FORBIDDEN ATTRACTION

Chapter 3

King Everett and Prince Alexander were seated in the throne room, discussing matters of state and diplomacy. The king leans forward, his voice firm but measured. "Alexander, I want you to understand the importance of our alliance with the neighboring kingdom. We cannot afford to jeopardize it."Prince Alexander nods, his expression thoughtful. "I agree, Father. But perhaps we should consider a more...personal approach to securing the alliance."

King Everett raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"....Just then, the door to the throne room opens, and Aria enters, "Your Majesty requested my presence?" she asks, curtsying low, "prince Alexander" she say taking a bow.

King Everett smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ah, yes. Aria, I've wanted to talk to you for so long but I'm glad I remembered today, the king says with a smile, "did I do something wrong, Aria thought as she stood in the middle of the royal men, "you understand that you are very important to Sophia and that indirectly means you are important to us right, "y...yes your majesty Aria replies stammering "good, the king said, I want to add to your position he continued making Aria's eye widen, does the king want to make her a normal maid, she enjoyed her position as princess Sophia's personal maid she didn't want a promotion, did that mean that she would leave that comfortable room.... "did you hear me Aria, I hope you accept, and reading from your background you are educated, "sorry your highness but I did not hear you, I'm sorry she said with a polite smile. "I said will you take the position of being Sophia's governess, Aria was relieved to hear what the king wanted, "yes your Highness, I don't mind, " Aria replied beaming, "and you do not have to worry your pay would be increased, " no your majesty you do not have to worry about it, my pay is already more than enough for two jobs and I really enjoy my time with the princess, "I understand but it's still your right Aria and you'll take it, I don't want to drag on this topic with you the king said with a tired expression, "alright your highness, I appreciate, "it's fine, I'm glad Alexander proposed that idea to me, saying that made Aria raise her head to the prince who had not acknowledged her presence since she stepped in to the throne room, "you may take your leave now, the king said making Aria bow before leaving. That was good news, she was going to write it in the next letter she was going to send to her mother if she replied the previous one she sent. Aria was having a free time today and she didn't know what to do, she decided she was going to take a walk in the garden, she remembered seeing it when she spoke to the queen for the first time and it was captivating, she stepped in to the garden and like the first time she saw it, it was still in it's glory, the scents from the garden filled her nostrils, she wondered if she was allowed to walk here, she was just going to take the risk anyways then if she got caught she would pretend like she didn't know, but in all honesty it was not pretence since she didn't really know if it was forbidden to step into the garden, she felt an intense gaze directed at her, she looked up from where she felt it from and it led her to those piercing blue eyes that belonged to the prince, there was a cigar in his mouth, " the prince smokes, Aria thought, looking at the prince smoking kind of looked good on him, how did he make sin look so good. Aria averted her gaze and when she brought it back to where he was standing earlier he wasn't there, that was better Aria thought as she continued walking in the garden. " you seem fond of invading people's privacy a voice said startling Aria, she turned to come face to face with the prince, "I'm sorry your highness I didn't know I was invading your privacy, she said and there was a little hint of sarcasm that she hoped the prince didn't notice but the prince noticed of course, "are you trying to be sarcastic with me miss Forthergill the prince said with a raised brow and a frown, "of course not your highness, I dare not offend royalty, Aria said with a forced smile, "I'll take my leave if the prince wants some privacy, Aria said as she took a bow and attempted to leave but the prince next words stopped her "I didn't say you should leave, stay here, "if you say so your highness, Aria replied with a bow. She walked and sat on the bench, she noticed that there was no cigar on his hand like earlier on. The prince came and sat beside her and she inhaled his scent, the prince smelled of sandalwood, lavender, and a hint of tobacco, with a subtle undertone of horse leather and it was welcoming to her nose, he was too close she thought and there was enough space on the bench that would still accommodate them if he shifted further away from her, her hands that were on her lap were fidgeting due to how nervous she was feeling considering the presence of the prince beside her, her fingers fidgeting drawed the prince's attention. He reached out, his hand covering hers, his fingers intertwining with hers in a gentle yet possessive gesture, Aria's breath hitch at the unexpected contact with the prince skin that seem smooth against her, the contact made her feel a weird sensation in her lower abdomen that felt good making her bite her lower lips due to how nervous she was, the prince noticed all her actions and when she bit her lower lip, even though he knew it was an innocent action, he felt blood flow to his lower area."Tell me, Aria," the prince said, his voice low and husky, "how is my sister faring? I've been worried about her lately."Aria's eyes met his, her cheeks flushing slightly at the intimate touch. "She's...well, Your Highness. A bit melancholy, but she' good."The prince's thumb stroked her fingers, his touch sending shivers down her spine. "I see. And how do you find her...company?" he asks, his tone laced with a tone she didn't clearly understand.Aria's voice barely above a whisper, "She's...kind, Your Highness. And very fond of you."The prince chuckled, his chuckle a low, husky, menacing whisper of a laugh, like a predator's soft purr, conveying calculated charm and seductive danger, sending shivers down Aria's spine. his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm glad to hear that Aria.Aria felt a flutter in her chest, a sudden jolt of awareness, and a thrill of excitement when the prince called her name. She could sense a subtle, yet palpable, change in the air, as if the prince's voice awakened a part of her she hadn't known existed. His deep, rich tone sent shivers down her spine, it was like a gentle caress, leaving Aria feeling breathless, curious, and eager for more.

Aria's face grew hotter, her heart racing at the prince's tone. She tried to withdraw her hand, but he held it firm, his grip gentle yet unyielding. Aria couldn't understand what was happening between the prince and her, did the cigar affect his brain she thought and if it did affect his brain did he transfer it to her, because she suddenly felt like her body didn't belong to her, this reaction wasn't her at all, maybe the prince did something to her, when he touched her with the hand he used to hold the cigar, as Aria was deep in thought, the prince kept on observing her.

Aria's eyes darted around the garden, ensuring they were alone, before meeting the prince's gaze once more. She pulled away from him. "I'll take my leave now your highness, Aria said and without waiting for his response she sauntered out of the garden walking in a hurry, the prince looked at the departing figure and could only chuckle lightly, he wanted to have some fun to clear his mind, so he decided to tease her, when he sat beside her he noticed her nervousness, it was no news to him, that he was worth that kind of attention, he knew he was worth it, but seeing her reaction stirred something in his body he didn't want to acknowledge, he could not possibly desire her, he had more important task to do than lust over some governess, and even though she was beautiful and thick, he had seen more beautiful and curvy royalties. He leaned his head into his palm, he had a lot to do and he didn't want to waste any time engaging In useless things.

Aria got to her room and didn't hesitate to take off her clothes, she was determined to wash off whatever spell the prince had cast on her by touching her skin. After soaking in the wooden bathtub for an hour she felt satisfied, relief and more of herself, after having lunch that was served to her in her room which was so shocking because she thought she would only be served if she dined with the princess Sophia, she was going to tell her mother all these things, but thinking about her mother made her feel bad, because while she was having people at her beck and call, her mother had no one to care for her, with a tired yawn Aria fell asleep on the bed.