𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

𝟎𝟑𝟑

a/n; hope everyone enjoys this chapter! do vote and comment as it would greatly motivate me!

—

"It's stifling to be back to normal after such a wonderful night, isn't it?"

Silas had asked you that question. He was teasing you, you realized, because it seemed that your head was still spinning and in the clouds.

And he was right, too. It was stifling to be back at your study after the ball.

The previous night had been lovely, but unfortunately, also quick. Before you had known it, the festivities had passed, and now you were crouched on your desk, dark circles under your eyes as you tried desperately to clear your vision.

You and Silas had only returned to the palace in the wee hours of the morning. You had meant to be responsible; you really had; but Silas had been hard to resist. The prince had been adamant on dancing a second time, and that second time included...

A lot of skinship.

Even as the next day had dawned, his touch still lingered on your skin. It had been brief, though fluttering like — the way Silas's slender fingers had grazed you — it was akin to feeling a butterfly's wings skimming your skin.

The sensation had been wholly pleasant, and yet you had been left wanting more. Silas and your relationship was built on many things: trust, love, connection, and physical touch. You and Silas were never selfish with physical touch, and skinship was entirely normal between the two of you. And yet...

Were you viewing Silas in a romantic light? It was hard to say, considering that you had loved him from the beginning of time. You two never bothered to put a label to your relationship, and kisses on the cheeks, on the hands — it had only seemed natural to do.

Without knowing, your fingers traveled to your lips. If a real kiss meant one on the lips, you had never really kissed someone before, then.

...Why were you thinking about such things? You were Silas's butler, for God's sake. Work was far more important — but yes, you were also at the age where you would have to think about dating...

Silas's voice interrupted your thoughts. You were glad to be rid of them, and instead you looked over at him. Similar to you, he looked exhausted.

"Did you have fun last night, Y/n?" Asked Silas.

"I did," you said wryly, "but I'm not having a lot of fun now that my sleep has been robbed. I told you repeatedly that we were to leave at midnight, and yet the ball kept going on and on until..."

You stifled a yawn and glanced back down at your papers. The words were swarming in your vision. A headache thrummed at your head. Even though it was early in the morning, you had four cups of tea now empty sitting on your study table.