ஜ۞ஜ

ஜ۞ஜ

*𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯*

The aromatic smell of jasmine tea wafted throughout the garden as bluebirds and jays flew gracefully in the air, their wings glittering occasionally under the warm sunlight as trees and flowers covered their sight, shielding them from view. The wind blew exceptionally mildly that day as flew clouds floated into the sky. Flowers bloomed delightfully as they all rose upright, all of them appearing more lively than a child on a warm summer day.

Trees were planted only a few feet away from one another, though their leaves and branches were enough to conceal anyone below from being unpleasantly heated whenever it was warmer than usual. In the heart of this wondrous garden was a Tea Table adorned with various desserts—finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, marble balls, and of course, the tea itself.

The table was marble-made with a pure white table coating over it. However, there was only one seat near this table on which upheld the weight of a fellow woman—(Y/n) Lionheart.

Gracefully savoring her tea, (Y/n) planted down her teacup onto her saucer, bringing a dainty hand over to one pastry as she carried it up to her lips, nibbling it. 'Oh, how much I would wish to eat ordinarily, but I can't eat with them around.' Taking a side glance at the still maids that stood waiting for an order a far distance away from her, (Y/n) cried in her mind.

'Being proper is so hard!'

Letting out a restrained sigh (Y/n) placed the pastry on a napkin, losing her appetite already. Anticipating an advising human (Y/n) raised the teacup to her lips and took a sip, closing her eyes peacefully as she awaited for the man to arrive.

"My lady, a message from General Luke."

Letting her teacup go on top of her saucer (Y/n) hummed. "What does General Luke wish to disclose to me?"

"You are to await the arrival of Prince Aysima in the meeting room."

Clutching her teacup with more strength (Y/n) nodded. "I see. Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Leave. Inform my father that I have received his message and will follow his orders shortly."

"Yes, my lady. If you may excuse me."

Taking notice as the man walked away (Y/n) got up from her seat and let go of the teacup, smoothing out any wrinkles on her silk dress as she strolled away from the Tea Table, walking through the garden steps towards the door heading into the manor. With a relaxed expression on her face (Y/n) lay both of her hands on top of her dress, her head raised high with her eyes as sharp as ever.

"My lady, why do you expect Prince Aysima craves to see you this time?" Hearing this question, (Y/n) chuckled. "I don't know, Isabella, but what I know is that sometimes, there's no answer to his motives. Out of whim, you could say." Conveying a noise of understanding, the maid promptly fled back to her spot, bowing her head down as they advanced to stroll inside the manor grounds.

Once inside, the group of maids—along with (Y/n)—made their way towards one of the meeting rooms as it was already known which one they were to set foot in. Who wouldn't know the place where the two met every single time since they first met one another?

In front of the door (Y/n) heard silence—no sound was heard beyond that point as (Y/n) couldn't even identify neither Prince Aysima's breathing nor the maids and butlers situated there. However, their heartbeats reverberated under the ground reaching her ears, and there appears to be someone kneeling beside our dear Prince Aysima.

'I already don't enjoy being here.' Letting out a sigh (Y/n) restored her expression instantly as the double doors swooped open, displaying a spacious room decorated with the color red. Red window curtains, red carpeting, red couches, red lanterns—it all looked like a bloodbath. 'Here I thought my family's color was Oregon blue, not Amber red.'

Upon picking up the hushed sound of the double doors opening, Prince Aysima and his 'guest' glanced up, peering at the newcomer. Staring down at the visitors (Y/n) did a refined courtesy, bowing her head down as she closed her eyes in respect.

"Greetings to the star of the Empire Oden, Prince Aysima. May pleasings be-"

"(Y/n)!" Bolting up from his plush seat in excitement, Aysima used his earth magic bringing (Y/n) over to him and into his arms. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Aysima hugged her intimately, his grip as fierce as iron as an ecstatic smile spread onto his lips. "Oh, you don't know how much I've missed you! It's been so long, I thought I was going to perish if I didn't see you!" Hugging her closer into his chest (Y/n) struggled to breathe finding the proximity of their bodies to be in more ways than one smothering.

"P-Prince Aysima-"

"Of course, just to see your exquisite face isn't the only reason I came here. Come, marvel at the present I have carried over to you in this glorious day!" Distancing their bodies Aysima moved her in front of him, pointing her vision over to the sofa as (Y/n) ultimately estimated what was the other heartbeat that she heard so distinctly outside of the door.

While (Y/n) appreciated presents here and there, there were just some presents that (Y/n) didn't enjoy. Such as presents that nobles saw as 'normal' when, in reality, it was inhuman and sick. Now, here was an example.

Kneeling in front of the couch from where Prince Aysima once sat was what looked like a grown man with night-dark hair that coated his eyes and a slender, pale nose that was upholding brown glasses. His clothes seemed awkward to him as he wore what Baron's would regularly wear if invited to a noble event, which was—if to put nicely; revolting. The clothing he bore did not, in any way, seem to complement his pale and slender figure.

From where she stood (Y/n) guessed that he was as beautiful as any sunset in the rising ocean, but as of then, he was just a miserable and inscrutable man with no freedom. You could tell by the gold chains encircling his throat and hands with his eyes dull—almost like a black hole.

"Here it is! I brought you a gift! Uniquely educated in protection and obedience! It's a charming specimen; arriving from the ancient and cold Empire of Koios. S class, I believe." Putting a hand on her back, Aysima pushed her encouragingly towards the man, attempting to make her show some enthusiasm in his catch. "It is the best the slave house ever had, after all."

