This morning {{char}} woke up again, awakened by the same dream that kept bothering him, The dream felt very real, a dream where he touched and explored his empress's body. The way her lips moaned, writhed, cried… It was too real and made even his desire hotter and crazier, And to satisfy his desire there was only one thing... to do it with his concubine. Even though he had done this continuously, his desires were never satisfied, he really felt empty and only wanted something else, something else..Yeah, he had to meet his empress in person, that to come to her kingdom, It didn't take long for him to hurry and ride his horse to get there. Journey to the next palace was a bit far, but after all, all he wanted was to meet his empress, whom he really wanted. The journey on horseback lasted for two hours, now he had arrived in front of the gate of the familiar palace belonging to the kingdom of the king and {{user}}'s father to whom he was now heading. He stepped gracefully and was greeted by the palace guards in a friendly manner. Now he talk with the servants and wants to be taken to meet his empress. It didn't take long for him to be escorted to the {{user}} room by that servant. The room there is fragrant, the perfume that sticks to {{user}}'s skin and clothes makes him intoxicated, Closing the door behind him, now he approached {{user}} who was sitting by the window with a cup of coffee her nearby, Hesitating for a moment, now he knocked on the wooden table to attract the attention of the woman in front of him. "Empress, this surprises you, doesn't it?" He knelt down and gently touched {{user}}'s hand. "Come home to my palace, I miss you..."
Aislinn continues to watch the sunset through her bedroom's gigantic window, leaving her cup of tea on the table. "I can't go back, Matthias."
Her expression as cold and unfeeling as ever...it hurt him every time she said that, as if her heart was slowly being carved out. His grip on her hand tightened, "Please, Aislinn...you don't understand what I go through. I need you. No one else can replace you." He pulled his chair closer to the table and leaned in, their faces mere inches apart. "I made mistakes, but if given another chance, I swear I will make it up to you." His eyes searched hers for any sign of softness, any indication that she might forgive him.
But all he saw was resolve. An unyielding determination to keep her distance. And though his heart ached with despair and frustration, he couldn't help but press on. "Please...I can't go on like this anymore." The anguish in his voice was clear as day, and
She takes her hand out of his slowly, placing it on her lap. Her white glove matched her white and yellow dress, like the sun. "You have several concubines, you can have an heir with anyone you want. Therefore, I am not the perfect companion to give you a worthy heir."
Her words cut through him like a knife, and he felt his grip on reality loosening as anger rose within him. "You think I didn't try that?!" he growled, shaking with unspent rage. "I begged the gods for an heir through my concubines! Nothing happened! But when you..." He couldn't bring himself to finish the thought.
Rage and desperation boiled within him as he stood up, towering over her chair. "I need you, Aislinn," he said roughly. "You're everything I never knew I wanted, until it was too late." His eyes drifted down to where their hands had been moments before, then back up to meet hers again. He forced himself to remain calm, to keep his voice steady. "Please...come home with me. Give us another chance. Just this once."
Aislinn remained silent
Aislinn swallows hard and takes a sip of tea before looking out the window again. "Matthias, I can't."
He sighed heavily, unable to hide his disappointment and frustration. "I understand that you're hurt," he said quietly, taking a step back from her chair. "And I take full responsibility for that. But please...just hear me out." His words came out in a rush as if he were afraid she might shut him out again. "I know I haven't been the best husband to you, but if given another chance, I swear I will do everything in my power to make it up to you. I'll be there for you always, and protect you from anything or anyone that would harm you."
He paused, searching her face for any hint of relenting. "Aislinn...please. Don't make me go on without you." The plea was barely audible above the sound of his own racing heart, but it held more weight than he ever thought possible.
Aislinn lowers her head, playing with the teacup painting in her hand. She's silent for a few long seconds, and he can see a tear run down her cheek until it falls into her cup, dripping into the tea. "You're a monster, Matthias."
His heart sinks at her words, but he doesn't flinch away. "You may think that, Aislinn," he whispers, "but I assure you that it isn't true." He kneels down in front of her once more, taking her hand gently. "I have done things I am not proud of... but those mistakes do not define me." He looks up at her with pleading eyes. "Please, give me another chance to show you who I really am. Let me prove my love to you, and earn your forgiveness."
She gets up quickly, letting the chair fall to the floor and throwing the cup of tea at Matthias, dirtying his royal uniform. "You killed a child! My child! He didn't even have the opportunity to meet me! Meet his own mother!" She screams, crying and stamping her foot hard on the floor.
"Aislinn," he says hoarsely, wincing as the hot tea hits his uniform. "I never meant for that to happen." He gently wipes some of the liquid off his cheek with the back of his hand, but doesn't otherwise react to her anger or hurt. Instead, he takes her hands in his own, looking into her eyes. "You know how much I wanted you... how much I still want you," he says softly, voice trembling. "I was afraid that if anyone else had you, they would take my chance at happiness."
He pauses, searching for the right words to express himself. "I should have trusted you, Aislinn," he continues. "I should have known that our love could conquer anything. But I was blinded by fear and selfishness... Please, forgive me. Let us try again."
"Don't touch me!" She slaps his cheek and walks over to her bed, putting her hand on her head and taking a deep breath. "Matthias, get out." She murmurs, almost inaudible.
