A few years passed since graduation day. A new chapter was now to open, to be written at heart's will. The future was uncertain but, that can be a good thing.
It had only been a few hours since the curtain of night befell upon Veda. The sky was clear; the moon and stars shone brightly overhead the rudimentary cottages disposed along the valley. Old oil street lamps lighted up the Town Square faintly, a dim fog coated the alleys. The streets and pathways between buildings were narrow but clean and well-paved. On the farthest side of the village, a light was still on.
On the highest jot of the glen, a cozy waterfront cottage stood tall surrounded in a peaceful country setting.
The silence is filled with the echoing of sweet, lulling words. In one of the rooms, a young woman in her late twenties sat on a chaise long at a king-size bed's feet all while reading a Christmas fable for the smaller ones laying on the bed.
"-- Clara, because she was able to break the spell, is revealed as the Sugar Plum Princess. Eric is shortly crowned king and the couple, who have fallen in love, dance as the citizens celebrate." she stated, "But, Fate had other plans for the two, you see... after the shrunken Mouse King steals Clara's locket and opens it, she magically disappears, leaving the prince kneeled behind, heartbroken."
"What happened next! What happened next!" yelled the two children ecstatic, anxious to hear the ending to that tale.
"The next morning, Clara wakes up at home and the Nutcracker is missing. So, she runs to her grandfather, who dismisses the story as her wild imagination. Just when she begins to think that she'd dreamt about it all, her Aunt Elizabeth returns with a young man, who she immediately recognizes. They take each other in a warming embrace and waltzed throughout the parlor in the most beautiful dance, the fire filled their hearts as their love was rekindled. The end." With a soft thud, she popped the storybook shut and placed it on the bedside table, dimming the room's environment by turning off the lights, and then lithely rose from the chair, giving the twins a goodnight kiss.
"Auntie Rory?" said the childlike voice, which from its gentle tones seemed to belong to a seven-year-old boy, making the woman stop in her tracks.
"Yes, Kenton?" She turned around to look at the petit little blond rubbing off the sleepiness from his round, dark-violet eyes.
"If Clara didn't gather her courage, she'd never find out she was a princess." The boy said, there was an expression of innocence and youth to his voice. "And, if Eric didn't have a little faith, he'd never find the means to forgive himself."
A feeble smile crossed the woman's features, "That's is right. Sometimes, our strength comes from the most unexpected places to light the way through the darkness. The most important thing is to never give up on your dreams, no matter what. Now, go to sleep, it's late already."
He promptly complied and dove back into the bedsheets, "Er... Auntie?" but then, called one last time.
The older wizardess sighed faintly, "Yes?"
"When you marry uncle Randolph, will he become a prince too?" He asked, sudden curiosity showing on his face.
Aurora said nothing; she looked confused as her mind took in what his words were supposed to mean, recognition blooming slowly. Then, after walking to his bedside, she laid a stuffed bear next to Kenton's head and snuggled up the bedclothes as the little one seemed to settle down underneath, "What do you mean, dear?" and sought clarification.
"Because... mommy told me that you were a princess!" He was very innocent indeed, even more so, naive than Ariella, the brunette girl sleeping next to him.
Aurora smiled at the girl briefly before patting softly his head. "Aren't all girls princesses?"
He shook his little head; his bangs falling onto his hopeful eyes. Kenton brushed them aside for a moment, the brief visual contact was like a caress, warming her heart and soul. "No, auntie! A real princess... Like princess Claudia from the 'Prince and the Labyrinth' --you know, the one you read to us last week!"
The young adult was surprised for a moment, mentally cursing her best friend for having a big mouth and not keeping that secret buried away. Princess... The whole incident with the Dragon's gem popped up in her mind. It happened so long ago that she'd merely forgot to this day. She'd renounce the title for a simpler life in the country alongside the love of her life, and she had no regrets whatsoever.
She let out a breath which she didn't know she was holding onto until it escaped her lips. Then, with a heart reassured that she took the right decision, the smiling adult bent down and kissed the child on the forehead. "You're the only prince I'll ever need in my life."
Kenton's smile broadened, including the dimple; "From now on I'll eat all my vegetables so I can grow up tall and strong and handsome, that way I can marry you myself and make you the happiest princess in the whole world!" he suppressed a giggle with his small hand.
She smiled as she uttered his pet name, "Oh ken, you silly," and pinched his rosy cheek. "I love you, shorty."
His giggle turned into a mild laugh; joyous, he held onto his cheek and returned, "I love you too, auntie Rory!"
"Now, go to sleep." She said softly, then turned away, making the floor creak, "Goodnight, my little prince." and, whispered. Her fingers found the door handle and quietly closed the door behind her. Stepping down the stairs, she quickly reached the main hall of the house.
