Chapter 11: Arias
After many delays, we finally made it to Arias…but the relief was replaced with horror as I laid my eyes upon the dilapidated buildings. So…this is the true picture of war…I watched as Albel ushered the horses into a nearby stable, paying a man to keep them for the night.
"We'll stay here for one day. After that we head to Kirlsa," Albel stated.
"You! Where the hell were you?!" the crimson-eyed man demanded of his subordinate when we found him nearby a shop.
"I went on ahead to book a room for your stay in Arias my lord," the subordinate answered.
"….You went during the mists of a battle?! You're nothing but a useless coward!" Albel spat. His lackey fidgeted. I shook my head wearily before entering the inn with Albel following shortly. "Thank you for your patronage. Your room will be ready in just a moment," an expecting woman bowed. My ears perked up and a cold feeling entered my stomach.
"You…" I pointed to the subordinate. He regarded me queerly, wondering if I was really addressing him.
"You booked….only ONE room?" I asked as calmly as I could manage…despite the fact that my eye was twitching uncontrollably.
"Yes my lady. This is the only room left so I decided to book it for your ladyship and Lord Albel," the subordinate answered matter-of-factly.
"Wh-WHAT?!" I screeched. Albel winced at the volume.
"M-m-m-my Lady…I-I couldn't get another room s-s-s-so I thought that it'd be more convenient for Lord Albel to stay with you rather than have m-m-m-me there…after all, it was all because of my insubordination!" Albel's lackey wailed pitifully. Instantly I felt regret for the man. I hesitantly reached for his shoulder to comfort him but was suddenly shoved aside by Albel.
"H-hey!" I protested. "I'll let this one slide worm," Albel hissed at the man before turning towards me.
"Wh-what?!" I demanded. Could it be that he's thinking dirty thoughts?! No! We never had to share a ROOM! This is ridiculous, with a MAN no less! Albel's eyes turned into narrower slits.
"What are you thinking? Pervert…" he scoffed and headed upstairs.
"What?! Who's the pervert!? How dare you call me by such a degrading-"
"Don't we camp out all the time? It's not like anythinghappens," he smiled suggestively. Blood rushed to my face like a fountain. I turned around, blushing madly.
"Well lovebirds, I hope you have a wonderful night," the inn maid chuckled merrily, catching the little taunt. I gasped at the woman.
"You heard the woman," Albel concluded with a secret smile and went into the room. What is he planning?
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Hesitantly I entered the room, expecting to find a half-naked sexy man sitting on the bed waiting for me but what I found was nothing of the sort. Albel's shoes were set neatly by the bedpost and the man himself was sprawled across the bed…one of the beds mind you, with the blankets tangled around his legs. I cautiously walked towards his supposedly sleeping form. His chest heaved in a steady rhythm with no sign of consciousness. I sighed in relief but at the same time I was a bit disappointed since I was expecting the unexpected. His expression was so tranquil that I wondered if there was an inch of that demonic attitude. This is the most peaceful I've ever seen him. He must be exhausted…Albel worked really hard to protect me. If only I wasn't so spoiled and weak. Gently I stroke his pale cheek and chuckled a little when he grimaced.
"N-Nel…I…I'm sorry…" he murmured quietly. I froze and looked into his eyes, just waiting for them to open. Was he dreaming? Why did he say sorry? I placed my hand over his forehead and the other hand over mine. He isn't sick is he? Albel grumbled some more before shifting his body more towards me. I quickly drew my hand back. He's asleep Nel, let him rest!
"No…stay with me…please…" he whispered desperately, digging his claw into the soft mattress. I watched him squirm uncomfortably, feeling bad for not being able to do anything. I walked over to the other side of the bed and slipped my hand into his good hand. Immediately Albel's body seemed to ease. I watched in horror as his hand tightened its grasp. After a few futile attempts to pry my hand away, I gave up and sat on the bed next to him. Hopefully I won't fall asleep or else he's going to tease me to no end.
"What am I going to do with you Albel? What…do you do to me?" I whispered, hardly aware that my face was heating up. He looked so gentle…I couldn't help but be drawn to his handsome face. Slowly I bent down over his visage and glanced at his pure lips.
