As they arrive at the festival, the atmosphere is alive with music, laughter, and the aroma of delicious food. Lanterns hang from the trees, casting a warm glow over the grounds.
Xerxes leads Esmeray through the crowd, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back. He nods and smiles at his subjects as they pass by, but his attention remains solely on his wife.
"Would you like something to eat or drink?" he asks, leaning down to speak into her ear.
Esmeray nods, her stomach growling softly. "Something to eat would be lovely," she replies with a smile.
Xerxes guides her towards a food stall, ordering a variety of dishes for them to share.They take a seat near the stall "Are they really necessary?" She asks pointing at the gaurds. He glances at the guards surrounding them, their presence a constant reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows. He sighs, running a hand through his hair.
"They're here to protect us," he explains, his voice low.
"I understand," she murmurs. "But can't we just pretend, for tonight, that we're not royalty? That we're just a normal couple enjoying the festival?"
"A couple?" He asks a smirk on his face as she speaks those words. He hadn't seen it that way before. It sounds nice to his ear. "A couple, huh?" he repeats, his voice taking on a teasing tone.
He leans in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "And what exactly does this couple do?" he murmurs, his hand sliding up her thigh beneath the table.
Esmeray's breath hitches at his touch, a shiver running down her spine. She bites her lip, glancing around to make sure no one is watching before leaning in to whisper back.
"They dance," she says softly, her eyes locking with his. "They laugh and talk and...and steal kisses when they think no one is looking."
Xerxes smirk turns into a grin, his fingers tightening slightly on her thigh. "Is that so?" he asks, standing up and offering her his hand. "Then let's give the people a show."
"No.." she blocks his kiss with her hand "we are here to enjoy the festival not to make a show "
"Very well then" he replies taking back his seat a little defeated.
"What kind of rides is there ?" She questions in excitement. Xerxes chuckles at Esmeray's excitement, his earlier arusal forgotten. "There's a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and even a haunted house," he says, listing off the rides.
Esmeray's eyes widen with delight. "A haunted house? Really?" she asks, bouncing slightly on her toes.
Xerxes nods, grinning at her enthusiasm. "Yes, really. Would you like to go?" he offers, holding out his hand to her.
Esmeray hesitates for a moment before taking his hand, letting him lead her towards the entrance of the haunted house. As they step inside, the door slams shut behind them, plunging them into darkness.
Suddenly, a ghostly figure appears in front of them, letting out an eerie moan. Esmeray jumps, screaming and grabbing onto Xerxes arm tightly.
They continue the night exploring many more rides and foods. At some point their gaurds had lost them before finding them at the dock. They stand at the edge of the dock, the cool night air brushing against their skin. The festival is in full swing behind them, but here, it's peaceful and quiet.
Esmeray leans against the railing, staring out at the calm waters. "This was nice," she murmurs softly.
Xerxes nods in agreement, his eyes never leaving her face. "It was," he says quietly.
He steps closer to her, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "Esmeray," he begins, his voice low and serious. "About what you said earlier...about being a couple..."
Esmeray's heart skips a beat at his words, her breath catching in her throat."Yes?" He hesitates for a moment, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "
He leans in closer, his forehead resting against hers. "I know we said we'd stay away from eachother but what if, we try to be a couple...a real one."
Esmeray's heart races at his words, a mix of excitement and fear coursing through her veins.
"Yes," she whispers back, her hands reaching up to frame his face. "I want that too."
Xerxes smiles softly at her words, his eyes shining with emotion. He leans in, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss.The now pronounce couple walk around talking about their childhood memories laughing at their actions.
Xerxes laughs as Esmeray recounts a story from her childhood, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I can't believe you did that," he says, shaking his head in disbelief.
"What?" Esmeray asks innocently, batting her eyelashes at him. "I was just trying to impress the prince."
He rolls his eyes, a little jealous that she went out of her way to impress a man who was not him.
He pulls her closer to him, wrapping an arm around her waist. "You know, I have a story too," he says, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Esmeray leans in eagerly, resting her chin on his chest. "Do tell," she prompts, her voice filled with curiosity.
Xerxes chuckles, his fingers tracing idle patterns on her back. "Well, there was this one time when I was about ten..."The ride back was silent as she slept in his shoulders.
Xerxes watches Esmeray sleep, a soft smile on his face. He gently brushes a strand of hair away from her face, his touch lingering on her cheek.
She looks so peaceful, so innocent in her sleep. It's a side of her he rarely sees, and it stirs something protective within him.
As the carriage comes to a stop outside the palace, Xerxes carefully lifts Esmeray into his arms, carrying her inside. He nods at the guards as he passes, not stopping until he reaches their shared chambers.
He lays her down on the bed gently, pulling the covers over her sleeping form. For a moment, he just stands there, watching her breathe.
"Goodnight, my love," he whispers softly before undressing and climbing into bed beside her.