"True to the core of one's own lust; my fingers slowly circling my sensitive nub. The low pressure of this immaculate desire, the portal to the wondrous feelings of absolute self pleasure.

Unescorted I bring myself to my own bliss. My back arched, lips parted, my hand holding tightly to my sheets as I release a blissful moan into the still of the night.

My body trembles at the after shocks of such an intense moment. My bringing forth of my very own euphoria. The greatest reward to myself."

"So?" I ask Genevieve. She doesn't reply immediately, reading it over again, this time to herself.

I couldn't help but smile at the way her breathing had slightly changed. It marvels me still to this day that my writings can do such.

"It's short, but it's good." She finally declares, looking somewhat flushed.
"How do you do it?"

I shrug.
"One would say the gift came from God." She laughs, handing the paper back to me.

"Don't let your mother hear you speak such." I chuckle at her comment, something I could only do now regarding that topic.

I read it over, pleased with the final result. It took a few failed attempts to complete this piece, and there really isn't any need to add anymore to it. The short portion spoke for itself, and would fit perfectly with the others.

"Have you heard that there will be a ball in two days?" I look up to Gene, shaking my head no. To which she gasps far too dramatically, placing her hand to her chest as if what I said was absolutely ridiculous.

"You are lucky to have me here to keep you updated Agatha." I shake my head laughing. So says the forty two year old woman.

"It is said the Crown Prince and a certain General are scheduled to return later today; and as tradition goes, the people will gather in town to welcome them home."

"Is that so?" She nods.

"They come from the Southern Kingdom bringing news of the success of signing another alliance for the Kingdom. The King throws a celebration to honor their great work." She explains.
"Those two men have lead our Kingdom to see more victories in a short span of few years, that those before could have only dreamed of. " I hum, placing my focus back on my manuscript, a faint smirk on my face.

I was feeling a little mischievous, and I knew all too well that my nonchalant behavior would only irritate the woman.

"Is that all you can say...Hm?" She repeats in my same dry tone, and I smile.
"You haven't seen him in over a year, and the last time you did see him, neither of you could take your eye off of each other, and all you have to say is hmm." She puts her hands on her hips, her irritation towards me clear in her tone and body language.

I remember the first time I laid my eyes on Lutalo Obasi. It was a year after I moved here to the capital, and what a celebratory day it was for the kingdom indeed. Our soldiers had finally conquered our greatest rivals that had been the Kingdom's enemy for generations.

He rode ahead of his men, side to side with his comrade Prince Edwin; his face as well as the rest, held high, oozing pride and confidence. Their clothes and skin was marred from the blood and muck that came with war and the loud sound of the trumpet and the cheers of the people lifted loudly to the sky as they walked through the streets. 

'Long live Prince Edwin. Long live General Obasi. Long live our men of war', were their words.

Even in his marred state, he still looked gorgeously handsome. His gold armor looked absolutely divine on his muscular body, even with it covered in dirt—and the way his arm muscles flexed with each trod of the beast he rode, I knew instantly I was infatuated.

Yet the sealing of such emotions came when my eyes met his. Though no emotion was held on his face, those two dark orbs, lured me slowly into a wormhole of desire, that I was happy to partake in.

That was three years ago.

After that day, all focus went into my book and as if luck was on my side, within one year, my book One's Core Desire had become the most sought out publication in the Capital. And at the release of my second book, within days it was all gone.

My brave ones spoke boldly of their love for the book, while my silent readers, quietly showed their support through their purchases. My status entirely changed from a simple village girl to my leading title as the Lady of Desire; recognized everywhere I go, the Capital Awards holder for Writer of the year, and Gene, publisher of the year and an esteemed woman in business.

It was only last year that we were officially recognized by the royal family— invited to the celebratory banquet the King threw in honor of Lutalo and the Prince.

I remember entering the room and all chatter ceased; their Ladyships Agatha Phillia, and Genevieve Bathwell were our titles declared before them all. We descended down the stairs, Gene in a beautiful A-line, emerald green satin off shoulder gown, and I, in a gold sequin, fitted bodice, floor length sheath gown.

Making a statement entrance was most important on the agenda of that night. That was my first official introduction after all.

Lutalo had stood near the throne with the Prince, our eyes locked onto each other's as I made my way down the stairs; and I was even more grateful for the position of my table giving me perfect line of sight to him.

