Chapter 29 Comfort and tenderness

Chapter 29 Comfort and tenderness
I felt something warm beneath my hand which jolted me awake. 

“Hey, hey you’re ok. You’re in our room. We are in the Mujari Empire remember?” Right, right but why was it so cold in the room then. I look down and I’m not wearing anything. I gasped and went under the covers. Alaric peeked under the covers  and said, “Do you remember last night?”, I nodded. He was quiet for a moment before asking, “Do you want to be alone?”, no of course not but it’s embarrassing for someone, especially Alaric to see me in this state. I realized I didn’t answer, so he sighed and started getting dressed. 

“Wait, I’m not ashamed of what happened last night”, I flung my hand out while keeping the covers covering my breast. “It’s that I’m naked, and….umm, and this, that”, I pointed at my bed, “was my first time for everything”. I looked down then continued, “I wasn’t sure if you liked it or not, I’m also exposed to you”. 

I was going to continue to rant before Alaric sat on the bed, cupped my cheek and said, “It was also my first time with anyone. I didn’t venture into the castle and I was kept a secret remember?”. He paused before continuing, “Last night while we were with the Queen and how you handled that nythari, you looked like a goddess. If I could, I would’ve done the same thing I did to you in here in front of the Queen for there, my lust would’ve been dealt with quicker”. I smiled when he said this. He got up from bed, put on his tunic and said, “I’m going to get one the servants to bring us food”.  I nodded and rolled over. 

I sighed for last night felt magical, I would say probably better than when I was soaring through the sky the other night. 

I got up from bed, went to our bathroom that was connected to our room and started to take a shower. Looking at the walls, it had swirls of tan and red with a little bit of silver in there. Although inside the bathroom, it was different for the walls seemed to be made out of quartz or marble maybe, all different shades of tan. My bathroom back in our kingdom was simple, black and purple checkered walls. The shower itself was also checkered but I never noticed wha kind of materials it was made of.  

Coming out of the shower, with my hair all wet and stringy, I saw a new set of clothes was on the bed. Picking it up, it was a simple violet skirt and a black, but really short top. Both skirt and top were beaded, but not to the extreme like Queen Cassandra’s dress. It’s more subtle, more delicate work that added to the simplicity of the design. Sitting on the bed as well, was a really long cloth that had a really fine trimmed edge, the same design of both skirt and this really really short top. 

Alaric came in, and stood there in pure astonishment as I was twirling around looking myself in the mirror. I stopped and looked at him, “What do you think?”, wanted to see what he thought. 

“I think you look beautiful”, he answered as he grabbed my hand and started twirling me around. I laughed for I felt happy and seen not as a monster or a curse, but a normal nythari for once. 

“So what’s with the attire though? Did you order or did the Queen do this?”. Maybe she noticed I needed new clean clothes and ordered them for me, or maybe the Queen thought I smelled like rotten cow manure yesterday. Either way, I appreciate the new outfit. 

Alaric answered, “I’m not entirely sure for I surely would’ve ordered some new clothes for me as well”, we both looked down at his clothes. All torn at certain spots, frayed with dirt and had a real musky smell to it. 

Then I just realized, “Alaric, where is the food you promised me?”.

“Violet, I ordered it should be here soon. Just be patient. As Alaric promised, my food was brought to us by a servant. There was plates of food, from blue bananas, green strawberries to grapes of every color I could imagine, as well as some pancakes as Debbie would call them. 

When we were done eating, there was a knock on the door for it was Queen Zaqari herself. “May I come in?”, we looked at each with confusion and nodded. Why was the Queen asking permission to enter? “Ah yes, Lilith. I see you got my gift. You look lovely. Alaric, your outfit is still processing, so please be patient. 

“Thank you, your majesty”, Alaric said as he bowed down. 

“Lilith, I have concerning news. I talked to all my sons and daughters, expect for one. Prince Jarheri is missing and it would seem that your sister also went with him. We do not know under what circumstances she went with him. I just wanted to let you know what I found out”. I nodded to this and was also grateful that she let me know as soon as she found out. Now I’m left with what to do, where to go next for answers, or what to do?

“Lilith, I know you are worried about your sister, but I promise you I’m doing everything in my power to bring her back to you. You are welcome to stay here as long as you need”, and with that she gave me a hug. “Alaric and Lilith, you are both invited to the event that will be held tonight. My daughter is getting married today, I want you two to be there. It would bring me honor to have Princess of the Night Kingdom and a Prince of the Zaryth Kingdom”. Alaric blushed but looked down to hide his smile. 

“Thank you, Your Majesty. It would be an honor to be there”, she nodded and left our room. I stayed on the bed, and for some reason, my cheeks were wet. I put my hand to my cheek to find myself crying. 

Alaric rushed over to me and hugged me tightly. I didn’t know I needed him or the hug, but it felt comforting to know that he was still here. “It’s ok Violet, I got you”, he held onto to me tighter. We stayed in each other’s silence for a while, which I hoped wouldn’t end anytime soon.