Read Duke and Princess: The Value of the Power :: Chapter 11

Confused, the young Duke waited for an honest answer from the Princess as his eyes darted to the half-open door, trying to remember if he had locked it. He usually did... But his thoughts were immediately interrupted.

"I-I can't... I-I can't sl-sleep..."

She turned to look at him with watery, red eyes, she muttered in a muffled voice. Slowly she raised her petite frame to sit properly on the bed. She wiped her nose with the sleeve of her nightgown. The Duke also sat and met her terrified little eyes shining like diamonds in the moonlight. At first, he thought she was planning to approach him, maybe for some cunning plan; looking at her now, he changed his mind.

"Th-the no-noises of the se-sea gave me ni-nightmares..."

"I understand, but sneaking into my room and lying in my bed is more than inappropriate. If you wanted someone near you, you could ask Lily."

He explained, trying his best to be kind in his words, not harsh at all, until the expression in her eyes changed, melting a little of the ice around his heart. Aravis was looking at him like a lost puppy. It was as if she was almost begging to stay there.

"I-I don't tr-trust her...I...."

She looked at the pillow, then his hands and face ... She examined his whole face for the first time, trying to understand what he was truly feeling about this awkward scene she had caused. Of course she wished for the earth to open and swallow her whole, but there was no point running from what she had made. Aravis had to face the consequences. Although she was scared of what the Duke might say to her, she believed that he was the kindest man she had ever worked and stood next to. "Υo-you se-seemed ....up-upset .." she mumbled, then moved to the edge of the bed, making space for him.

"I am more surprised than upset. It is the first time a Princess has invaded my room."

He said with a bit of a mocking tone. He looked at her, staining his sheets with her tears. It was repulsive, but he stretched his patience and did not comment on it.

"Lily is a trustworthy maid. I would not let her watch over you if I felt otherwise." He explained kindly. "Let me walk you to your room. I will watch over you if that calms you down. But! It won't be for too long."

Those big eyes shone like precious diamonds filled with happiness by his words. Even her heart was ready to jump out of her chest and thank him for being patient and receptive to this childish fear. Without wasting another minute, the young princess happily got up from the bed, fix the nightgown and quickly wiped her nose. Aravis followed him from behind with her hands folding knowing it was a bad idea but she couldn't handle... The nostalgic feeling of having someone next to her singing to sleep or even telling her fairytales was something she had been craving to win for years, and now she somehow managed to regain it. Richard looked from the corner of his eyes at the happy petite princess. He only smirked

' Even if she played it tough, she definitely isn't. She is still a little girl without parents to love her.'

Under the bright summer sky, Richard walked Aravis, holding his coat on her back gently. Both of their minds were traveling, but they were in different places. The thought that he was the only one who could help her calm down seemed lonely to him, but on the other hand, he saw how bright the Princess's pale face was, so he could not spoil her favor. Arriving in front of the wooden door of her bedroom, Duke hastened to open it slowly and steadily to avoid making noises. Richard turned around to offer his hand to the princess, but...The moonlight falling on her made her look unreal as if she didn't belong in this world. His eyes widened at her immense beauty, his breath hitched, and his heart was pounding so hard he could hear it in his ears. He was frozen in place and subtly admiring the princess looking at the moon. He swallowed before he could speak, until their eyes met. Their cheeks reddened.

"Let's go inside,"

Duke suggested, gathering his courage. The princess nodded and followed him into the room. Richard's heavy footsteps woke Lily up abruptly, even though he was trying to be quiet. She looked at them, confused, but Richard spoke first before she could say anything. "It's okay, Lily. Go back to sleep," he said softly. The maid looked worried, but she trusted her master and lay down. But she kept one eye slightly open to see what the Duke and Princess would do. Richard moved the covers for the girl. "There you go, princess." He said softly, beckoning her back to her bed.He looked at the bed and then at the Duke. It was hard for her even to go back to bed and sleep, but she still forced herself. Slowly the young princess lay on the bed with her back turned towards him, took the pillow and pushed it to her chest sniffing her nose. Duke quietly moved a chair near the bed and sat looking at the distressed girl. "There is no reason to be afraid. I will look after you," he whispered politely.

"Wh-why? I up-upset you…di-didn't…I?"

She asked him as she slowly turned towards him and sat on her bed, holding the pillow to her chest with her nose running and making a small mess of the expensive fabric. For Richard, it was as if he was staring at a child trapped in a mature body. Of course, it seemed only natural. She did not enjoy her childhood or her teenage years. Aravis was on the battlefield to save her country and her people. It took him a moment to realize that this princess was more than just a child; she was also different in a good way. She did not care about expensive things, which could be seen through her actions. A soft smile appeared on his lips before he could answer her properly, choosing his words wisely.

"I am not upset, Princess." He corrected her in a whisper since Lily was sleeping. "You just took me by surprise, so let me repeat myself. I am not upset with you, angry or mad, just slightly surprised."

He saw how Aravis was looking at him with guilt. It only broke his heart. Richard could deduce the hardness of starting a new life. It must have been overwhelming for her to have freedom and, at the same time to be fully senses.

"I understand you are getting used to your new comfort. That is fine; take your time adjusting, and when I can, I will try to help you." Richard leaned a bit forward to her and spoke in a softened whisper.

Her blue eyes looked at his, shining like never before. Richard thought those eyes might be his end. Whenever he saw them, he would feel a slightly nostalgic warmth inside him that he did not know how to even explain to himself. Although he wanted to speak and comfort her, Richard did not know what else he could say to the young princess. They were strangers sitting in silence, accompanied by the calmness of the sea.

"Y-you may le-leave..."

Her words shocked him. At first, he thought he heard wrong, but her actions showed otherwise; the young princess lay back on her bed and turned her back on him. Obviously, she did not want him around anymore, which confused him why the sudden change of attitude. ' Did I say something wrong and offend her?' he wondered as he stood up from the chair.

"Are you sure?"

He just wanted to make sure that he was no longer welcome. Of course, her actions saddened the young Duke, but he would respect whatever her decision was. Looking at the back of the young princess, he waited for an honest answer to escape from her lips, but to his disappointment only silence was the answer. Duke let a resounding sigh echo in the room, and before he turned around, almost ready to leave, he glanced at the tired princess covered by the fluffy blanket. He felt the muscles on his face loosen, and the stern expression disappeared for a moment. Richard seemed like a different man. He got softer at that moment. Lily - pretending to be asleep- managed to see that rare expression of her lord, thanks to the moonlight. A soft smile appeared on her face. She knew that the princess was something different in his life and the other way around... But what was important was that everything was going smoothly for now.

"Rest well."

Richard spoke softly and left the room, quietly closing the doors behind him. The black hair Duke went back to his quarters, only this time he changed something... Usually, he would lock the doors. However, after hesitation, Richard decided to leave them open just in case the young princess would feel unease again. He spaced out in his thoughts and clenched his teeth for a second. Richard started to regret sending Princess back to her room as it was clear she would prefer to stay with him. Nevertheless, Richard's ethics had a louder voice in the matter. He lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep.