When Ashriel opened her eyes, the early morning light that always greeted her did not seem to be noticeable. Not because of the thick curtains but because the light was cast around a black silhouette in the shape of a human.
“Sorry, did I wake you up?” Ashriel couldn’t clearly see his features, but it was no doubt, Nathan. He was sitting at the edge of the very huge bed. Ashriel shook her head and sat down.
“It’s still night, not dawn. Lie down again and sleep more.” Ashriel blinked a couple of times more to adjust her eyes to the darkness. Nathan’s features were becoming more and more visible.
“You know I can’t. Paper works are waiting for me.” She chuckled and slid herself out the bed, but Nathan moved faster, reached out, and gently stroked her cheeks as he stared at her. They grew up together, so they knew each other very well. But tonight, Ashriel can’t point out Nathan’s expression. There was a hint of awe and a hind of being careful.
“Ash.” He called in a soft voice.
“Hmm?” Ashriel reached for his hand on her cheek and rubbed it with her thumb.
“Ashriel.”
“Tell me.”
Nathan did not move. His eyes focused only on her orbs. “If I am Chaster and I betrayed you, what will you do?” He asked with a careful tone. His eyes never leaving hers. “What will you do if you learned that I only used you?” He asked the second time.
Ashriel sat still. What does he mean? Ashriel can’t seem to grasp his words. Is her mind not working because she just awoken?
“Nathan, do I look worthless and naïve for you to use and betray me?” She smirked and ruffled his hair. “Only idiots will do that to me.” She scoffed.
Nathan smiled to himself. Ashriel was exactly like this. A woman who knows her own value so well that she knows where to stand – at the high position.
“Am I one of those ‘idiots?” He laughed and stroked her hair.
“Only if you betray me.”
“You know that’s something I will never do.” He slipped closer and pulled her down, causing her to fall on his hard chest.
“Nathan-“
“That’s not how you usually call me, Ash.” He smiled and wrapped his arms around his waist.
“Carsillion. Let me go, I need to work-“
“No. You need to rest. Don’t strain yourself so much.” He kept on stroking her silk hair.
“Why is it that you always put me to sleep? You know very well I have a lot of things to do. Is that your work as my Second-In-Command?”
“No. But one of my responsibilities as your best friend is to keep you healthy. You need to rest from time to time. Learn to give some of your burdens to Olive and to me, will you?”
Ashriel sighed in defeat. There is no way she will win this situation now. She is too tired to argue as well. She reached for his forehead and stroked it with her fingertips.
“Then you sleep as well.” She said.
“How am I supposed to sleep when you’re doing this?” He took her hand that was touching her forehead and gently pressed his lips on her palm. “I won’t be fooled now, Ash. I know you’ll slip out when I fall asleep, so sleep now.”
“Carsillion, I need to-“
“Shh. Just this once… Please rest.” His soft whispers permeated the darkness that settled beside her. His strong hand pulled her more closely than before. She could smell his familiar, musky scent as she buried her face on his chest. His heartbeat was like soft music to her ears as her tiredness started to take over her.
“…ve you…” She heard him whisper, but she couldn’t hear it clearly.
“Hmm?” She asked one last time before her eyes shut.
I will never betray you.
***
“Your Highness, it was not Edom. We captured the man who conducted the arson, and he said that he took the order from Colonel Clifford.” Kate reported. Nathan’s face stiffened.
“From Chaster?” He asked, bewildered. Kate nodded. “Ash, we know Chaster cannot do such a thing.”
“It was not Chaster,” Ashriel replied, making everyone stop. “It’s Donovan, his scumbag father.”
“How’d you say so, Zi?” Natsuki asked. His eyes focusing on her.
“Can’t you remember? Arson was his favorite strategy to conquer a place. Besides, Chaster has no strong connections to let someone enter Korahzin who has tight security unless… someone helped him.” Ashriel’s voice was crisp, but she looked at them with an expressionless face. “He used arson to conquer the Sephtis Kingdom, killing thousands of people. He used it five years ago to divert the attention of our troops for him to save Edom as well. If he had done that before, he could do it again. Am I wrong?”
Natsuki shook his head. “What must we do now? One of the bastards is back.”
“I got a report that their next target will be the Tethoris Kingdom, Your Highness.” Olive handed Ashriel some papers containing the information they acquired. “It is stated that three days after they burned Korahzin, they will destroy a big portion, or probably the whole main city of Tethoris as a warning.”
Everyone was shocked when Natsuki rose from his seat engraved with Jaguar and Hawk. “Tethoris Kingdom?!” He exclaimed. His thick brows deeply furrowed. Olive nodded in response. “Then Zi, we need to warn them!” His tone was not normal at all, making Ashriel tilt her head.
“Hey, hey, twin brother. What’s with the fuss?” Venice asked quizzically.
“The Lady of Ronus lives in the main city, right, Sir?” Leon asked with a very small naughty grin. “Is that why you’re worried?” Natsuki shot him a dagger look.
“Awiee, a lady? Zi, your big brother, is getting married, I guess?” Venice chuckled and wiggled her eyebrow to tease Natsuki, whose face is now a tomato. “Is she the woman you kept on talking through the phone at night? So, you’re serious with her?” She added, making the flame bigger. “You never act like that, Nat.”
“Oh, shut up!” Natsuki brushed his hair in distress, making everyone laughed all the more. “Zi, we need to-“
“Yes, yes, big bro. You love her so much, so I give you permission to go there tonight and be your lady’s knight in shining armor.” She snorted and gave Venice a high five. Yup. A high five. “Olive, call the Ruler of the Tethoris and inform them about our abrupt arrival.” Olive nodded and reached for her phone but then stopped midway and turned to Ashriel.
“Boss, you’re joining?”
“Yes. All of us will go except for Venice and John.” She answered casually. “You two will oversee the security.” They nodded hesitantly in response.

Here we go again.