She is the Princess, and he's her guard. A lust that's forbidden.
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Princess Celeste Lawerence is a snotty, rebellious, and vain temptress. At least, that's what the kingdom of Alvera says she is. Landing every one of her personal guards in exile or...
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Celeste Lawrence
I felt rough hands gently shaking my shoulder before I saw the first flecks of sunlight.
"Celeste...we are almost to the Duchess' estate." Gray's voice filtered through my ears, but the comfort of my fatigue kept my eyes closed. I groaned gently and pushed his hand off.
He grumbled, "Look, I wouldn't have woken you, but I figured you wouldn't want to look like you just woke up when you arrived."
Fair, I thought and peeked open one of my eyes. I watched as Gray, sour-looking as ever, pulled on those pristine white gloves. His scarred, calloused knuckles disappeared beneath the fabric, hiding the units.
He ran a hand through his hair to fix the awry stands of muddled blonde. It was then that I noticed he had darker circles beneath his eyes, and his face looked more rugged than usual.
I sat up in my seat and stretched, my movements catching his attention.
"Did you stay up all night?" My voice came out through a yawn, which I'm sure was less than ladylike, but I could hardly care less.
His judgy eyes narrowed at me like the answer was obvious, "Do you realize how dangerous traveling is, especially with royals? I don't think I could've slept if I tried."
I raised my hands and eyebrows in defense. "Alright, sorry to ever suggest you relax. How stupid can I be? Sleep-deprived guards protect best," I said sarcastically, straightening my dress and pressing down my hair to make sure it was still secure in its style.
He rolled his eyes, "I'm not, nor do I want to argue with you about how my extensive training has conditioned my body to operate at a hundred percent even on very little sleep."
"You seem like you want to..."
Gray glared at me, opening his mouth to continue but snapping it shut. He grabbed the curtains on the carriage door and yanked them open, "We're here."
I watched him glower out the window, and a smile grew on my face. I think annoying him woke me up better than coffee.
~•~
The carriage pulled to a stop outside a magnificent manor. Chisled white stone displaying columns of intricately carved details decorated the entrance. Vines and bushes of purple flowers, hyacinths, lavender, African lilies, and so many more burst around the stark white stone.
My eyes widened, and my brain ran wild with ideas about how I could recreate these colors with my paints.
A footman came around and opened the door. Gray stepped out first, and I followed after him. Before I could even take in more of the scenery, slender arms were thrown around me in a tight bear hug.
"Princess Celeste! Oh, It's been entirely too long."
"Your Grace!" As her grip tightened around me further and I felt the air from my lungs escape, I recalled just how long it had been since I last saw Elayna Eliot.
