Royal

Diamonds Paid For in Blood

When we return to the kingdom I feel a bubble of happiness filling in my chest. I hope more people throw rotten food at that peice of trash. When I enter the castle gates I immediately make my way to Peters room.

The doctor has probably returned to treat him. I make my way threw the maze of halls and finally into the room Peter sleeps in. A servant stand by the door and seems relieved to see me.

"Your highness the doctor came and visited Peter and has already left. He gave him some medication to help with the pain of course." They ramble nervously and I nod slowly.

" Thank you. You can return to your other duties now." I walk into the room and Peter props himelf against the head board. I rush to the bedside when I notice he is finally awake. "Hey easy there you should be sleeping."

Peter grunts and tries to pull himself up fully into sitting position. He slips and smacks back into the pillows. "Everything hurts." He whimpers and I kneel next to him and take his hand. He looks at me, his swollen eye still unable to open.

"I know I'm sorry. We caught the man who did this, he is in the pillory stock now." I say this hopeful to raise Peter's spirits but he frowns which causes my bubble of hope to pop.

"But there wasn't just one." He says barely above a whisper. I stare at him wide eyed a anger flooding my veins. My hold on Peter's hand tightens.

"How many?" I grit out and Peter's head lolls back onto the pillow and he lets out a long breath, his eyebrows crinkle as he thinks.

"I dont know. Two maybe three? Its blurry too many fists and feet. The whole fight is just a blur."

"I will rip this castle apart until I find out who did this." I start to stand to inform the gaurds of this but Peter's hand squeezes my own and tugs weakly.

"Please stay. Your the only familiar face, the only one who cares." He says sadly and I feel some of my anger melt away when I see his fragile state. I kick off my excessively uncomfortable shoes and crawl into the other side of the plush bed. When I finally settle leaving enough space to be respectable between me and Peter.

I feel my heart telling me to shuffle closer and cuddle with Peter but my mind is telling me it isn't proper and he may not want it. My doubts fly out the window however when Peter takes the chance to shuffle across the space. His freezing fingers touch my arm gently.

"Is this okay?" He says again barely loud enough for me to hear.

"Yes." I say simply and Peter moves across the remaining space slowly. He finally settles against my side his whole body is cold and I can feel the small shivers wracking his body. I wrap an arm around him and pull him too me. He sighs happily and burrows into my warmth.

I stroke his back with my palm and Peter hums happily. His breathing slows until his soft snores vibrate my chest. I smile and yawn loudly. I am exhausted after the long night I just had. I fall asleep quickly with the slowly warming figure of Peter half on top of me.

When I open my eyes again I am on my side with Peter pressed tightly to my back. His lean arm is wrapped around my waist and I blush brightly. I suppose this is what woman feel like when being cuddled in bed.

Peter suddenly shifts and I freeze when his lips press into the back of my neck. My blush deepens and my whole face feels like it is 300°.

It gets worse when someone walks in the room without noticing me in the bed with Peter. I squeeze my eyes closed and pretend to be asleep. Please let them leave without questioning.

I hear a soft gasp and then scrambling from the room the door slams shut loudly and I cringe. Peter stirs and his grip slips from my waist.

He groans loudly and rolls onto his back. I open my eyes slowly and roll over myself. He jumps slightly but settles down when he sees its me.

"Sorry I trapped you into sleeping in here." He says shyly a small blush on his own face.

"No its fine I was quite tired after last night. I needed a good nap and who better to make sure your safe than me right?"

"I suppose thats a good point your highness." He pulls the blankets tighter around him and I can tell he is uncomfortable. I feel my heart sink because I thought that we were getting somewhere. We slept in the same bed for god sakes!

I bite down my anger reminding myself of Brendons words. Peter was a slave till only  recently.  Of course he is uncomfortable with my advances he needs time to adjust.

I slip from under the covers and onto the floor. I straighten my clothes and grab my shoes. "Rest up Peter. You need time to heal so you won't have to go back to work until you feel ready." When I say this Peter nods and I smile before leaving the room.

I stare at the floor and make my way back to my personal library. I most likely have alot of letters to respond too or some documents to sign. I can find Brendon later and tell him about the possible other traitors. He is probably sleeping now anyways.

I flop down at my desk and flick threw the letters half heartedly. More invintations to meet princesses at extravagant balls in other neighnoring kingdoms. I put those aside I know they need responses but a decline of the offering of other kings daughters could end pretty ugly. I stop at an unmarked envelope.

I open the flap quickly no distinguishing seal or address on it. The envelope holds within it a letter. I frown at the unfamiliar caligraphy. When I try to read it I realize its in an entirely different language. How odd.