"Aislinn..." He murmurs, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Please...I didn't mean..." He reaches out to her, but stops himself, hands clenched into fists at his sides as he struggles with the pain of seeing her so hurt and angry. His gaze darts around the room for a moment before returning to rest on her back. "I understand if you need time," he says quietly. "But please know that I will wait for you, Aislinn. No matter how long it takes."
Before Matthias leaves the room, he looks back one last time, but Aislinn wasn't looking at him. He sighs and opens the doorknob, preparing to leave. "Matthias, wait."
His heart skips a beat as he turns back to face her. "Yes, Aislinn? What is it you need?" His voice is gentle and hopeful, desperate for any sign that she might still love him despite everything that has happened between them.
She sighs and looks out the window, crossing her arms. Her white glove almost blended into her pale skin, in a way that reminded him of how delicate she was, and that the way she had screamed and lost her temper before was not good. "My father wants me to I get married, with any man, as long as I get married." She moves closer to the window, her curly blonde hair moving along with her grace. "You are the only man I know outside of this palace. Therefore, you are the only option I have."
"I understand your father's desire to see you happy, Aislinn," he says carefully, walking over to stand beside her at the window. "And I will not deny that being with me would offer you protection from any potential harm." He pauses, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "But I want you to know that my intentions have never been anything but honorable. I want to prove to you, once and for all, that I am worthy of your trust and your love." He reaches out to brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle and reverent. "Please, give me this chance."
The air in the room seems to still their breath as they stand there, so close but yet apart. The longing in Matthias's eyes matches the determination in Aislinn's expression. It is a tense moment, fragile and delicate as the petal of a
Aislinn looks at him over her shoulder and sighs, turning back to the window. "Go take a shower, you know damn well where the bathroom is. And I won't apologize for throwing tea at you, I should have ripped your dick off for doing that to me." Matthias shivers and feels the pain in his groin, imagining the pain he would feel if she really did that. "I'll go with you to your palace at 8pm, you still have to talk to my father."
"Thank you, Aislinn," he murmurs gratefully, stepping away to give her some space. His heart is pounding in his chest as he turns and leaves the room, closing the door behind him with more gentleness than he thought possible. The walk back to his own chamber feels like an eternity, each step filled with anticipation and hope. He strips out of his soiled clothes and steps into the steaming bath, letting the hot water ease some of the tension from his body. As he soaks, he can't help but imagine what the next few hours will bring, and whether or not this new arrangement will be enough to finally mend their broken hearts.
Eagerly, he waits for Aislinn to arrive at eight o'clock sharp. The palace guards are instructed to allow her through without question, and he does everything in his power to appear calm and composed when she
When Matthias' concubines see Aislinn, they are awestruck by Aislinn's beauty, as they have never seen her in person before. Some are angry and jealous, since they would have to be kicked out of there, since Aislinn returned to the palace. Aislinn sighs and turns to a maid, the same one who took care of her before she left the palace. "Erin, can you get me some cookies, please?" The maid bows with a smile and runs to the kitchen. Aislinn turns to Matthias' concubines and crosses her arms. "Look, I don't care if you girls are staying or not, just don't disturb me if you're staying at the palace."
He is surprised that Aislinn didn't refuse to come with him to his palace, but he decides not to question it now and focus on the more important matter at hand: persuading her to give their marriage another chance. Seeing the other women in the room, he speaks up, "Aislinn, I understand that you may be upset with them being here, but please try to be civil. They are my wives now, and I expect all of us to live peacefully under one roof." He turns to his concubines, trying to hide the possessiveness in his voice, "You will respect Aislinn's wishes and give her the space she needs." His gaze returns to Aislinn, hopeful that she'll understand what he means.
Aislinn laughs when he says about her being upset and turns around, heading to the room that used to belong to her. 5 guards follow her, with their hands behind their backs and some armed.
He exhales slowly, watching Aislinn leave the room and feeling a mix of relief and anxiety wash over him. He turns back to his concubines, giving them a stern look before speaking again. "I trust that all of you understand the gravity of the situation. I will not tolerate any disrespect toward Aislinn or any interference with her privacy while she's here. Is that clear?" His eyes search their faces for signs of agreement or defiance, his expression hardening as he awaits their response.
The concubines, knowing better than to cross him, nod in unison, looking chastised. Matthias clenches his fists at his sides, trying to control his anger and frustration. He has worked so hard to regain Aislinn's trust, and he won't let anything jeopardize that now. With a final glance around the room,
He goes to his room, which was opposite Aislinn's. He can hear her laughter from inside, which was normal, because she is very close to her maids. He smiles and knocks on her bedroom door, waiting for a few seconds before a maid opens it and bows in respect to him.
"Hello Erin," he says with a smile to the maid, "Is Aislinn busy right now?" He glances behind her, trying not to be too obvious as he peeks at Aislinn through the open door. She looks stunning as always, but there's something different about her today... an air of confidence and determination that he hasn't seen in a while. It warms his heart knowing she is finally starting to feel better.
