A/N: I'm currently travelling so writing is quite a challenge especially as I am suffering from motion sickness. So I am hoping the grammar errors and typos aren't much. Thanks.
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The soft flicker of candlelight illuminated the chamber as Alicia emerged from the bath, her skin still damp from the warm water. This was one of the things she appreciated here. Having a tub here, even though it was not as comfortable as the modern tub. At least she could soak in it after a stressful day like today. And the fragrance from the oils and flowers added to the bath made her feel refreshed as she stepped out.
She had abolished the pattern of having maids bathe her and dress her up. It was too uncomfortable.
She wore a simple gown that was barely up to her knees and had wrapped a towel around her hair as she stepped out of the bathroom, heading for her room.
As soon as she entered the room, the door opened, and Harold stepped inside. As soon as his eyes met hers, he seemed a little flustered at having met her when she was not done getting dressed. However, he didn't step out immediately and just stared at her, taking in the sight.
It was funny how every single day it seemed like he was seeing a new and prettier side of her. But at the same time, he was frustrated because this wasn't her real body.
"May I help you, my lord?" Alicia said in a teasing tone, hiding a smile.
"I can return later." He said, pointing back at the door.
"It's alright. You can stay while I finish up."
She gestured at the bed and walked to the dressing table to finish up her nightly routine.
Harold watched her reach for a bottle of fragrant oil and began to pour it into her palm, the liquid shimmering in the candlelight.
The room was quiet, save for the occasional sound of the oil bottle being opened or the soft rustle of clothing as Alicia shifted in her seat.
The oil glinted in the light, making her skin look almost luminous. Prince Harold watched her intently, his eyes tracing the curve of her calf and the smoothness of her thigh.
She could tell he was watching her every movement.
Alicia was used to his gaze, but tonight it seemed more intense than usual. If she was being honest with herself, she would have to admit that she was doing it partly on purpose.
He watched her massage the oil into her skin, starting at her feet and working her way up her legs. His gaze lingered on the smooth, taut skin of her calves and thighs, and he felt a surge of desire stir within him.
It was the perfectly wrong time to remember the encounter with his wolf, urging him to mate with her.
Alicia finished oiling her legs and moved on to her arms. She worked slowly and methodically, taking her time to savour the sensation of her own touch. When she was done with that, she untied her hair and brushed it neatly.
When she was finished, she stood up and turned to face Harold. His eyes roamed over her body, taking in every inch of it.
With a mischievous smile, she asked, "Do you like what you see, my lord?"
Harold cleared his throat, feeling suddenly self-conscious. "Maybe," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
They both exchanged an intense look, and Alicia broke it first when she laughed. He smiled in return and tapped the space beside him for her to join.
She joined him in bed and leaned into him while he covered them with the quilt.
"What were you up to today? You were gone by the time I woke up." She asked him.
Harold cleared his throat, trying to push aside the thoughts that had been plaguing him since he entered the room tonight. "The king woke up briefly."
"Really?" Alicia sat up at once. "How is he? Is he going to be fine?"
He shrugged. "I hope so. He doesn't still look too well. But I don't want anyone to know about it for now. He needs to fully recover."
Alicia didn't try to find out why he didn't want anyone to find out now. Whether it was because he didn't want the noblemen to swarm the king or for some other reason, she didn't know, and she didn't ask. She simply nodded.
"I won't let anyone know about it."
He nodded.
"Don't you think you should also rest and see the physician to check you properly? You haven't been looking too well lately." She said with concern. Lately, he seemed paler and more tired. She had assumed it was because of all the stress, but he didn't look like he was getting better.
"I will do so." Harold said, not wanting to worry her. He knew the reason he was like that and didn't want to share it with her. He'll be fine anyway.
"What were you up to? You were not in your chamber when I returned earlier." He asked, changing the topic.
Alicia sighed, a hint of frustration in her voice. "I went to the stables to visit Hellion again, but he's still not accepting me. I'm not going to give up, though."
"How about I buy you another horse?" He offered.
It was funny how he was bent on making sure she had no horse at one point, and now he was offering to buy her one.
She shook her head. "I am going to tame Hellion and make him mine."
"You are determined, aren't you?"
She nodded, grinning. "Just you watch me."
"Good luck with that then." He cheered for her before asking, "Was that all you did?"
"I went to the shooting range too to practice. Although I'm still not very good at it, I think with more practice I'll get there. So I was hoping you might join me tomorrow and give me some pointers. It's been a while since we went there together."
Yeah. It has been a long time. He reasoned. If they could just go back to the time when it was all still simple for them. But now, that was very impossible.
"Tomorrow?" she asked.
Harold nodded, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Okay."
That single word made her beam, and she leaned back into him.
He wrapped his hand around her, holding her close.
The two said no words for a while before Harold spoke again, asking, "Are you okay to attend the morning assembly tomorrow? Damon was asking for the queen to be let in. She apparently has something to say about the case."
Alicia was quite surprised to hear him mention this. Because on her way while looking for Paulina, she had met Susan and had a little chat with her, and Susan had suggested that she use the queen to find out how the Beta's nightmare was still in existence.
Alicia nodded. "Yes, I'm okay with that. I think it's important to hear what the queen has to say and also ask her some questions too."
Harold looked thoughtful, with a hint of reservation in his eyes. "I don't trust any of them. What if she is trying to put the blame back on you?"
Alicia placed a gentle hand on his arm. "I understand your concerns, but I think it's important to keep an open mind. We won't know what the queen has to say until we hear it. I really want this case to end as soon as possible."
Harold was still hesitant about it, but he nodded. He also wanted to be done with this.
A knock on the door interrupted them, and Harold looked up, wondering why he hadn't sensed the person's presence. Was it still because he was recovering from his blood share, or was there something else?
Was Alicia the cause?
He looked at her, remembering how he also hadn't been able to sense other people around when he was close to her.
"Are you expecting someone?" She asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
He put in an effort to sense who was outside and realized it was Lady Victoria. At once, he got down from the bed and looked at Alicia as he walked towards the door, saying, "Yes. I was supposed to meet Lady Victoria for something."
Alicia looked at him suspiciously, wondering what it was that he needed to meet her for. But she simply nodded, glad he was at least relating with some family members, and it seemed Lady Victoria did care about him too.
When Harold opened the door, he found the woman there. She seemed a bit nervous as she looked around.
"I have to hurry back before my Lord husband finds me." She said in a hurry before asking, "Is it okay to talk now?"
Harold looked back inside the room at Alicia, who was still sitting on the bed. However, he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him as he said in a quiet voice, "You can speak." He said, looking hopeful.
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