Crimson and Gold

Lysandra planned to stay two nights and three days in the villa.

After spending the first twenty-four hours with Saria in their bedroom, the Princess was finally ready to engage in other, less carnal, activities.

“Would you like to visit the town today?” Lysandra asked, glancing at Saria from across the table.

Unlike the Palace in Aervelis, the villa was built in the Adleran style. Aside from the layout being much more closed off than in a traditional Aelian architecture, the other defining feature was the dining room, where the meals were consumed at the table instead of lecti.

Lysandra always preferred this style of dining, however, being separated by a big slab of wood and having her lover obscured by an unreasonable amount of dishes, she couldn’t help but sigh.

If it were lecti, she would have a perfectly clear view of Saria. And today, it was a real feast for the eyes.

Being away from the Royal Palace, away from the intrigues and dangers, it was a time to recharge for both of them.

Thanks to this, Saria was able to let her hair down.

Literally and figuratively.

Noticing that the Princess was especially fond of her casual appearance, Saria kept her waist-long hair loose. The simple tunic she wore every day was put in a closet in favor of a classic white toga dress, mirroring Lysandra’s.

A simple outfit that didn’t detract from, but instead allowed for her natural beauty to shine.

Lysandra loved every bit of it.

This was the first time she regretted not dining at a triclinium.

If they were, she could feed Saria herself. Give her pomegranate juice that would have a single drop escaping the corner of her mouth. It would leave a sweet trail on her neck and collarbones that Lysandra would—naturally—be obligated to chase with her lips.

And—

“The festival has just ended, hasn’t it? Would there be anything left to see?” Saria’s question was barely able to punch through the visceral imagery Lysandra was so happily indulging in.

The Princess blinked twice to dissipate the fog on her mind. “Sisica has a pretty big market even without the festival. There’s also a theater. I’ve heard a new play will be shown today.”

“We could visit the market before going to see the play. Or…" Saria hanged her voice and traced the edge of the cup with her fingertip. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she raised her eyes to look at Lysandra. “We could stay home and find other ways to entertain each other.”

A direct hit through Lysandra’s heart. “Aren’t you tired of me yet?” she asked, fighting the urge to cross the distance and kiss those seductive lips.

Saria’s expression softened. The gentle smile blooming on her lips reached her eyes, turning her hungry gaze into one full of love. “How could I ever get tired of you?”

Another shameless and extremely effective assault on Lysandra’s heart, weakening the restraints that she put on herself. “Careful,” she hummed, suddenly feeling bashful. “If you keep saying things like that, I’ll cling to you even more.”

Saria propped her chin on her hand. “Is that a promise?”

“You’re not making it easy for me to hold back.”

“Maybe that’s the point?” Saria grinned.

Lysandra giggled, helpless against her lover’s disarming charm. As she calmed down, her mood soured a little. “I’m afraid you’ll think that I’m only interested in your body,” she confessed, casting her eyes down.

After all, wasn’t it what everyone thought of her?

For once, Lysandra regretted not fighting against those rumors.

“Oh, please,” Saria flipped her hair and nonchalantly leaned against the backrest. “I do have a divine body, but we both know that it was my devilishly charming personality that stole your heart.”

Caught completely off guard by Saria’s sudden outburst of self-confidence, Lysandra’s eyes widened before the tension momentarily left her body as she started laughing.

She reached across the table and took Saria’s hand. Interlocking their fingers, her thumb caressed her lover’s palm so softly as if she was afraid this whole scene was just a dream about to disappear.

“I love everything about you,” she said, her voice laced with deep affection. “Especially that devilish personality.”

“Devilishly charming.” Saria corrected, causing Lysandra to giggle again.

“Devilishly charming.”

They sat in silence for a moment, enjoying each other’s touch.

Eventually, Saria was the first to speak. “You don’t have to pretend, you know. You can be yourself around me,” she said and kissed Lysandra’s hand. “I fell in love with you, not the image of you.”

Accepted. In nearly thirty years of her life, this was the first time someone had made the Princess feel this way.

Once she started participating in social events, Lysandra very quickly learned that people were eager to create an image of her based on their presumptions and rumors.

Neither those who hated her, nor those who admired her, were willing to see past those illusions. Even those who brazenly proclaimed their undying love for her refused to see her true self.

Saria saw everything—the good, the ugly, the weak—and she still accepted Lysandra.

This was the greatest gift she could’ve given her, and it made the Princess wonder.

Perhaps, this is the love I was waiting for my whole life…

At that moment, Rosa came to the dining room, carrying a fresh jug of juice.

Located half a day south of Aervelis, Sisica was a part of the farmland Tricity area, known for its versatile and high-quality fruit selection.

Ever since she started coming there with her mother, Lysandra had always looked forward to mornings when a freshly pressed juice was served.

“Let’s make a toast then,” she said, raising the cup. “To being yourself.”

“To being yourself,” Saria repeated happily.

They took a sip, not breaking eye contact even for a second. The air tasted sweet from all of the tenderness shared moments before.

The mood was perfect. There was almost nothing stopping them from continuing their flirtatious exchange, or, perhaps, going even further than that.

Almost.

“Is something the matter, Rosa?” Lysandra asked. She noticed that despite serving the drinks and adding a few more dishes to the table, the girl didn’t leave.

She was standing next to them with an unreadable expression, as her gaze jumped between Saria and Lysandra.

“Oh, no, no, Your Highness,” Rosa spluttered. “I was… I was wondering if the breakfast suits your tastes?” she queried, giving Saria a side eye.

“Mhm. It does. Especially the juice. Deep crimson color with just the right amount of sweetness…” Lysandra took her cup and swirled the liquid inside it, then took a big sip. “Very appetizing,” she purred, licking her lips.

The veiled confession didn’t go unnoticed.

Emboldened by Lysandra’s words, Saria took her own goblet and drained its contents in one go.

Once done, she put the cup back on the table and, staring deeply into Lysandra’s eyes, she wiped the droplet escaping from the corner of her mouth with her thumb.

To make the show complete, she licked the remaining liquid off her finger. “Mm. A very refined taste indeed.”

This whole time, Lysandra didn’t blink even once. Her eyes obediently followed Saria’s every gesture.

She was burning hot by the end of it.

Control your urges, she scolded herself in her heart, then bit her lip to prove that she meant it.

“You’re such a tease.” Lysandra flashed a smile that quickly faded.

“Are you feeling alright? You suddenly look so pale,” Saria noticed.

Lysandra nodded weakly. “Mm. I feel a bit lightheaded. I must have been more tired than I expected,” she said, rubbing her temple.

Saria immediately hurried to Lysandra’s side. “Perhaps it will be better if we rest today. We can visit the town another time,” she said, while massaging Lysandra’s shoulders.

“I’m going to lie down for a moment. It should help.” Lysandra got up from her seat, but before she could take a step, she suddenly collapsed.

“Lys!” Saria caught her just in time.

Feeling her limp body in her arms, panic settled in her heart. “Lysandra! Lys! Wake up!”

No matter how much she called, Lysandra wasn’t coming back to her senses.

“Rosa, call for a healer! Tell them to—”

A heavy blow landed on the back of Saria’s head, and the next thing she saw was pitch black nothingness…