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The soft, gentle breeze gently shook the cherry blossoms down from the tree and carried them to rest on the cobblestoned path. As you strolled through the garden, admiring the beautiful flowers, all blooming with shades of pink, orange, yellow, red, and violet, your nose was filled with the delicate scent of the cherry blossoms. As the brilliant sun beamed down on you, you allowed yourself to enjoy the few moments of tranquility, which were few and far between. Life as a Lord was stressful, often packed with paperwork, long days, and rigid formalities.
The garden was your escape. There was no need for formal greetings, for rigid protocol. When you were in the garden, you were able to breathe with ease and with freedom. The lush greenery and the colorful flowers always brightened your day with their unadulterated beauty. Sometimes, there were birds chirping and fluttering around, creating nature’s music with ease. Nature brought you peace, since there was no need to put up a front. It beckoned to you to come in your bare state, free of the stiff constraints of noble life.
You picked one of the delicate peonies from the ground and grazed your hand over the soft petals. Beautiful. Bringing it up to your nose, you inhaled the muted, fresh scent before being started by a voice behind you.
“Your Highness?”
You turned around, knowing the voice was familiar, and you were met with the familiar blue and white garbs of your most trusted lover and advisor, Lance. He bowed to you before taking one of your hands in his white-gloved one and kissing it. Standing back up, he gave you a kind look and adjusted his monocle.
“What a pleasant surprise, Lance,” you said as you smiled at him. “I didn’t expect you here. Have you come to bring me back to my office?”
The corner of his lip turned up, a rare sight. He shook his head and said,
“I’ve actually come to bring you to a surprise.”
“A surprise?"
“Well, Your Highness, if I explained it, the surprise would be ruined. Rest assured, on my honor, you will enjoy it.”
“And it’s not paperwork?”
“I’ve taken care of it for you.”
You let out a soft chuckle of disbelief as you took Lance’s hand. He led you out of the garden and started to head back to your chambers. You raised your eyebrow and looked at him, confused.
“Are you trying to-”
“No. I promise, that is not my intention. I also promise that if you trust me, you will see.”
Knowing Lance’s high standard for integrity, you put your trust in him. He led you to your chambers, a sly twinkle in his eye. When he opened the door, you were met with a wondrous sight. A large tub was placed in the middle of the room, rose petals scattered across the water. A silk robe was laid on your bed, with oils and lotions resting on a tray next to it. Candles emitting a sweet rose scent were placed all over the room, lit and flickering. You turned to Lance, shocked.
“What’s all this, Lance?”
“It’s for you. I arranged for you to have a spa day, your ladies suggested it. I merely adjusted your schedule.”
“They came to you?”
“They did.”
“And you put this together?”
“They did. I simply fit it into your schedule?”
“And how did you manage that?”
“Well, I had to push the audiences to tomorrow, and the inspection had to be-”
“Say no more. Thank you, Lance,” you said, standing on your toes to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
He turned to leave, but you grabbed his wrist and pulled him to you. His brows furrowed, and he cocked his head to the side.
“Stay,” you said, smiling up at him. “You’ve put this together, you should enjoy it.”
“But, Your Highness, it would be highly improper-”
“I’ll send them away.”
“You really don’t have to, at all, Your Highness.”
“I know. But I want to. Actually,” you said, a devilish smirk creeping on your face, “I command you to stay with me.”
Lance let out a small sigh of defeat, and he nodded. If there was one thing he could not resist, it was a direct order from his Lord. He came up to you and whispered,
“Shall we get in?”
“Let me send my ladies away first. I don’t think I want their eyes all over you.”
“Don’t worry, my dove. You are the only one I have eyes for.”
You thanked your ladies and gave them the rest of the day off. They all protested, wanting to make sure you were taken care of, and they were not used to having the day off. You brushed off their protests and told them to have the rest of the day to themselves. As they filed out of the room, chattering amongst themselves, most likely making a quip or two about you and Lance as well. When the last girl filed out of the room and closed the door behind her, you turned your entire focus to Lance.
His dexterous hands gently undid your armor, placing each piece on the table on the right side of the room. Once your armor came off, he focused his attention on your dress, gently peeling it off your body. Standing bare before him, his hands slid down your sides and rested on your hips. You turned around and said,
“Let me do-”
“No need, my love. Today is all about you.”
He helped you get into the tub before he started to remove his clothes. Placing your arms on the outer rim of the tub, your eyes trailed over Lance’s body as he peeled off layer after layer of clothing. You salivated at his god-like body, strong and slender. As he unbuckled his pants, you moved across the tub to perch on the other side.
“You look so good right now,” you murmured, reaching out for him.
He smirked and came closer to you, allowing your hand to slide up his chiseled abs. After he finished stripping himself of clothing, he slowly slid into the tub, sighing as the warm water surrounded him. You instinctively moved closer to him, and he said,
“Let me give you a back massage, Your Highness.”
“You don’t have to call me that, Lance,” you murmured as he turned you around, your back now flush against his chest.
“It’s a habit.”
“I know.”
His hands started to knead at your shoulders, melting the tension away. You let out a soft whimper as his lips ghosted over the top of your ear. He whispered sweet nothings to you as his hands worked wonders on your shoulders and back. You felt his hands move up to your neck, rubbing out the tension that came from carrying the weight of the kingdom. His thumbs found a particularly tense spot, making you yelp and wince.
“I’m so sorry, Your Highness, I didn’t realize it was so taut.”
“No, no, it’s okay. It’s okay. Just a little tense.”
“You should have this done more often, Your Highness,” he said as he kissed the top of your ear. “I can have it arranged for you.”
“No need. Besides, I prefer it from you.”
You turned around and placed a kiss on his lips, wrapping your arms around his neck. He snaked his strong arms around your waist as he deepened the kiss. It was these small moments with him that you cherished. In his arms, you felt safe. Lance would lay down his life for you without even thinking; his loyalty coursed through his veins. He pulled away and said,
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
You stood up and grabbed one of the linen towels, drying yourself off. Sitting down on the bed, towel draped over you, you started to peruse the tray of ornately decorated bottles of oils and creams. Lance stood up, and he took another towel and wrapped it around his hips.
“You’re so handsome,” you purred as Lance ran his hand through his hair and came to stand in front of you. “So handsome.”
Water trailed down his body, highlighting all of the muscle definition he had. You moved the tray aside, and he laid next to you.
“Do I get to just stay with you all day, Lance?”
“If that is what you wish, Your Highness.”
“Then I want you to stay with me. I propose we take today for ourselves.”
Pulling you onto his lap, he brought your face down so his nose touched yours. You chuckled before kissing him, melting into his body, where you stayed for the rest of the day.