I would have favorite clients back in my old line of work. They would spend lots of money in advance just to have me for a while. I would be booked up to a whole month with them. They wouldn't listen to too much of what I wanted, like cuddling and doing a few favors here and there. I'd have to service them up, down, left and right though.
If Damien was a client, I'd probably do what he wanted for free. All because he was willing to abide by my little demands. It would also be nice to see a pretty face here and there.
Ah, if only he was around during that time. Maybe I wouldn't have jumped…
I shook my head. No need to dwell on the past anymore. It's all behind me now. Once I get out of this godforsaken palace, I’ll be the happiest I’ve ever been.
A few knocks came at the door, “My liege, are you asleep?”
I looked at the door, “No. Please come in, Donna,” I told her.
The door swung open but in came Damien, wearing his usual nightwear. My mouth went agape in surprise but I hopped out of bed immediately to throw myself at him. He caught me slightly midair so I wouldn’t fall.
“Damien!” I exclaimed.
“Hey,” Damien greeted. “You really should be going to bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep. I missed you.”
Damien flinched at the sudden confession. I didn’t lie. Damien was holding me throughout the evening and night yesterday, so when he left for an audience with the king, I felt a little lonely. I missed his touch.
Even now, I wish I could be absorbed into his skin like lotion. My arms were wrapped around his neck. My curves through my translucent nightgown were pressing onto his body for support. Even my hair was tickling the side of his neck.
Damien placed me down, not letting go, “I feel like you’re too good at this.”
I giggled, “I’m just very comfortable around you. I’m confident that you’ll be the same way with me soon.”
I placed my hand on his cheek. Eyes like his must be his strength. One look and you’re just ready to give it up in a heartbeat.
Damien took my hand and placed the palm closer to his mouth, kissing it. The warmth of his lips traveled through my arm and down my spine. Then, he gave me that look again.
On my mother, he really can’t be doing this right now.
That stunt was an invitation. I know that he didn’t mean it. Pretty sure that it was out of respect and admiration, but something like this can be taken the wrong way fast. But let’s mess around with him a little bit. He’ll realize once he sees me ‘reciprocate’ the admiration.
I took hold of his head and pulled it closer to me. He lightly blushed and looked on at me in confusion. I planted a small kiss on the corner of his mouth. His face turned red hot like a chili pepper.
Afterwards, I left a small trail of kisses going to his ear and whispered, “You pull that stunt again and you’ll be singing tonight.”
His body grew stiff. As I pulled away, he brought me closer. Then, he buried his face in the crook of my neck again. I see now that that’s his way of escaping my gaze. It’s awfully cute.
I ruffled his head, “You can’t just go giving me invitations like this. I might just take it one day.”
“S-Sorry… I didn’t know,” Damien apologized.
“Apology accepted. Now, let’s go to bed.”
I think he calmed down a little bit, seeing as how his cheeks were only tinted pink, so I pulled away from him and grabbed his hand. Like before, I brought him to the bed and got comfy first. He followed after.
"Do you need to speak to the goddess tonight?" Damien asked.
"Yes," I answered. "I still need to get her blessing on our upcoming marriage."
I placed the necklace in his hand and put my back to him, "Now hurry up and put this around me."
Damien raised an eyebrow and smirked, "You're ordering a Duke around?"
"Yes, I'm allowed to order you around, Duke Silvercrest."
"Lady Everdeen, technically you're not a Saintess yet in the eyes of the public. What gives you the right to order me around as you please?"
"Well, I'm going to be your wife and a Saintess."
He flinched, blushing a little, "Yes, and that means I'll be your husband. You'll have to uphold your duties as a Duchess and obey your husband at all times."
I stuck my tongue out at him, "And what if I don't obey you?"
"Then you must be punished."
"Oh? How will you punish me, my darling Duke~?" I cooed.
I slid my nightgown off my shoulder, exposing more skin and cleavage. Damien looked away in embarrassment, blushing like mad.
