“You look pissed.”
The hooded man expressed as he stood in the partially opened door of the stable. Half of his body was hidden under the shadows, half was seen under the moonlight. Cain was hastily walking towards the door of the stable that he didn’t notice the man already waiting for him.
“You. Why are you here?” Cain asked dryly. His brows arched and his face cringed at the sight of the unwanted visitor.
“I thought as much that you would come here sooner or later considering Princess Lianne’s recent leave,” was the man’s cold reply, as cold as the night air around them. A sardonic smile surfaced from his visage knowing full well Cain was in a hurry.
The general lightly budged the portal to open and stepped foot inside. “I don’t have the time to talk to you right now priest, so if you could do so, please be fast.”
“Why such in a hurry?” the hooded man exclaimed. “It’s not like you can still catch the princess on the road at this time.”
Cain hissed in disappointment upon hearing his words. But true enough, the man was right. He had already found out about the princess’ absence two hours have passed. He was angry about it and even went as far as to throw a bottle of expensive and well-preserved wine from his father’s stash of liquors just to vent his anger.
He gave out a long, pained sigh, ditching his current plan to pursue her.
“Tsk. Of all the time, why do you need to bother me now?”
The hooded man stepped forward and out of the shadows. His crescent moon staff instantly shone under the moonlight. He stared at the half-moon in the dark sky for a minute and then whirled to face the general.
“I assume you haven’t seen the necklace in the Princess’ possession right?”
Cain managed to cross both of his arms against his chest as he looked at the faceless man, then he leaned onto the doorframe of the stable.
“No. Not around her neck if that’s what you mean.”
“Hmm, you have to hurry up, general. We have so little time left,” the hooded man said in a gruff, disappointed voice. “The blood moon is coming up four days from now.”
“Do you think I am not doing that right now?” Cain snapped. “All should have fallen into its proper place if not for that royal pain in the ass. He just had to come and take the princess away from here. And much worse, I didn’t even know that she already left! Damn it!”
A smirk surfaced at the corner of the man’s mouth. “Don’t forget about our agreement Cain. I don’t care if you confine her in this place as you wish, but only until the ceremony is done, that you can touch her.”
Cain straightened, hissed in displeasure, then turned around away from the man and said, “I do remember about our agreement, priest. Rest assured, she will arrive in Olga very soon.”
***
Lianne woke up in her bed early in the morning with a light feeling. The little sun rays that managed to pass through the curtains of the chamber tickled her eyes, but what captured her attention was the immediate bright reflection of a pendant hanging freely around an angel figurine in a table an arm’s length across the bed. She held a breath upon seeing it, and when she quickly reached for the pendant, immediately the memories with it came flooding in her mind.
“This is my necklace!” Lianne said in surprise.
The mattress dipped noticeably as Ruen skid closer to her from the other side of the bed. He had just come from the washroom and was bare above the chest, wearing a loose cotton trouser casually as if he was already accustomed to appearing like it in front of the princess.
Lianne turned around and faced him in awe, now clutching snugly the bed cover to hide her nakedness.
Ruen produced a faint welcoming smile in response.
“Good morning Lianne.”
The princess felt her cheeks heat up. She held the bed cover still so closely against her breasts as she replied with reserved shyness, “Good morning Ruen.”
He cupped her chin gently as his other hand freely brushed the tangled locks of hair on her bare shoulder.
Lianne felt an immediate tingling sensation as his fingers caressed her lips. He pulled her closer to him and without any qualm, she welcomed his blissful morning kiss.
“Lianne, you are mine alone, and I, only yours. With such a tormented soul as mine, I doubt that I deserve you, but you have made me complete. Thank you for this wondrous morning,” Ruen whispered close to her ear.
Lianne felt a quick pang of pain in her heart. For all these times, they had been tormenting each other. Each in disarray. Each in pain. Never had she imagined that being in each other’s arms could soothe such affliction.
She gave a warm smile back at the king and apologetically creased her brows.
“And you took all of my fears and pain away; by that, there is nothing that you do not have any right on.”
Looking at the dangling necklace on Lianne’s hand, the king took it and held the pendant up to level their faces. The emerald stone brightly sparkled as if it was happy to be with its real owner at last.
