Estrella awoke with a gasp as she sat up in her bed. The nightmare she just had was still fresh in her mind.
It hadn't started as a nightmare; it was actually a pleasant dream. One where Yander had woken her most delightfully. Yet when she pulled him up for a kiss, she realized it wasn't Yander.
Instead, Garn's evil grin met her wide-eyed stare. His hands clasped around her neck and squeezed tight. He shamed her and brought dishonor to her royal body and name. Just as she lost consciousness, she awoke from the dream-turned-nightmare.
She coughed up a furious storm as her hand shot to her neck, where the ghosts of Garn's hands still lingered. Sweat drenched her body and the silk sheets.
But that wasn't the only source of wetness that stained her bed. Heat raced to her cheeks as she ground her teeth, and her chest tightened.
Why? Why? Why?
Her body had betrayed her during the nightmare, and it seemed, in reality, as well.
She clicked her tongue in frustration. Get a grip on yourself. You're the princess of Lysia!
Her eyes swept across her shadowed room, dimly lit by the flickering flames of a torch beside the door to her chambers, which hid Garn's visage. She shook her head to rid herself of his image.
It was nothing more than a nightmare; she tried to reassure herself, nothing more.
"Rella," she called out, but her voice was barely above a whisper, her voice as dry as a desert.
She called out a few more times, each time her mouth produced more and more saliva to moisten her tongue. Before long, the door to her chambers opened, and a Vyshtani woman dressed in a black dress hurried in and to her side.
Rella gasped when she laid eyes on her haggard state before rushing to her side. "What happened, Your Highness?"
"Water," Estrella rasped, and before she knew it, Rella held out a glass cup of water to her.
She gave her handmaiden an appreciative smile before greedily gulping down the cool liquid. It did its job, soothing her scalding throat and cooling her burning body. She exhaled with relief, holding out the cup, which Rella immediately refilled from a pitcher she held.
"What else can I get for you, Your Highness?"
Estrella threw off her thin sheet and shivered as the cool air slammed into her sweat-covered skin. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to crawl back under the sheets and hide away from the world. But she had duties to attend to.
With a sigh, she climbed out of her enormous bed. "Summon Yander, tell him to meet me in the bath."
She stumbled slightly before Rella caught her and steadied her. "Right away, Your Highness."
A Speaking Crystal appeared in Rella's hand before she called Yander. They made their way out of her bedchamber and down the hall to the bath, where steam billowed from a luxurious bath the size of three of her beds. She slid the straps of the silk gown from her shoulders and let it fall to the marble floor.
She sighed as she stepped into the bath, its warm water soothing her aching muscles. The water rippled with her very step until she came to the edge of the bath, where she sat. The water came up to her neck as she leaned back and closed her eyes, resting her head on the edge with a sigh.
Footsteps approached her, stopping just shy of her head, before a metal object clanged next to her. "Here's a washcloth and some soap, Your Highness."
"Thank you, Rella," Estrella said, turning to grab the bowl.
She pulled out the washcloth and the soap before lathering herself up and scrubbing away the sweat clinging to her skin.
The door across from her opened, and Yander entered. His armored boots clanked against the floor as he strode in with the confidence of a Tharvaskin Dragon. The sunlight filtering in through the tall windows glittered off his royal knight's armor, leaving him radiating like a jewel from the Almarin Mines.
He had his long black hair tied up in a knot behind his long ears, leaving his perfectly sculpted face on full display. He was every bit the charming knight that every woman dreamed of coming to save them.
He stopped just before the steps of the bath and bowed low at the waist, his armor rattling with the movement. "What can I do for you, Your Highness?"
"You may leave us, Rella. I'll call you when I'm finished."
Her handmaiden curtsied. "As you wish, Your Highness."
Her heart skipped a beat when Rella and Yander shared a look before Rella left the room. She fought to keep the heat from spreading across her face and chest. Yet failed as her mind wandered to the possibility of Yander and Rella in a random storage room, sharing a passionate kiss, among other things. She shook her head, not wanting to entertain the idea.
She stood as rivulets of water rolled down her supple breasts and turned away from Yander. Turning to look at him, she threw him a coy smile. "Join me, my knight."
