don't look so grim," Velexia teased.