All Along || Asra x Reader (Soulmate/Modern! AU)

Palace

Half-way up the steps to the palace, I started panting. Why are there so many stairs? Asra was ahead of me by a couple steps and was still pushing forward, seemingly unbothered.

He turned to say something to me, and made a double-take when he didn't see me. He backed up to me and linked our arms together. "Is everything alright?"

"Just... so much... walking." I wheezed out. He laughed a little at me and pulled me up the stairs.

"Just a little longer, we'll be there soon. I promise." He smiled at me, and I tried my best to smile back. He moved his arm around my waist to support me while we walk. "If you're this sore now, imagine how you'll be in the morning."

"I don't even know why I'm like this. I've walked for far longer through the marketplace."

"Well, we could've always broke in through the gardens."

"Asra!" I shoved him a little bit and he smiled. "We aren't breaking in, and even so, why didn't you say anything sooner?" I harshly whispered the ending. The rest of the walk was in comfortable silence.

Once we reached the large, gated entrance, I spot Portia on the other side. Two of the guards moved in front of us, blocking the gates. I peered off to the side of them and made eye contact with Portia. I waved and she skipped over. "Y/n! Asra! You made it!" Portia said, opening the gates herself and pulling us in behind her, the guards just letting her by.

"Are- are you just allowed to just do that?" I asked her as she led us through the palace.

"What, let in the guests? Of course I am. Quicken your step, the Countess is already waiting for you in the dining room." I knew Portia was a handmaid in the palace, but I didn't know what her exact role was. She never really talked about what happened or what she does in the palace, and I've never had the need to ask. She opened the large doors to the dining room and walked us inside. "Countess, the magician Asra and his apprentice Y/n." She introduced.

"Thank you, Portia," Portia bowed and left the room. Asra was the first to start walking to the table. I walked behind him and he pulled a chair out for me. Nadia waited until we were seated before she started speaking. "I'm glad you both came."

"It's a pleasure, Countess." Asra said, moving out of the way as a servant placed plates full of food in front of us.

"Please, call me Nadia." Nadia said with a kind smile. "I'm sure you must be confused as to why I've asked you both to dine with me this evening?"

I nodded while eating the delicious food. I looked between the two of them to see them both looking back at me; Nadia had a curious look on her face while Asra was just smiling, trying not to laugh at me. I regained my posture and looked straight at Nadia. "Actually, I was going to ask about that when we arrived, but I forgot."

"It's alright. I was hoping to hire you as an investigator. As you know, my husband, the Count, was murdered on his birthday. However, his murderer is still out, living within Vesuvia. I need to catch him."

"May I ask why?" Asra interjected.

"Ah, of course. I'm planning on throwing another masquerade on the Counts birthday, as a way to show that the country is moving on and growing from his death, and I want to hang his murderer as the main event." She grimaced at the thought of hanging someone. "It will show everyone that it was the past, and it's time to continue forward. I'm hoping this party will be one of many."

Asra and I made eye contact from side glancing. I leaned on the table. "You don't truly seem like you want this man to die." I inquired. "Do you have any other option?"

"Well, I was hoping I could introduce a new court system to Vesuvia. I would use what I know of the court system from Prakra."

I smiled at this news and sat back in my chair. I knew the Countess was no ruthless ruler, unlike what I've heard about the Count. Asra twirled his utensils around before asking his question, not looking up from his plate. "You're talking about Dr. Devorak, right? From what I remember, he was caught leaving after the fire."

"That is correct." I heard footsteps enter the room and saw Portia. Nadia turned and smiled at her, "Portia, please escort them to their rooms."

"Of course, milady."

"Sorry, our rooms?" I asked.

Nadia nodded, "did you think I would hire you to be my lead investigators and not offer you a place to stay? I will see you both in the morning." With that, Nadia left the table and out of another set of doors.

Portia leaned over to me to whisper into my ear. "Do you wanna share a room with him? I know you're used to sharing a flat with him."

"We'll be fine apart," I whispered back, "I'm used to being alone in the apartment anyway." I nudged her shoulder with my own and we both giggled like little girls. I slightly glanced over my shoulder to see Asra following us a little ways behind, admiring the halls.

"Here we are!" Portia exclaimed. "Y/n, yours is the one on the end of the hall, Asra yours is the one right next to theirs." She pointed out with a wide smile.

"Thank you so much, Portia." Asra went into his room and I opened my door.

I held it open and kept eye contact with her, "Are you coming in or not?"

She slowly walked in, ringing her hands. "So I heard about what you have to do. Is it going to be hard? Finding the doctor that is?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so." I say confidently. If he truly is just wandering around Vesuvia, then it should be quite easy. Even more so with Asra knowing who he is. The murder incident they were talking about happened during the time period of my missing memories. "You do have something to explain to me, however. What the fuck  do you do here? And don't generalize it to being a servant, cause that's kinda obvious."

"Well... w-well... I'm the head servant. I'm sort of milady's personal handmaiden."

"Are... you... serious!" There was a slight panic in her eyes considering she's been keeping something this big from me for so long. "That's so cool, Portia! Why did you never tell me?"

"I didn't think it was important!" I lightly laughed at her and she joined in. Then, suddenly, she stopped. "Well, I should be going. I have to get up early to get you two up as well. Goodnight, Y/n."

"Goodnight, Portia."