"As you command, Your Highness."
Her smile disappeared. "Enough with the formalities. Get in here."
"Forgive me, Estrella," Yander said with a laugh.
She waited patiently as Yander's armor clanged onto the ground before he flung his clothes to the side. The water splashed as he strutted towards her, his cock already half-roused. The smoldering look he gave her sent waves of heat rushing between her legs.
Despite that, she hadn't summoned Yander for pleasure. Yet it was hard to resist when he wrapped his arms just below her breasts and pulled her right up against him. She moaned lightly and couldn't help but sink into his embrace. Her heart raced as he pressed himself against her rear.
But she shook her head, trying to regain some self-control.
"What is it?" Yander asked, about to release her, before she clung tightly to his arm.
"Can we stay like this for a moment?"
She could feel him nod before she sank back into the water, with him following. For a long moment, they remained there. He cradled her from behind, and she pressed in close. The lingering dregs of the nightmare slowly ebbed away with his touch. His presence was a shield against the monsters of the world, and she loved him for it.
Yander's warm breath tickled her ear as he leaned in and whispered. "I know something has you bothered. Are you willing to share it with me?"
A heavy breath escaped her lips as she leaned against his broad chest. He took her cue and leaned back as well, only stopping when he came up against the edge of the bath. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, luxuriating in the solace of his embrace.
"I had another nightmare."
His body tensed under her. His once relaxed hands clenched into fists as he pulled her even closer, as if he was trying to encompass her like armor. When he spoke, his voice dripped with a quiet danger that came out almost like a growl.
"Was it about that villainous traitor again?"
Her voice caught in her throat just like Garn had in her dreams. Her body trembled at the reminder as she could manage only a slight nod in response.
Yander's body relaxed. One of his hands glided over her breasts to caress her cheek before turning her head to face him. He stole her breath as he captured her lips in a tender kiss.
She melted into him, finding serenity in the kiss. The memories of Garn and the dream slipped from her mind, nothing more than an afterthought, leaving her and Yander alone in the moment they now shared.
After breaking from the kiss, Yander landed another peck on her cheek before speaking. "Did that work to chase away the monster?"
A soft smile crept across her face. Yander had, in fact, performed his duties as her knight to the fullest. And now, it was her turn to reward him as she spun around in the water to straddle him; her smile turning suggestive.
"Yes, my knight," she said, her voice quaking with lust, "you deserve a reward for protecting your princess."
A knowing grin spread across his face. "Is that so? And pray tell, what is this—"
However, he gasped in shock as she stole his words from his tongue when her hands slipped between them, and the water rippled with her movements.
Her smile widened when his breath quickened. Soon enough, he threw his head back and grunted in satisfaction.
"Did you enjoy your reward?"
"Yes," Yander said with exasperated gasps.
She smiled, releasing him and moved to rise, but a yelp escaped her when his arms wrapped around her, and he pulled her close to him. They shared another passion-fueled kiss before he lifted her to his face, and he returned her reward with fervor.
Heavy pants escaped her as he went to work on her. It didn't take long before her body tensed as a shudder ran down her spine and bolts of lightning coursed through her. She threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled him close, encouraging him to continue, and he did as she silently commanded, rolling her release into a second one.
After coming down, she slid onto his lap, and they embraced. They remained like that for a long moment as she clung to him tightly.
"I wish we could just stay like this forever."
But part of her knew that wouldn't be possible, not with how things were. Yet she wanted to dwell in the fantasy for a moment.
One of Yander's hands gripped her rear as the other stroked her back lovingly. "I wish for that too. Alas, that is nothing more than a dream."
He held onto her thigh as he rose, carrying her with him. "You're the princess of Lysia, and your duty is to your people."
He carried her over to where she had left the washcloth and soap and set her back down in the water. He picked up the items and lathered her back before scrubbing her. "You'll have to wed a nobleman…"
His voice faded, and she understood why. It was something they didn't want, yet there was nothing they could do about it.
"You'll have to wed a nobleman if you wish to inherit the crown and protect Lysia from House Dumar."
Her face twisted into a scowl, and she pushed off of him. "You don't have to remind me of my duty, Yander!"
