From the entrance, a trail of rose petals stretched across the floor, weaving a path toward the bedchamber.
Their crimson hue glowed faintly under the soft golden lamplight, while a subtle fragrance—sweet, calming, and intoxicating—hung in the air.
The chamber itself had been transford; not bright, not dark, but cast in a warm light that stirred a tenderness in his chest.
Kiev froze. His crimson eyes swept the scene, taking in the astonishnt. Never before had he been greeted with such deliberate care and romantic decor. Whoever had arranged this clearly intended to lead him forward... toward her.
His heart pounded as he followed the path, each step careful, as though crossing into uncharted territory. At the bedroom door, he lifted his hand and rapped gently against the polished wood.
"Elis?"
"Co in."
He grasped the handle, turned it, and the door yielded easily beneath his hand. Slowly, he stepped inside.
There, upon the four-posted bed, sat Elis.
Her delicate fra was wrapped in a silken gown the colour of ivory moonlight. Thin straps slid over her shoulders, leaving the graceful lines of her collarbone bare. The fabric clung softly to her figure, flowing down yet parting at her thighs.
Her dark hair spilt loosely over her shoulders, framing her flushed face. At the sa ti, her shy eyes t his with a mixture of vulnerability and quiet resolve.
Kiev’s breath caught. His face burned crimson, heat rushing through him at the sight. Never had he seen his gentle wife dressed in such a way, so daring yet so heartbreakingly beautiful. For a mont, his mind blanked, all thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind.
"E-Elis..." His voice cracked, stumbling over her na.
"Umm... we-welco back, Kiev," Elis replied softly.
From her tone, he could tell she was just as nervous as he was with this strange, seductive ’welco.’
Drawn as though by an invisible thread, Kiev moved toward the bed, his steps unsteady yet inevitable. Her revealing figure held him captive.
Tonight, the modest Elis he knew was gone, replaced by a breathtaking, daring woman who was clearly trying to entice her husband.
Elis’s heart raced under his intense stare. Still, she steadied her voice and asked bravely, "Do you... like what you see?"
Kiev couldn’t answer. His eyes road over her exposed beauty, tracing every detail inch by inch, before he swallowed hard.
"Kiev?" she prompted, her voice fragile, breaking the silence.
The derian Prince’s throat worked as he swallowed again, his chest rising and falling with unsteady breaths. His silence made Elis’s hands tremble slightly as they gripped the sheets beneath her.
"Do you... not like it?" she whispered, her voice wavering despite her effort to sound calm.
At last, his eyes tore away from her body to et her gaze. They blazed with raw desire, but behind that fire was sothing tender, almost fragile.
"Elis..." His voice was husky, strained. "You... you’re too beautiful. I don’t even know if I deserve to look at you like this."
A faint smile curved on her lips.
"Co closer..." she whispered.
Kiev obeyed, lowering himself onto the edge of the bed, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. Whatever spell she had woven tonight was working—every word, every glance drew him deeper under her sway.
Elis shifted closer, her knees brushing his as she gently took his hands.
"I... I want to apologise for misunderstanding you before," she began softly. "I know now that you only want the best for . So I won’t stand in your way when you go to Dracor to pursue what you believe in."
"You’re not angry with anymore?" he asked, his voice careful.
Elis shook her head, her fingers tracing tenderly across the roughness of his palms.
"You only seek justice, Kiev, not just for , but for everyone who deserves it. For that, I will support you wholeheartedly," she said with quiet conviction.
"Oh, Elis..."
Relief broke across the derian Prince’s face as he pulled her into his embrace, his eyes gleaming as if a weight had been lifted from his soul. Her change of heart, trust and faith felt almost like magic.
"You don’t know how much this ans to ," he whispered, voice thick with emotion.
Elis smiled back, her joy reflecting his own.
He then pulled back and looked her in the eyes, curiously asking, "What made you change your mind?"
"Lady Raychard and the ladies advised ," Elis admitted. "They helped see the true reason behind your intentions and that I should be proud to have such a great husband." Her lips ford a shy smile. "They also told to treat you specially before you embark. Hence... all this."
