Hearts at War (AlanxJeff) VI

11

Jeff

That boy...! Ahhh, it's so frustrating! Every time I think of him, I feel a mix of anger and resignation. At least I'll have my own room, a small refuge where I can escape his presence. His duties will keep us apart most of the time, which is a relief. But what about when we're under the gaze of others? Pretending affection will be a challenge, a constant act that exhausts me just thinking about it. However, according to the newspaper, we're both good actors.

"Your Highness, would you like a glass of milk to help you sleep? It will help you rest better," Pean said to me in a soft, maternal voice.

"Yes, please," I replied, already preparing for bed.

The room they had prepared for me was spacious and beautifully decorated in blue and gold. The dark blue velvet curtains cascaded from the ceiling to the floor, and the carved wooden furniture gleamed under the warm light of the lamps.

Knock, knock.

Pean and I looked at each other worriedly at the sound of the door. She hurried over and slowly opened the door while I sat up in bed. I saw her step aside respectfully, and then Alan entered.

My heart skipped a beat. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't.

"Yes, everything is ready, you may leave," he ordered Pean in a voice that brooked no argument.

Pean looked uneasy for a second and gripped the edge of her apron tightly before bowing and leaving. The door closed, and we were left alone in the room, on our supposed wedding night. I swallowed hard. My heart began to race. Was he planning...? Was he planning to break the deal on the first day?

But he didn't even look at me. He walked over to the closet door and pulled out two blankets.

"Stop looking at me like that. I'm not staying in your bed," he said as he headed to the sofa.

"You shouldn't be here," I said, clutching the blanket tightly.

Alan paused for a moment, his back rigid and his posture tense. I could feel the tension in the air, almost palpable. My thoughts swirled in my mind, a mix of fear and confusion.

"It would look too suspicious if the loving couple didn't spend their wedding night together," he finally responded, his voice softer, almost tired. "Besides, you should be the one coming to my room, but I obviously don't expect that courtesy from you. I'll mention loudly, so it spreads as gossip, that I didn't want you to waste energy on unnecessary things because of your previous injury, to save it for what's truly important."

"What's truly important?" I asked, confused, before feeling my cheeks burn.

"Yes, what you're supposed to do on your wedding night," he said mockingly.

I clutched the blanket tighter. Shameless!

I remained silent, watching as he settled on the sofa, spreading the blankets with precise movements. The reality of our situation settled over me like a heavy blanket. We were trapped in this game, forced to pretend a relationship that didn't exist. Every look, every gesture would have to be calculated, a constant act for the outside world.

"Just... just for tonight, right?" I asked in a small voice, feeling my heart pound in my chest. Alan's presence made me extremely uncomfortable. His scent was... very intense; and there was something about it that made me feel strange, almost dizzy. Finally, he turned to look at me, and his lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"It will last as long as the honeymoon period," he said in a soft but firm voice. Seeing my confused face, he continued, "Every night, for at least two weeks."