Heiress

Chapter 4- What's with the trees?

The waters of the ocean are scary. The darkness and coldness of it made it unwelcoming. The sensation of drowning, the impossibility to make any sound. The lips part, but the yells don't travel through water. The desorientation of it all.

Thankfully for Oriana, she didn't have to wake up to the vast lonely ocean. A light shined and guided her back to solid ground. One voice was enough to wake her up. One spark was enough to make her skin tingle.

The sheets weren't cold anymore, they were warm when Zora layed next to her and embraced her body as he pulled it closer and closer to his own. He was so selfish. He wanted all the sheets, all the covers and the warmth he found in Oriana. Not that she minded, quite the opposite. His slow, repeated breaths on her neck were peaceful. Her nails traveled the skin of his back. Slowly, they traced small circles and random patterns. His fingers pressed against her back, a little tap. A longer, heavier breath hit her neck before Zora leaned further into Oriana.

"Good morning." her silver voice was filled with slumber.

Zora groaned against her neck in response. After Oriana left a feathery kiss on his temple, Zora released her from the embrace and spreaded his arms and legs on his half of the mattress. He laid on his back with his eyes closed. His bare chest rose and fell lazily. Oriana shifted to lay on her stomach.

"Are you ready to kick some royal ass?" his voice was lower than usual.

"We have to do a good job today," Oriana stated. "After Yami's showdown yesterday, we have to live up to that."

It had been two days since the Karasuno boys arrived in the Clover Kingdom. They were just in time for the tournaments the Wizard King organized. With Marx's magic, the tournament was transmitted all around the Kingdom as an attempt to reassure the citizens that the Magic Squads were ready for the war coming. It was favorable for both sides. The participants got to show off their habilites and reassurance grew among the citizens. Two birds with one stone. Or three birds, if one was to count the fact that it was one more way for the Wizard King to watch incredible magic and find out what new things his underlings learned since the last tournament over two years ago.

The previous day, the Captains made the honours in an authentic showdown and demonstration of power. Their underlings could never reach that level, but the hype was unfathomable. Especially after Captain Yami ended the whole tournament unexpectedly with one single swing of his katana. Everyone would be watching the Black Bulls on that day because of that. It was the Magic Knights turn. Squad versus squad. The Karasuno boys were amazed by the battles, it was like something out of movies or anime they watched at home.

"If it's like last time, they are nothing but a bunch of whiners and snobs. Bark but no bite, as usual." Zora commented.

"Everyone has been training hard these last months. Not just us."

Zora lifted a brow, but his eyelids remained closed.

"Are you doubting us?"

"Never."

Oriana was sure her father would be watching the tournament in the comfort of his own palace. She was determined to show him what she can do in the Magic Knights ranks. That she didn't need the crown or the royal blood in her veins.

Besides the Magic Squads, no one else knew about Oriana's true identity. It was confidential information, not to come out to the public. How embarrassing would it be for the Royal family to have one negligent child. How shameful of Dulce Calmreich to ditch her responsibilities to the crown. To turn her back on the Kingdom. It was always on the back of her head, those thoughts clinged to her, but she tried to move along everyday to prove she was not fit to be anyone's Queen.