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As Regan walked, she felt a sense of foolishness washing over her. What would she tell her mother? That she went to fight him and then ended up being kissed and comforted by him? It sounded ridiculous even in her own head.She knew she'd tell her mother because it felt suffocating and impossible to keep it to herself. And even if her mother got angry, it wasn't like she could do anything about it.As they walked, the castle seemed out of reach. He ruffled her hair mockingly, making her grumble under her breath. She couldn't help but smile, despite herself. The sun was high in the sky, casting its warm light over the courtyard. Birds chirped in the trees, their songs filling the air with a symphony of nature. He kept ruffling her hair, time by time, purposely annoying her, but at the same time making her feel safe.They finally reached the castle, and guards rushed to him. He waved them away, not wanting anyone to fuss over him. He didn't want them to see him like this.Regan worried about what mess she had gotten herself in. She had no idea what she was going to tell her mother, how she was going to explain herself. It was absurd and shameful. She went to fight him and then....She looked at him, his posture calm and collected. Did his shoulder even hurt? Or was he faking it all along just to get to her? She couldn't help but feel so much guilt, remembering the force with which she had stabbed his shoulder. She wanted to apologize, but she also didn't.When they got inside the grand hall, Sirius drew her closer and kissed her forehead, then her cheek. He paused, looking deeply into her eyes. "I'm sorry that I'm not sorry for kissing you," he smirked.She felt herself flush again, her heart racing. "You're terrible. I hate you." But even as she said it, there was a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. He chuckled, his blue eyes shining with amusement."I hate you more," he retorted, his voice playful. Then, he kissed her lips softly, tenderly. It was a sweet, gentle kiss, and she could feel herself melting into it. His kisses were sort of possessive but not lustful and carnal. They were possessive in a way that made her feel safe and protected. It seemed as if he was trying to reach deep in her soul, sensing every single feeling and thought of hers.The kiss lingered for a while before he pulled away and smiled down at her, his eyes filled with longing and amusement."I've always wanted to do that," he admitted, his voice husky. She felt herself blush even more, but she didn't look away. His expression was sincere, and his eyes were shining with adoration and truly....happiness. She couldn't deny the fact that she felt the same way.She scowled and he laughed. It was infectious, and despite herself, she couldn't help but smile back. "You're terrible," she repeated, but there was no heat in her words. "I should hate you for that.""You're free to do so," he retorted. And then, he kissed her forehead once more and let go of her."I don't want you to harass me," he teased, walking away and leaving her to contemplate the confusing mess of emotions she felt. She was still angry and furious, but a part of her couldn't help but feel... different. Like there was a part of her that had always been missing, and now it had been found. It was infuriating, but it was also... freeing.She tried to find her way back into her chamber but then spotted her mother, who was terribly worried. Octavia rushed to her, hugging her tightly."Oh, sweetie, I was so frightened! I thought something terrible had happened to you. You weren't in the courtyard. What happened?" She asked, her eyes heavy with worry."I-I'm fine, mom," she stammered. "It's just.... I don't know how to say it."Octavia took her hand gently, urging her to answer, "What happened, tell me! Did he hurt you? What happened in that fight?"Regan could see how worried her mother was, but the words got stuck in her throat. She blushed in embarrassment and shame, remembering that he had kissed her and he just kissed her. She had never been touched in such a way before and she couldn't even think straight.What if her mother disowned her? What if she was disappointed in her? Of course she'd be. He was their enemy, he ruined their kingdom. He was a tyrant and everyone hated him. He was merciless and cruel.But despite all that, despite all her vows to destroy him, she knew that she didn't want to. She was embarrassed of her own self, of wanting to....be with him. But she couldn't keep it from her mother, she couldn't hold it in."Yes, I fought. But then...." Her voice broke in the end and she darted her eyes away. She felt bad and guilty, not because of him, but because she had failed her own resolve, her self promises.He was right, she had fallen for