Shadows of Pale Sunlight

Ch 8: A Beauty Before me

The man then stood and let the cloak slide off his shoulders. He untied the knots of his medieval shirt as he approached the pond, "My Lord, let's swim,"

"I regret to inform you that I am not proficient in swimming."

Yet the man has already taken of his top and was currently undoing his bottom. "Nahh, the water isn't deep, it's only above hip level, come on,"

The emperor hesitated but eventually get up and went near the man.

"Wanna take of yer clothes?"

"I'll do it."

The man chuckled and whispered, "take your time, I'll go first."

The emperor did not notice when the man had completely undressed, but he eventually did when the man walked into the water and submerged himself. After fidgeting with his clothes for a moment, the emperor untied the waist tie and let the garment slip off his shoulders and onto the ground.

The emperor dipped his toes into the water and felt its chill, shivering briefly before wading further in. As he reached the middle, he found that Xhael was correct—it was only waist-deep. However, he couldn't see the man anywhere, suggesting the deeper end of the pond might be farther away. The entire pond is shaded by the grand willow tree, its branches extending so far that some leaves even touch the water. The tips of the willow's branches reach the farthest part of the pond, where the high waterfalls cascade down. Truly, it is a mesmerizing sight.

Suddenly, the man appeared a bit distant from him. He stared at the emperor for a moment before smiling. He swam closer to the emperor and stood in front of him.

"Although this is not how I expect to see ‘ya naked for the first time, But I still quite like it,"

"How did you anticipate seeing me unclothed?"

The man seemed to avert his gaze momentarily as he scratched his cheek with a sheepish smile, then returned his gaze, leaning closer,

"No idea, maybe when you're sprawled in bed tangled in your countless of blankets and offering yourself onto me?"

"Xhael, I would appreciate it if you would remain silent now, or I may need to leave."

The man again laughed, "Alright chillax I'm just playing, now let's go a bit to the deep part!"

"I have already informed you, I am unable to swim."

"Don't worry we're still gonna reach the ground, we just need to get our body entirely wet"

They took slow steps until they reached their desired depth and halted. The water rose to about their shoulder level, and Alban took slow, deliberate breaths.

"How is it, My Lord?"

"It's cold.."

"Right? We'll eventually get used to it,"

They remained in that position for a minute, with the enigma standing just an inch behind the emperor, wary that even the slightest touch might lead to a perilous situation.

"My Lord, yer hair looks like it's glowing,"

"Is it?" The emperor silently asked, softly sliding his hair on his shoulder, the emperor look closely before raising a brow,

"Xhael, it does not appear to be glowing,"

The emperor's breath hitched as he felt the man plant soft kisses along the exposed side of his neck, trailing up to the back of his ear—each touch landing on very sensitive parts of the Alpha's body.