“...How are your injuries?” he asked.

“They’re all healed now.”

Ashen smiled, and leaned forward, his lips dangerously close. She could feel his breathing, gentle against her skin, and the thumping of his heart.

“...Dine with me tonight. We can have a date... and then...”

“We c-can’t,” Cessilia suddenly put her hands on his torso, pushing him away.

“What?” he exclaimed, upset. “Why not? ...Are you still upset with me?”

Cessilia had to bite her lip not to smile. He looked like a big dog, sorry it had offended its owner. She could almost see the white ears popping out of his hair... She shook her head slowly and caressed his hair like she would have petted an obedient dog.

“No,” she chuckled, “b-but I am invited t-to a dinner with the Hashat Family Leader.”

“...The Hashat Family?” Ashen frowned. “Tonight? ...I don’t like this.”

“It sounds like you d-don’t like me t-to be with anyone else, Ashen...”

“That’s true,” he scoffed. “Plus, their heir is known to be handsome, or so they say...”

“Who says th-that?”

Ashen’s expression fell, and he turned to Cessilia.

“I haven’t heard it from women!” he exclaimed. “Well, maybe... I mean, I’ve seen him, I guess he’s... fine.”

Cessilia chuckled and kissed his cheek.

“I like you jealous. It’s your t-turn.”

“Cessi...”

“I’m about t-to go, anyway. T-Tessa is coming t-too.”

He sighed, pouting a bit, but didn’t insist anymore. Ashen’s eyes went to the end of the corridor, verifying that no one was spying on them. After a while, he turned back to her, resolute.

“...I’ll come and get you,” he whispered.

“But...”

“I’ll wait until you’re done there, and then we can have our date... I really want to show you my city. That was one regret I had when we met in the Empire... I never got to show you anything about where I came from. Let me show you tonight.”

He grabbed her hands in his, holding them gently. Cessilia nodded, and got on her toes to give him another quick kiss.

“...Alright,” she muttered, “I’ll see you later t-tonight, then.”

To her surprise, Ashen answered with another sudden, more passionate kiss. Unlike her chaste kiss, his was passionate, with his tongue and all his desire in it, making her legs a bit weak and sending blood rushing to her cheeks. When they separated, Cessilia was out of breath and red.

“See you later, my love.”

OceanofPDF.com

Chapter 14

“...Your cheeks are still red.”

“I’m t-telling you, they’re n-not.”

Cessilia couldn’t take much more of her cousin’s suspicious eyes. She was aware of her uncontrollable blushing, and her heart that was still beating a bit too fast. When she had gotten down to the castle gates, after stealing a few more passionate kisses in the dark with the King, Cessilia was well-aware she wouldn’t be able to avoid Tessandra’s sharp senses. Still, she kept nervously combing through her curls and walking a bit faster to get ahead of her inquisitive cousin.

“H-how is Nana?”

“She’s fine.” Tessandra shrugged. “She was already on the second chapter when I left, and Yamino and her will just have dinner, I guess. I really like that little chick.”

“Me t-too.” Cessilia smiled. “She’s b-braver than she looks t-too.”

She still had in mind how Nana had bravely come back to try and help her, despite how dangerous and helpless the situation was at the time. That had definitely sealed their friendship. The young Dorosef girl was honest, shy but brilliant, and very trusting too. Cessilia really liked those qualities in Naptunie.

“How about th-things with Sabael?” Cessilia asked, hoping to divert the conversation.

Tessandra grimaced.

“You’ve seen it for yourself. Nothing new... At least, he hasn’t shown his pretty face since. I’ve decided I don’t really care, though. I’m fine.”

She didn’t sound like she was, but Cessilia decided not to push the matter any further. She knew Tessa enough to know her cousin was the type to toughen up when things got hard for her. Even if she was upset, she didn’t want pity or any consoling words from anyone. She was better off acting like a strong, independent woman and convincing herself she was over this. Hence, neither of them mentioned the handsome guard again, and they kept walking in silence for a while.

The streets of Aestara were getting quiet despite the sun still in the sky, slowly going down in bright orange hues. It would sometimes blind them in between two buildings, before they got to another street below, slowly heading downtown. Without exchanging a word about it, both women were a bit on edge, and watching their surroundings for any enemies, or a possible ambush. They’d had their share of traps already, so now, it was a given that they didn’t trust any shadow in the streets. Nothing major seemed to be happening, though. This was an evening like any other in the Capital, with shop owners slowly closing their businesses, locals going home after a long day, and Royal Guards patrolling. Little candles in seashells were lit at the window sills to add some light inside, and because the weather was good, just a warm, little breeze, many still had their windows open. A few children ran ahead of them, playing with a small dog.

“...It r-reminds me of our ch-childhood,” smiled Cessilia.

“The rowdy part,” chuckled Tessandra. “Whenever you guys came to the Capital, we would all run in the streets and cause a commotion...”

Cessilia smiled. Having a large family had always been a blessing. She had older brothers to rely on, and her younger siblings to take care of. Because she and Tessandra were born the same year, just a few months apart; she felt like they were as close as sisters, with different personalities that suited each other.

While reminiscing about their childhood, they slowly made their way toward the quieter streets of the northern part of the Capital, where Ishira had clearly explained her clan’s main house to be. In fact, once they got there, Cessilia realized the Hashat Family’s house was just slightly bigger than the norm, but it didn’t matter much, as all of these streets probably belonged to their tribe. There were several herbal shops around, two doctor’s offices, a different, smaller apothecary, and more plant-related businesses around, like a tea shop and a massage house. For each business, there was an upper floor where the family probably lived. The apothecary they had visited that same morning wasn’t too far from there, either.

The main house of the tribe was marked with their insignia, larger than anywhere else, just as Naptunie had explained. Even without that, though, Cessilia would have guessed this was the Hashat Family’s house. The walls were covered in a variety of ivy, and all the flowers decorating the entrance were ones that could be used to make medicine.

Just as the two women turned their heads to exchange a look, wondering if they were supposed to knock, they both noticed a movement somewhere behind them. Tessa put a hand on her sword, but the people had no intention to hide their presence. Instead, as soon as they realized they were seen, two of the triplets stepped out of the shadows.

“...I fucking knew we were being followed,” hissed Tessandra.

“Only by order of the King, Princesses. For your security...”

Just as Cessilia was about to speak up, the doors in front of them opened, revealing Ishira, two of her family servants already bowing behind her. The timing was quite perfect. She smiled politely to her guests, barely glancing at the two Royal Servants behind them.

“Evening, Princess Cessilia, Lady Tessandra. Thank you for coming to our humble residence, please come in. Feel free to bring in His Majesty’s servants... or not.”