him, she had fallen for a beast. She wondered why she betrayed herself like this, why she got so mad after him. Maybe she shouldn't have hated him that much. Maybe she should've ignored him since the start. But how could she have ignored him when he was wandering in her mind, always lurking somewhere, always finding his way in her mind?"What?""Yes, the fight. But then something terrible happened. Something forbidden," she finally said. She had never thought the things would come to that. And she was still skeptical. What if he was still lying? What if he didn't love her at all? What if it was another game, another plan? But would he have kissed her that way? Would he have held her so tenderly if it was all just a game to him?"What happened?" Octavia urged, her face vivid with concern. She was terribly worried, her eyes wide with fear and anxiety."I-I'll tell you inside the room," Regan stammered. Her mother was impatient but she agreed. They tuned back to their chambers and Octavia persisted again for her to tell."H-he...he k-kissed me," Regan finally admitted, her cheeks burning in shame, "and then I hit him with the dagger you gave me.""Kissed you? What?!" Octavia asked in shock, although her voice wasn't as much angry and enraged as Regan expected."Y-yes?""And what kind of kiss was it like?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.Regan swallowed nervously, remembering how he claimed to not lust after her, how the kiss had been so loving, gentle and possessive.HvtvtsgjraaaShe had never thought she'd like his possessiveness, but it wasn't in a bad way. It wasn't something like 'you're mine and you'll obey me'. It was more like... 'you're mine and I will protect you and keep you safe'. It was overwhelming, and a part of her was still skeptical. Because she had never thought she'd fall for someone, especially not him."It... wasn't," she breathed, her cheeks burning even more as she recalled the memory, "very bad."Octavia's eyes widened as she took in her daughter's words. She felt pang of disbelief in her heart. Yes, she knew he had some interest and feelings for Regan, but she never thought it would go this far. She couldn't quite wrap her head around the idea."Mom, I'm so sorry. I'm a terrible daughter. I'm a terrible person. I should have never let him kiss me. I should have never let him touch me. I should have never let him get close to me. I swore I would destroy him and I failed. I failed you. I failed myself. I failed our honor. I failed everything." Regan cried, unable to look at her mother. She felt so guilty, so ashamed. She wanted to disappear, she hated herself. She always had something complex for him and now it was finally out of hand.Octavia reached out to her daughter, cupping her face in her hands. Her touch was surprisingly gentle, despite her anger. "Sweetie, you are not a terrible person. You are my daughter, and I love you, no matter what. You did not fail me. You did not fail our kingdom. You did not fail our honor."She brushed a stray hair away from Regan's forehead, "If you love him, then you can be with him. But I won't ever let him harm you. I'll always protect you, no matter what."Her words brought a tiny flicker of hope to Regan's heart. She knew her mother loved her, but she didn't know if she could forgive herself. "You're disappointed at me, mom. I'm sorry. I always swore to get rid of him, to make him suffer and now I've done the opposite. How can you still love me after this?"Octavia's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she gazed down at her daughter. "I love you because you are my child. I'll always love you. Yes, I'm disappointed that you love a criminal. But many years ago, I was forced to marry someone who wasn't called a criminal, who didn't have a bad reputation. And then, he turned out to be the worst mistake of my life." Her mother's voice broke and Regan knew that she was talking about her father."I'm so sorry, mom. I never meant to hurt you. I just..." Regan's voice trailed off as she fought back more tears.She felt her mother's fingers gently carding through her hair, "I know. And what I'm saying, he's a criminal but maybe... maybe he isn't as bad as everyone thinks he is. He did try to protect you and help you. But if I see him hurt you, I'll make sure he pays. I'll kill him myself if I have to." Her voice cracked on the last word, revealing the depth of her anger and fear."I-I know, mom. I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I never meant for you to have to go through this. I am a fool, I know." And with that, Regan hugged her mother tightly and then buried her face in her shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. She felt her mother's arms encircle her, holding her close.They stayed like that for long until Regan fell asleep.