Liam cradled Airam in his arms as he carried her to the tent. After gently settling her into bed, he took a moment to look at her sleeping form. The peaceful expression on her face stirred something within him - a desire to see that same adorable face every time he went to bed and every time he awoke. It was a feeling that startled him, intense and unexpected.Liam left the tent, his mind still lingering on the image of Airam's peaceful slumber. He took his place as her guard for the remainder of the night, his thoughts stuck on the sight of her sleeping face. It was like a mantra playing on repeat in his mind, the image burned into his memory.
Airam emerged from the tent, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and found Liam dutifully standing guard. "You didn't sleep at all, did you?" she asked.
Liam turned to her, a polite smile on his face. "Good morning, my lady. When it comes to your safety, sleep becomes a secondary concern."
Airam attempted to object, but Liam quickly cut her off. "Right now, you should focus on preparing for your meeting with the generals. Everyone's waiting for you."
Airam quickly freshened up and got dressed, the gravity of the day's events settling on her like a leaden cloak. As she stepped out of her tent, the weight of her responsibilities was palpable.
The assembled generals and soldiers waited in expectant silence as Airam took her place to address them. A deep hush fell over the assembly, broken only by the distant sounds of wildlife from the surrounding woods.
With a deep breath, Airam cleared her throat and began her speech, her voice clear and firm as it resonated through the air. Airam's voice rang out across the assembly, "For too long, you have been bound to the chains of the late king's rule. No longer. From this day forward, you are free!"
The silence was shattered as the soldiers erupted into cheers, the roar of their voices a thunderous applause that echoed through the trees. General Marcus, a burly man with a graying beard, stepped up to Airam, his face beaming with a wide grin.
"My lady," he said, "the words we've hoped to hear for so long. Our gratitude is boundless."
"It's my pleasure . General, I want to leave as soon as possible, I got a company as well. Good luck for future ahead. " Airam said.
"Do visit us when you're free" General Marcus replies.
Airam and Liam mounted their horses, Liam's brown steed named Butterfly, and Airam's all-black mount, Rihanna. They set off at a steady pace, riding side by side through the forest. For the first few miles, they rode in silence, the only sound the rhythmic clopping of hooves against the soft earth and the occasional chirping of birds.
Finally, Liam spoke up. "May I ask you something, my lady?"Airam turned to Liam, a light smile playing on her lips. "Of course, Liam. What is it?"
He paused for a moment, clearly considering his words. "I've been wondering...about the journey we're about to embark on. Are you sure you're ready for it? It won't be an easy or comfortable ride, especially not on horseback."
Airam's smile widened at Liam's concern. "I appreciate your worry, Liam, but I assure you for the horseback ride, I've been riding since I was a child. I won't slow you down, if that's what you're worried about."
The duo continued to ride, their journey punctuated by the occasional conversation and the ever-changing scenery. The forest path began to give way to a well-maintained road, and after several hours, the towering walls of Airam's castle came into view on the horizon.
Liam's eyes widened as the majestic castle grew closer. "So you're home now, I should take my leave."
"Stay here tonight, you can leave tomorrow."Airam proposes.
"That would be a great pleasure but I should take my leave queen . " Liam says.
"Well, it's queen's order then. "Airam smirks.
"As your wish my queen." Liam smiles .
Moments later ,
The dining hall in Airam's castle was a warm and inviting space. A long oak table was set with a feast fit for royalty - roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Liam was already sat at the table when Airam entered, her steps slowing as she took in the sight of him. He was dressed in his full armor, a far cry from the casual clothes he usually wore.
Airam took her seat across from Liam, their eyes meeting for a moment before they both looked away, a strange silent awkwardness hanging in the air. They finishes the meal in silence. Then Airam walks back to her room . And Lara , shows Liam his room .
At night Liam hears knock at his door , he grabs knife and open the door to find out airam is the one who's knocking. "I couldn't sleep," she said, her eyes fixed on the flowers. "And I thought...I thought we could talk. If you're not too tired.."
At night Liam hears knock at his door , he grabs knife and open the door to find out airam is the one who's knocking.
"I can't sleep. Let's have a chat . " Airam says .
"Sure, my lady. Liam smiles and follows airam. As theey go through a dark passage way and reaches a garden.
The atmosphere in the garden was serene, the soft sounds of rustling leaves and the gentle creak of the swing adding a peaceful ambiance to the night. The white flowers glowed almost ethereally under the silvery-white moonlight, their petals faintly luminescent in the dark. At night Liam hears knock at his door , he grabs knife and open the door to find out airam is the one who's knocking.
"I can't sleep. Let's have a chat . " Airam says .
Liam watchs , Airam running through these white flowers, wear beautiful blue gown , she looks like a dream . Airam sits on the swing and calls Liam. Liam follows her and sits besides her .
"So , why you follow me around?" Airam askes .
Liam looks at airam and says , "take off the blindfold , I've already seen your eyes . "
"I don't think I should do that ." Airam replies.
"Then allow me ." Liam says .
"Huhh?" Airam gets confused as Liam shifted closer to Airam, she froze, surprise giving way to a flutter of something else - something hotter and more intense. His hands came up to gently untie the blindfold, the silk falling away from her eyes. Her dark lashes flickered as she blinked, her eyes meeting his own. For a moment, they were both silent, the air between them thick with possibility.
Liam breaks the silence and askes , "Why you hide your eyes . They aren't cursed or anything. They are just magnificent.
Airam pauses for a second, then says,"
I supposed to have super powers or something like that but apparently I am just a normal girl . How can the nation take a normal girl as their queen ? That's just a dirty game played by ancestors. "
"You don't like being queen ?" Liam askes surprisedly.
" Honestly, I never wanted this, I wanted a normal life where I can be a normal girl, enjoying life as I want . Maybe I don't have it in my luck ." Airam replies.
"Do you have any wishes ?" Liam askes Airam while looking straight into her eyes.
Airam laughs , "Garden , books and someone I love . What about you?" She looks at Liam's as she speaks.
"Being with so certain someone and fulfilling their wishes ." Liam says as he looks away .
"You aren't looking at my eyes." Airam playfully says .
"I am afraid I might do something odd. " Liam smirks.
Liam looks up at the night sky, his gaze meeting the expanse of glittering stars scattered across the inky blackness. Airam, too, gazes at the stars, her face awash in the soft, silvery light that filters through the garden. The night is still, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hoot of an owl. Liam sneaks a glance at Airam, taking in the way the starlight plays across her soft features, turning her skin luminescent and accentuating the slope of her nose, the arch of her lips.
Suddenly he moves closer and puts his hand back on airam so Airam can rest her head on his shoulder. Airam realizes what he's doing and slowly rests her head on his shoulder. Liam heart skips a beat . Liam slowly watches her to fall asleep on his shoulder . Carefully, he lifted her into his arms, her body light and delicate against his chest. With Lara's help, he navigated through the castle corridors until they reached Airam's room.
Lara watched as Liam gently laid Airam down on her bed, her face softening as she observed the peaceful expression on her lady's face.
Liam quietly bid Lara goodnight and turned to leave, but Lara's voice stopped him in his tracks. "You know, this is the first time I've seen her sleep so peacefully in ages," she said, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Liam paused, feeling a pang of something unfamiliar in his chest.