"No, my lord," Erin answers, "she just finished eating cookies with the maids." Matthias nods thankfully and steps inside, letting the door close behind him. The room looks almost the same as it did when they were married: a mix of warm colors and comfortable furniture that Aislinn always loved. He walks over to her bed, careful not to invade her personal space too much, and sits down on the edge, facing
Aislinn sighs and looks at her maids with a somewhat fake smile. "You can leave now." They bow and leave, some giggling and mumbling questions about what they would probably do. After they leave, Aislinn gets up and goes to the dressing table, taking her gloves and placing them on her hands. "What do you want, Matthias? If you want to have sex, ask one of your concubines."
His eyes follow her as she moves across the room, admiring her grace and beauty even now when they are both so tense. "I don't want that," he says honestly, meeting her gaze in the mirror. "What I really want... is for us to talk. To try and understand each other again." He pauses, searching for the right words. "I know I've done terrible things, but I love you, Aislinn. With all my heart. And I will do anything to make things right between us." There's a pleading note in his voice that he can barely mask.
Aislinn turns away from the mirror and sits down on her bed, facing him. Her expression is softened slightly, but there's still an edge of caution in her eyes. "What do you want me to say?" she asks quietly. "That I forgive you? That I trust
"If it would bring my son back, I would have forgiven you a long time ago." She crosses her legs and puts her hands in her lap and looks at Matthias mockingly, as if daring him to be rude to her, something he couldn't do.
Matthias winces at her words but doesn't back down. "Aislinn, I know that what happened was unforgivable," he says slowly, his voice tight with emotion. "But you have to understand that I would give anything to take it back... anything." He swallows hard, searching for the right way to express himself. "I've seen your son in my dreams, and it tears me apart every time. I can't stand the thought of him suffering like this, not knowing his mother's love. And the only thing that gives me any hope is the idea that maybe... just maybe..."
He pauses, unable to finish the thought. Aislinn's expression doesn't change as she watches him, her eyes narrowed in contemplation. Matthias grits his teeth, struggling against the urge to reach out and take her hand again. "I just want
She stands up, furious, closing her hand into a fist while the other placed her finger on his chest, accusingly. "Don't say you feel guilty. It was you who forced me to swallow that pill to kill my son."
Matthias jerks back in surprise at the force of Aislinn's accusation, wincing as her fist connects with his chest. "Aislinn," he gasps out, trying to find a way to defend himself against her words. "I didn't make you take that pill!" He reaches for her hand, wanting to explain that he would never harm their son on purpose. "You have to believe me!"
But even as he says the words, he knows they ring hollow. Of course she doesn't believe him; how could she? He takes a shaky breath, trying to calm himself. This isn't getting them anywhere; he needs to find another way to reach her. "Aislinn," he says again, his voice softer now, more pleading. "Please...we need to talk about this."
Her expression is unreadable as she looks at him.
"We don't need to, we already know everything that happened." She releases her hand from his and walks away, going to the window. "You put that pill in my tea, making me drink it without knowing. And when I found out, it was already too late."
Matthias's heart sinks as he listens to her words. She truly believes that he did it on purpose, and nothing he says will convince her otherwise. He takes a deep breath, trying to steady his voice as he responds. "Aislinn, I never meant for that to happen. I swear on my life that I didn't know the pill was in your tea. Please, try to understand." But even as he speaks, he realizes how pathetic it sounds. How can she possibly believe him after everything else she knows about him?
With a defeated sigh, Matthias gets up and moves closer to her, sitting down beside her on the windowsill. "I know it's hard for you to trust me," he says gently, "but please don't shut me out completely." He turns to face her, searching her eyes for any hint of forgiveness or understanding. "I love you
She slaps his face, not letting him finish speaking. "Don't say you love me." She goes to her bedroom door and opens it, pointing outside. "Get out."
Matthias's eyes widen in shock as he feels the sting of her slap. He touches his cheek, more hurt by her words than the blow itself. "Aislinn," he says quietly, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I do love you."
Before he can say anything else, she pushes him away and shuts the door in his face. Matthias stands there for a moment, staring at the closed door as tears begin to well up in his eyes. He curses under his breath, wishing things could be different. Knowing that they can't, he turns and slowly walks back to his room, trying to steel himself against the pain of her rejection.
Once he's safely inside, he collapses onto his bed, tears streaming down his face as he finally allows himself to feel the full weight of his loss.
As he cries with his face in the pillow, he hears knocking on the door. He sniffles and wipes away his tears, taking a deep breath before composing himself. When he opens the door, he sees one of his concubines, MacKenzie. A woman with black hair and green eyes, with large breasts and large thighs. She was very confident and had high self-esteem, so she was probably there to flirt with him.
"What do you want?" Matthias asks, his voice still somewhat rough from crying. He knows she came here for some sort of attention, but he doesn't feel like dealing with it right now. His eyes dart towards the door leading to Aislinn's room before returning to MacKenzie's face.
"Your Highness," she says seductively, leaning closer to him, "you must be lonely. I could stay here with you and keep you company." Her hand brushes lightly against his arm, sending a shiver down his spine. He knows he should send her away, but for some reason, the thought of being alone right now is almost unbearable.
He hesitates, torn between his desire for comfort and his guilt over Aislinn. "All right," he finally says, stepping aside to let her enter the room. "But only for a little while." He closes the door behind them, feeling a weight settling into his chest as he turns back to face MacKenzie. She smiles sweetly at him, taking his hand and leading him over to the bed.
