The Royal Guard | A.A

7

Soft, golden rays of sunlight peeked through the small gap in the curtains, gently nudging Y/n out of her deep slumber. She stretched lazily, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin and relishing in the peacefulness of the moment. Slowly, she opened her eyes, taking in the soft hues of light filtering into her room. A content smile spread across her face as she realized just how well-rested and rejuvenated, she felt after a night of uninterrupted sleep.

As she starts to come to her senses, she becomes aware of the soft comforter beneath her and the familiar scent of her sheets. Gradually, she remembers that the previous night she had been lounging on her outdoor sofa, engrossed in a book as Armin read beside her. But now, she finds herself in her bedroom. How did she end up here? The events of the evening seem hazy and disjointed in her mind, like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together. She wracks her brain, trying to recall how she made it from the balcony to her bed, but all she can remember is the comfort she felt with being out there under the stars with company again.

Did he help me in here? She thought.

With a slight shake of her head, she dismisses the foggy confusion that had settled in her mind. Stretching as she starts to sit up, she rises from her bed and makes her way to the window. Pulling back the heavy curtains, she is greeted by a wash of soft morning light filtering through the trees. She takes a moment to assess the weather, watching as the leaves on the trees sway gently in the breeze. With this information in mind, she begins to consider her outfit for the day, deciding on a cute sundress. Comfortable and cute, the perfect combination.

With the sun shining through her bedroom window, she finishes her morning routine and steps into the space now shared with Armin. Her feet padding against the cool hardwood floors as she takes in the sight of him sitting on the sofa, already dressed for the day and seemingly having already been up for a while. Something in his hands catches her eye, a small leather-bound journal. Its pages filled up with his handwriting. She can't help but think how sweet it is that he uses this time to journal the morning.

As her footsteps echoed through the living room, Armin turned towards her with a smile. His eyes immediately caught sight of her outfit - a cute dress adorned with a delicate floral pattern and a beautiful braid flowing down her back. The subtle scent of her perfume filled the air, adding to the overall charm of her appearance. She looks pretty, he thinks.

"Good morning, Princess. Did you sleep well?" He asks as he turns back around to close his journal and set it down on the table.

"Good morning! I slept really well, the best sleep I've had in a while. I must've been exhausted." Y/n replies with a slight smile on her face. "What about you? How did you sleep here, first nights in a new place can be rough..."

"I slept well too actually, I think the fresh air before bedtime must've helped us."

As Armin finished speaking, she gracefully walked into the kitchen area, her eyes still fixed on him to show that she was fully attentive. With a sense of hospitality, she began preparing for tea, realizing that with Armin now living here as well, it would be proper to extend an invitation for him to join her. She moved about the space with purpose, reaching for the teapot and carefully selecting a variety of teas from her collection. The aroma of fresh herbs and spices filled the air as she boiled water in a small silver kettle. A tray of delicate teacups and saucers awaited on the table, ready to be filled with the warm liquid. As she worked, she couldn't help but steal glances at Armin, wondering if he would accept her offer and join her for a cup of tea. She decided to just bite the bullet and ask him.

"Armin?" She calls his name before carrying on, "would you like some tea?"

"Uh- Yes, sure. I will come and make a pot for us now." He responds, not wanting to be disrespectful by declining her kind offer.

"Don't be so silly, I'm more than capable of making tea for us, Armin." She says with a slight laugh. Did he really think she was hinting for him to make it? Or was he just offering to be polite?

The kettle whistles its final notes, signalling that the water has reached its boiling point. With deft movements, she lifts it off the stove and carries it carefully to place on the tray. The scent of steaming tea leaves fills the air, enticing her senses. She then balances the tray in her hands and makes her way out of the warm kitchen and into the living room where Armin is comfortably seated on the couch. His grateful smile warms her heart as he softly thanks her for the hot beverage.

They spent the next few moments in a tranquil silence, sipping their warm tea and relishing in the cozy atmosphere. As Armin diligently scribbled in his journal, Y/N lost herself in the pages of a book left on the table. The gentle tinkling of teaspoons against ceramic filled the room, creating a peaceful melody that seemed to match the calmness of their surroundings. Time seemed to slow down as they savoured these simple moments together.

The quiet stillness of their surroundings was eventually broken by the gentle voice of Armin. "Is there anything you would like to do today that I could accompany you with?"

"Oh, Uh- I suppose we could go out into the gardens, but for that we would need my father's permission and talking to him isn't something I want to do right now..." Y/n replies to him, a slight sadness in her voice when speaking about her father.

Feeling yet another rush of sympathy for the Princess in front of him again due to her circumstances, he begins to respond. "I could go and speak to him to check that it's okay? Stay here and enjoy your tea with your book, I'll be back soon." He says whilst offering a reassuring smile.

Y/n's gaze follows Armin as he carefully sets his tea and journal on the table. He then stands, tall and determined, before making his way out the room. He ventures down the stairs and across the path to the grand throne room. There, he hopes to find the King in order to get permission to take her out into the gardens, away from her troubled thoughts.

The sunlight streams in through stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colours onto the marble floors. Petals from nearby flowers float in on a gentle breeze, filling the air with their sweet scent. The sound of trickling fountains can be heard in the distance, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

Armin's steps are purposeful as he navigates through the opulent halls, passing by servants and guards with a nod or a smile. He knows that the Princess could use a change of scenery today, away from the weight of her responsibilities and worries. And he is determined to make it happen.