FORBIDDEN ATTRACTION

Chapter 8

Aria's eyes fluttered open, and she found herself in the prince's arms, her head resting against his chest. She was disoriented, unsure of how she got there. The last thing she remembered was sitting in the princess's room, listening to the prince read a bedtime story to his younger sister.

The prince's voice had been soothing, and Aria had felt her eyelids growing heavy, She must have fallen asleep, and the prince had carried her to the bed.Aria's face grew hot as she realized her position, her body still supported by the prince's strong arms. She tried to wriggle free, but the prince held her firm, his eyes gazing down at her with a soft expression. However, Aria didn't notice the subtle tension in his jaw, the flicker of desire in his eyes.

The prince's thoughts drifted back to earlier, when Aria had interrupted his intimate moment with Princess Elaine. He had been frustrated, but also intrigued by Aria's innocence and unawareness of the scene she had stumbled upon. Now, as he held her close, he struggled to reconcile his attraction to her with his duty to protect her as his sister's governess.

Aria, still oblivious to the prince's desires, felt a flutter in her chest as she met his gaze. "Oh, dear heavens! I'm so sorry, Your Highness. I didn't mean to impose."

The prince's grip relaxed, and he set her down on the bed, his movements careful. "You didn't impose, Aria. You're under my protection, and I'll always ensure your safety and well-being." His voice was cold, but there was a hint of concern, but that wasn't really noticeable by anyone, prince Alexander walked to the door and stopped making Aria wondered why he wasn't leaving already, prince Alexander turned and looked at Aria "may I sleep beside you for the night" the prince requested, making Aria heart stop for a moment, why did the prince what to sleep in her room she thought, "yes you may your highness" she found herself answering, of course she was supposed to say yes, he was the prince and he owned the castle, prince Alexander walked to the bed and carefully and lifted the furs and slipped into it. Aria could not believe that the prince was sleeping soundly beside, if a year ago she was told that she would be laying on the same bed as the prince of valdoria she would never believed it, but it was happening right now. Aria felt the warmth of the prince even though he was at the other end of the bed, but they were under the same fur, how could she sleep like this, Aria thought. Prince Alexander could not sleep he was occupied by the thought of the beautiful lady beside him, he couldn't believe this was happening,he was on the same bed with her and she was just some meters away from him, this was the first time he was going to be on the same bed with a woman and not doing anything to her, the thought of it made his body reacts in ways he couldn't believe his body would react.

He knew she was still asleep, he could tell by how she was breathing, her smell was all over the room, he didn't know how long he had been thinking but he was sure some hours had passed by, "are you still awake, your highness" prince Alexander froze on the bed hearing her little voice whisper, he thought she had fallen asleep, he turned his face to her back staring at the beauty in front of him, "look at me Aria" prince Alexander said making Aria turn and face him,"you are asking If I'm awake or not, how can I sleep when the only thing you have done this evening is to frustrate me, "oh my God!! I didn't mean to disturb you, it was just that princess Sophia wanted to see you and she was going to cry all night if you didn't come an.... "do you know you walked in at the wrong time on me and

princess Elaine, the prince said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I apologize for interrupting earlier. I didn't mean to intrude upon your...private moment "No need to apologize, Aria. You were simply carrying out your duties. Though, I must say, your...naivety is quite charming."I don't understand, Your Highness. What were you and Princess Elaine doing? You were...talking, and she was...under you while you were hovering over her making strange sounds

The prince's eyes glint with amusement, but he maintained a respectful tone."Let's just say, Aria, that sometimes adults engage in...private conversations. "Your innocence is...refreshing. Tell me, what do you think we were discussing?"

"I thought perhaps you were...discussing state affairs? Or planning a hunt?"

The prince chuckled , his gaze never leaving her.

"Something like that, Aria. "You have a...unique perspective. I think I'll have to...enlighten you further. "Aria, still unaware of the prince's intentions, nods politely, eager to please.

"Of course, Your Highness. I'm here to serve and learn."The prince's expression remains courteous, but his eyes betray a hint of calculation, suggesting he may have ulterior motives for Aria's "enlightenment". "Alright Aria I'll enlighten you but for now you have to sleep," have a good night rest, with that Aria fell to the bed and started sleeping.