CHAPTER 120: A SPECIAL DAY
For a moment, I lay there, confused, trying to place the unfamiliar scent. Then, I noticed it a tray sat on the bedside table, laden with a plate of golden pancakes drizzled with honey, a bowl of plump, juicy berries, and a steaming cup of tea.
A smile grew on my face. This wasn’t something I normally received. Breakfast in bed was a luxury reserved for people who deserved it. Not me.
I reached for the tea, taking a long sip. It was warm and tasted just perfect. Like the perfect pick-me-up after a long night’s sleep. My mind moved to Kieran. I wondered if he was the one behind this unexpected treat.
Just as I was about to take another bite of the delicious pancake, the door creaked open. Kieran entered he had a sheepish grin on his face. He was dressed in casual attire, unlike his usual regal garb.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice laced with amusement. “Enjoying the breakfast?”
“This…” I stammered, gesturing to the tray. “This is… amazing. Thank you.”
He chuckled, his grin widening. “Think of it as a peace offering.”
“A peace offering?” I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “For what transgression?”
“Perhaps for cutting our… session short last night,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
My cheeks rose at the memory of his unfinished massage, the lingering warmth of his touch made me smile again. “Oh,” I mumbled, looking down at my plate.
He came closer, placing a hand on the back of my chair. “But fear not,” he continued, his voice low and teasing. “There will be other opportunities.”
His words sent a thrill through me. I chuckled. The way he looked at me, the way his voice dropped to a whisper when he spoke to me it was all so different from his usual way.
He leaned in; his breath warm against my ear. “Now,” he said, his voice was a gentle rumble, “get ready. I’m taking you for a treat.”
A surprised gasp escaped my lips. “Taking me… where?”
He pulled back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “That,” he said, “is a secret.”
“Hold on… what is this Kieran?” I asked with my arms folded. I was waiting for it. The part where he would come all out with a roar and tell me, “In your dreams. Or it’s just a prank.” Or maybe something that could actually make sense. Something that would make me feel like I was talking to the real Kieran.
“What is what?”
“You being all sweet and nice to me. First the massage now this fancy breakfast in bed. Now you are talking about taking me pit for a treat. What’s going on?”
“Nothing, it’s been a long week with a lot of stress. Seeing you yesterday working so hard to make everything ready so that you could help defend the kingdom is sweet. You are a lady and deserve to be treated like one. Let me just do this. Let’s forget all about the problems for a little while.”
“Oh,” I was speechless.
“So, are you in?”
“Yeah, no shit.”
I tried to hide the excitement but it bubbled in my chest, pushing aside the remnants of sleepiness. The promise of a secret outing from Kieran. A break from the not ending training and looming war was much better than any amount of rest.
“Come on!” he said.
“Alright, alright,” I said, pushing myself out of bed feeling the energy. The ache from yesterday’s training was still there. I could still feel the dull throb in my muscles, but it was overshadowed by the anticipation of the day ahead.
Kieran watched me with a smile, his gaze lingering on me for a while. I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, self-conscious under his gaze. He quickly moved his eyes, the smile replaced by a hint of amusement.
“Take your time,” he said, his voice casual, but the playful glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement. “But don’t take too long. We have a surprise to catch.”
The playful banter felt different, charged with something new. Just then, it occurred to me that we have been through a lot together. Perhaps we needed this. I needed this. It made me even more eager to leave the palace and spend some time alone with him, away from the pressures of duty and every other thing that came with it.
I hurried through my morning routine, washing away the stiffness of sleep with cool water. Dressing in something light and comfortable, I braided my hair back, opting for practicality over formality.
Finally ready, I emerged from my chambers to find Kieran waiting outside, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked up, his face lighting up with a genuine smile at the sight of me.
“Ready for adventure?” he asked.
I returned his smile, a sense of anticipation tingling in my stomach. “Absolutely,” I answered.
He extended his arm towards me. It was a gesture both formal and inviting. I slipped my hand into his, his touch sent a warmth that moved up my arm.
As we walked out of the palace and got towards the car that awaited us, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at Kieran. The man I saw reflected in the morning sunlight looked very much different. He was more relaxed; his eyes held a spark of something I hadn’t noticed before.
Perhaps, the need for a secret outing wasn’t just for me. Maybe, just maybe, Kieran was looking forward to this escape as much as I was, I thought.
The ride was a blur as I had thought that it would.
“Where are we going?” I asked hoping it was time that he would spill.
“Uh-uh. Not telling.”
“I’m just too curious. Don’t know how much longer I can hold it.”
Kieran remained tight-lipped about our destination, only offering a knowing smile whenever I pressed him for details. This only fuelled my excitement, the mystery adding to the allure of the day.
Finally, the car came to a halt in front of a grand building, its ornate facade illuminated by flickering gas lamps. Golden lettering above the entrance proclaimed it to be “The Secret Garden.”
Kieran helped me out of the car, his hand glued to mine for a man.
He led me up a flight of marble stairs, the scent of exotic flowers and freshly baked bread filling the air. The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
The restaurant was like a haven of elegance. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over plush velvet chairs and polished mahogany tables. On the walls, ornately framed paintings depicted idyllic landscapes and mythical creatures. Murmurs of conversation and the gentle tinkling of music filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Kieran pulled out a chair for me. As I sat down, my eyes scanned the room, taking in the beauty of the surroundings.
“This place is… amazing,” I breathed, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
“I thought you might like it,” Kieran said.
A waiter in a crisp white tuxedo approached our table. He presented us with menus in rich leather. I flipped through the pages, my eyes widening at the unfamiliar dishes and exotic delicacies.
“Have you ever been here before?” I asked Kieran, unable to contain my curiosity.
He chuckled. “This is my little secret escape,” he admitted. “A place to unwind and enjoy a taste of the outside world.”This is from NôvelDrama.Org.
We spent the next hour immersed in conversation mostly about how the food tasted. Kieran seemed relaxed, his eyes crinkling at the corners whenever he smiled. We talked about everything and nothing his childhood, his favorite books, his hopes for the kingdom.
Kieran knew how to tell good stories. I never knew until now. Maybe it was because of how we just connected again. Like we could talk all night long. I missed that feeling. He had a great deal of passion for knowledge, well, I wasn’t surprised and concerned for the well-being of his people it made him even more attractive in my eyes.