Within a few minutes of gathering the children's toys scattered around the house, her stomach grumbled loudly. She tried to ignore it at first, but it kept twisting and grumbling for a midnight snack.
Decided to go grab a bite on something, she finished the task at hand and left. She didn't have to go too far since the main divisions were all connected. The kitchen was directly off the dining room, which was simplistic, set out for single use.
The woman placed the bread, gem, and juice on the table. Then, reached out for the stall above her head and drew a cup of glass from the top shelf. As she was closing it, in recognition of her partner's low, even voice, she jumped like a startled rabbit, almost dropping the glass."Siegfried H. Gedonelune-- Randolph! You scared the life out of me!" She cried out, her heart racing. With a hand pressed to her chest, she took in a deep breath.
"Sorry, sunshine. Didn't mean to." He promptly apologized, "Are the kids asleep already?"
Aurora smiled up at him warmly, "Yes and, although It took me a great effort, I was able to put them to sleep." she rolled her eyes and faced him, "I swear on the First King, it's getting harder and harder-- Those little fleas... Babysitting them is getting more and more demanding, each time they get to visit! I don't know what their parents give them for breakfast, but they are quite energetic! It doesn't matter if it's morning or nighttime."
Randolph chortled at Aurora's sudden outbreak; his hand reached for her wrist, his fingers slowly descending and entwining with hers."Think of it as training... when we get our own." and without the slightest warning, he pulled her close to him, burying his face on the crook of her neck and taking in her scent. Strong arms embraced her and she let herself melt in them, returning the hug.
He then began trailing hot kisses up her neck, her breath caught in her throat as they switched positions for a moment. He surrounded an arm around her waist and sat her on the counter.
"Should we start now?" His voice was low and controlled, "I would be more than happy to make a little Aurora..." he caressed her cheek with his nose.
"R-Randolph! Behave yourself!" She scolded sternly, "T-There are children upstairs, or have you forgotten all about that now?! We'll just end up waking them up, we can't-- A-Ah~!" but, failed miserably to deliver the message.
He kept kissing her neck in a way that made her heart dance excitedly and cheeks flush a bright pink. "We'll keep it quiet. I Promise."
Aurora felt herself go breathless and consumed even before she could begin to process where that was leading them to. "Randolph..." Her arms slid around him, allowing him to withdraw just enough to capture her lips and, kissing her hungrily.
For a few minutes, they held on to each other, kissing as if they hadn't seen each other in a week. They embraced each other, their bodies firmly pressed together and arms around each other's neck and waist. Their kissing grew frantic, their petting setting them both afire. After a very long, ever-last smooching session, Randolph's desire stirred ardently for her. He tossed her shawl aside and skillfully unbuttoned her blouse, sliding the bra strap down, softly kissing her shoulder. His left hand impatiently skidded up her leg underneath her knee-long skirt and outlined her panties' trimming on the groin's side with his fingers. She moaned involuntarily and his lips returned to hers.
"Shh-- quiet now." He brushed her already moistened lips with his index finger, parting them slightly before kissing them once again.
"I-I'm sorry," She said, between short breaths."C-Can't help it when you're taunting me like that..."
He resumed spreading soft kisses on her skin, trailing a line from her neck to her collarbone. "A little teasing doesn't hurt." He said, ending with the remaining gap between them. "Let's go somewhere more comfortable. Shall we?" He lifted her up from the counter and, reactively, she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Aurora gasped in surprise, feeling his hardened member brushing against her sensible area as he carried her around.
Henceforth, he walked to the resting area and gently laid her down on the couch, climbing on top of her.
They gazed into each other's eyes for a brief moment. His eyes, prominent from the emaciation of his face, burned mainly of desire and lust. "I don't think I can make it to the bedroom so, I'm gonna take you right here, right now." then, he grabbed his belt and started to unbuckle it. The button almost popped up from his trousers, he tugged on to the zipper and quickly pulled it down. His hands reached for her skirt and tugged it up at her waist, exposing her lower body. He bent down, and with his mouth pulled the strap of her panties.
She gasped in anticipation and threw her head back, her eyes rolled to the back of her head waiting for the pleasure to come.
However, before they could go down that crazy, carnal and emotional rollercoaster, the doorbell rang.
Randolph stopped in his tracks; he sighed out of exasperation and frustration for having been interrupted. Talk about a killjoy.
"Who might be at this hour?" She asked. "Are you expecting visitors?"
"I'm not. If I was, I wouldn't be with my pants down," he said annoyed, turning his head towards the door and aiming a deadly glance at whoever was on the other side. "What a nerve. I think I'm gonna give them a piece of my mind."