“Can I?” Ruen asked as he motioned himself in preparation.
Lianne nodded with glee, then half-turned to her right, brushed a mass of hair towards the front to help ease Ruen’s duty.
He placed the necklace around her neck, took the lock out, and secured it with a click, and with a long lingering kiss on her nape, she knew that the deed was done.
His enchanting gesture however awoke her sleeping desire, so she tilted her head more allowing him to caress her neck further.
“Thank you, Ruen,” Lianne softly said.
“My pleasure my princess. This necklace always belonged to you. It took me quite some time to return it back, but now that you have it, I dearly hope the memory of our first meeting would be a much welcoming one.” He placed a quick peck on her forehead and smiled.
“It’s going to be a hard adjustment, but I will try my best. With all the truth coming out so fast, I would need you to guide me.”
“And I will, Lianne.” He kissed her longer in the temple.
Lianne traced the hardened chest that was exposed for her to see and felt his racing pulse against the palm of her hand.
“Ruen, kiss me,” she invited without any qualms.
With one swift motion, their lips intertwined in a heated clash.
Ruen’s tongue moved with ease as he slid his right hand onto her back, pressing her gently towards his chest. He then moved her to lie on the bed and took from her hands the bed cover that concealed her pink fullness. He threw it to the side and proceeded to cup her breasts that now were ready and wanting. His tongue once again met the taut peaks that were only a few hours ago were well acquainted.
She gave a gasp of pleasure and whispered his name.
“Ruen.”
“Lianne, I apologize for wanting you more.”
“Don’t be.” She shook her head and again gave out a rousing gasp.
***
The whole day was left with Lord Jared and Lady Faye up to their supervising tasks. Though there was no party at the mansion, they seemed to make the maids and butlers quite busy with something to do all around the mansion, with specific instructions to disregard the bed chamber of the princess.
Lord Jared kept a brief and stern reason as to the whereabouts of the king whenever a council member asks for an audience.
Both the majordomo and the governess seemed to know the real reason for the absence of the two royals though and decided to keep a cool composure about it.
By lunchtime, Erza and Lord Jared left two trays of meals outside the entrance table of Lianne’s bed chamber door. At noon, the majordomo found the trays empty, again left outside the entrance table. By dinner, another batch of meals was delivered, and left in the same fashion. Lady Faye saw the empty trays two hours later at the same entrance table, forming a slight smirk as she took the trays out.
“When do you think, they will both come out Jared?” Lady Faye curiously queried.
“I have no idea Faye, but when the king went for a brief moment in his chamber early this morning, he gave me specific instructions that he will not be available to any audience today. It’s possible that he might come out later tonight or tomorrow morning at the very least.”
“Hmm, I see.” The Head Servant nodded.
Across the foyer of the second floor, a man quickly surfaced from the length of the stairs. Lady Faye gave a quick gasp of surprise upon realizing the severity of his presence.
“Why, My Lord General,” Jared rapidly exclaimed as he took an effort to hasten Cain’s advancement. Both of them immediately knew who the general was visiting in, and realized, that if he so much as take another step ahead, dire consequences would surely happen.
Lord Jared caught Cain’s attention and he immediately deduced a good alibi. “It is truly good to see you today! I was about to go and visit you in Solisse.”
Cain raised an eyebrow. “For whatever reason is it Lord Jared?”
The majordomo cleared his throat and then moved closer so that Cain could only hear. “I think it is best that we talk in a more private area, general.”
Cain grimaced in displeasure and replied with a stern face, “I must speak with the princess first, Lord Jared, then I can give you all of my time.”
“Ah! No, no. This is of utmost importance, my Lord. I have already told the other generals about this, and you are the only one yet that I have to brief with. They are waiting for your decision to make everyone’s vote unanimous.”
Cain gave in a long, hard sigh, staring at the hallway towards Lianne’s chamber.
“Very well,” he conceded. “Lead me to where we should talk then.”
It was only upon leaving that he just noticed Lady Faye’s silent presence standing at the foyer’s receiving area. She gently nodded as he glanced her way, then he nodded in return suspecting nothing going on.