The next morning came, and as always, Queen Elisha made her way to Zuleika's chamber to ensure her daughter did not skip breakfast. With a maid trailing behind her, carefully balancing a tray of food, Elisha quietly opened the door.
She halted in her steps.
There, nestled on the bed, were not one but two figures. Zuleika lay curled against Princess Aquila, the two of them fast asleep, their breaths calm and steady, their bodies instinctively clinging to each other as though they had always belonged that way.
Elisha blinked once. Then twice. Even the maid beside her seemed to freeze, her eyes widening as if she had seen a forbidden sight.
A deep sigh escaped the Queen, though it carried no anger—only a quiet resignation. She turned her head to the maid.
"Bring another tray," she instructed softly. "For Princess Aquila."
The maid quickly set down the tray she carried and hurried out, leaving Elisha alone with the two sleeping girls.
For a moment, the Queen only watched them—watched the way her daughter's lips parted in the faintest trace of peace, watched how Aquila's arm instinctively curved protectively around her. Then, with slow, careful steps, Elisha drew open the curtains.
Sunlight spilled into the room, golden and unrelenting.
Zuleika groaned softly at the intrusion and, without opening her eyes, buried her face deeper against Aquila's chest, clinging tighter as though the warmth of the other girl could shield her from the brightness of the world.
Elisha's lips curved into the faintest smile. Perhaps… just perhaps… her daughter was finding a piece of solace again.
When the maid returned with the second tray, balancing it carefully in her hands, Elisha waved her off with a quiet nod. The door closed softly behind her, leaving only the Queen and the two sleeping figures in the chamber.
Elisha set the trays down on the nearby table, then leaned toward the bed. With a practiced patience only a mother possessed, she brushed her hand lightly across Zuleika's arm.
"Zuleika," she whispered.
A muffled groan was her only reply. Her daughter curled tighter against Aquila, as if clinging to a pillow that breathed.
Elisha exhaled, shaking her head faintly. She knew this battle well. There was only one way to win it. Her hand gently tugged the blankets back, letting in the morning chill.
That did the trick. Zuleika stirred with a shiver, eyes fluttering open, bleary and irritated. "Mother… five more minutes…" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
But as she moved, realization dawned—her cheek was pressed to warmth, not fabric. Her gaze darted up, only to find herself cradled in Aquila's arms.
Her breath hitched.
In her sudden startle, she shifted too quickly, and the movement stirred Aquila awake. Slowly, the princess blinked her eyes open, the sunlight striking her face. Her lashes fluttered as her vision adjusted, her expression dazed, still caught between dream and waking.
For a moment, the two of them simply stared at each other—Zuleika wide-eyed, Aquila blinking away the haze of sleep—until the silence was broken by Elisha's quiet, knowing sigh.
Then, like lightning striking her memory, Zuleika suddenly recalled everything that had happened the night before—the words, the tears, the comfort—and in a most un-princess-like fashion, she bolted upright and screamed,
"KYAHHH—!"
The sound rang so sharp that Aquila winced, immediately clapping her hands over her ears. She glared at Zuleika through half-lidded, still-sleepy eyes.
"…Must you be so loud in the morning?" she muttered.
"W-w-w-what are you—!" Zuleika tried to speak, but her tongue tangled, her words tripping over themselves in a frantic stutter. Her face burned crimson, betraying her panic.
Aquila, on the other hand, only stretched languidly, sitting up with all the calm in the world. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and released a soft yawn, hair slightly mussed from sleep. Even in her disheveled state, she looked every inch a goddess disguised in mortal form.
But the serene image shattered the moment her gaze drifted forward—straight to Queen Elisha. The Queen stood with her arms folded, lips pursed in the faintest of knowing glances, her expression unreadable.
For one suspended heartbeat, silence filled the chamber.
Then both princesses froze, realization striking them at once. Heat flooded their faces until they looked like two overripe tomatoes caught in the most compromising of positions.
Queen Elisha arched a brow, her lips curving into the faintest smirk.
"My, my… I didn't know my daughter was so quick to invite someone into her bed."
"M-Mother!" Zuleika squeaked, her cheeks blazing even redder.
"Y-Your Majesty!" Aquila blurted at the same time, her composure cracking.
The two snapped their heads toward each other immediately after, glaring as if the other had somehow forced them into this predicament.
Elisha, however, only chuckled softly behind her hand, clearly amused by their synchronized panic.
"How adorable," she murmured, shaking her head. Then, with a graceful wave, she gestured toward the trays. "Both of you, eat before your food turns cold. You'll need your strength."
She turned to leave, though not without one last glance over her shoulder—eyes gleaming with mischief, her smile still teasing as if to say she'd remember this scene for a very long time.
They were left there in silence...then Aquila glanced at Zuleika, who was still all flustered. With a sigh, she stood from the bed. Zuleika's eyes followed her, only to widen when Aquila leaned down and flicked her forehead.
"Ouch!" Zuleika yelped, immediately pouting as her hand flew up to rub the spot. Her eyes narrowed at Aquila, who now stood tall with her arms crossed, looking every bit the stern princess.
"You should've told me your mother visits you every morning," Aquila scolded, her tone sharp but her expression more amused than angry.
"I—I didn't think… I would fall asleep… last night," Zuleika stammered, her gaze dropping as she began fidgeting with her fingers like a child caught lying.
