200: Dream

Dream

2Oriana sat on the couch with a groan. She still had to do her duty of accompanying the prince throughout the night. At first, she buried her face in her hands, her mind still processing what happened. After drinking another glass of water, her gaze landed on the face of the sleeping prince. 

Her mind drifted to what they did just a while ago, and the composure she regained disappeared once more. She lay on the couch on her one side, facing the prince. 

The corners of her mouth lifted and a light blush covered her cheeks as she remembered each moment of those intimate moments between them. The way he looked at her, the way his body pressed against hers and that closeness when neared to kiss her. Soft touch of his lips which then turned passionate and demanding, the way his hand held her and those words he said to her. 

Unknown to her, her fingers brushed against her lips, 

'That kiss…it didn't feel bad.' Her fingers brushed against her lips. Her mind drifted to what he made her feel and how she didn't dislike it. Instead, it felt natural, like breathing air. She needed not think, and only relied on her instincts. Her body wanted it, and she gave up control. 

And she did not regret it.

'Are all kisses supposed to make women giddy like this? Or is it because he is particularly a good kisser? Seems like he is experienced or it's my first time being kissed so I can only find it good.'

She remembered the way his hands roamed towards her chest along her neck and she swore she could still feel his touch lingering on her skin. His hand moved further down to her heart, as she remembered it, her own hand moved to where he had placed his hand. Underneath she could feel her loud heartbeats despite the layers of bandage covering her chest. 

'Did he feel my heartbeat like this?' she wondered and then realized, 'Thank god he didn't go further down and my chest was wrapped in bandage or he would have understood I am a woman. Will he still know if by chance he remembers what he did tonight. His hand shouldn't have felt it right?'

There were other things to trouble her mind, 'Did he really do it because he knew it's me or he was seeing someone else in me? Maybe a woman he likes? I am not sure if he is really into pretty boys? If he is, then sad for him cause I am not a boy.'

Tonight, the way Oriana looked at Arlan had forever changed. She didn't find him annoying anymore…maybe only a little? At least, not enough to hit him anymore. Acting like a man for a long time, made her forget her reality but he made her realize, she was a woman in the end, a woman who was capable of feeling all these new foreign feelings which she never even thought about. 

In her eyes, he was still a bratty prince, but one who was slowly turning out to be a good man. As she continued watching him sleep, the smile lingering on her lips never left until she too closed her eyes.

-----

The next morning. 

At first, it was like a melodic whisper carried by a gentle breeze, and Arlan, who did not realize he was inside a dream, dared to search for the source of the  familiar and comforting voice. 

"...wer…

"...flower…

"...Little flower, I am back," the sweet voice of the woman rang as he saw her figure kneeling in front of him. "Did you miss me?"

Like always, her face was not visible. Not only that, even her body was vaguely seen, the image blurry, as if Arlan was viewing her from behind a thin gauzy gold curtain. 

"I found these flowers today." A pair of delicate hands visible to the view. She placed those flowers in front of him. 'These are called honeysuckles. Aren't they beautiful?' Those hands moved towards her face to smell the flower but even then only her delicate chin was in sight. "They smell even better. I will leave them here for you. While I am gone, you won't feel lonely in their company."

Her fingers moved as if caressing him. "You have grown shinier and you look so beautiful."

The hand moved back and the woman stood up. "I have to go now. You know I have important things to do. I will be back soon."

He wanted to tell her to not go, but he could not say a word.

On the outside world, the restless Arlan tossed in his sleep, and words left his mouth. 

"No…do not… leave me…"

His eyes opened in shock. 

Confused, he looked around the empty chamber, especially to the couch which was missing a certain person. He looked at the window and realized the sun was already out. He was late to wake up. 

'What was that?' He could not help but press his hand over his forehead, sweeping back his hair from his face. 'Not a nightmare, but why did I dream of that woman?' 

Oriana was ready to start her servant's duties for the day. As usual, when she went to Arlan's chamber, the first people she came across were Imbert and Rafal, standing guard outside his door. The stubborn vice-captain of the knights was there as well despite being told to rest. 

"Good morning, Sir Loyset, Sir Ahren."

She slightly bowed to greet them and tried her best to not look at Imbert at all. Meanwhile, Rafal was avoiding her gaze. It was an awkward situation.

When she entered the room, Arlan was yet to get out of his bath, and Damien was in the middle of preparing the prince's attire. 

"You're on time for once, Orian," the young man commented. Oriana would often only arrive when the prince was about to finish getting dressed, so she had nothing to say in defense.

"Let me help," was all she said, hurrying to the wardrobe room. "Which boots is His Highness wearing today? If the theme for today is blue, is it this one or the regular black? Or this—"

Because the alliance summit was also an opportunity to show off the wealth and power of each kingdom, the official outfits and general appearance of each participating ruler and their representatives were highly tailored and curated. A dozen extremely luxurious ceremonial attires were brought over from the best royal tailors for the Crown Prince of Griven to wear.

Damien's voice floated from the main bedchamber. "Take out whichever looks suitable paired with this blue coat and let His Highness decide."

Oriana had no knowledge of fashion, and in the end, hesitated between three pairs of similar-looking boots. By the time she returned to the main chamber bringing them out, Arlan was already standing in front of the mirror while Neil and Damien were helping him wear his outer coat. 

For a second, she stiffened.

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