HER MAJESTY, HIS ROYALTY

EPISODE 12: A KALEIDOSCOPE OF FEELINGS

MSHELL

The tub was the perfect temperature, and I eased myself into the warm water, the heat immediately soothing my muscles. Evly was changing in the room, her movements a soft rustle behind the bathroom door. Something was calming about having her here with me—maybe it was her presence, or maybe it was just the exhaustion of the day finally melting away.

I tilted my head back, closing my eyes, trying to soak in everything that had happened. Carmen was probably on her way to her honeymoon by now, somewhere outside of Athras. I couldn't shake the image of her—her radiant smile, the way it would falter just for a moment, giving way to tears that she tried to hide. Is that what it looks like when you're marrying the love of your life?

"Mshell?" Evly's voice pulled me from my thoughts. It was calm, but there was a hint of shyness.

"Yeah... Vani...lla?" I managed, my words faltering as I glanced over. She was standing in the doorway, wearing my oversized white long-sleeve shirt, the hem barely reaching her mid-thigh. Her legs—long, smooth, and glistening—caught my eye, and her hair, loose and wild, cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice gentle, as she caught the way I was staring.

I couldn't help it. I felt my mouth fall open slightly, a bit lost for words.

"You look gorgeous," I finally blurted out, my voice cracking as I tried to regain my composure.

A soft smile spread across her face as she ran her fingers through her hair, gathering it into a messy bun. The movement was effortless, but it only made her look even more... captivating.

I watched her walk toward me, each step graceful and confident, her thighs brushing against each other with each movement. How could she look like this at night, so effortlessly stunning?

"Oh, thank you, Mshell!" she said, her eyes bright. "Can I join you?"

"Please," I answered quickly, a little too eager. "Please, do."

She chuckled as she eased into the hot tub, the steam rising around her like a soft cloud. I couldn't help but admire her as she drew closer, her presence effortlessly captivating.

"Hi!" she whispered, her voice as calm and gentle as the night breeze, a bright smile dancing on her lips.

"Hellooo!" I replied, my arms instinctively wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer. The warmth of the water surrounded us, but the warmth of her touch was what truly enveloped me.

"I love you, Evly," I blurted out before I could stop myself, and I saw her cheeks flush a deep pink as she lowered her gaze.

"I love you, Mshell," she whispered softly, her voice barely a breath. She lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine with a quiet intensity. "I think I've always known that I would love you... I've never clicked with anyone the way I did with you."

A smile tugged at my lips, warmth spreading through me as I reached up to gently hold her face in my hands, my thumb grazing the softness of her skin.

"Loving you has always come easy to me," she continued, her voice a slow, thoughtful murmur as if she was savouring every word. "Just the thought of being away from you hurts so much."

I cupped her face tenderly, my heart tightening at her words. "Hey, look at me," I said softly, lifting her chin. "We'll make it work. I'll make it work. You won't even notice." I kissed her forehead, a promise in the touch.

She hugged me tightly, her arms wrapping around me as though she never wanted to let go. I could feel every inch of her, the warmth of her body against mine, and it reassured me that we were exactly where we needed to be.