Aquila arched a brow. "Yeah? Well, if someone hadn't clung to me like a koala, I would've left before dawn."
Zuleika's face burned crimson. "I did not cling!" she protested, her voice cracking at the end.
Aquila tilted her head, her silver eyes gleaming knowingly. "You sure about that? I thought I was going to suffocate."
"That's—! That's not true!" Zuleika puffed her cheeks in frustration, clearly losing the argument.
"Oh well, I am going to eat," Aquila said as she took the tray to a table and sat down.
Zuleika quickly followed, carrying her own tray and setting it across from Aquila. For a while, they ate in silence, only the soft clinking of silverware filling the chamber.
"What were you doing outside your chamber last night?" Zuleika asked as she sliced a sausage into neat pieces.
"I visited the town," Aquila answered shortly, pouring herself a cup of tea.
Zuleika's crimson eyes brightened immediately. "You visited the town? Hey, hey, tell me—where did you go?"
Aquila glanced at her, then took another calm bite of buttered bread. "It's nothing special, but I ended up in the plaza."
"Ohh, the plaza! Right. Since autumn is nearly ending, there's always a festival there—it's very lively," Zuleika said, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
She leaned forward slightly, grinning. "You should come with me later. Let's visit it together! I'll treat you to some of our delicious foods, hehe."
Aquila raised a brow at her. "Treat me? With what money?"
Zuleika blinked, then puffed her cheeks in defense. "Wha—excuse you! I'm a Princess. People won't ask me to pay."
Aquila smirked faintly, setting her teacup down. "So your grand plan is to exploit your title and eat for free?"
"That's not exploiting—it's called a royal privilege!" Zuleika shot back, her voice dramatic as though she were defending her honor.
Aquila shook her head in disbelief, though amusement tugged at her lips. "Hopeless."
Zuleika jabbed her fork in Aquila's direction. "Fine, then you pay!"
"Why should I?" Aquila asked flatly, her tone teasing.
"Because," Zuleika leaned in closer, lowering her voice like she was revealing a grand secret, "you owe me after flicking my forehead earlier."
Aquila's crimson eyes flickered in surprise before narrowing slightly. "That was light. You're still sulking about that?"
Zuleika huffed. "It hurt my pride more than my forehead!"
This time, Aquila let out a short laugh—quiet but genuine. The sound made Zuleika blink, warmth blooming in her chest at hearing Aquila laugh so freely.
Aquila admitted it so bluntly that Zuleika nearly choked on her own food. "I do not have any money."
Zuleika's eyes went wide. "What?" She blinked rapidly, as though she hadn't heard it the first time.
Aquila leaned back in her chair, her tone maddeningly calm. "You haven't heard? I ran away from the Empire."
Zuleika's lips parted in shock. "…Why would you—"
"No reason at all," Aquila cut in smoothly, her gaze lowering to her teacup. "They just make me suffocate. I'll come home soon, once the rebels settle down in the Empire."
Zuleika's fork froze halfway to her lips. For a long moment she just looked at her—at the way Aquila said it like it was nothing, when clearly it wasn't. Then, with a sudden spark, she smiled. "Then, while you're in my Kingdom… let's hang out."
Aquila glanced up, unimpressed, but she didn't refuse. "I don't mind." Her voice was blunt, but her eyes betrayed the faintest softness. Once, she would've despised the idea of being near Zuleika, but now… at least, it was bearable.
She took another sip of tea, then, as if it were the most casual thing in the world, said, "When I get back home, I'll be married to the heir of another Kingdom."
Zuleika choked violently on her drink, coughing as if she were about to die right there. Aquila only watched her with the faintest curl of amusement at her lips, clearly entertained.
"Wha—YOU? Married?" Zuleika managed between coughs, her face turning red. Then she burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
Aquila narrowed her eyes, glaring as if she were offended, though the sigh that followed was half-exasperation, half-resignation. "Is it really that funny?"
"Yes!" Zuleika wheezed out, still laughing. "You, standing there all serious and stoic, married off to some stranger—you'd probably scare the poor man to death on the first night!"
"Zuleika," Aquila warned, her voice low but her ears slightly pink.
Zuleika only laughed harder, and for once, Aquila didn't try to stop her.
"What about you? You're getting too old. Don't you have anyone you have your eyes on?" Aquila asked, her tone genuine for once, though curiosity laced her words.
Zuleika paused, her fork hovering above her plate before she set it down. Her crimson eyes softened as she looked at Aquila innocently. "I do not… but, hmm…"
She tilted her head, lips tugging into a wistful smile. "There's this person I've been looking for. No matter how hard I tried before, I couldn't find her."
Aquila's brows furrowed. Her? The thought lingered in her mind, an uninvited echo.
"Tell me about it," Aquila pressed, leaning forward slightly, her voice careful but curious.
"No wayyy," Zuleika said, shaking her head with exaggerated playfulness, almost like a teenage girl talking about her first crush. "She's my first love!"
"Ah, really?" Aquila deadpanned, though her crimson eyes sharpened faintly. The words landed heavier than she wanted them to, but she forced her tone to stay flat.
Zuleika giggled, twirling a strand of her hair. "Mhm. And she was the most irritating person I've ever met."
Aquila's lips twitched, her expression betraying the faintest crack. "I see you have excellent taste."
Zuleika smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Of course. I always aim for impossible things."