Obsession and Betrayal: A Royal Love Triangle

Comming of Age

Ida had tuned 20 years of age, and for her birthday she was going to sleep over the scheduled time. Waking up in the early hours of the morning was the least of her favorite things to do. And especially on such a special day for her, she was not about to get up early in light of others' schedules. Even though she desired to sleep in, she woke up before the moon had even set, and couldn't seem to go back to sleep again. She tossed and turned for what seemed like hours, and she was too hot then too cold to bring herself to rest again. She laid there staring at her ceiling restlessly feeling a sudden breeze come from the direction of her balcony. The thought of fresh air clearing her restless mind made her slide out of bed, pulling off a light blanket she wrapped around her bare shoulders. Walking barefoot onto the cold marble tile from the night air, the moon light pouring in. The breeze picking up blows her light blue curtain gently up into the air, as she pulled open her 7ft tall balcony windows with lightly stained glass.
A gust of wind blowing loose pieces of hair from her long plaited hair hitting down her back, that she tucked behind her ear, leaning against the balcony railing. Letting out an exhausted and relieved sigh, closing her eyes as the fresh air hit her face, but instead of feeling completely rejuvenated, a sudden wave of discomfort washed over her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed out at the world below, feeling overwhelmed by a sense of incompetence and incompleteness. She squeezed her eyes shut harder, her hands grabbing around the railing tighter than before. She took exasperated deep breaths, a failed attempt at calming herself down.

Costello had decided to start his day that same early morning while the garden was light with moonlight and the beating sun hadn't come out yet. He wanted to pick herbs and gather the spices he had dried a mouth ahead of time for Idas dinner. As he walked around the garden with his clippers and a basket lined with a cotton cloth scrap, he worked his way around the whole garden. Turning around a corner of the palace wall, wanted to look up from his path to look at the moon, instead he saw her.
Ida, crying?
His heart seems to drop as he completely forget about the items in his grip, dropping them on the grass,

Her ears peaked at the sound of someone dropping heavy objects, thudding onto the ground.
Startled, Ida turned to see the source of the sound. Embarrassed and furious someone was on her side of the palace this early in the morning. And to be caught in such a vulnerable state, she was ready to give them and ear full of when she made eye contact with,

Costello?

She felt even more embarrassed than before quickly turning away and attempting to compose herself. She rushed back inside her room to slam the balcony door shut and turning the latch on the door, letting out a sigh as her legs give out she slid against the glass doors onto the ground.
Once she caught her breath she went over to the side of her bed pulling a long braided rope connecting to a bell in the maids chambers. A few moments later 2 hand-maids are preparing a bath for her with hot water and fresh flowers and soap for her to relax.

As she slipped into the water embraced her tired body her mind seemed to finally relax.
The marble walls were lit up with the blue moonlight coming in pouring onto her porcelain blue tub. The scent of lilies, jasmine and rose filled the air.
Costello had grown worried seeing her in such a distressed state so early in the morning it made him worried, so he quickly picked up his mess cutting his garden errands short so he could check up on her. Almost barging into her room, he glanced around agitated looking for her. He looks over to the cracked bathroom door, the steam billowing out. He made his way over to the doors poking his head into the room. His eyes falling to gaze at her glistening skin and exposed body lying in the water, entranced by the sight before him, he let himself in before pausing, captivated by her beauty.
Sensing his presence, Ida looked up, her eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected visitor.

"Are you okay dearest?" he asked gently,

Instead of alarm, a feeling of comfort surrounded her, fueled by the intensity of his gaze. With a gentle smile, Costello approached her, his steps echoing softly against the marbled floor. Without a word, he knelt beside the tub, his hands reaching out to caress her shoulder and the side of her face, sending shivers of anticipation down her spine. As his fingers trailed along her skin, her body yarned for more leaning into his touch, her breath catching in her throat as he leaned in closer. His lips brushing against hers in a tender kiss. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other.
With each passing second, their passion grew, their bodies entwined with desire, as his hand reached deeper into the water to feel more of her in his grasp. He kicked off his shoes hopping into the tub with her clothes and all the water spilling over the edge and all over onto the floor.
She untucked his shirt from his pants trying to get the wet clothes off of his body, water splashing out of the tub, his clothes splatting onto the floor with eagerness. Costello propped her onto a ledge that connected the tub to the bathroomwall. The two passionately kissed his hand squeezing and holding all over her body desperate to get closer to her, then they already were.
As the sun rose slowly pouring onto the bathroom tile floors through the cracked windows, the birds began to chirp as the moon set and the sun rose. The two had laid in the warm tub of water after having sex for what seemed like hours and Ida had fallen asleep after Costello had worn her out so much.
Once he noticed this he picked her up out of the tub wrapping her in a towel to dry off and putting her in a silk robe, so she wasn't found immodestly if her handmaids came to check on her. Covering her with a sheet she laid  peacefully in bed her damp hair soaking the pillow. A smile creeped onto his face and his eyes peered lovingly at her innocent and relaxed state. He pushed back the hair on her forehead placing a gentle kiss, breathing in her scent,

"My dearest, you smell like sweet lilies."

Costello leaves, closing the doors behind him looking back at something he feels like he might lose.