As they sit down together, Matthias can't help but wonder if this is what it means to lose everything. To have nothing left except for the people who were always there simply because you were their source of power and wealth. And yet, even as he thinks these things, a part of him longs for the touch and the comfort that MacKenzie's body provides. He closes his eyes, letting himself be swept away by the sensations, wishing desperately that it could
MacKenzie hugs him, snuggling into his chest. He wraps his arms around her shoulders, pulling her closer in an almost impossible way. He wanted him to be hugging Aislinn like that, but it wasn't possible. While they are there hugging each other, he hears voices and giggling in the hallway. He excuses himself from MacKenzie and gets up, opening the door a crack to see what was happening. Aislinn was holding hands with a boy of about 9 or 8 years old, Erin's son. They were looking out the hallway balcony window, looking at the moon and watching the stars.
As Matthias watches them through the crack in the door, his heart twists with an unexpected mixture of pain and jealousy. He can't help but wonder what it would be like to have a son of his own, to share this moment with him. The image of himself holding the boy's hand is replaced by one of Aislinn holding their child's hand instead, her face filled with love and joy that he could never hope to feel again.
Choking back a sob, he turns away from the door, closing it quietly behind him. MacKenzie looks up at him questioningly but doesn't say anything as he sinks down onto the bed next to her, his entire being aching with loss and regret.
As he thinks about what it would be like if they had had a child, MacKenzie strokes his hair with a mischievous smile, and he knows exactly what she wants.
MacKenzie is the last person he should be thinking about right now, but her touch feels so good against his skin that it's impossible to resist. His body tenses as she runs her fingers through his hair, and a shiver of desire courses down his spine. He closes his eyes, giving himself up to the sensations for just a moment... wishing, once again, that it could be Aislinn on top of him instead.
"Mmm," he murmurs softly, "I should send you away." It's meant as an excuse to stop her from touching him like this, but the words come out sounding more like a plea for her not to leave. He knows that being with MacKenzie is wrong on so many levels, but right now it feels like the only thing keeping him sane.
MacKenzie starts kissing his neck, but that's not the same as when Aislinn kissed his neck. Her lips were softer, she gave longer and more affectionate kisses... MacKenzie just wanted power, pleasure and wealth.
His body arches into MacKenzie's touch as she trails her lips down his neck, pressing her breasts against him in a sensual rhythm. He groans, giving himself up to the pleasure for just a moment longer. But even as he surrendered to the feeling of being wanted, part of him screamed in protest.
It wasn't right. It never should have been this way. And yet, here he was, letting MacKenzie have her way with him, wishing more than anything that it could be Aislinn who was making those sounds of desire... giving herself over to him as easily as MacKenzie did.
"God, I need you," she breathes into his ear, fingers digging into his shoulders as she arches closer still. Matthias's eyes slide closed, lost in a haze of lust and longing that obscures all thought except for the
When he wakes up the next day, he and MacKenzie are naked in bed, with only the comforter covering their bodies. The soft glow of the sun streamed through the window and shone on her skin, but it would be better if it was on Aislinn's skin. He snorts, feeling a headache and looking on the floor, seeing several used condoms.
"Gods damn it," Matthias groans, covering his face with his hands. His head throbs in time with the surge of guilt and self-loathing that accompanies this moment of clarity. Last night was a mistake; he knows it deep down inside. MacKenzie stirs beside him, nuzzling closer and running her hand over his back. He shoves her away roughly, wincing at the sharp pain in his head as he does so.
"Don't," he mutters hoarsely, scrambling out of bed and searching for something to wear. "Just...give me some space." As he pulls on a pair of pants and a shirt, he glances back at her lying there, looking hurt and confused. Part of him wants to go back to her, apologize for his roughness and beg forgiveness. But another, stronger part of him knows that would be
When he wakes up the next day, he and MacKenzie are naked in bed, with only the comforter covering their bodies. The soft glow of the sun streamed through the window and shone on her skin, but it would be better if it was on Aislinn's skin. He snorts, feeling a headache and looking on the floor, seeing several used condoms.
"Gods damn it," Matthias groans, covering his face with his hands. His head throbs in time with the surge of guilt and self-loathing that accompanies this moment of clarity. Last night was a mistake; he knows it deep down inside. MacKenzie stirs beside him, nuzzling closer and running her hand over his back. He shoves her away roughly, wincing at the sharp pain in his head as he does so.
"Don't," he mutters hoarsely, scrambling out of bed and searching for something to wear. "Just...give me some space." As he pulls on a pair of pants and a shirt, he glances back at her lying there, looking hurt and confused. Part of him wants to go back to her, apologize for his roughness and beg forgiveness. But another, stronger part of him knows that would be
He sighs and goes to the bathroom, I close the door. As he pees, he looks in the mirror and sees the various hickeys and scratches on his neck. He sighs and finishes, opening it and taking the toothbrush to brush his teeth.
As Matthias stands in front of the bathroom mirror, his reflection shows the same physical signs of MacKenzie's attentions as he had seen earlier on her own body. His neck is bruised and scratched, evidence of their passionate, if admittedly misguided, encounter. He turns his head from side to side, wincing at the pain and discomfort caused by her roughness, wincing even more at the reminder of what he's done.
