A Song of Roses

CHAPTER XVI

The warmth from the bath still lingered.

We lay close together on the bed. His hand was behind the back of his head, while the other rested on my torso.

I cuddled closer to him, enjoying the simple pleasure of our closeness.

"I want to host a ball tomorrow evening." I cut the silence. My request was simple yet intimating, knowing that I had never hosted a ball.

"The palace is yours, like it is mine," he said as his hand began to wander down the curves of my body. "I wouldn't be here tomorrow; I got a letter from my father, an important matter, he wrote." I could hear the sound of disappointment in his words.

The thought of not seeing him caused my heart to sink, but I knew that this was part of life as a prince and the heir of the kingdom. "When will you come back then?" I asked, my heart aching with his absence. I wanted him to be here with me always. "Five days," he replied.

His answer was simple, yet it hit me like a cold bucket of water.

Five days was a long time to be away, but his duties took priority over everything else.

"Of course," I said, looking down at the sheets, his fingers on my chin. "Look at me," he whispered.

His eyes were deep and dark, and I found it hard to look away.

I was drawn in by his gaze, and I couldn't resist the intensity of his stare. His touch was gentle but commanding at the same time. "I will write to you every day," he said, and his hands gently brushed the hair out of my face. His touch was gentle and reassuring, and it made me feel safe and protected. He leaned forward and kissed me softly, his lips moving slowly and lightly over my lips. I slowly put my hand on his cheek, then gently drew him closer.

I wanted to feel the warmth of his body as we kissed.

five days.

The thought of being separated from him was unbearable.

Our shoes echoed through the hallways as I hurriedly paced through them. Alina was at my side, and I was instructing her about the ball. "Decorate the hall with white flowers and hasten the invitations," I said.

The ball was a significant event, and I desired everything to be exquisite.

"Yes, Princess," she replied, and she followed me to the dining room. I had not eaten my breakfast yet and did not want to keep William waiting. As the palace servants opened the doors to the grand dining hall, I found him seated at the table.

waiting for me.

"I apologise for the wait," I said as I took my seat beside him. He looked impeccable in his attire, and his pink lips smiled as he kissed my hand. His dark eyes were gazing at me.

and the lightness of his touch was comforting. "No need to apologise," he said, and his smile remained. I felt his hand linger on mine for a minute. The piece of pastry was perfectly positioned on my plate, ready to be eaten. Alongside the pastry was a cup of tea, carefully brewed and poured. I had not realised how hungry I was until now, and my appetite began to grow.

The grand windows poured morning light into the dining hall. The sun's rays shone through, highlighting the beauty of the decoration and the brightness of the light. "It pains me knowing I won't see you for five days," I said as I looked down at my plate. It was painful to think of being without him for that long, but I understood his duties and the importance of our kingdom. William put down the silverware and looked at me with anguish in his eyes. "As it pains you, it burns me," he said. His words were like fire, burning with pain.