THIRD PERSON
Nyx sat in her luxurious state room, the black mahogany floors shining under a crystal chandelier. Every detail spoke of wealth. Ornate rugs, polished chairs, and gold accents on the furniture. She sat gracefully, a book in hand, dark curls framing her face, eyes focused but bored. Men often shivered under those gaze, yet tonight it was calm and unreadable. Her red lips were pressed in a thin line , and her heels tapped slowly on the floor. Her embroidered clothes marked her authority.
Without knocking, Prince Lucien entered. Nyx's gaze didn't lift; she didn't need to. She knew him.
He slumped on the chair, beside her, copper hair catching the light, fiery and untamed. His own expression mirrored hers in casual boredom, though a smirk tugged at his lips. "Seems like the princess is becoming a novelist lately," he said, voice teasing yet light.
Nyx's eyes remained on her book. Her heels tapped in a slow and deliberate rhythm. She turned a page, letting silence fill the space before replying, her tone cool and unbothered, "It's all for aesthetics."
Lucien leaned back, the smirk on his face widening. He let the silence stretch, the faint tap-tap of Nyx's heels filling the space. He could feel it, her patience measured in those strikes against the floor.
"So," he finally said, voice low, teasing, "does the aesthetic include scaring off visitors too, or is that just a hobby?"
Nyx's lips curved just enough to betray the smallest trace of amusement, though her eyes remained fixed on the page. "Some visitors," she murmured, voice calm as ice, "need reminding on who they're dealing with."
Lucien's smirk faltered for a brief second, just long enough and then he smiled, he shifted, leaning a little closer, trying to read her without the advantage of her gaze. "And what if the visitor does not scare easily?"
She finally turned a page, her dark lashes brushing her cheeks, and answered without looking up: "Then they're probably the most interesting ones."
He smirked, and before Nyx could react, he reached over and plucked the book from her hands. Nyx's eyes snapped up, narrowed and sharp, a flicker of irritation crossing her otherwise composed face.
"Quit with the acting already," he said, voice playful, pouting his lip . "Is this how you welcome someone you call your best friend?"
Her lips twitched, a faint smile betraying her amused expression. "I've been out for days on an official work given to me by, well....you know who ," he continued, dramatically, "and this is how you welcome me?"
Nyx's smile widened, a genuine curve of her lips. She shook her head slightly, and she placed her hand on his head running her fingers through his fiery copper hair as he leaned closer. Without warning, he rested his head on her lap, sighing deeply.
"Damn… I miss this so much," he murmured, eyes closing, voice soft with something between relief and fondness.
Nyx looked down at him, a mixture of gentleness and tenderness in her gaze. Her heels had stopped tapping now, her hand idly tracing through his hair. This is a quiet, unspoken acknowledgment of the friendship they shared.
Nyx shifted slightly in her chair, letting him settle. "You make it sound like I should have rolled out a red carpet," she said, fingers lightly running through his hair .
Lucien chuckled "Honestly, I wouldn't have minded," he teased. "Maybe some champagne ,Candles, and fire works."
"I wouldn't dare waste luxury on you," she said, voice flat but her fingers lingering, "not when you treat every place like your hunting grounds."
He groaned softly. "Ah, you wound me," he said, lifting his head slightly to glance at her, smirk returning. "I came back to see you as soon as the task was done , and yet I didn't get nothing ,no hugs, no smiles....."
Nyx's hand stilled for a moment, her gaze softening "You only say that because you know I don't flatter easily," she replied, almost teasingly.
Lucien grinned, leaning back slightly, eyes closing briefly in contentment. "Then consider me humbled," he murmured.
"But seriously… it feels good to be here."
A faint smile lingered on Nyx face seeing Lucien rested on her lap, the room silent around them.
Nyx didn't pick up her book. She simply let her hand rest on his hair a moment longer, watching him with a calm, measured gaze. The room was quiet except for the faint sound of his breathing, signifying he's fallen asleep. she allowed him this small intrusion, a subtle acknowledgment of the bond and friendship they shared.
Nyx chuckled softly when she remembered her first encounter with the prince, it was more like a twist of fate.