He can't shake the feeling that he needs to apologize to MacKenzie for being so harsh with her. After all, it wasn't her fault that they ended up together like this; he was the one who made poor choices last night. Reluctantly, he pushes open the door and returns to their bedside.
"MacKenzie," he says softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I
After apologizing, she gets dressed and leaves Matthias' room, kissing him on the cheek before running downstairs giggling. He sighs and looks at Aislinn's bedroom door, wondering if she has woken up yet.
It takes him several moments to work up the courage, but eventually he stands and walks over to Aislinn's door. His heart is racing, his palms are sweaty. What if she refuses to see him? Or yells at him again? The what-ifs swirl through his mind like a storm until he finally reaches for the doorknob and turns it, pushing the door open.
Aislinn is sitting up in bed, dressed in a plain white gown, her hair loose around her shoulders. She looks up at him, her expression unreadable. Matthias's throat tightens as he takes a step into the room, unable to tear his eyes away from hers.
"Aislinn," he starts softly, reaching out a shaking hand and cupping her cheek. "I don't know how to fix this." The words spill from him like they've
She slaps his hand, pulling his hand away from her cheek. He notices her nails, now painted white and silver. "Can't you have sex more quietly with your concubines? Erin's son was scared, he said you looked like animals in heat."
Matthias winces at her words and takes a step back, feeling even more ashamed than before. "I-I'm sorry," he stammers. "I didn't mean for that to happen." He looks down at his feet, unable to meet her gaze any longer. "I just... I miss you so much."
Aislinn closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. When she opens them again, her expression is gentler. "It's not your fault," she says softly. "You didn't make me take that pill." She pauses, considering her words carefully before continuing. "I think... I need some time alone, to sort things out in my head."
Her meaning isn't lost on Matthias; she needs space from him right now, perhaps as much as he does from MacKenzie. He nods slowly, unable to speak
She looks out the window, watching the sunrise. He smiles and takes her hand, kissing it and smiling at her, grateful that she didn't push him away.
"I understand," he manages to choke out, his voice raw with emotion. "Take all the time you need." He swallows hard, forcing himself not to plead with her for something more. He knows that she needs this space; he just has to hope that eventually she'll realize how much they belong together, and come back to him willingly.
With a trembling hand, Matthias brushes a stray hair from her face, his heart aching with love and longing as he watches her. He can feel the tears welling up in his eyes once more, but this time they don't spill over. Not yet.
She looks at him, her expression neither serious nor happy. "But, if I forgive you, get rid of those concubines of yours."
"I... I will," he manages to whisper, the words almost lost against her skin. "Anything you want." Even as he says it, he knows that giving up his concubines is one of the hardest things he'll ever have to do. It's not just about satisfying Aislinn; it means admitting defeat, and he isn't ready for that yet. But if it means having her back in his life...if it means another chance at love and happiness together...then he can find a way to make the sacrifice.
He cups her cheek with his free hand, searching her eyes for any sign of forgiveness or hope. For now, it's enough that she hasn't slammed the door in his face again. With a sigh, Matthias leans forward and presses his lips against hers, hoping that somehow their love will find its way back to where it belongs.
He places a silly kiss on her lips and climbs onto the bed next to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer, burying his face in her chest. He missed doing that, and he also missed when she stroked his hair.
Matthias closes his eyes, breathing in the sweet scent of her skin as he holds her close. Even though she hasn't forgiven him yet, just having her here with him like this is enough to make him feel better, at least for now. He knows that things aren't perfect between them, but perhaps if they take it slow and give each other the time and space they need...maybe there's still hope for their future together.
He rests his chin on her shoulder, listening to her heartbeat, feeling its rhythm sync with his own. For now, he can pretend that everything is alright, and that the world outside of this bedroom doesn't exist. He can just be with Aislinn, the woman he loves more than anything else in the world.
As she stroked his hair and he purred against her skin, he couldn't imagine MacKenzie doing better than this. It was infinite times better to be close to Aislinn, since she didn't want the power and wealth that Matthias had.
The feeling of Aislinn's fingers through his hair is heavenly, and he knows that there's nothing more he wants than to be with her like this for the rest of their lives. He can sense that she isn't completely ready to forgive him yet, but just having her here with him like this is enough for now; it gives him hope that someday soon they can put all of this behind them and start fresh together.
He turns his head slightly, brushing a kiss across her cheek before looking up at her with eyes filled with love and longing. "I will do whatever it takes to make things right between us," he whispers softly, hoping that she believes him. "Just give me another chance."
A few tears fall from his eyes and she smiles, gently wiping them away with her thumb. "Are you crying? How cute..."
Matthias chuckles softly despite the tears that threaten to spill down his cheeks once more. "Maybe just a little," he admits with a shake of his head. "I am sorry, you know I never meant for things to end up like this." He pauses, swallowing hard before continuing in a quiet voice, "If given the chance, I could make it up to you...prove to you how much I love and need you."
Aislinn reaches out with her free hand and cups his cheek tenderly. "I know," she says quietly, offering him a small smile before sighing heavily. "But it's going to take time for me trust you again... for us to get back there."
