My Enemy, My Love

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔖𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫

Ray [Pond]

I woke up with a headache, a horrendous pain pulsing in my left temple. Two days of non-stop partying had taken its toll on me. The room was dark, but the sunlight gently spilling through the curtains told me it was morning. I didn't know what time it was, but I prayed it wasn't too early - I needed every moment of sleep I could get. Exhaustion overwhelmed me like a drug, and within seconds, I closed my eyes again and rolled over, tugging at the covers.

They refused to move.

Confused, I pulled harder, only to hear a soft groan beside me. 

My heart froze. 

Anurak. 

Panic set in. I sat up too quickly, and the pounding in my head intensified. Desperately, I lifted the covers, praying to every god I could think of that I wasn't naked. I wasn't - at least not fully. I froze again, staring down at him. How did this happen? How did he end up here...in my bed?

What if Mother walked in to wake me?

Oh, shit.

I glanced down at Anurak again. Something about his peaceful face briefly stilled my surging anxiety. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, his lips slightly parted as he slept. He looked so...vulnerable. Innocent.

I struggled to piece together the hazy memories of the last two days. The first night of festivities had been lively, even fun, but the second? God, it was painfully full. I had almost fallen asleep during the ceremony, only managing to stay awake because of the champagne. And then...

There was the kiss. 

I remembered the kiss - our kiss. It wasn't planned; it wasn't supposed to happen. Not there, not then. But I could not stop myself. Desire, impulsive and undeniable, overtook me. I wanted to wipe the frown from his lips, to replace it with the smile I adored to much. And for once, I gave in to temptation. 

And I hadn't thought about who might see us. I hadn't thought about Meili. 

Anurak's annoying friend had found us. She threatened to make a scene. Anurak had scrambled to calm her, stammering some excuse about the alcohol, but Meili wasn't a fool. God no, she was clever. She saw right through his lies. I saw the fury in her eyes - the confusion, betrayal - and I was convinced that she would've shot me in the head if she had had the opportunity. 

Now this secret was shared among three, when it should have remained ours alone. 

The following day, Anurak and I avoided each other like the plague. We didn't speak, didn't look at each other, barely breathed in the same direction. I told myself it was for the best—that we had to keep up appearances. Any misstep, any stray glance, and everything could come crumbling down. But it killed me to see him so distant, so afraid. So alone.

Last night changed everything.

I had invited him to my chambers, privately, after everyone else had retired. I needed to talk, to mend whatever rift I had caused by kissing him so unexpectedly. I didn't want him to hate me—I couldn't go back to that cold indifference. We talked, then drank—too much, in hindsight. One glass turned into two, two turned into four, and before I knew it, he had fallen asleep here, in my bed.

And now... here we were.

Today was the worst possible day for this. Luka and Thyme were to be married by sundown. I could already hear the faint clattering of trays and hurried footsteps outside my room as servants prepared for the wedding. Oh, how I wished for one more hour of peace. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Seven in the morning.

"Fabulous," I muttered under my breath.

The ceremony began at three, with the vows at nine. There was still time, but not enough to fix this disaster if someone walked in. I lay back down and turned toward him, watching him for a moment. His face was serene, his lashes brushing against his cheeks. He looked... beautiful. My heart twisted in my chest.

I couldn't love him. I couldn't have him. My duty demanded otherwise. My parents had made it clear: I was to marry a woman of high status, someone worthy of sharing the throne with me. They wanted a grandson to carry on the line, to secure the future of the kingdom.

Anurak could never be part of that future.

The thought shattered me.

His eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first. He blinked slowly, as if orienting himself, then his gaze landed on me.

"Morning," I said softly, my voice betraying none of the panic I had felt moments earlier.

His brow furrowed. "What... what time is it?"

"Seven."

He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Seven? That's barbaric."

I couldn't help but smile. "You're the barbarian. You're the one who wouldn't leave last night."

"I didn't hear you complain," he shot back, a hint of mischief in his tone despite the grogginess.

I hesitated, my smile faltering. "Anurak, we need to talk about this. About... us. Properly. That letter...it wasn't enough."

His expression sobered. He sat up slightly, propping himself on one elbow. "I know."

I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. "We can't let this happen again. You know that, don't you?"

His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. But then he nodded. "I know."

Silence fell between us. I wanted to say more—to tell him that I didn't regret it, that I'd do it all over again if I could. But I couldn't. Not now.

"Let us talk about it another time. After the wedding." I said finally, breaking the tension. "Besides, you should go before someone finds you here."

He nodded again, but this time, his gaze lingered.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

"For what?"

"For last night. For everything."

He didn't elaborate, and I didn't ask. Some things didn't need words.

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