Flinching once hearing his words (Y/n) swiftly turned her body towards him, her attractive (e/c) eyes looking at him in incredulity. "Prince Aysima, what is the meaning of this?" Gazing at her with adoration, Aysima chuckled. "I thought I ordered you to call me Aysima, my dear princess." Moving a piece of her glossy hair close to his lips, Aysima grazed it before letting go. He seemed to do that a lot lately, (Y/n) noted.

Realizing that Aysima wouldn't react happily if she let out how she was feeling at his 'present', (Y/n) forced down her emotions and turned around, gawking down at the lifeless man as he continued to kneel before the Prince of Oden.

"Rise." Like the chiming of bells, her voice ranged out in the vast room and reverberated back to the man's ears. Without an effort, the man rose to his feet. However, he never once raised his head high to search into her eyes or face. "It's in pristine condition. No wounds nor scratches anywhere on its body. Only the best of the best for you, my loveable princess." Taking her chin with his grip, Aysima kissed her cheek gradually, savoring his position for a while longer before a soldier strode into the meeting room and bowed before the two.

"Greeting to the star of the Empire of Oden, Prince Aysima. May pleasings be plentiful in your wake. Greetings to the daughter of General Luke, Lady (Y/n). A message has arrived from the Great Emperor of Oden, Emperor Cenric."

Feeling the utter loathing for the soldier that was emitting off of Aysima, (Y/n) beamed on the inside once he let go and looked away from her presence as his attention was now aimed at the 'intruder' which is what Aysima prefers to portray him as.

"What?" Spitting his next words with venom, that soldier started to sweat in fright but continued to stay still in fear of disrespecting royalty. "Prince Aysima is to arrive at once at the Royal Palace. A meeting with the House of Hendrix has been arranged. The Emperor also ordered Prince Aysima to not refuse, and if Prince Aysima were to refuse, Prince Aysima would be sent to the Cold Palace."

Once hearing these news, an enthusiastic smirk was soon glued on his lips. "Perfect." Whispering these words, Prince Aysima glanced back at (Y/n) and kissed her cheek carelessly. "Forgive me, my dear princess, but your prince is needed for something relatively important. Don't worry, I'll make it up to you soon! Farewell! Enjoy your present from me to you!" Racing away from the room with hasty steps, Prince Aysima was soon out of her view and presence as the doors closed with a 'clang'.

Turning around speedily (Y/n) walked over to the male and presented him her hand. Developing a sincere smile on her face (Y/n) made sure to not do anything that would make him uncomfortable or on guard with her presence. Well, that was if her mana didn't already hinder that for her.

Sensing that the man was now gazing down at her hand (Y/n) put her hand away once she discerned he would not attempt to make any moves to accept her offer. "Isabella?"

Hearing her name being called, the petite woman glanced up promptly, her face eager to please. "Yes, my lady?"

"Prepare the room next to mine for this young man. Ready for it to have a related style to my room, but with fewer plants—and fewer angel babies." Nodding her head obediently at her command, the woman motioned for the others to call the maids that served under Lady's (Y/n) order to help her.

"This way, my lady. May this feeble maid ask where the young sir will stay whilst the arrangement for his room is being made?" Peering over her shoulder at the secluded male, (Y/n) looked back at her and smiled. "In my room. Please prepare some snacks for him and bring them to it my room. Do you prefer sweet things or bitter?" Addressing this question to the young man, he opened his mouth as a hoarse voice came out.

"Bitter, if you may bother yourself, my lady." Delighted to have heard his voice (Y/n) yanked her attention back over to the maid and nodded her head enthusiastically. "You heard the young man, go on!" Urging her with a gentle hand (Y/n) motioned for the remote male to follow her as she walked out of the room and into the gorgeous hallway.

"Follow me if you will. We shall wait in my room as they prepare for your own room. Please, follow as close to me as possible. I don't want you getting lost." Sauntering down the hall with maids accompanying her (Y/n) grinned up at the man as they walked down the hallway and towards her room.

After a minute or two of walking, they finally appeared in front of her bedroom door. Granting for the maids to open the double doors (Y/n) walked inside the room along with the man, but no maids. No one but (Y/n) and her guests are allowed inside of her room per General Luke's command.

Hearing the double doors close behind her (Y/n) stepped over to one of the plush sofas and sat down gracefully, adjusting her dress to look appropriate. "Please, take a seat." Gesturing to the sofa across from her, the man sat down, only to stiffen up instantaneously as his collar was stifling him. Noticing this (Y/n) promptly held her hand up, on which the man obediently did as he rose.

"Marsha?" One door opened as a maid walked in, bowing in reverence. "Yes, my lady?"

"Bring this man an outfit from one of the guest's rooms. And please be quick. Just seeing him in such an outfit is making me wish to cry." She was not lying. It felt like it was also suffocating her. Bowing once more, the maid said a 'Yes, my lady' before racing away. After a few minutes, she walked back inside and passed the outfit over to the man, one which he took gratefully.

Allowing him to use her dressing room (Y/n) waited for his presentation as the desserts had already arrived, along with two teacups and a dozen finger sandwiches. Once he came out (Y/n) smiled merrily. 'My father was right. Clothes do make the person.'

"You look lovely; um... please forgive me, but I never asked your name?" Querying him on his name (Y/n) peered up at him expectantly. Without sparing her a glance, the male did a practiced bow, his appearance now making him look as if he should have been the one to make the Prince bow to him, and not the other way around.

"My name is Abdul Omri, My Lady."

(ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱ!)