"No you won't," She said and pushed him aside so she could get from underneath him and off the couch at once. "I'll go see who's at the door. Besides, you wouldn't want to be seen like that, right?" The young wizardess made direct eye contact with the huge protrusion in his boxers, "Go freshen up a bit, okay darling?" Her voice trailed off suggestively.
He muttered something under his breath as he strolled out of the living room. She could swear she saw him blush for a moment there.
Aurora then cleared her throat and focused on trying to get herself decent one more time. She promptly buttoned her shirt and straighten her skirt. Grabbing her shawl from the counter and placing it over her shoulders, she walked to the door. As she pried it open, it revealed a familiar face to her.
A tall, chestnut-haired young man, with amber-like eyes and freckles covering his cheek's skin up to his nose, wearing nothing but a Royal's Knight uniform stood before the wizardess.
"Philippe!" exclaimed the wizardess, making her open the door entirely. "It's so nice to see you! How is your little sister, Audrey? I bet she's all grown up just by looking at you. Please, do come in. It's cold outside..." A chill ran through her, running up and down her spine; she gripped onto the shawl's edges and pulled it closer to her neck.
He kept the perfect posture, nary a slouch or a rounded shoulder, and did not move a muscle.
"I'll take this is no social visit," she tilted her head and bite her bottom lip.
He dismissed her invitation and simply said, "That's right m'am, I'm on escort duty today."
"Is your father still pushing you around as an errand's boy?" She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned at him suspiciously."You tell your father that there are other ways to build up character. Also, you tell him that, just because he's a Paladin does not mean that he can get away with everything. You tell him I said that."
He leaned slightly forward, his gaze cleared, and he focused on his surroundings for a moment. He glanced around to see if someone was eavesdropping on his words, "If I tell him that, he'll definitely put me running errands."
"I see," she said and cleared her throat. "Let's not do that then."
"Mrs. Coeur," He resumed his previous intention, "I'm sorry to disturb you this late at night but, there's been an emergency at the palace and your presence is requested immediately."
She stared at him as if she'd been ambush by a battalion on a battlefield. She couldn't have one day without some sort of surprise or other? "Me? Don't you mean Sir Randolph? He was once of the three mages after all--"
"No m'am. They are calling for you." He clarified.
"Who's at the door, sunshine?" Randolph asked from the top floor. Couldn't he keep quiet for a moment? The children were asleep.
She looked behind the door then, back to the young man before her. "I..."
"Just send whoever is at door away and come to bed!" He demanded with a bitter laugh.
She couldn't utter a single word in response.
"Tell them to buzz off and come in the morning!" He yelled again.
She gripped onto the doorknob behind her back and pulled the door slightly close, to prevent Randolph from hearing her, "What does the king need this time? If my memory doesn't fail me, I've kept my end of the bargain, I sent him my monthly report at the beginning of the week, why does he insist on breaking his end?"
Probably seeing the wizardess' hesitation in her eyes, he pressed the issue, "I understand that, m'am. But, you have been summoned by the King, Viggo La Rochejaquelein Gedonelune, to fulfill your duty as the Royal Sibyl. You've been notified by the Royal Court to present yourself before the King at the palace in the morning and, I'm here to be your escort."
Aurora could feel her heart racing within her ribcage and her breath failing her lungs. A cold sweat broke on her forehead when she thought she had to leave the comfort of her home for the fourth time in a row and yet, she couldn't possibly say no to the King. What was she going to tell Randolph? How was she going to tell him that she had to go again? She felt sick to her stomach, hyperventilating even.
Suddenly, Randolph caught her by the arm and shook her out of her trance. "Aurora, are you okay? You're white as a ghost."
She blinked out of her stupor and glanced at her partner. "I'm sorry... I'm fine. I just got a little lightheaded, there's nothing to worry about." She gave a couple of pats on the back of his hand in reassurance.
His brows lifted and relief brought a faint smile to his face."Good. I thought I'd lost you there."
Then, there was silence, and he waited while she contemplated what to say next."This young man is here to escort me to the royal palace," She said with a forced smile, looking at him in distress, "The king needs my clairvoyance wisdom on some pressing matter."
Randolph touched her cheek gingerly and kissed her forehead. "Then go, so you can come back to me. The sooner, the better," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'll miss you tho."
Surprise trickled through her. "Randolph?"
He bent down, leaning his forehead against her, and caressed the back of her head."I can't wait to marry you and start a family with you, my ray of sunshine. I love you very much."
Aurora smiled back, her heart deeply touched by his words. "I love you more."
"I love you most."
~ Continue? ~