☾Order of the Moon☽

☾✩☽Chapter 12☾✩☽

The feeling of loneliness filled the room. As I got out of bed, the cold air hit me more, I caught myself glancing at the armchair the king had slept on. 

I looked at my hands, my mind filled with determination, I had channeled on call last night, I will again with Estiana. I figured that today I should do things myself, as I always did before I was taken into the palace. I wrapped myself with the robe to keep me warm as I waited for the tub to fill up. 

I went out of the bathroom to see what I could do while I waited. My eyes darted to the armchair once again, and without another thought, I made my way to it and sat down. The warmness was still there, it was as if his soul had been left there. I relaxed deeper into the armchair, a smile tugging on my lips as I did, suddenly a knock echoed in the room. I opened my eyes as I made my way to the door. "Morning," my raven-haired friend greeted, "Morning Laika," I greeted back with a smile. "I already prepared my bath, I'll go and check on it right now," I said as she closed the door, she nodded before placing her case on the spot she usually puts it on, while I entered the bathroom.

I took my clothes off before hurrying to enter the tub, the water was warm on my skin. After a few minutes, I rinsed myself before hopping off and wrapping myself with a bathrobe. 

"So how was the Armorel yesterday?" Laika asked as she combed my hair. "It went well I guess," I said, she glanced at me through the mirror before putting her attention back on my hair, "I can't tell you what we talked about in the meeting right?" I asked, "Don't- you'll get us in trouble," she chuckled. 

"Laika...I-uhm- I got the letter," I paused as she looked a time through the mirror, "Go on, I'm listening," she said. I took a deep breath, "I read it, and it wasn't what I expected..." I said. I saw her raise her eyebrows but remained focused on my hair, "What did you do with the letter then?" she asked. A smile tugged on my face as I remembered a moment I was actually proud of, "I turned it into dust," I replied. "Well... at least you practiced your channeling," she smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, I'm actually proud I did," I smiled, she smiled back. 

She backed away from me, grabbing a small mirror from her case, she then handed the mirror to me, "All done," she smiled. My hair was in the usual braid I have, a few shorter strands hanging loose in front, "Thank you Laika," I said as I stood up. I made my way to my Al Kina, taking a deep breath before taking it off the hanger. I wore the Al Kina by myself as Laika kept her case. After wearing my boots she placed the weightless headpiece on my head. "Laika?" I started, she turned her face to me from arranging her case, "hmm?" she said. "Are you going to be present at the winter celebration for the saint Nieves?" I asked. She nodded, "Yes, everyone in the castle is allowed to come, and of course, I'm in charge of making you glam on that day," she smiled. I chuckled at the way she gestured her hand at the word glam, "It would be quite useless if my face would be covered the whole time..." I said. She sighed, "Right, the king, and your face would be covered," she said, nodding, returning to her case. "I'm sorry that your hard work would be covered," I said, smiling with empathy because I really did feel bad. 'Don't worry Vi, I won't do much to your face, it's beautiful the way it is, I'll just make your hair less...messy?" she chuckled as the last word, and so did I. "Thank you," I said warmly. "For sure you'll put yourself at best as well, I'm sure Arwen would be there," I teased as I watched her cheeks burn red. "Is it that obvious?" she asked. I chuckled, "The way you both look at each other gives it away. Arwen gets all soft around you, that's when you know a man's in love," I teased once again as I chuckled to myself. "yeah, yeah," she rolled her eyes playfully. 

A knock came from the door, I smirked at Laika, "It's you lovey dove," I teased gaining a slight slap on my shoulder as I went over the door to open it. I chuckled as I open the door, but it soon disappeared when the same grey eyes I often meet recently connect with mine. I took a deep breath as I felt my heart beat faster for a reason, but there it was, his warm presence, the smell of vanilla. "La Erik'non," Laika greeted with a bow. The king nodded at her, Laika gave me a smile before swiftly leaving the room. I cleared my throat, "Good morning Athanasius," I had only used his name once, and it felt quite weird to say, but it was better than calling him your majesty or something, besides he has said he didn't mind that I talk to him this way. "Chantrea," he greeted back, "Shall we eat breakfast," he said. I nodded before following him into his room.