"Albel…I realize now…how much I don't want to leave you…how much I…" but before I could finish the words, he turned roughly to the side and took me down with him.
"Aaah!" I yelped I lifted up my gaze. My eyes fluttered wide open and my face turned beet red. He was awake. Silence ensnared the room except for the rapid beating of my heart.
"Albel…I um…" I whispered. The cold mercenary gazed deep into my eyes…so deep that I felt naked from within.
"S-sorry, I'm going to leave now!" I apologized rapidly and attempted to get up only to get pushed down again.
"Uh, Albel!" I gasped.
"…Nel…" he whispered and brought his face closer to mine. I panicked. However, I could not move. His hands gripped mine with such strength that I believed he was born of a demon for a moment…but I could not see him as one…for within those eyes…was an image of a lonely man. I panicked no longer as his lips grazed my nose. I knew now…I loved him…I really did…and even if he doesn't realize it….even if he didn't love me back…it didn't matter. All I want is to be near him. His soft lips pressed gently onto mine. My eyes slowly drooped down as I became drunk with his loveliness. Slowly I drifted into sleep when he released me. I love you.
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The next morning I found myself waking up alone. I sprung out of bed and looked about the room to find no one there. Was it just a dream then? Oh wait…no…I still see Albel's boots there. Oh wait…his boots?! Suddenly I felt a presence next to me. In alarm I jumped out of the bed with my body tensing up. Albel looked at me questionably.
"Oh, you're finally awake?" I blinked at him. Why does he have his shirt off and why does his tone seem…friendlier? I relaxed my guard and glared at him suspiciously. Did nothing happen last night? I could…still remember…the touch of his lips…My face once again turned red.
"If you're going to stand there all day then does that mean you don't want to take a bath first?" he asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Huh? A-a bath?!" I gasped. Speaking of baths…it felt like ages since I last took one. Albel turned towards the door and was about to turn the knob but I bumped him out of the way.
"I'm first!" I exclaimed with my face still flushed and rushed out the door…mainly to avoid him. Was it all a dream?
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I sighed as the warm waters of the bath soaked my aching body. Water dripped from my crimson hair and onto my face. I took in every sensation and made sure I did not take this moment for granted. As a princess, baths were so daily that it became nothing but a nuisance. To be deprived of my former privileges was harder on me than I thought. I sighed once more and sunk deeper into the water, contemplating on what happened last night. Albel acted like nothing happened…perhaps he was still asleep? I mean…he was dead asleep when I entered the room…how could he have been awake then? Yes…that's it…he was asleep! I laughed stupidly to myself, trying to convince myself with that notion…however…why would he kiss me? Albel would never do such a thing…and yet…he said my name…he saw me in his eyes…who else's lips would he have captured? I blushed again much to my infuriation. And yet…it all felt so right…as if our feelings were mutual…but…never mind. I forced these thoughts out of my mind and got dressed.
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I found Albel downstairs sitting with his subordinate at the breakfast table. He regarded me carefully…as if trying to guess my thoughts. Could it be that he was thinking about last night? No…just forget about it and act normal Nel.
"Good morning," I greeted the two. The subordinate rose out of his seat and gave a respectful bow while Albel's face remained impassive. It ticked me off. Snobbishly I sat down next to the subordinate, ignoring the man's questionable gaze. Albel's lackey fidgeted at the tension.
"Umm…breakfast will be here in a couple of minutes…umm…I'll tend to the horses!" he squeaked and rushed out the door, once again leaving me with Albel. Thanks a lot. The uncomfortable silence reached its peak. I can't stand it anymore…
"Albel!"
"Princess…" I blinked. He blinked. A chuckle escaped from me.
"Sorry…I didn't mean to act so selfishly," I apologized. He gave his trademark grunt and propped his elbow onto the chair. I smiled warmly at him. It doesn't matter anymore. Even if he feels as if nothing happened, to me…it was something I will forever cherish. Breakfast came in and we had a normal conversation…along with some bickering of course. Our little break in Arias has ended.
After a thousand years, I have finally updated!!! Forgive me my faithful readers...my creativity suffered a lapse...school is also another factor...and I honestly have no time to write anything anymore...but recently I've been lazy in my schoolwork so I decided to resume writing. Happy Chinese New Years all!