The morning unfolded, rural melodies danced through the air: the crowing roosters, the gentle clucking of hens, all harmonizing with the breaking dawn, rousing Alpha’s Malik from his slumber.
Gently, he opened his eyes to behold Aurora, still immersed in peaceful sleep. Time itself seemed to pause as he gazed upon her, his heart stirring with inexplicable warmth.
In the quiet of the moment, he pondered the tranquil essence she brought to his life, marveling at how her presence could lull even the most restless soul into deep repose.
Lost in contemplation, Alpha Malik found himself drawn to Aurora’s forehead, his lips instinctively seeking connection. With each tender kiss, he expressed a silent devotion, each angle conveying a depth of emotion words could not capture.
Last night, Alpha Malik had pushed aside thoughts of Aurora’s deception as the masked girl, embracing her and embracing the moment, setting aside their differences.
With gentle care, he eased Aurora’s head from his shoulder, laying it softly on the pillow. Slipping out of bed, he treaded lightly, not wanting to disturb her slumber, and began to peruse the newly arrived accounting department records.
As he delved into the reports, his gaze often drifted back to Aurora, peacefully asleep. A smile tugged at his lips despite the discrepancies glaring from the pages. Could it be her presence that infused him with such inexplicable contentment?
Suddenly, Aurora stirred, her movements accompanied by a soft yawn. Malik’s heart warmed at the sound, finding solace in her mere presence.
Aurora, still enveloped in the warmth of sleep, detected a familiar scent lingering in the air of her room, puzzling her senses in the early morning hours.
Curiosity piqued, she reluctantly opened her eyes, hoping against hope that her senses had deceived her.
Upon spotting Malik, she quickly rose from the bed, her greeting laced with reverence. “Master, good morning,” she murmured, hands clasped together, eyes averted, a mixture of apprehension and deference in her demeanor.
Good morning, how was your night, Aurora?” Alpha Malik’s inquiry sliced through the air, prompting Aurora’s eyes to snap up, her gaze locking onto his, a flicker of uncertainty dancing in her eyes.
Never had the King’s voice sounded so tender, so unexpectedly sweet, and Aurora couldn’t help but wonder if there was a hidden meaning behind his gentle tone.
A single thought raced through Aurora’s mind: Was the King attempting to flirt with her, using that soft, alluring voice?
Flushed cheeks betrayed her inner turmoil as a smile crept onto her lips, her thoughts drifting back to the passionate night they had shared. Lost in reverie, she momentarily forgot the King’s question until his voice broke through her blush-induced haze.
“Are you still here?” Malik’s teasing tone sliced through the air, his keen observation not escaping her flushed complexion. He knew, she realized, and the thought sent a wave of flustered amusement coursing through her.
“Yes, my King, my night was fine,” Aurora replied hastily, her gaze darting towards the exit, a sudden urge to escape seizing her.
But Malik’s next words halted her retreat. “Don’t you think you have an offense to defend in front of me?” His voice, now back to its usual hoarse timbre, sent shivers down Aurora’s spine, a stark reminder of the boundaries that loomed between them.
Her legs rooted to the ground, Aurora felt immobilized, trapped between the weight of her actions and the consequences unfolding before her. Regret gnawed at her, a bitter reminder of how last night’s indulgence had clouded her judgment, blurring the lines of propriety.
“You may leave, but your penance is to return to my chamber each night at the same hour as last night,” Malik’s decree sliced through the tense silence, snapping Aurora’s attention back to the present moment. His words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over her resolve.
Caught off guard, Aurora turned her gaze towards the King, grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. Uncertainty clouded her thoughts as she struggled to find the right words.
“If you find the task too burdensome, you may serve your penance in the fields,” Malik continued, his voice a steady undercurrent of authority.
“No, my King, I will come every night,” Aurora declared with conviction, her resolve firm as she made her exit, leaving Malik with a faint smile playing upon his lips.
As she disappeared from view, Malik pondered the enigma that was Aurora. Despite her innocence and charm, there lingered a quiet strength, a resilience that belied her delicate appearance. A warrior himself, Malik recognized the fierce spirit that burned within her, a force to be reckoned with, unyielding in the face of adversity.
