Chapter 41 - I saw that
1819 Words
They returned to the castle mid-day, just before lunch time.
Aaron asked her if she wanted to race and she readily agreed. She was exhilarated. It was a fun activity and they made another bet. This time, she won. She would never know if Aaron did that on purpose or not. Actually, he’s just distracted. He wanted to keep looking at her so he let her go first. Also, it’s a way for him to keep an eye on her, to protect her. It won’t do if he goes on ahead only to realize she’s not behind him. He didn’t want that nightmare. He’d heard enough stories from the knights.
They reported to the king and presented the vials.
“We haven’t tried them. We’re not sure if it will work as intended.” Hannah had to say it and the old man’s reply to their offer.
The king only nodded as he studies them. Such little vials.
“We will return in ten days or so to collect three batches of that substance.” Between her and Aaron, she’s more comfortable talking to people of authority. He was only standing on her side, nodding every now and then as she speaks.
“That’s good, then. We will use them tomorrow. If it works, that’s good. If not, we can still explore other areas and use those twinkling fires.” His expression clearly says the option was not desirable.
“Go and rest. You’ve done well.”
They both bowed and thanked his majesty.
Upon arriving at the dining hall for lunch, they met the others and Hannah let Aaron tell them the story. Nothing much happened, just a minor trouble, so it wasn’t deemed to be very interesting. Still, they look forward to using the potion.
The two of them retired to their respective quarters while the rest continued with their day’s activities.
“It doesn’t look like they’re awkward around each other.” Nate noted as they watch them exit the hall.
“Well, they spent four days together. That ought to allow them to sort out whatever’s between them.” Corrine replied, gaze still on the closed door.
“They looked natural this time.” Vince concluded. The two girls both turned their eyes on him.
“What?” Was he wrong again? He cried from their reaction.
“Well, if stealing glances is natural, alright. But it was mutual between them, so it is alright.”
“I saw that.” He admitted and it did look natural to him.
“It’s nice.” Nate expressed, but Corrine was feeling conflicted. That’s Lady Hannah, alright? To see her acting lovey-dovey with someone so young, although she suspects he’s older than he looks like, still… she’s used to her strict and aloof personality. Oh well, she’ll pretend she’s not seeing anything shocking.
A few days earlier, Nate and Vince scoured the book his mother lent him. They are more than ready to try a number of them.
As expected, Alec was solely focused on food. Maybe nothing would shock him unless it’s related to magic and food.
For dinner, they didn’t eat together. Nate and Vince went to his room much earlier. Though they don’t actually sleep early, just laying down on the bed adds to recharging their energies. They didn’t talk much, just a short conversation about Aaron and Hannah and the new enchantments they are learning. They also read up books on potions and artifacts. The ones Hannah picked before.
Nate has a few questions for Aaron. Vince… he couldn’t be bothered. He’s simply happy they sort of found each other and clicked. He won’t be worried since Hannah is clearly very straight-forward as a person.
That night, Hannah woke up hungry. It’s already dark. How long did she sleep? A servant left her dinner on a table and she ate. It didn’t cross her mind to eat together with Aaron until she was half-way through the food. She shrugged, oh well. She’ll visit him afterwards. Is he awake already? Won’t he come to her room? That thought made her blush. No, he won’t. He’s not that type of guy. Though he was insistent with his kisses and touches last night, he maintains a certain level distance. Not too noticeable but it’s definitely there.
She lightly knocked on his door.
Aaron looked up from his position on the bed. Who is it? Normally, he’s used to the prince and princess just barging into his room. He doesn’t lock it after all. This one knocks.
“Come in.” He somewhat shouted his reply and she hesitantly opened the door. He bolted up when he saw her.
“Hey.” He’s used to greeting her that way, since she convinced him to drop the formalities.
“Hey.” She stood by the door, tilting her head as she watched him. His hair was disheveled. Was he still sleeping?
“Have you had dinner?” Her mellow voice filled the room.
“Yeah, I ate as soon as it was delivered.” He’s not sure why he’s suddenly making his bed. Well, he just woke up. But then, it’s almost time to sleep again. He’ll probably be awake until late in the evening. With her here, they could probably pass the time talking.
Hannah pursed her lips. Why didn’t he come to see her, then?
“How about you?” He returned the question when he noticed her silence.
“Take a seat.”
When she didn’t move, he went to her by the door.
“Anything wrong?” He asked, reaching out a hand to touch her face and feel her soft skin with his fingers.
