Alexander held the delicate cup of herbal tea in his hands, its aroma wafting gently toward him. Ariella's expertise in concocting remedies was renowned, and she had prepared this particular tea to aid with insomnia. He remembered the thoughtful look in her eyes as she handed it to him, saying, "You never know when you might need a good night's rest, Your Highness."
Now, as he made his way back to the camp, he couldn't help but think of Elysia, who had been having trouble sleeping. Her restlessness had not escaped his notice, and he wanted to offer her some relief. He knew how daunting it could be to navigate a world entirely new to her, and the weight of the kidnapping incident was undoubtedly taking a toll.
Arriving back at the camp, Alexander found Elysia still sitting by the river, gazing pensively at the moonlit water. He approached her quietly, not wanting to startle her, and when she looked up, a faint smile graced her lips.
"Your Highness, you're back," I said softly. My eyes searched for him as if trying to decipher his thoughts. I never thought that Alexander would come back.
He offered me a cup of herbal tea with gentle care. "The heavenly Princess Ariella concocted this herbal tea. It's supposed to help with insomnia. Maybe it could bring you some peace tonight."
I looked at the tea, my curiosity piqued. "You got this from Princess Ariella? She's quite skilled, isn't she?" I was surprised to hear that he brought up that name. It gives me a reason to dig deeper into his relationship with her.
He nodded, admiring the small smile that played on her lips. "She is. Her talents in the culinary arts extend beyond ordinary dishes."
With a nod of appreciation, I took the cup and brought it to my lips. The warm, soothing taste seemed to calm me, and my tense shoulders relaxed as I let out a soft sigh.
"It's delicious." A touch of surprise was heard in my voice.
Alexander couldn't help but smile. "Ariella has a way of infusing her creations with both skill and love. I'm glad you found it to your liking."
As we sat by the river, the warmth of Ariella's herbal tea spreading through my veins, I felt a sense of tranquility settle over me. The moon's gentle glow enveloped us, creating an ambience of intimacy and openness. It was the perfect moment to ask Prince Alexander about his relationship with Ariella—a question that had been lingering in my mind since he brought up her name.
Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to broach the subject. "Can I ask you something, Your Highness?"
He turned to me, his expression warm and inviting. "Of course, princess. You can ask me anything."
I fidgeted with the cup in my hands, trying to find the right words. "Since you've mentioned Princess Ariella's name with such admiration... Is she... someone special to you?"
His eyes softened, and he looked thoughtful for a moment. "Ariella is a dear friend, and we've known each other for a long time."
I nodded, taking in his words, but my curiosity couldn't be contained. "Is there something more between you two? The way you look when saying her name seems like you care for her deeply."
He smiled, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Ariella and I share a strong bond, but it's one of friendship and mutual respect. She has always been like a sister to me, and I cherish our connection."
His words spelled DISASTER! I remember reading in the novel that he and Ariella are madly in love. What's with friendship, mutual respect, and sibling connection? Are my ears playing tricks on me? Or am I already intoxicated by this herbal tea? Why is he denying his relationship with Ariella? And I haven't had a chance to talk about Seraphina yet. But somehow, I think I already know the answer. What a womanizer he is!
"But what about you, Princess?" he asked, his gaze searching mine. "Do you have someone special to you?"
I blushed, feeling a sudden rush of vulnerability. Correction! It's Elysia who is blushing right now. And what's up with his question? Asking about somebody special in my life? Is he making a move, or is it just a simple question?
"I... I haven't thought about it, to be honest. My focus has been on trying to navigate this life and understand my role as a princess." My lips moved on their own as if reading a script. The truth is I want to ask more about his relationship with Ariella.
He nodded, seemingly understanding. "It's only natural to be preoccupied with the new and unfamiliar. But know that you have friends here who care for you and will stand by your side."
As the moon continued its journey across the night sky, my eyes grew heavy, and Alexander noticed the signs of my weariness.
"Perhaps it's time to rest, Princess," he suggested gently.
Urghh... I haven't got my full answer yet, but my lids just could not open properly.
I looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and contentment. "Yeah... I barely can open my eyes. Ariella's brew is working perfectly for me."
Alexander reached out to gently touch Elysia's hand, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long while.
"And you've brought a sense of wonder and enchantment into my life, Princess. Rest now, and know that you have somebody who stands beside you."
Alexander escorted me back to my makeshift tent. Despite being bewildered by Alexander's sudden affection, I felt very sleepy as he held my hand and guided me gently. He sat me on my bed. Under normal circumstances, I would not allow any stranger to walk me to my bed! I couldn't shake the feeling that this level of intimacy was altogether too much. He should have just escorted me to the tent entrance.
I found myself wondering where my dear lady-in-waiting was, expecting her to be waiting for me.
I could not even muster a protest. My body felt heavy, and the last thing I saw was Alexander's serene smile while he tucked me under the fur blanket.