A Plead Of Affection

SARÁNTA ÉNA

"Have you woken?" A man dripping wet coming from the shower spoke, "Yes," Eva, who just woke up, was rubbing her eyes as she responded.

The Noble walked towards the half-awake Lady, kissing her a good morning, "I will fix myself first," She pushed him away, "I understand," He chuckled and walked towards the closet, leaving her to proceed to the shower.

"Let's eat," Alexios stated as the Lady walked to the table inside the couple's chamber where a breakfast revealed in her sight, "Good Morning," The Noble followed, kissing her once again correctly.

"It is really a good morning," She chuckled, "Are you finally awake?" She nodded as she sipped tea.

Eva started to eat as her appetite boosted because of the array of dishes presented in front of her; after eating with no scraps left, she stopped and looked towards the man who sat in the opposite direction; he had not touched a single piece on his plate.

He soon laughed, which made her confused even more, "What's so funny?" She asked and looked at him with a questioning expression, "Nothing, it's just that I still cannot believe that you are here with me,"

"Then you should believe it, I am here now. And with all the chatters, you should eat now." The Lady smiled as she placed a piece of bread on his plate, "I'm full already with the mere sight of you. I really am delighted to have you here with me,"

Eva's heart skipped a beat as Alexios' smile pierced through her heart; he looked adorable as everything felt in peace. She soon noticed that his hair was still wet as water dripped from the ends of his hair.

She stood up and walked towards the closet to fetch a towel to dry his hair. The man looked up with Eva granting him a quick peck on his lips, "You're making me feel bad," Alexios said to her, with his hair all dried up, she took away the towel and gave him a mirror, "You're too handsome, Alexios,"

For a second, he stopped and gazed at the mirror; he was reminded of an incident where his Father called him a vile creature. An opposite of what Lady Rabellino told him, it felt foreign to her.

"Eva?" He called her out, "Do I look handsome in your eyes?" He gave a questioning look.

"Of course, Ladies faun over you, of course you are handsome. You do not look plain nor bland, you have an aura of a dignified Noble," She explained, going back to her seat. "Alexios, you are very handsome." Her reassuring smile was enough to make him believe everything that she had stated.

"Not only your face though, everything about you is handsome. I love everything about you, more than my fingers to count," The Lady added, "Really?!"

"Yes, of course!" She chuckled, "You also, Eva. You are very beautiful." He returned a compliment.

This time it was Eva who watched the Noble eat his share of food; in the middle of eating, Alexios stopped, gulping and looked at her with daze, "I have something to ask," Putting down her tea, she looked up and smiled, "Sure, anything."

He took a deep breath and questioned, "Eva Maria, why did you get engaged to me?" It was not a question she was expecting because she answered it already; however, with eyes of desperation. The Lady felt like she had to answer it again, "I don't understand why you're asking me this."

"Let me tell it briefly, you are a Noble and I am sure that you know about the rumors about me." He started, in mind, Eva thought, are we going back to square one? "You said at first that you may have approached you will ill intentions, it's a good reason for you to be with me."

"You reason again is because of my family influence, perhaps, money." He continued, "Shall I state what my reason is now?" She laughed out as the question seemed funny to her.

Alexios seemed to be teasing her and also seemed as if he wanted to know the Lady more. Like the Nobles, besides their power, wealth, and influence, there are no other intentions for getting married to the Schleswig's, given that they are enemies.

They are just the same as the Rabellino, sinned differently, using the Schleswig just because they are in the same factor, using their power, wealth, and influence using each other's name.

"You can tell me your honest feelings, Eva. I do not want you to feel pressured, at all." He gestured his hand, "You, Nikoloas Alexios is not a symbolic being that could be given or said. You are not money, a property nor an object. Remember this, always, and never forget that you are a person."

"You are a human being who has feelings and can get hurt, no matter what House or Family you are from, your power, wealth and influence does not matter at all to be because you are also a person like me," As Eva explained, Alexios felt awe-struck with all the words that came out from her mouth, "You are not some ruthless monster who can only do as what he is told to and what his heart wishes."

"What?" He questioned in confusion, "I am saying that I love you, Nikolaos Alexios,"

His eyes widened, "Really?!" His reactions never fail to make the Lady laugh; with his soft and puppy features that adds innocence, no one would dare try to question him, "Yes, you are someone I cherish and treasure,"

The Noble was too stunned to speak afterward, "If that's all, you should finish eating," He nodded, "We have too much on our plate today after the engagement ceremony, there's work to do."

"All right," With a smile from the Lady, both of them were assured of what may happen from that day on, the future might be scary, but nothing would be scarier if they did not have each other, "Good,"

As Eva thought, Alexios only asked her that question to hear what she would say after hearing that question once again. Since he demanded love more in the relationship, he always felt like the Lady half-heartedly loved her.