Chapter 117: The Little Rose.
"She’s nice," Salviana answered about Jean, still a little breathless from the closeness. "Very serious about her duties."
"Good," he murmured, his tone distracted as his hand slid down to entwine with hers. His touch was absent-minded yet comforting, as if holding her was second nature.
The warmth between them grew, and Salviana found herself leaning into him, her earlier nerves melting away. Outside, the soft breeze of the morning rustled the trees, mingling with their quiet laughter and teasing remarks.
For a moment, the weight of the world faded, leaving just the two of them in their private bubble.
Until their chambers door got knocked on and Alaric sat straighter, Salviana glanced at him making her lips brush his cheekbone, they froze at the same time.
The sound he’d heard was forgotten as he turned his head slowly to meet her eyes, her green gazed in shaking anxiety before she leaned in and kissed his other cheekbone.
Alaric was stunned and before he could finish reasoning it, his cheeks flamed, color filled them and Salviana could only smile as she got bolder and kissed his forehead too. Just like he’d always do it and steal a piece of her heart, she wanted to return the favor and it did chip more emptiness out of Alaric’s soul.
A sharp knock on the office door shattered the warm, intimate moment between Salviana and Alaric.
"Your Grace, you have a visitor," Sarah’s chirpy voice called from the other side.
"Who?" Alaric asked, his focus still lingering on Salviana, the interruption clearly unwelcome.
"Princess Rose, Your Grace," Sarah replied.