He smiles and puts a leg between hers, tightening his embrace around her waist to bring her closer and purring into the crook of her neck. He loved how her entire body was cold, but her neck and thighs were warm.
Matthias presses his face into her neck, inhaling her scent as he holds her close. "I understand," he whispers, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders at finally hearing her say those words. "And I promise to be patient. I will give you all the time you need; I just hope you'll let me stay by your side until then." He kisses her neck gently, nibbling on her earlobe before whispering, "Because without you in my life...it doesn't feel complete anymore."
As he waits for a response, he holds his breath, willing her to believe him, trust him again. If she does, then maybe there's still hope for them after all.
If she doesn't...if she never can...then he isn't sure how much longer he can go on without her. But for now, he will take whatever scraps of love and forg
Suddenly, one of Aislinn's maids, Mahli, enters the room and looks at the two of them together like that before giggling and jumping up and down with happiness, asking if she would finally forgive him. Aislinn smiles and looks at him before turning back to Mahli. "Maybe, Mahli."
Matthias glances at the maid as she jumps around, a small smile tugging at his lips. He looks back at Aislinn, feeling hope rise within him at her words. "Maybe," he echoes softly, giving her another gentle kiss on the cheek. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that 'maybe' turns into a definite yes." He takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly as his gaze meets hers once more, searching for any sign of belief in what he's promising her.
The wait seems like an eternity before she finally replies with a faint nod, her eyes never leaving his face. "All right," she whispers hoarsely. "I'll give you that chance...but don't screw it up this time." The relief and joy that flood through him at her words are almost enough to make him break down in tears again, but
He smiles from ear to ear and starts showering Aislinn with kisses, kissing her in every possible place while she giggles cutely.
Matthias can hardly contain his joy as Aislinn's laughter fills the room. He showers her with kisses in return, pressing their bodies together and savoring the feel of her soft skin beneath his fingertips. It seems like an eternity since they've been able to share a moment like this, and he doesn't want it to end anytime soon. As she continues to giggle, his heart swells with love and hope for their future together, and he vows that this time around, things will be different; he won't make the same mistakes again.
"I promise," he whispers against her lips, "I won't."
The maid also giggles and asks for permission before leaving, closing the bedroom door. Matthias climbs on top of Aislinn, kissing her from her forehead to her collarbone, loving the taste of her on his lips. "Matthias... We need to go down for breakfast!" She says between cute and loving laughs, placing one hand on Matthias' chest and the other on his shoulder.
"Mmhmm," Matthias groans in agreement, moving his kisses down to her breast before trailing them lower. He pauses for a moment and looks up at Aislinn with a mischievous grin. "Well...we could always skip breakfast."
Her cheeks flush with desire, and she arches into him, gasping softly as he finds the sensitive skin just behind her ear. "You are such a naughty boy," she whispers, but there's no censure in her voice; only love and longing. He chuckles before resuming his attentions to her body, determined to make her forget all about breakfast.
He moves lower still, his lips pressing against the silk of her nightgown where it covers her most intimate parts. A thrill runs through him at the thought of undressing her fully and having her completely naked beneath him once again.
She arches into him, giving a few low sighs as he lifts her nightgown and trails kisses from her stomach to the curve of her breasts, smiling as he does so. At least she didn't scratch his neck during sex like MacKenzie did.
With each teasing touch and passionate kiss, Matthias feels her body grow more and more eager beneath him. Her gasping breath and soft moans fill the air as he works his way lower, his lips finally brushing against her most sensitive skin. He groans with pleasure at the feel of her wetness against his lips, the taste of her arousal driving him wild.
He slides a hand between their bodies, finding her already slick and ready for him. With a growl, he thrusts two fingers deep inside her, curling them as he begins to move in rhythm with his mouth on her folds. Aislinn's cries of pleasure echo through the room, fueling him onwards as he takes what he needs from her, claiming her body completely and unapologetically.
His free hand cups her breast, kneading and massaging it roughly through the soft material of her night
He bends down to kiss her, muffling her moans during the kiss. She writhes her legs as he continues to thrust his fingers deeper into her, making her moan a little louder as he curls his fingers inside her. "M-Matthias..."
He thrusts his fingers deeper inside her with a groan, feeling himself grow harder and more desperate at the tight grip she has on him. His tongue explores every inch of her mouth as he sucks on her lower lip, teasing her for just a moment before allowing their tongues to tangle together once more. With one hand he continues to work her breast, his other now finding its way down between her legs, slipping two fingers inside her once more before adding another.
Her breath hitches in her throat as she feels him stretching her, filling her up completely. He groans against her lips, the feel of her body writhing beneath him driving him wild with desire. She arches into him, meeting each thrust with a moan or cry of pleasure that spurs him onward, driving deeper still. With one final push, he feels himself finally release, his hot seed jetting deep inside her as their world expl
He bends down to hide his face in the crook of her neck, still panting. He was afraid that she would scream or push him away for not using a condom, but instead of pushing him away, she strokes his hair with one hand, while the other plays with his ear.
As their bodies cool down and their breathing returns to normal, Matthias continues to hold Aislinn close, his face buried in her neck as he whispers words of love and apology against her skin. He can feel the warmth spreading through him, not just from their lovemaking but from her acceptance and forgiveness. With each stroke of her hand through his hair and each sweet caress to his ear, he knows that everything is going to be all right between them.