"P-Please don't tease me too much," he begged.
"Aww, but I wanna know what the big bad Duke Silvercrest will do if I don't obey him," I pouted.
I faced him, easing onto his chest with mine and leaning into his ear.
"Will you make me?" I whispered seductively.
Before I knew it, I was pinned onto the bed in a flash. Damien hovered over me, tinted cheeks and all and a seductive gaze. This one, much more than before.
"Your radiance," he finally said. "If you continue this, I don't know what I'll do."
Oh, I think I riled him up a little.
I kept my arms open, giving Damien a full view, "I'd like to see what you'll do. Surprise me."
Damien leaned in closer to my face. Was he going for a kiss on the lips? I've always wanted to know how soft it was against mine.
I closed my eyes and puckered up, only to be kissed tenderly on the forehead again. Shock crossed my face as I blushed like mad.
I wasn't expecting that at all. I thought he was going to be bold tonight but he chose this route. My ears felt really hot.
"D-D-D-Da…" I stuttered, not even getting his name out.
"That," he answered playfully. "That's what I'll do."
I hid my face with my hands. I couldn't even bring myself to look at him. He laughed lightly, which made me go even redder.
That laugh was so cute…
I didn't know what to do with myself. I felt so stuck. What expression am I wearing? Why did it get so hot all of a sudden? Am I sick?
I was soon pulled from my thoughts when Damien sat up. He pulled me up with him, my back towards him. He dangled the necklace behind me.
"Let's get to bed, your radiance. I'm sure Goddess Diana is waiting for you," Damien teased.
I huffed, putting my hands down. Damien proceeded to place the necklace around my neck and clasp it. The same soft light began to glow from the white diamond.
"Diana? Are you there?" the goddess asked.
"Yes, mother," I replied, in my mind.
"Oh, good. We still have much to talk about. Please sleep, my darling," my mother begged.
The glow stopped. Damien wrapped his arms around my waist and plopped onto the bed with me. He wrapped the sheets around us, laying my back against his bare chest.
"Goodnight, my sweet," Damien said.
"Sweet dreams, darling," I said back, drifting off into a deep slumber.
—
I woke up in a bed of flowers. As I got up, I noticed that I was beside the same huge tree where I met my mother. I blinked a few times and tried to get up…
…just to get pulled back down by my shoulders.
My head rested comfortably on a soft lap. As I looked up, I saw my mother, Goddess Diana, looking back down at me with a sheepish smile.
She's so playful.
I don't mind it, though. Lots of mothers back in America weren't really the type to play around with their kids like this. It was all strictly business and punishment if something wasn't done right, or at all. I'm so lucky to have a mother who's not too hellbent on her duties twenty-four/seven.
Diana played with my hair, “Did you have a fun time today?”
“I don't know,” I joked. “You tell me.”
She giggles, “I see that the king is scrambling to find out the Saintess’ identity.”
I totally forgot that she was all-seeing. If I'm ever lacking in information, I could always go to her.
“Are the prophecies announced yet?” I ask her.
“No, I believe that the High Priest is thinking about announcing them tomorrow,” she answered. “The king is scrambling because he wants to make the Saintess his new wife.”
I scoffed. I feel bad for the servants. They're doing all this extra work with no return in the end.
“I can't wait to see the look on his face when it turns out the Saintess was under his nose the whole time,” I admitted. “I hope he goes mad.”
“Ooooh, what a spiteful child I have!” Diana teased.
Her face softened from the excitement as she continued to look at me. I can already tell that she wants to say something important.
“Do you like that boy?” she asked me, slightly massaging my shoulders.
“You mean Damien?” I asked her back. “He's adorable.”
“Do you find yourself standing side-by-side with the king's brother?”
“As long as he keeps treating me well like this, I don't mind. It's not like he's trying to overthrow the current king.”
My mother stopped massaging my shoulders and clasped her hands on my cheeks.
“What if there comes a time when he has to?” Diana asked. “Would you stick by him then?”
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