Chapter 193: A Glass of Wine
*A/N: The contents of this Chapter touch upon dark themes that might disturb some readers. You have been warned.*
Normally, waking up was a slow, gradual process. I’d always found sleep to be thick and heavy, like being dipped in honey, and it took time to shake the cobwebs off my brain and rub my eyes open.
But not today. The deep evenness of my lethargic breathing turned short mid-breath, and my eyes shot open. The banquet! Dread settled in my heart as I looked around wildly, expecting the sting of the slave crest to appear at any moment.
It never did. Instead, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, far away from any sort of commotion. It was as large as any of the royal suites I’d seen, even Soltair’s. White, plush carpet, four oak wardrobes, a massive bed, and several chairs scattered around a table. Light came from a small crystal chandelier fixed to the ceiling, bathing the room in a soft, warm glow.
I lay on a velvety couch in the corner, the cushions so soft they seemed to swallow me whole. It was so warm, and comforting, I nearly drifted off to sleep again, but an unsettling movement in my mana jolted me awake once more.
Before I could question the unfamiliar circumstances further, the muffled sound of voices floated through the door. It was a large, heavy piece of workmanship, secured with a heavy bolt and protected by multiple powerful enchantments. I instinctively reached for the Eyes of Fate, only to find my current mana too weak to draw on their power.
The bolt shifted and the door opened, revealing Alex. His handsome face was split with a grin, and he was looking deep into the eyes of a beautiful, buxom woman, the same beside him at the banquet. She wore a gem-encrusted tiara and several ruby rings, along with a beautiful, revealing silk dress. Her eyes narrowed when she saw me sitting up, prompting Alex to turn.
"Ah, Xiviyah. You’re awake!" he said, his smile widening. "How are you feeling? When I saw you passed out at the banquet, I just knew you’d need some proper rest."
I nodded mutely, my eyes not leaving his companion. Was this the princess of the Flame Kingdom he’d mentioned to Soltair? They were obviously close, but what was with that jealous look? She glared at me, clinging to his arm in such a way her breasts pressed suspiciously tight against his arm. The Fire Hero’s expression remained unchanged, without so much as a blush. Was he ignoring her, or was he just completely used to it? His promiscuity was no secret, but the thought he would be that comfortable with such proximity to women was unsettling.