Episode 21

"You are treading on dangerous waters, Your Highness. If she is as powerful as you claim, she is dangerous, and you should proceed with caution. She is an enigma we do not fully understand. As your advisor and friend, I must caution you against such a hasty decision. Esteria has never had a foreign queen before, and your citizens might turn against you."

"My citizens should trust my choice as their sovereign. You worry too much, Fabian. I will return to her now; I have kept her waiting for far too long in the library. Make sure the servants whip this room into shape. I'm going to ask her to spend the night. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Fabian replied reluctantly.

"Wish me luck," said Aiden excitedly, rubbing his palms together.

***

Lily patiently waited in Aiden's library for his return. He had been called away by an attendant for an important matter. The doors opened, and Aiden walked in. Lily's face lit up with excitement, but she struggled to conceal her emotions.

"Forgive me, my Lily," Aiden apologized, his voice filled with sincerity. "As king, I find myself with little time for the things I truly want to focus on. Please accept my apologies for keeping you waiting."

"No, it's fine. I understand," Lily replied, trying to sound composed.

"Please, have a seat," he gestured, and Lily took her place on the chaise couch. She couldn't help but smile as Aiden sat opposite her.

"So, tell me, what troubles you, my Lily?"

Every time King Aiden referred to her as "my Lily," Lily felt herself melting. Her cheeks turned red from blushing, and his intense gaze made her feel shy. He was always so attentive, noticing every move and emotion she displayed. It was difficult to hide anything from him.

"It's these dreams or trances. I don't fully understand what they are or why they happen, but they're so unpredictable. I find my self in strange places and worlds in the company of strange beings and I can sometimes physically feel these worlds." Lily explained, capturing Aiden's attentive interest.

"It sounds like teleportation abilities are manifesting," Aiden said, his ears perking up.

"Lily, this is unheard of. No being in Esteria is capable of such feats. You are an endless enigma, my Lily."

"I was hoping you could help me figure this out, Your Grace," Lily requested.

"Come on, let's drop the formalities. To others, I may be the king, but to you, I am just Aiden," he reassured her with a warm smile.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace... I mean Aiden," Lily stumbled over her words, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Aiden smiled and gently took her hands. "Come with me. I have a book on teleportation," he suggested, leading the way deeper into his library. "From what I know, there are special artifacts and relics that aid in teleportation, but you seem to possess this ability without their help, which is in itself quite astonishing," King Aiden added, his curiosity piqued.

***

"I must say, Lily," said King Aiden after observing her quietly for a while as she immersed herself in the book she was reading. Lily was startled out of her book by his statement, and their eyes met. "I never imagined that I would encounter someone like you on that fateful day on the train."

Lily smiled at him. "I'm glad I met you too, Aiden."

"You are beautiful, Lily, the rarest of jewels. Even my most skilled craftsman cousins couldn't fashion anything as exquisite as you," he said, his eyes narrowing seductively as he approached her. He lightly touched her hand, which rested on the table next to the book she was reading. Lily let out a small gasp as she looked at his hands on hers, then gazed into his eyes.

"You have brought light into my life, a warmth I desperately craved in this dark, cold world. I have never felt this way for any woman or creature before. I have waited ten thousand years to meet someone like you, Lily."

"Wow, Aiden, I don't know what to say."

"Say that you feel the same way and that I am not alone in experiencing these emotions. I am absolutely captivated by you, my Lily."

Lily smiled warmly at him and gently touched his cheeks. "I have been longing to hear you say this, Aiden. I feel the exact same way."

"You do?"

Aiden's eyes lit up with happiness as he tenderly caressed her cheeks. His gaze traveled from her eyes to her lips, and with a smile curving his own lips, he leaned in and claimed her lips in a deeply passionate kiss.

He lifted her up and spun around. Lily giggled, delighted by his expression.

"At the risk of sounding too forward, I'd like to invite you to spend the night in the castle. I'll have the servants prepare a room for you, tailored to your liking. Please say you'll stay," Aiden pleaded, anxiously awaiting her answer.

Lily hesitated, feeling overwhelmed. She wanted to spend more time with him, but didn't want to rush things.

"I don't know what to say, Aiden," Lily confessed.

"Say you will stay. I promise I won't take any liberties, but I'll feel better knowing you are under my protection," Aiden pleaded. Reluctantly, she agreed, nodding in acceptance.

"Yes!" Aiden exclaimed, his excitement evident.