Chapter 83: Bathroom Troubles
Sierra carefully opened the room door, making sure to make minimal noise as she crept up the stairs, as she got closer, she noticed a shadow. Sierra tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword as she continued making her way up.
By the time she got to the top of the stairs, she was in shock.
It was Alistair.
"What are you doing here?" She asked in shock.
"Ah, sweetling, I’ve been waiting for you."
"What are you doing here?" She asked again since he failed to reply to her question, "Ida thought you were an intruder."
She was certain he did not enter through the main doors of the lodge. If so, all the princesses would have been talking about it. Everyone would have known. She looked over to the open window, certain he came in from there.
She walked over to him, ready to get him to leave. She knew the danger they would be in if someone discovered him here. It would be quite the scandal. A king and his mistress.
As soon as she got close, Alistair pulled her into his embrace and kissed her on the cheek before nuzzling on the side of her neck. He took in her scent. He could smell the forest on her, knowing she had gone out for a ride.
"I missed you," he whispered, as his breath warmed her skin.
Sierra blushed as her heart began to pound.
"Even still, you shouldn’t be so reckless," she mumbled in reply, refusing to let him know that she had missed him too.
She had attempted to push all thoughts of him to the back of her mind. She tried to occupy her days so that her mind would be able to focus on preparing for the tests. But the moment she saw him, all the defenses and coping mechanisms she had in place crumbled to the ground.
She hated how vulnerable she felt when it came to Alistair.
"Coming to see my woman is considered ’reckless’? Sweetling, I don’t think you quite understand what that word really means," he teased her as their eyes met.
"Someone could’ve seen you," she whispered, "Won’t your guards realize you’re missing? You’re the King for goodness sake."
Despite her attempts to make him think she did not care, it was clear that she did.
"As far as any of them are concerned, I’m taking a long bath right now. Which I do intend on continuing to do so, so if you’ll excuse me..." as he spoke, Alistair walked towards Sierra’s bathroom.
He was still holding onto her hand, guiding her there while his other hand loosened the knot he had on his bathrobe. It took Sierra a good few moments to realize what was happening. By then, Alistair was already removing his bathrobe. His bare shoulders and more were to come.
Sierra immediately removed her hands from his and made her way toward the doors. She almost made it when the door slammed closed before her. A long muscular arm has reached out from behind her to prevent her escape.
Sierra’s cheeks were burning beet red as she glanced up at the arm that had stopped her from leaving. It was completely bare. She could see his toned muscles on full display. Sierra had seen her fair share of men in her days in the army camps. It was unavoidable at times, but she had never seen one so close.
Realizing that if his arm was bare, so was the rest of his body, Sierra gulped. She could feel his presence close to her own. He took a step closer and curled his arms around her waist as he kissed the nape of her neck.
She could feel his naked form gently pressed against her. As his hands began to roam a little, Sierra moved her hand to the hilt of her sword.
"I think that’s as far as you should go," she warned.
"Are you threatening a King, sweetling? Now that’s what I call reckless," he chuckled, amused by her threat.
"It’s a calculated risk, one that I’m willing to take," she replied haughtily, unable to hide the grin on her face as she continued to speak, "Is his Majesty ready to see just how reckless I can be?"
Alistair burst out laughing as he released Sierra from his hold and took a few steps back. He turned around and stepped into the filled bathtub, submerging his body in the steaming water. Sierra heaved a sigh of relief as she knew it was now safe for her to turn around. However, she still has her reservations.
After all, if he were to stand...
"Princess, Princess Sierra? Are you in there? Is everything alright?" Ida’s voice jolted her where she stood.
Sierra rubbed her hand on her chest as she slowly opened the bathroom door to inform Ida where she was.
"Ida don’t worry, I’m in here," she said.
Ida was about to push open the bathroom door to check on Sierra but lucky for her, she pushed back with greater force in the nick of time. She trusted Ida with her life, but she wasn’t about to let her walk in on whatever was happening in the bathroom.
"I managed to get rid of the intruder, Ida, don’t worry." She said quickly, hoping it would be enough to explain her actions.
"Oh, that’s a relief! But Princess, what are you doing in the bathroom?" Ida asked out of curiosity.
"Oh ah..."
Alistair could not help but chuckle at the sight of what had transpired. He has not expected things to develop like this, but he wasn’t worried either. Sierra shot him a glance, whispering at him to remain silent. If Ida heard anything was amiss, she would most certainly enter the bathroom without a second thought. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Should that occur, she would not know what to do next. freёwebnoѵel.com
"The horseback ride I took with Myra wore me out. I just want to take a bath and rest for a bit before lunchtime. Could you bring me two towels and a set of fresh clothes, please? I seem to have forgotten," she gave her best shot at a light-hearted laugh to ease the tension.
"Oh, right. Sure thing!" Ida chimed as she rushed off to get the things Sierra had requested for.
Moments later, she returned with the items in hand and handed them to Sierra. Before she could ask any further questions, Sierra took the items from her, whispered a word of ’thanks’ and shut the door, and locked it.
Sierra pressed her ear against the frame of the door and made sure Ida did not waver at the door before heaving a sigh of relief. She turned to face Alistair, with her back leaning against the door.
"That was too close," she muttered beneath her breath.