Nicholina spotted Rheaphel standing by a rose flower looking deep in thought. He wore a velvet robe embroidered with fur and a long tunic with a sash, the moonlight illuminated on his profile outlining his masculine frame.
His indifferent expression gave him
an authoritative and intimidating aura and his sharp and unreadable gaze added more to it.
Nicholina's step instinctively became slower as she drunk in his appearance. God! how could someone be so handsome?
As if knowing she was coming Rheaphel raised his head to look at her her approaching figure. His gaze swept over her stopping on her face. He still had that smirk that teasing smirk and a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Sensing his gaze on her Nicholina gulped down her own saliva. Was he always this intimidating? Thank God he hadn't caught her staring a while ago.
Rheaphel took her slender hand into his hands as they made their into the garden. "For a while I thought my lady wouldn't be coming" Rhealphel casually said in a way that one would think he didn't need an answer.
But for Nicholina who had been in that same situation before ,quickly answered "Not at all your highness,I didn't know I took too long to get here,I won't repeat again "
"Hmm" Rhealphel hummed not wanting to talk further. This his wife seemed to be too scared of him. It seemed the rumor had frightened her,but he couldn't help with the fact that this his wife was amusing.
Staring at him with such admiration that would make any man take her to bed. And about that he wondered what has been stopping him not. Maybe she looked too delicate and innocent so he didn't want to rush things.
Sensing how tense she was Rheaphel started,unintentionally rubbing circles on her hands. Nicholina who felt the sudden movement was caught off guard.
"Was this really the king doing that?" Nicholina wondered,as shock as she was she still found herself liking it. She felt the tension ease in her.
Although they remain silent there was no awkwardness in it. Rhealphel led them to a bench opposite the fountain at the side was a night blooming jasmine it's smell lingering in the air.
They sat on the bench next to each other no one willing to talk or perhaps one has other things in mind.
Nicholina inhaled deeply taking in the sweet smell of jasmine lingering in the air. The garden was beautiful and magnificent in the day,but at night it was like a magical place that pull anyone willing into a beautiful fantasy.
And that was exactly what it did to Nicholina. She felt like she was in her own world. A world that she herself was the author of her story.
A faint smile that didn't go unnoticed by Rheaphel tag on her lips. She was beautiful. A stubborn strand of her hair that refused to fall in place fell on her forehead.
Rhealphel hands gently reached out,his fingers unintentionally grazed her skin as he tucked the stray strand of hair behind her ear,his touch unexpectedly gently lingered for just a moment than necessary.