Though Alpha Malik had never shown interest in unraveling the intricacies of Aurora’s past, an inexplicable curiosity now tugged at his heartstrings. A newfound desire to delve deeper into her story lingered within him, a yearning he couldn’t quite comprehend. Despite his reservations, he found himself drawn to the enigma she embodied, her presence weaving a delicate web around his thoughts.
With a heavy sigh, Alpha Malik rose from his seat, the weight of the day’s responsibilities pressing upon his shoulders. A lengthy session awaited him in court, where he would meticulously probe into the minister’s alleged malfeasance in accounting. And looming on the horizon was the prospect of finally bringing his stepbrother, Jericho, to face justice.
Yet, a pang of melancholy gripped his heart as he contemplated Jericho’s fate. Despite their convulsive relationship, Alpha Malik couldn’t shake the underlying sense of duty to protect the last remnant of his bloodline.
@@@@@@@@
Aurora leaving the Alpha’s room, her thoughts meandered towards the maid’s quarters, wanting to branch and takes her bath before going to Morena chamber.
But efore she could retreat into the quieter, Daphne’s gentle voice halted her stride, bearing news of a summons from the queen, and she followed to the queen chamber.
“I almost thought I lost you last night,”
Nneka’s voice trembled with emotion as she approached, tears shimmering in her eyes like dewdrops in the morning light. “I thought you had left me alone in this lonely palace where I had no one to share my thoughts with. Even the king didn’t seem to care about my existence. Aurora, thank you for coming back to me,” she whispered, her words weighted with longing and sorrow.
Aurora’s heart clenched at Nneka’s raw vulnerability, her own eyes brimming with unspoken empathy. “I’m sorry, Nneka,” she murmured, her voice a gentle caress amidst the tumult of emotions.
Nneka’s sobs intensified, echoing through the corridor like a haunting melody. It was as if Aurora’s apology had unlocked a floodgate of pent-up anguish, each tear a testament to the depth of her sister’s despair.
With a tender touch, Aurora reached out, her hand a beacon of solace in the darkness. As Nneka sought refuge in her embrace, Aurora assumed the role of the steadfast elder sister, her heart heavy with concern for the suffering that plagued her kin.
Raising her head, Nneka’s countenance remained shrouded in sorrow, her eyes betraying the weight of untold secrets.
“Aurora, I heard the arrow used on you had poison,” Nneka asked, her gaze fixed on Aurora as if the answer held the key to her greatest hope.
“Yes,” Aurora replied simply.
“How did you survive the poison? I heard they didn’t have the antidote last night. I’m curious how my sister survived. Was there someone who helped you with the antidote in the palace? Let me know so I can compensate the person for saving your life,” Nneka stated earnestly, her voice filled with genuine concern. Aurora couldn’t help but smile, grateful that Nneka now saw her as her sister.
“I believe it was Physician Morema who healed me. I was actually on my way to her chamber to thank her for saving my life,” Aurora explained. As they released each other, Aurora made a move to leave, but Nneka gently pulled her back and placed something in her hand.
Aurora gasped as she looked down at the gift: a royal necklace.
“What should I use this for?” Aurora asked, her eyes reflecting surprise and gratitude.
“Give it to Morena and use it to thank her for saving our lives,” Nneka instructed, and immediately Aurora hesitated, thinking of the king. However, Nneka didn’t seem to waver.
“She won’t accept something as grand as this,” Aurora reasoned, sensing Nneka’s disappointment.
“Are you rejecting something from me? Will you hate me as your sister?” Nneka’s voice trembled, feigning tears.
“Don’t worry, I’ll convince her to accept it,” Aurora assured, hoping to lift Nneka’s spirits.
As Aurora left, the door opened again, and Daphne entered.
“My queen, have you discovered how she survived the poison?” Daphne inquired, bowing her head.
“Not yet,” Nneka replied faintly.
“What will you do now, My queen? I heard Aurora stayed in the king’s quarters last night,” Daphne pressed, noticing Nneka’s clenched fist. Nneka had sensed the king’s scent on Aurora, leading her to believe that Aurora had come from the king’s chambers.
It required a great deal of patience not to harm Aurora while she was in her embrace; her blood seethed with rage throughout the ordeal.
“Don’t worry, I have a plan already. Just ensure you’re still following yours,” Nneka responded coldly, sending a shiver down Daphne’s spine with her chilling demeanor.