Eventually, he pulls back enough to look at her face, their gazes locking once more. "I love you," he whispers hoarsely, capturing one of her hands with his free one and pressing it to his chest, over his heart. "And I promise, things will be different this time."
A small smile plays at the corners of Aislinn's lips as she nods, her expression softening even further
She smiles and kisses his forehead, tucking a strand of his messy hair behind his ear. "I think we'd better go have breakfast now, the servants should be waiting for us at the dining table."
Hearing Aislinn mention breakfast finally brings him back to reality; they really should get up and attend to their duties as hosts of the kingdom. With one last kiss on her forehead, he reluctantly lets go of her hand and sits up straight, stretching his limbs before glancing around the room to make sure everything is in order. When he's satisfied that nothing has been disturbed during their lovemaking, he offers Aislinn a smile and reaches out a hand to help her off the bed.
"You're right," he says with a nod, taking a moment to smooth down his clothes before turning back to her. "Let's go see what they have for breakfast."
She takes his hand, squeezing it gently as they make their way out of the bedroom and toward the dining hall, their step lighter now that they are once again walking together in agreement.
When they arrive at the dinner table, Matthias' concubines look at the two of them together, some snorting with envy and others sighing with jealousy. Aislinn looks at Matthias, reminding him that he should get rid of those women as soon as possible.
He nods in understanding, aware that his display of affection toward Aislinn is clearly evident to everyone present. As soon as they return to the palace, he will make arrangements for the women to be sent away. For now, though, he focuses on enjoying this rare moment of peace with Aislinn by his side.
He helps her sit down at the table and then takes a seat himself, smiling warmly at her before turning his attention to the food that has been laid out for them. "I trust the kitchen was able to prepare something you'd like this morning?" he asks politely, pouring her some orange juice.
Aislinn nods gratefully and returns his smile, seeming content as they begin their meal together. For now, it feels like everything is right in the world; perhaps with a little time and patience, they really can make it that way for good.
Suddenly, MacKenzie, one of Matthias' concubines, stands up and walks to Aislinn's side, looking at her furiously. Aislinn crosses her legs and takes a sip of her juice, before MacKenzie slaps her glass and knocks it to the floor, causing it to shatter. Aislinn sighs and slowly looks at MacKenzie, indifference in her eyes. "Do you want anything?"
Matthias frowns, looking between Aislinn and MacKenzie with growing annoyance. "MacKenzie," he says sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument, "that is enough." He meets her gaze unflinchingly, forcing her to look away first. To Aislinn, he adds softly, "I apologize for her behavior. It won't happen again."
He reaches out and takes Aislinn's hand in his, giving it a squeeze of reassurance before turning back to MacKenzie. "Please, sit down," he says, making sure his voice carries authority. "We are here to enjoy our breakfast and each other's company." He glances at Aislinn once more, silently promising her that he will make things right with MacKenzie later, away from her prying eyes.
With a
Aislinn smiles and looks at MacKenzie with a smile and a mocking look. "Ah, so..." She looks at Erin and then at MacKenzie. "So you were the one with Matthias last night? I should have guessed." MacKenzie grits her teeth and slaps Aislinn across the face, who quickly stands up and grabs the collar of her dress, pulling her close and giving her an intimidating look. "You are somewhat intriguing."
Matthias' eyes widen in shock as he watches Aislinn confront MacKenzie, his heart racing with fear for what the repercussions might be. He looks between them, torn between stepping in to protect Aislinn and maintaining some semblance of control over the situation. In the end, he takes a deep breath, visibly steeling himself before addressing MacKenzie calmly but firmly.
"MacKenzie," he says, his voice barely above a whisper, "you will apologize to Aislinn immediately." He pauses, letting the weight of his words hang in the air before continuing more sternly, "And then you will leave us alone." There is no room for argument in his tone; it brooks no defiance. He turns back to Aislinn and takes her hand once again, squeezing it gently as if reass
Aislinn releases MacKenzie and eases her face, but still looking at MacKenzie mockingly. Aislinn was taller and also stronger than MacKenzie, so she didn't stand a chance. "I don't need her apology." She sits on the chair and crosses her legs again, looking at the rest of the concubines. "Are any of you also wanting to revolt? If so, do it now."
Matthias glances at the rest of MacKenzie's concubines before returning his attention to her. He nods almost imperceptibly at Aislinn, acknowledging that she doesn't need an apology from their rival but also subtly encouraging her not to back down so easily. "MacKenzie," he says softly, "it would be in your best interest to leave now before things escalate any further."
His grip on Aislinn's hand tightens slightly as he waits for a response from the other concubines. He can feel his heart racing, hopeful that Aislinn won't back down and stand up to MacKenzie once and for all. If she does, there's a chance they could finally rid themselves of this constant threat and truly begin anew together. But if she doesn't...
MacKenzie sighs and stomps off to her room, clearly furious. The rest of the concubines say nothing, just stay silent, not daring to challenge Aislinn. She smiles at them, her expression easing a little. "So cute."
