Crimson and Gold

Lysandra planned to stay two nights and three days in the villa.

After spending the first twenty-four hours with Saria in their bedroom, the Princess was finally ready to engage in other, less carnal, activities.

“Would you like to visit the town today?” Lysandra asked, glancing at Saria from across the table.

Unlike the Palace in Aervelis, the villa was built in the Adleran style. Aside from the layout being much more closed off than in a traditional Aelian architecture, the other defining feature was the dining room, where the meals were consumed at the table instead of lecti.

Lysandra always preferred this style of dining, however, being separated by a big slab of wood and having her lover obscured by an unreasonable amount of dishes, she couldn’t help but sigh.

If it were lecti, she would have a perfectly clear view of Saria. And today, it was a real feast for the eyes.

Being away from the Royal Palace, away from the intrigues and dangers, it was a time to recharge for both of them.

Thanks to this, Saria was able to let her hair down.

Literally and figuratively.

Noticing that the Princess was especially fond of her casual appearance, Saria kept her waist-long hair loose. The simple tunic she wore every day was put in a closet in favor of a classic white toga dress, mirroring Lysandra’s.

A simple outfit that didn’t detract from, but instead allowed for her natural beauty to shine.

Lysandra loved every bit of it.

This was the first time she regretted not dining at a triclinium.

If they were, she could feed Saria herself. Give her pomegranate juice that would have a single drop escaping the corner of her mouth. It would leave a sweet trail on her neck and collarbones that Lysandra would—naturally—be obligated to chase with her lips.

And—

“The festival has just ended, hasn’t it? Would there be anything left to see?” Saria’s question was barely able to punch through the visceral imagery Lysandra was so happily indulging in.

The Princess blinked twice to dissipate the fog on her mind. “Sisica has a pretty big market even without the festival. There’s also a theater. I’ve heard a new play will be shown today.”

“We could visit the market before going to see the play. Or…” Saria hanged her voice and traced the edge of the cup with her fingertip. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she raised her eyes to look at Lysandra. “We could stay home and find other ways to entertain each other.”

A direct hit through Lysandra’s heart. “Aren’t you tired of me yet?” she asked, fighting the urge to cross the distance and kiss those seductive lips.

Saria’s expression softened. The gentle smile blooming on her lips reached her eyes, turning her hungry gaze into one full of love. “How could I ever get tired of you?”

Another shameless and extremely effective assault on Lysandra’s heart, weakening the restraints that she put on herself. “Careful,” she hummed, suddenly feeling bashful. “If you keep saying things like that, I’ll cling to you even more.”

Saria propped her chin on her hand. “Is that a promise?”

“You’re not making it easy for me to hold back.”

“Maybe that’s the point?” Saria grinned.

Lysandra giggled, helpless against her lover’s disarming charm. As she calmed down, her mood soured a little. “I’m afraid you’ll think that I’m only interested in your body,” she confessed, casting her eyes down.

After all, wasn’t it what everyone thought of her?

For once, Lysandra regretted not fighting against those rumors.

“Oh, please,” Saria flipped her hair and nonchalantly leaned against the backrest. “I do have a divine body, but we both know that it was my devilishly charming personality that stole your heart.”

Caught completely off guard by Saria’s sudden outburst of self-confidence, Lysandra’s eyes widened before the tension momentarily left her body as she started laughing.

She reached across the table and took Saria’s hand. Interlocking their fingers, her thumb caressed her lover’s palm so softly as if she was afraid this whole scene was just a dream about to disappear.

“I love everything about you,” she said, her voice laced with deep affection. “Especially that devilish personality.”

“Devilishly charming.” Saria corrected, causing Lysandra to giggle again.

“Devilishly charming.”

They sat in silence for a moment, enjoying each other’s touch.

Eventually, Saria was the first to speak. “You don’t have to pretend, you know. You can be yourself around me,” she said and kissed Lysandra’s hand. “I fell in love with you, not the image of you.”