Hannah slowly looked up to stare into his eyes.
“Nothing. I just miss you.” She admitted and it made him smile. He leaned forward to capture her lips.
His action assured her better than any words he can say.
“I still don’t understand why you’d miss me when we just parted early this afternoon.” He’d watched Nate pine for Vince when they are apart and he had been unable to understand why.
She pouted, uncharacteristically childish. Good thing he was true to his word of forgetting her past. He finds her cute.
“Does that mean you didn’t miss me?” She pulled back from him and walked around to take a seat on his bed.
Aaron hoped to be honest in his relationship with her but he’s sure she won’t like it if he says yes.
“I was just about to miss you when you came.” Well, that one is somewhat true. He was indeed thinking of her when she knocked.
I’ll take it, Hannah thought. She knew women are more emotionally-invested in relationships than men.
He sat next to her, leaning backwards to be able to appreciate her beauty from a distance.
“Would you think I’m… tell me if you don’t like what I’m doing.” Hannah suddenly thought she’s being impulsive.
“What do you mean?” He’s not sure he understands her thoughts.
“Like… me coming here to see you. Am I intruding?” Her worry was endearing.
He chuckled, “Feel free to intrude anytime.”
She raised an eyebrow at that. “Really?”
“Really. I don’t normally lock the door.”
“You should.” Regardless, she’s of the opinion that one should be safe by locking their door.
He shrugged. “There are guards outside anyway.”
Unlike the opposite wing where the prince and princess were staying, their wing wasn’t as heavily protected. There are only four guards on opposite ends of the hallway.
“Still…” She stood up and walked away. Aaron watched as she locked his door.
He finds it amusing. If the royals decided to visit him tonight, they would find his door locked. They would find it odd. Fortunately, they are scheduled for a mission tomorrow so it’s unlikely that they would come tonight.
When Hannah returned in front of him, he could feel her heated gaze. Instead of sitting next to him, she directly straddled him and sat on his lap. His look of surprise didn’t escape her. She blushed. She’s not sure where she’s going with this as well.
“If you don’t like this, tell me.” She’s unable to understand herself as well. All she knew is that she wanted to be with him, stay with him, be close to him, keep kissing him and pressed next to him… Yeah, she can consider it an addiction.
Aaron searched his mind. Does he dislike this? No. Does he like it? Maybe. He can’t exactly say yes because it’s still all new to him.
Hannah kissed him, holding his nape with both hands. He responded to her kisses while holding unto her waist. His other hand is supporting him but as he removed it from the bed, they find themselves lying on it.
She only giggled as she pulled herself back. Internally, she thought it really is unlike her. There’s something surreal about it. She bit her lip as she gazed at his form.
“What are you thinking?” He ran a hand up and down her left arm and she shivered.
“There are a lot of things I haven’t experienced yet and I want to do them with you.” She voiced out her hope as she slowly laid on his chest, feeling his accelerated heart beats. Well, at least she’s not the only one. She smiled at the thought that she, too, can make his heart race.
Aaron could understand her desire. After all, she already bared herself to him. He slowly caressed her back as he pressed a kiss at the top of her head.
Hannah knew they should take things slowly but her desire for him was strong. Would it be so wrong to initiate things? She bit her lip again as she stared up at his face.
“What is it?” He could already tell she’s thinking of something. The way she worried her lower lip was adorable, as she searched for the right way to broach the subject. Instead, her body simply heated up from her heightening desire. She squirmed and shifted in her position. His own expression darkened at the way she pressed her body against his. He was easily aroused by her movements and it surprised her as she felt him harden under her. Her breathing turned heavy as she gazed at him with lust in her eyes. Her actions turned seductive as she slowly caressed his chest, finding a button and slowly removing it. When his senses returned to him after a moment of shock, he grabbed her wandering hand.
“What are you doing?” He asked bluntly, sounding a little harsh. Hannah wilted from his tone.
“Sorry.” She realized she shouldn’t be doing this. She made to move as to remove herself on top of him, but he sighed as he encircled her waist and kept her in position.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” He asked, searching her eyes.
“Would you…” Her voice was almost inaudible, but she mustered her courage to speak up. Worst that could happen is he rejects her suggestion.
Just thinking about what she wants, her breathing turned irregular again.
“Would you make love to me?” There. Done. Said it. Her whole body, not only her face, burned from embarrassment.
- Writer