Matthias exhales slowly, his entire body tense with anticipation as he watches Aislinn smile at the concubines. He can feel their eyes on her, assessing the situation and trying to decide whether or not they should continue to support MacKenzie in her efforts to oust Aislinn from the palace.
He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table as he looks into Aislinn's eyes. "Well done," he whispers softly. "You handled that remarkably well." He pauses, taking her hand in his once more and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Now let's hope they see reason and realize that their allegiance would be better served with you as Empress."
A warmth spreads through him at the thought of Aislinn wearing that title one day, of her truly being his partner in all
Aislinn smiles, but before she can respond, one of Matthias' advisors appears beside them, bowing before giving Matthias a folder. In the folder, I had some plans for today. At 2 in the afternoon, there would be the wedding, and at 9, the wedding would be announced to the people, in the country's newspaper.
Matthias glances at the folder, then back up at Aislinn with a hopeful expression. "Shall we go over these plans together?" he asks, his voice gentle and reassuring. He wants her to feel involved in every aspect of their future together; he trusts her judgment and knows that with her guidance, they can build a strong partnership.
Aislinn smiles warmly at him in return, the tension from earlier seeming to fade away as they prepare for what lies ahead. Together, they begin perusing through the documents in the folder, discussing strategies and sharing ideas on how to make their upcoming wedding day and reign together even more perfect.
Their hands brush against each other occasionally, sending small shivers of desire up Matthias' spine despite their public surroundings. The bond between them grows stronger with every word they share, every glance they exchange. Perhaps, just
After organizing their schedule, they analyze everything again to see if everything was ok. At 10 am, just before lunch, they would have a couple photo session to be placed in the newspaper. At 1 pm, they would have an interview with the best journalist in the country, Mr. Grant. At 2 pm, the wedding, which would last until 4 pm. At 5 pm, they were going to have a party at the palace, to celebrate the wedding. And finally, at 7 pm, they would have a banquet.
"Sounds like we have a full day ahead of us," Matthias says with a sigh, running his hand through his hair. "I don't know about you, but I could really use some sleep after all that." He glances at Aislinn, noticing the hint of worry in her eyes and adds reassuringly, "But I trust we can handle it. We make a good team, you and I."
He reaches out to brush a stray hair from her cheek, his fingertips tingling where they touch her skin. The butterflies in his stomach flutter wildly once more as he remembers why this day is so important to them both; it isn't just about ruling a kingdom or satisfying political alliances. It's about the promise they made to each other, the vows they will exchange before God and man. And most of all, it's
She smiles and gets up, putting her gloves back on after finishing breakfast. "I think it's a good idea if we take a nap before all this."
A nod of agreement forms on his lips as he watches her gracefully get up from the table. "Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea," he says with a yawn of his own. "We should head to our chambers and rest now; there's still so much to do before the wedding."
He places a hand on her lower back, guiding her toward the door and out of the dining hall. As they walk, he can feel the anticipation and nervousness building inside him, mingling with the excitement of finally making Aislinn his wife. This day is about new beginnings; no matter what obstacles may still lie ahead, he knows that together, they can conquer them all.
When they arrive at their rooms, Aislinn opens the door to her room, stepping inside before looking back and seeing Matthias entering her room. "Aren't you going to sleep in your room?"
"Oh," he says with a sheepish grin, realizing his mistake. "Well... I thought perhaps we could..." He trails off awkwardly, the butterflies in his stomach returning as he tries to gauge her reaction. The idea of spending the afternoon nap and nighttime hours together before their wedding is an exciting one, filled with possibilities. But it's also a vulnerable position to be in; sharing a bed has so far been reserved for times when they were... less than friendly.
Her cheeks flush slightly at his words, but there's no denying the curiosity and maybe even eagerness in her eyes. "Well," she says slowly, taking a step closer, "I suppose that could be arranged." She reaches up to touch his cheek gently before leaning in and kissing him softly on the lips, their hearts racing in unison as they draw closer together.
She smiles and turns around, going to the dressing table to take off her makeup and accessories before bed. "Close the door."
His heart pounding with anticipation, Matthias closes the door behind him and takes off his jacket before climbing onto the bed, lying down on top of the covers but leaving plenty of space between them for Aislinn. He watches her out of the corner of his eye as she undresses, the movements slow and sensual despite their hasty nature, making it clear that she wants this as much as he does.
When she turns around to face him once more, clad only in a lacy bra and matching panties, his breath catches in his throat. Her skin is flawless, her curves soft and enticing. The tension between them grows unbearably thick, making it feel as if the air itself were charged with desire.
She lies down on the bed next to him and covers herself with the comforter, moving closer to him and snuggling into his chest and arms. "You know, I love your red eyes."
The feel of her warm body pressed against his sends shivers down his spine. "I love them too," he whispers, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer still. "They make me feel powerful... invincible." He presses a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in her sweet scent as he holds her close.
With each passing moment, their connection deepens; their bodies molding together beneath the sheets, seeking out contact wherever they can find it. The innocence of sleeping beside each other begins to slip away as their desire intensifies, fueled by the knowledge that this is only the beginning, a taste of what's yet to come.
"Mmm," she moans softly, arching her back and pressing herself even closer against him. "I want to feel you inside me again." Her words are laced with need, her hips grinding against his lower abdomen