She waded out to the center of the bath. She wanted to hide, to escape from the world and everything wrong with it.
"Estrella, wait! I'm–"
However, the water muffled his words as she submerged herself.
Why did her father and brother have to trust that traitorous slime? Why couldn't they just set aside their pride and righteousness for one moment and use their heads? If they had, she wouldn't be in the situation she's in now. Surrounded by enemies in court, she's fought tooth and nail just to maintain some semblance of control.
Bubbles escaped her mouth and nose as she closed her eyes. Why did everything have to fall on her in the end? She wanted none of this, yet she had to bear it all.
Powerful hands grasped her arms and yanked her out of the water.
"Estrella!" Yander shouted as he wiped the water from her face.
She exhaled the rest of her breath as she opened her eyes. "I'm okay, Yander."
The concern on his face was endearing, and it warmed her heart that he cared so much for her. But it was like he said. What they had was nothing more than a dream.
She freed herself from him and exited the bath. "Come, my knight. I have a long day ahead of me."
Yander sighed before following her.
She threw on a robe and returned to her room. She dressed and ate a small breakfast before attending the morning meetings with potential suitors that lasted all morning. A reprieve came when it came time to break for lunch.
She rubbed her temples, her head pounding from the arduous meetings, as she entered the manor hall. Her mother sat at the head of the long table, already eating her meal.
"Mother," she greeted as she took her seat.
Her mother finished chewing her food before dabbing her lips with a napkin. "How was the meeting? Were there any viable suitors who would stand with us?"
Estrella's jaw tightened as she shook her head. "No. If I had to judge them solely on our meetings, I'd say more than half are in league with Ravengel."
Her mother scowled. "And the others?"
Estrella sighed heavily. "They can't afford to stand against House Dumar at the moment, even if they wanted to. Most of their sons are busy dealing with the rampant attacks by Lupinval and brigands that keep them from even attending the meetings."
Her mother reached over and grasped her hand. "It'll be okay, dear. I know that we'll find a way through this."
She nodded before her mother released her hand, and Ivanthal set a plate of food before her. "Today's meal is your favorite, Your Highness. Jaherra's renowned Alastora Bull stew with a side of Orvakin salad and Marbell's oven-baked bread."
"Thank you, Ivanthal. Please, do pass on my gratitude to Jaherra and Marbell," she said, putting on a smile for him.
"Of course, Your Highness," he said with a bow before turning to her mother and also bowing, "Your Majesty."
Ivanthal left, and she dug into her meal, savoring what little enjoyment she still had. That was until the door swung open and Ivanthal returned with Yander close behind him.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Ivanthal said with another bow, "but Lord Dumar and the council have called for an emergency meeting and demand your and Your Highness' attendance."
Her mother's face twisted into rage. "The gall of that man!"
Estrella was about to join her but didn't when her storage device buzzed. Frowning, she pulled out a speaking crystal and realized who was calling her. "Sorry, Mother. I have to take this. Can you stall them for a moment?"
Her mother's glare turned to her but softened. "I will try my best, dear. Just be quick about it. I do not fancy the thought of being left alone with those men."
"I shall, Mother," she said, rising from her chair and exiting the room with Yander trailing her.
She channeled some Soul Essence into the Crystal and answered Lady Milliadry's call. It's so good to hear from you, Lady Milliadry. What is the occasion for this abrupt call?
Lady Milliadry remained silent for a moment before answering her question. Forgive me, Your Highness, but may I have a moment of your time? An urgent matter has landed in my lap that requires your attention.
Estrella clicked her tongue but guessed that she could spare a few minutes for the woman. She was a loyal subject, one of the few, after all. Of course. But please do make it quick. I have to attend a meeting with the council shortly.
Another pause came. Do you know the reason for this meeting?
Estrella's brow furrowed. Not in the slightest.
Lady Milliadry's sigh came through their connection. I believe the matter I'm speaking of is related to that meeting. Can we speak through a seeing mirror?
Estrella's frown deepened, but she agreed and returned to her room before ending the call and pulling out her seeing mirror and placing it on her bed.
The image of Lady Milliadry and her guild members appeared. "Lady Milliadry. What is this urgent matter that requires my attention?"