"Agatha!" I snap out my thoughts, as Gene shook me.
"I've been calling you for awhile now, young lady." My lips stretch out into a smile, and she follows suit, steeping back.

"We shall make you as beautiful as the moon on the cool evening night." She exclaimed excitedly, a soft chuckle leaving my lips.

"Sounds like a wonderful idea...though I believe his attention might be held to a particular princess." She rolls her eyes at me, folding her arms.

"You sound low of self esteem." I burst out laughing.

"I am not...I simply state the obvious. The King would want someone like him to marry one of his daughters Gene. He is an asset to the Kingdom." I tell her.

"Still, you're going to take his breath away at the ball." The right corner of my lips tug up into a smirk.

"I mean...it's the least we can do." She mirrors my smirk, both of us beginning to chuckle.

"I was thinking-"  The loud sound of a trumpet cuts her off, and she loudly squeals in a high pitch tone, nearly bursting my eardrums.

She grabs my hand, pulling me out of my chair and towards the window of my office here in town. I'm surprised the poor window didn't fly off its hinges by the way she threw it open.

"LONG LIVE PRINCE EDWIN! LONG LIVE GENERAL LUTALO! LONG LIVE OUR MEN OF WAR!!" The crowd bellowed beneath us. Drummers and dancers leading the way in front the entourage, some waving streamers, others flags of the kingdom's national colors Green and yellow.

Prince Edwin, General Lutalo, and the few soldiers with them were not covered in muck and blood this time; both wore the finest material of royal suits, both dashing in their own light, and the few soldiers behind them, armors shined brightly as the sun rested against it.

"You're smiling." I glance at Gene, rolling my eyes and focusing back ahead. She giggles, clapping along to the drums as we watched them draw closer and closer to our building.

Looking towards Lutalo again, my heart flutters in an almost peaceful sense. His hair was tied up in one, and his brown skin was complimented greatly by the navy blue suit he wore.

Absolutely gorgeous, if I'm being honest.

"General Lutalo!!" Gene suddenly shouts next to me and I look to her with wide eyes.

"Gene!" I hit her hand down from waving.

"General Luuutaaalooo!!" She sings, waving at him again. He does not look towards her, most likely not able to hear her over the loud chants and music; but she did however, manage to draw the attention of some onlookers below us, who happily waved up at me.

"I love you!!" One girl shouts.

"Love you too darling!" She screams turning to her friends, gushing at my acknowledgment of her. I laugh lightly, looking back to the entourage who were just about to pass in front of us.

Gene tries once more, but still to no avail, as he waves to someone on the opposite side.

"It is okay Geney." She glares at me, and storms off out the door. Shaking my head at her, I focus back at the scene in front of me, slowly clapping along to the beat of drums, my body leaning against the left edge of the window.

A loud scream of his name is heard again, sounding too familiar for my liking.

Holding on the window ledge, I lean slightly out, watching in horror as Gene waved a large yellow flag back and forth from her office window; and to my dismay, an image of the general's face was printed at the center of it.

Oh gosh no.
"Gene!" I move to go to her, but her loud scream causes me to turn back around.

"GENERAL LUUUTAALOOO!!!!"
My eyes move towards them in horror, finding the Prince looking towards her antics with an amused smile. He leans over, tapping Lutalo's shoulder. My heart drops to my stomach, as I watch him look towards her, shaking his head amused.

Their attention suddenly turns toward me and I hold my breath.

Prince Edwin's face brightens up with a smile, which I return back. He glances in the direction of Lutalo, our eyes finally meeting for the first time after one year.

Truly it felt like a part of me was finally able to be content with itself, and the longer we stared at each other, the warmer my body became.

He holds his hand to his chest, and surprisingly, the slightest bow of acknowledgment he gave to me, eyes never leaving my own. Taking a slow breath in, I bring my hand to my chest as well, acknowledging him also.

The corner of his lips turn up into a small smile, before he breaks gazes trodding forward on his horse. Watching after them still surprised by what transpired, I see the Prince leaning towards him, but Lutalo pushes his head away from him.

"Now that was what I call sexual tension of the highest public order." I look behind me to Gene, who still had her flag in hand.

"Where did you even get the flag Gene?" She giggles.

"Made it myself." She says posing. Shaking my head at her, I honestly couldn't stop the smile from spreading on to my lips.

I look towards them again in the distance, my heart filled with joy.

He's returned.