Crown Prince Zen asked Aria.

"I've got something important to tell my mother before I walk down the aisle. So I guess I'll prepare for it."

Aria said looking up at the sky which was growing darker every second with the sun falling down behind the far away mountains.

"Very well then."

Zen said staring at Aria with a somewhat warm gaze as they walked side by side and headed inside where everyone was waiting for them.

"I am sure you are smitten enough that you would sit here and  stare at your bride-to-be for another hour or two, but I guess we should take a proper rest and also let Princess Aria prepare for her mother's birthday as tomorrow's going to be the big day."

Emperor Ivancore made fun of Zen as he saw him staring at her all the way while heading back from the garden.

"Father!"

Everyone present there chuckled at Emperor's comment including Aria but Zen could figure out that it was just an act on Aria's part who was standing by his side.

Aria looked at Zen and said "Allow me to show you to your room, Your Highness."

"Sure, and it's Zen I told you."

"Ah! Iam sorry, Zen."

Aria and Zen greeted their goodbyes and Aria showed Zen to his room.

"Your dinner will be served in your room and if you require anything please free to ask the palace maids."

"Thank you so much."

"Hope you enjoy your stay at Eravi. I shall take my leave now."

Aria was just about to leave when Zen held her hand , swept her into his arms and closed the door of his room. 

There was silence in the room for a few moments before Aria slowly turned around facing Zen, clutched to both of his shoulders to stand on her toes while he instintively grabbed her by her waist. 

Aria leaned in to kiss him and eventually swallowed his lips. She put one of her hands on the back of his head and gently stroked his hairs as they both went deeper into the kiss. 

Aria slowly pulled away when she figured he was out breath so was she. She brought her lips closer to his ear, nibbled on it and whispered "Sweet dreams, Zen." before she finally lowered herself back down to her heels.

"Don't tell me you're planning to leave me hanging here."

"Well if I do not leave soon everyone will get suspicious. So goodnight ,sweet dreams."

"Just let this wedding be done once, I swear...."

"Well I've been through it way too many times to have any problem."

Saying this Aria opened the door and headed back to the door giving a final glance at Zen.

The entire Eravi Palace was in a frenzy preparing for Royal Concubine Evistia's 49th birthday from the morning.

Palace maids, cooks were busy preparing all the favourites of Evistia and the other staffs decorated the main hall for the guests who were invited tonight for the event.

"May I come in Mother Evis?"

"Ah Aries! Come in."

"Many many happy returns of your day. Here's something for you."

Aries wished Evistia and handed her a bag of accessories he chosed with the wish that his lovely Mother Evis would wear them in her special day.

"Thank you so much."

"If any of the accessories are not your type we can exchange them for some other item, Mother Evis."

"No, they are all very lovely,my dear."

Evistia was unpacking all the items gifted by Aries one by one and a bracelet made of blue sapphire stones caught her eyes.

"Is this bracelet chosen by Fisairi?"

"Ah-that....You really have sharp eyes, mother asked me to keep it a secret from you"

"She have always sent presents to me through you or Aria. There have never been such a moment where there would be a special day and your mother would forget to send me gifts, hehe."

"You two know every little thing about each other and even share such warm feelings for each other yet we never saw you even sit together for tea, how strange."

Aries said and stared at Evistia with the eyes that asked for an explanation to his curiosity.

"Maybe it's a fear within us that the beautiful sea we are staring at  would turn out to be just a mirage in the desert if we try to get way too close to it....some distances are just meant to be I guess."

Evistia smiled warmly as she tried on the bracelet Fisairi bought for her.

Aria knocked at the door of Empress Fisairi's room.

"Mother Fisai,it's Aria may I come in?"

"Aria please come in and take your seat and have a cup of tea with me, I have prepared your favourite strawberry tart ."

Aria obediently sat across Fisairi as they talked about random things as they both enjoyed their tea.

"I guess the palace would somewhat become a bit cold after you get married."

"What do you mean?"

"A place becomes warm for someone when they are near their loved ones."

Fisairi smiled at Aria warmly.

"Aha lets not be too sentimental. Oh by the way , Aries had chosen accessories earlier to gift your mother,did he gave it to her? He nearly killed me with the barrage of his anxious questions about would Evistia like this, like that and what not, haha."

"Yes he did. Ah and Aries told me that she figured out within a second that that bracelet made of sapphire stones was chosen by you."

"I had predicted that much, after all she really has sharp eyes, she will always figure out, hehe."

"Mother Fisai, I guess mother would be really happy if someday she would recieve your chosen gift from you instead from Aries or me."

"Aria you know this distance between us...I think is the reason why there's no anxiety, grudges, or fear of judgement  in the air between us and also the very reason why our hearts were and are able to grow fonder of each other with time. I admire this distance and I guess your mother feels the same. Just let it stay the way it is...... because some distances are just meant to be."

                                                                                                                                 -To be continued