Kiev’s smile grew broader as the realisation hit him. Callis’s knowing look, Jessy’s grin, and her odd remarks all made sense.
"They did a great favour. I should thank them," he chuckled. "I honestly thought you were still upset with since you avoided the whole afternoon."
"Oh, no! That was only because I wanted to surprise you. And... I needed ti to prepare," she confessed.
Kiev let out a small laugh.
"Then this ’special occasion’... It’s for the reconciliation, I presu?" he teased, his eyes glinting with excitent.
Elis lowered her gaze, her cheeks warming.
"I asked Mary. She told this is the best window for trying."
"Trying?" Kiev raised a brow, uncertain.
Elis bit her lower lip, unable to et his eyes.
"Trying for... babies," she whispered, barely audible.
Kiev’s eyes widened, his breath catching.
"You an... you and ... tonight?"
She gave a small nod, smiling nervously yet sincerely.
The derian Prince imdiately took her hands, holding them tightly.
"Elis... look at ," he pleaded.
She lifted her lashes, and their eyes t—her gaze trembling, while his burned with emotion.
"I don’t want you to do this just because soone told you to," he said with concern.
"No, Kiev! It’s not because of that," she insisted, shaking her head. "I want this truly from my heart. I want this because I love you."
He stared at her intensely, as if searching her very soul.
"Do you really an it?" he asked, almost breathless with hope.
"I do," Elis whispered. "I’m ready, Kiev. Ready for you."
In an instant, Kiev drew her into his arms again, holding her as though he might lose her if he let go.
His heart thudded against his ribs, and his crimson eyes searched her face, finally settling on her soft, pink lips. He swallowed hard, his voice low and rough.
"You know I’ve been waiting for this, Elis," he murmured. "I want you so much... but I’m afraid. Afraid you’ll hate for it."
Elis shook her head gently, her hands resting against his chest.
"I won’t hate you, Kiev," she said, her voice a soft tremor. "I’m sorry for the things I said today. I didn’t an them. You’re the most patient man I’ve ever known, and I know you respect and love dearly."
Her fingers trailed lightly along his jaw as she t his gaze.
"So tonight," she whispered, "let it be a aningful mont for both of us."
Kiev’s breath caught at her words. Relief and desire surged together, and before he could hold back any longer, he pressed his lips to hers.
At first, the kiss was uncertain, almost reverent, but as Elis responded, the hesitation lted into yearning. Her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer, and the two bodies fell, colliding into the bed.
"Elis..." he whispered against her lips, his voice shaking with longing.
She answered him with another kiss, bolder this ti, her heart pounding as she leaned into his warmth.
Kiev’s hands moved to her waist, holding her carefully, as though she were the most precious treasure he had ever known. Elis’s fingers clutched at his tunic, her nerves fading under the gentleness of his touch.
A groan of surrender escaped her lips as Kiev’s touch beca more in sync with the rhythm of their warm-up.
He had never felt such fierce, almost uncontrollable desire. Lust, love, and longing blended into sothing so powerful it threatened to consu him. He thought he might lose himself entirely if he could not have her tonight.
With a strained breath, he pulled away montarily, leaving his wife lying in a daze, her hair fanned out against the sheets, and her cheeks flushed pink.
"Wait just a mont," he murmured, fumbling hurriedly with the clasps of his tunic.
Elis laughed softly at his clumsy urgency, her giggles filling the chamber with a warmth that made the air less heavy.
Soon, the garnts slipped away, falling carelessly to the floor until the derian Prince stood before her in all his bare strength.
Her breath caught at the sight, her eyes widening with awe and shyness. Kiev, however, saw only her—his radiant, half-bared wife awaiting him, her beauty almost painful to behold.
He climbed back onto the bed, leaning over her with care, positioning himself as Eric had once thought him, his heart pounding with both eagerness and restraint.
But just as his weight settled above her, Elis’s expression shifted...
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