Chapter 50 - The View

Esme placed the back of her hand on her face as she pulled the sheets upwards before moving to the side.

As she slowly opened her eyes, she abruptly sat up on the bed, stunned by the presence on her bed. ''It's you...'' She patted her chest, her heart still thumping wildly. 

''Are you scared of me?" Aleister asked as he leaned back on the bed before lifting his leg from the floor as he crossed it in front of him, one of his hands rested on his knee while the other on her pillow with the side of his head propped on his fist.

She glanced at his deep fathomless eyes, ''I thought it was someone else. I was waiting for you to come back. I didn't realize when I dozed off,'' She glanced at the gradually darkening sky through the window. It was evening. How long did she sleep? ''Is everything alright now?'' She tucked her hair behind her ear. 

''Everything was dealt with...amicably.''

Esme's lips twitched. Had she not known what it was, she might have believed him, ''Your description of amicable is certainly strange-'' She jolted when his fingers grazed past her neck as he shifted closer to her. 

Her heart unknowingly sped up as he leaned closer to her, his warm breath stroked her ears while his rough fingers grazed past her neck, moving towards her back. The sudden proximity with him made her muddle-headed for a moment as her fingers gripped the sheets. 

He fisted her long hair in his hands before bringing it in front of her shoulder and she bit her lips restraining herself from breathing too loud. Her face felt slightly warm as his breath caressed the nook of her neck. 

She pressed a palm on his chest as she glanced at the side of his face but the man suddenly pulled back from her. 

''It's done,'' He said.

''W-W...'' Esme gulped slowly, ''What's done?" 

''Your dress was...'' He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as he stood up from the bed, ''...unkempt.''

She glanced at the messy sleeves of her plain white gown, her grip on the sheets loosened as she pulled it up to cover herself. 

He looked at her quietly and she averted her gaze under his intense stare.

Her face burned a shade of red only for it to be camouflaged in the warm hues of the fireplace. 

''Get ready,'' said Aleister, his tone low and deep. 

She tilted her head to look at him, ''Are we going somewhere?" 

''Yes.''

''I'm ready,'' She just needed to fix her dress a bit. 

''Wear that.''

She followed his gaze looking at the distance where there was a huge rack of dresses beside the mirror. It was not there in the afternoon. 

The sounds of his retreating footsteps snapped her out of her daze, ''I did not agree on wearing that.''

His footsteps came to a halt as Aleister glanced at her from above his shoulder, ''Neither did I ask for your opinion, Princess.''

And with that said, he walked out of the room without looking back at her. 

Esme let go of the sheets as she stood up from the bed before walking towards the mirror in the distant corner. She settled on the chair and glanced at her reflection under the glow of the fire from the fireplace. 

The slight redness on her cheeks did not escape her gaze and she lifted her fingers, grazing them past her neck, remembering the touch of his rough fingers on that place. Her face burned a shade deeper and she patted her cheeks. She closed her eyes and covered her face in her palms. 

Hearing the sounds of approaching footsteps, she tilted her head upwards. 

''My Lady, the Prince has sent us to help you,'' Two maids bowed near the door. 

Esme stood up, ''You can leave. I don't need help.''

And the maids simply bowed and left. 

She sighed in relief. At least, he did not persist on this. 

After getting ready, Esme walked out of the room only to be greeted by Aleister who was standing near the wall. 

As soon as his gaze landed on her, he straightened up before walking towards her. She was wearing an olive green gown. Her long hair cascaded down in front of her shoulders and as she glanced at him with a bit of hesitance in her eyes, his eyes darkened, ''You want to ask something?" He extended his hand towards her. 

She glanced at his outstretched hand quietly and his jaw ticked, the impatience in his eyes grew. After a little bit of hesitation, she placed her palm in his and he tightened his grip on her fingers before pulling her towards him. 

''Where are we going?" 

''You will know soon.'' 

''Why these dresses? I don't need them,'' She glanced at him confusingly as they walked through the hallways. The guards lowered their heads from where they walked by but she could feel everyone's astonishment. 

Word must have spread that she was living with the Prince, in his room. But out of their dread towards him, nobody dared to say anything. 

''They look beautiful on you,'' Aleister said nonchalantly as if he was talking about the weather but Esme lowered her head slightly.

Compliments coming out of his mouth... felt quite not right. Her face flushed as she looked at the walls. 

''I heard about something today,'' She glanced at him, suddenly reminded about it. 

He glanced at her, "And what is it?" 

Esme blinked, ''You can tell me where we are going then I will tell you what I heard,'' She stepped away from a little from him, getting her hand out of his grip as they neared the Royal Carriage. 

He raised an eyebrow, ''Then you will have to wait,'' He helped her inside the carriage. 

Throughout the journey, Aleister kept his eyes closed and Esme believed that he was sleeping since he has not slept since yesterday. 

She glanced at his face quietly. 

''Do you like the view...?" The man mumbled as he opened his eyes before turning his face towards her, ''Or do you want me to sit like this?"

She averted her gaze, ''I was wondering where we are going.''

''And you can't take your eyes off me while wondering whatever it is?" He raised an eyebrow. 

She pursed her lips, ''You can sleep. I won't look at you this time,'' She regretted as soon as the words escaped her mouth. Didn't she just admit that she was looking at him?

''You can look at me. I don't mind,'' said Aleister as he glanced at her slender neck that was exposed to his view. His gaze trailed higher to her lips that she licked slowly out of nervousness.

Esme closed her eyes, ''I think I need some sleep,'' And some peace. 

She wished she could see through him to know what was on his mind.

The carriage came to a halt after two hours and Esme who was pretending to sleep all this while, slowly opened one eye. 

''Awake?" Aleister glanced at her teasingly and it was too late for her to close her eyes again, ''Did you dream about me?"

Esme smiled slightly, ''No, I am not fond of nightmares.''

Aleister alighted the carriage before extending his hand towards her, ''But I am very fond of you,'' He whispered playfully beside her ear and Esme stumbled on her footsteps, almost falling on him.