Azriel went to his room, he saw Anastasia on the bed. "We will give you space" Rose said. The room way empty, it was just him and Anastasia now.
He sat beside her using his finger to trail the lines on her arms. The mark has cover her entire body. "You look beautiful" Azriel whispers. Anastasia made a soft groan. "I waited for you" Anastasia said.
"You did... You were brave" Azriel said. Anastasia gave a weak smile. "May I... Kiss you?" Azriel asked. Anastasia didn't reply. He slowly closed the gap between them, he was giving her time to pull away.
Azriel's mind exploded when his lips met hers. Her lips were soft, warm and sweet. It felt like this is all he had ever hoped for. Anastasia kisses back, that made Azriel cursed when their lips broke apart.
He was trying to control himself but something kept pulling him in for a kiss. Anastasia pulled him by the collar and kissed him hard. This kiss was different, slow and intimate. Azriel's hands slides down her waist but he stops himself. He rested his head on hers.
"If I go any further them I might harm you. Sleep now, I'll be here" Azriel said. Anastasia slept off.
There was a celebration in the castle, for the victory over Andrew. "Your Majesty, it's with great joy that we congratulate you on your victory" Victor the barren said.
"Your Majesty pardon me for asking but I saw Guinevere, one of the contestant had been carried to your room. She had strange markings all over her" Lady Vivian said.
"That matter is strictly confidential" Azriel said. "Does this mean you have chosen your wife?" Another asked. "I never informed anyone about choosing a wife... " Azriel calmly stated.
Food and wine flowed like rain. Everyone was so happy that the disaster is over. Everyone's attention was now on the door. Anastasia used a blanket to cover herself. Azriel gave his cup to Rose and went to Anastasia without hesitation.
"Why aren't you in bed?" He asked in concern. "What are these marks on my body?" Anastasia asked. "Guinevere, let's go back to the room" Azriel said calmly. "No... What happened to me" Anastasia asked shaking.
Azriel cupped her face. "Everything would be fine.... Let's go to the room and I will explain everything there" Azriel said. He carried her in his arms and left the room.
"I look like a monster" Anastasia said as Azriel placed her on the bed. "No, you look beautiful" Azriel said genuinely. Rose, Luke and Charles came in just on cue. "How's she feeling?" Charles asked.
"Disoriented" Anastasia replied. "Guinevere listen to me.... This lines are a symbol for protection. During the battle, you were badly injured but the emperor used his powers to save you" Luke said. "Really?" Anastasia asked.
"Yes" Rose replied. Anastasia turns to Azriel. "Why didn't you tell me?" Anastasia asked. "I didn't want you to feel indebted to me" Azriel said. "Thank you all for saving me" Anastasia said.
"That's not a problem at all" Rose said. "Get some rest" Azriel said. "Wait what about Hannah?" Anastasia asked. "She's fine... She wasn't injured" Rose said. "Thank goodness" Anastasia replied.
Azriel left the room, Luke follows. "How long do you intend to lie to her?" Azriel asked. "It's just for a while... Besides Nari has wiped off the memory of the markings so you're safe" Luke said. "And if she finds out?" Azriel asked. "We will face that when the time comes" Luke said.
Each passing morning, the marks on Anastasia's body glows brightly. The mark draws attention from people which makes Anastasia uncomfortable.
"Today we have a special guest" Mrs Harper said. A man walked into the classroom. "Ladies, this is George. He is the best zookeeper in the country" Mrs Harper said. "Nice to meet you all..." George said.
"You're going to be bonding with the animals" Mrs Harper said. "Isn't that exciting?" Miss Sunshine said in excitement. They spent the entire day playing with animals. Rose came to the barn to see the animals.
Everyone curtsey the moment she came. "Your highness to what do we owe this pleasure?" Mrs Harper asked. "I heard you have cute animals here" Rose said with a smile.
George gave her a white bunny. "Wow it's so cute" Rose said in excitement. Anastasia sat down, her mind kept wondering off. "Would you like to hold her?" Rose asked Anastasia.
"No your highness" Anastasia said. "Come on Guinevere, it won't bite" Rose said. Anastasia took it just so Rose would stop nagging her. "Her fur is soft" Anastasia said. "I know, it's like a fluffy pillow" Rose said.
Anastasia sniffs the bunny. "It smells like carrots" Anastasia murmured. "Would you like to name her?" George asked. "Really? I can actually name her?" Anastasia asked.
"Yes" George replied. Anastasia looks at the cute bunny. "Snowflake" She said. "That is a cute name, it suits her" Rose said.
"Keep her" Rose said. "No, I can't. I don't think it's necessary" Anastasia said. "Your marks glows each time you hug it. You really like that bunny so keep it" Rose said.
"It's not as simple as that.... I don't know how to take care of a bunny. I don't think it would be a good idea" Anastasia said. "Guinevere don't overthink this, take it as a gift from a royal" Rose said.
"Thank you" Anastasia said as she sniffs snowflake. Rose smiled at the thought. All of this was Azriel's idea, he didn't know if he gave her the bunny himself, she'll accept it.
Azriel watched from the window. He smiled at the sight of Anastasia hugging the bunny. "She liked it" He whispers to himself. "You look creepy staring out the window like that Azriel" Charles said.
"I can't help it. The way the marks glow is mesmerizing" Azriel said. "I see" Luke said as he sipped tea from a teacup. "Why did you give her a bunny?" Charles asked.
"She... looked beautiful.... It suits her" Azriel said. "Hmmm.... Beautiful. That's new" Luke said. "Don't make this more complicated" Azriel said. "There's nothing complicated about this. The bond has already started taking effect" Luke said.
"Can you make it stop? It's disturbing" Charles said. Azriel laughs softly as Anastasia kissed the bunny continuously. "I could feel her emotions inside me... I can't stop laughing" Azriel said trying to control the laughter.
"Laugh more, it suits you" Luke said. "Fuck you" Azriel said still laughing. "Isn't this going to be troublesome" Charles said. Azriel sat on his chair, he sighs.
"I was informed that Asmodeus got your gift" Luke said. "That.... Bastard.... Is... Still.. Making... Fuck" Azriel said as he sobbed. "Why is she crying?" Azriel asked. "Weren't you the one who gave her a bunny" Charles said.
"This much emotion just for a bunny?" Azriel asked as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "That reminds me, there was an acceptance letter I got for the new recruitment for the knights" Luke said.
"So what does that have to do with the tears?" Azriel asked. "Well her brother is on the list. He shall be here tomorrow. Maybe she would feel safe if a family is here" Luke said.
"Then bring him here.. I can't take much crying" Azriel said.