Aurora had barely started to relax when a soft knock came at the door. She tensed slightly, but Damian’s arm didn’t move from where it rested over her waist.
“Breakfast is ready,” came Luna’s familiar voice from the other side.
Damian stirred beside her, his hand leaving her waist as he sat up slowly. “Time to get up,” he said, his voice steady but still carrying that strange warmth she couldn’t understand.
Aurora looked at him, her brow furrowed. “What’s with you?”
He glanced at her, amused. “What do you mean?”
“You’re acting… different,” she said carefully, sitting up as well. “First, you’re watching me sleep, now you’re smiling at me like we’re… something else.”
Damian chuckled softly, shaking his head as he moved to stand. But before he could get up from the bed, Aurora reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Wait,” she said, her voice firm but uncertain. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
He turned to look at her, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with a quiet sigh, he sat back down. His hand came up to her face, his fingers brushing against her cheek in a way that made her chest tighten.
“Aurora,” he began softly, “does it bother you that I’m being kind to you?”
“It’s not that,” she said quickly, her fingers clutching his sleeve. “It’s just… you’ve never treated me like this before. You’re not acting like… like I’m your mistress. You’re acting like I’m”
“Someone who matters?” he finished for her, his voice calm.
She swallowed hard, nodding.
Damian’s eyes softened, and he let out a deep breath. “I just want to enjoy these moments,” he said quietly, his thumb lightly tracing her cheek. “Before they’re gone.”
Aurora’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”
But he didn’t answer her. Instead, he stood up, walking to the wardrobe and pulling out some clothes. “Get dressed,” he said simply, his back to her now.
Aurora wanted to push for more, to demand answers, but something in his tone stopped her. She sighed, slipping out of bed and heading to the small chest where her own clothes were kept.
When she finally stepped out of the room, dressed and ready, Luna was waiting in the hallway. luna smiled warmly at her, opening her arms for a hug.
Aurora didn’t hesitate, stepping into the embrace. “Thank you for breakfast,” she said softly.
Luna chuckled, pulling back to look at her. “You’re welcome, dear. But tell me, why is Damian acting so… different lately?”
Aurora bit her lip, her mind spinning. “I don’t know,” she admitted, glancing back toward the room where Damian was still getting ready. “It’s like he’s trying to be someone else.”
Luna raised an eyebrow. “Do you think he means it?”
“I don’t know what to think,” Aurora confessed. “But it’s… confusing.”
“Well,” Luna said with a knowing smile, “men like Damian don’t change without a reason. Maybe you’re the reason, Aurora.”
Aurora frowned. “I doubt that.”
Luna patted her arm gently. “You’d be surprised.”
Before Aurora could respond, Damian stepped out into the hallway. His usual commanding presence was intact, but there was still that softer edge to him that made her stomach twist.
“Ready?” he asked, his eyes briefly meeting hers.
Aurora nodded, walking beside him as they made their way to the dining room.
** ** *** Breakfast | Conversations *** ** ***
The table was set beautifully, with warm bread, fresh fruit, and steaming tea waiting for them. Damian pulled out a chair for Aurora, his actions once again catching her off guard.
She sat down slowly, watching him as he poured her a cup of tea. “You’re really pushing this whole ‘nice’ act, huh?”
He smirked, taking a seat across from her. “Maybe I’m just in a good mood.”
Aurora shook her head, her confusion growing. “This isn’t you. You don’t do… this.”
“And what do I do, Aurora?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.
“You control,” she said bluntly. “You take what you want without caring how it makes anyone else feel. But now you’re… you’re being considerate. It doesn’t make sense.”
Damian’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes darkening for a moment before he forced a smile. “Maybe I’m full of surprises.”
Aurora stared at him, trying to decipher what he was hiding. But before she could press further, Luna appeared, setting down a plate of eggs and bacon in front of Damian.
“Thank you, Luna,” Damian said, his tone polite.
Luna glanced between him and Aurora, her curiosity evident. “You’re welcome,” she said carefully before stepping back.
The meal continued in relative silence, but Aurora’s mind was racing. Damian’s words from earlier echoed in her head. “Before they’re gone.” What did he mean? What was he planning?
She didn’t know, but one thing was clear something was changing. And whether she liked it or not, she was caught in the middle of it, Tsk.