14: Unfamiliar, Unknown
1044 Words
~Evelyn~
I nestled closer to the body next to me; it felt so warm and comforting. Easing the stressful night that I have always had for me. The chiseled chest and abs hugged my body, emanating heat that was soothing and comfortable.
Unless I'm in an unfamiliar place with no man to lie on. I jerked awake and met Asher lying down beside me still clad in his properly tailored shirt and pants from last night. Even his socks were still on, but he looked like he was having the best sleep of his lifetime. I fought back the urge to go back to those comforting arms and continue sleeping, but I knew that was not a wise thing to do.
Quietly, I snuck out of the room, tiptoeing across to make sure that I did not wake him up. He stirred briefly, and I paused, unsure of what I would do if he woke up and found me crouched like a thief in his room. Finally, I left the room and heaved a sigh of relief; a guard standing outside the door saw me and gave me a stupid smile.
"I see the king had a blissful night. Who knows, when he disposes of you, I'll be next to explore all that perfect sweetness..."
Blood spurted out immediately as my hands connected to his nose. He held his nose and bit back a scream. He tried to lunge at me, but I was taking care not to get caught by Asher, so I ran. I looked back to see him making swear gestures at me, but I didn't budge. He was stupid for even thinking about such a thing.
I wondered if that was what everyone thought and how I was a fool to have even gone to the bedroom in the first place with him. He was already fine from all indications, yet I had still gone with him under the guise of watching his health until Annette came back.
Annette. I gasped. She must have known that I slept in the same room as her brother. I wondered what she thought and how she would react to it when we saw each other. I knew we were going to see each other today because Shelly had some shopping to help me do. Thinking about that too, I needed new clothes now that I was part of the king's court.
"How was your night?" Anne asked, and I jumped, not expecting that she would be in my room that early in the morning.
"Anne! You gave me quite the fright!" I exclaimed and clutched my chest, steadying my erratic breathing.
"I'm sorry. I slept in the next room and just came in this morning to check if you returned at some point in the night" she said, and I could feel my cheeks immediately turning red.
"I... I...it hasn't been long since I woke up" I said and hurried past her to hide the coloring of my cheeks. She didn't say anything; she simply went to my bed and plopped down on it.
"Shelly will be here in a few hours; do you have any idea what kind of clothes you would want? I'm thinking something highly fashionable" she said, her eyes filled with excitement. I swallowed down my shyness to respond to her, seeing that it was important that I did.
"The king has asked me to join his court. I think it's best if I go with fashion choices that go with that role" I said, and Anne jumped up in excitement, squealing like she was the one who had gotten the job.
"What? I am so proud of you! I mean, for Luna, that is even beneath you. I suggest we make you queen," she teased and laughed, even though the very idea of being queen terrified me to my bones. I shook back the fear and let in this unknown feeling of feeling genuinely celebrated by someone.
Anne hugged me warmly, her hands patting my hair gently. I basked in the feeling of it and knew that Anne and Asher had gotten me through one of the hardest times of my life. There was no way that I would take this act of kindness for granted, considering the background I had just been treated badly out of.
"Thank you so much, Annette. It feels nice to be honest; I'm just glad that I am getting my life together again." I said, and Anne smiled warmly at me.
"I'm kind of jealous the king gets to see you every day. I was hoping that you would come to the hospital. Help me take care of children" she said, and I remembered the first offer that the king had made me.
"The king actually mentioned care for children and the elderly; if I had known that it was something you were involved in, I would have agreed to it" I said, and she chuckled.
"I'm glad you are doing what you have always been meant to do. Lead" she said, and we laughed some more.
I couldn't tell her about how warm my heart had been this morning when I woke up in her brother's arms. I knew that nothing s****l had happened between us, but everything felt different. There was a bare feeling coursing through me, as I had just exposed myself to something I could not control.
"You have that smile on your face. Want to talk about who put it there?" Anne's voice interrupted my reverie, and I jumped to my defense.
"No, it is definitely not that smile. I'm just grateful for all I have now, and it does not go beyond that. You better get your mind out of the gutter woman" I teased her just as a knock sounded on my door.
I went to get it, and a guard delivered a big bag as well as flowers and a card. I took them in, shocked that I knew anyone close enough for them to send me such. Anne jumped, excited to read the card that came with the bag.
"Dinner at 7. Wear this" the note simply read, and underneath was signed the name of the person that I definitely didn't expect.
Asher.
- Writer
