Kyrisse

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

A frown immediately pulled the corners of Hye Jin's lips down when she noticed Alessandra standing in the room behind Adrian. She gave Alessandra a pointed glare before she turned back to Adrian. "I had no idea that handmaidens also serve to warm their master's bed in this kingdom," she commented, her tone dripping with disdain.

Adrian met Hye Jin's gaze equally. "If you are hinting that I have an illicit and inappropriate affair with Alessandra then you are gravely mistaken. You are not to question my virtues nor hers," he answered a little coldly, his gaze just as cold as his tone.

Hye Jin was taken aback by how coldly the Prince spoke to her. She bowed her head. "I apologize if my words offended you, Prince Adrian. It was not my intention," she immediately apologized despite the growing irritation and anger she felt towards the handmaiden.

Adrian softened his tone. "I am sure you did not intend to offend. Do not concern yourself with it," he looked down at the box in his hands. "I appreciate your concern and thoughtfulness. I will put your gift to good use." Adrian handed Alessandra the box and closed the door behind him.

Hye Jin stared at the door for a while, a disbelieving look on her face before she turned and angrily walked away.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian's mind was reeling with confusion at what he was doing. Why was he kissing Alessandra? Why was his heart racing? But even as he questioned himself, he didn't pull back. And when she responded to his kiss, he felt his heart beat a little faster than it already was. He reached up and then stopped.

There was a knock on his door, loud enough that he heard it from the balcony.

He stepped back and ran a hand through his still damp hair. He glanced at Alessandra and noted how red her cheeks were. His eyes fell on her lips and for a moment, he thought about kissing her again. He blinked when the knock echoed in his room once more. Without saying anything, he walked back into the room just in time to hear a female voice call out.

"Prince Adrian? It's Hye Jin," the voice called out.

Adrian shook his head to clear it before he himself reached out and opened the door. He was met by the smiling foreign princess, an ornate wooden box in her hand. She gave him a polite bow. "I have brought you some incense oil that would help with relaxation and improve your health," she held out the box to him.

"Thank you," Adrian responded in a neutral tone as he took the box offered to him.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian blinked when he heard Alessandra's voice. He had gotten used to her being around that he no longer noticed her presence most times and especially when he was deep in thought. But instead of smiling at her like he used to the past few months, the expressionless look on his face remained. He felt that irritation tug at his heart again. Why would she spark such irritation and so much confusion in him? She was his handmaiden, nothing else. Perhaps he had gotten so used to having her attention that having her look at his younger brother... and even at Henry... bothered him.

Yes, that is probably what this is, he thought.

But...

Without thinking, he grabbed her hand, pulled her towards him and pressed his lips against hers.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

A few minutes later, Adrian came out of the bath. His hair was damp and unruly while his cheeks were flushed pink from the warm water of his bath. His facial expression had relaxed a bit but he still looked lost in his thoughts. He remained silent and didn't seem aware of Alessandra's presence as he crossed the room and headed to the doors that led out into the balcony. He reached out, opened the doors and let the cool night breeze in as he stepped out.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian didn't slow down. "Beautiful and perfect. I wouldn't expect anything less for an arranged marriage," his voice didn't sound at all friendly. His thoughts were on how happy Alessandra looked and sounded when she saw Adam. It annoyed him that he felt irritated and bothered by it. He knew that she always liked Adam more than him. Adam was friendlier, approachable and a lot more likeable. It didn't bother him before. Why did it now? And what it irritated him more was the fact that he was thinking about it.

He pushed open the door to his room and walked into it. He didn't bother asking Alessandra to draw a bath for him like he used to. Instead, he walked straight to the bathroom, went in and closed the door behind him.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

The King and the queen was not present during dinner but nevertheless, it was interesting, full of stories mostly from Adam and some from Hye Jin. Adrian silently listened to both of them and voiced out a few comments here and there. But the crown prince was mostly silent the whole time. He rarely smiled and often times looked deep in thought.

"You've been terribly silent the whole time, Adrian. Are you still not feeling well?" Adam asked.

"I am completely recovered, Adam. Do not worry yourself over it," Adrian replied. There was an unreadable look in his eyes as he glanced at his younger brother for a few seconds before he turned towards Hye Jin when she started speaking.

"Oh, were you sick before I arrived?" she asked, an exaggerated look of worry on her face.

Adam looked at Adrian but when it didn't seem like he would answer, he took it upon himself to narrate the story. "My brother was a victim to an ambush several months ago that left him almost dead. It took a while for him to get back on his feet."

"Oh, my. I should tend to your health then," Hye Jin said.

There was a momentary flash of anger in Adrian's eyes but it was gone as soon as it appeared. "As I said earlier, I have completely recovered. There is no need for pointless worrying,"

"I have brought along with me oils that would help you relax and strengthen your body. Should I bring it to your room later, my prince?" Hye Jin persisted.

Adrian sighed. "Do as you wish, he said and then stood up. "If you will both excuse me." Without saying anything else, he stepped out of the dining hall and headed towards his room.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Why not? I heard it was rude not to accept gifts freely given," he said smoothly. He took a seat and glanced towards Hye Jin who was staring at both him and Alessandra. Hye Jin's frown immediately turned into a smile when she caught Adam looking at her.

Adrian remained silent at Adam and Alessandra's exchange. He avoided looking at them but instead began conversing with Hye Jin about her kingdom.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adam chuckled. He walked towards the dining hall but instead of overtaking Alessandra, he fell into pace with her. He reached out into his pocket and withdrew a simple leather necklace with a golden flower pendant on it. "Here. I brought you a little something from my trip down south," he dangled the necklace in front of her before placing it into her hand. He smiled at her but didn't wait for her to say anything as he walked forward and entered the dining hall before she did.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

"The trips I made all went smoothly. I believe Father would be pleased at how much I was able to accomplish these few months that I was gone. It is, however, good to be back. How have you been?" Adam smiled as he spoke. "Have you missed me? he asked, his voice strangely louder than when he had started speaking.

Adrian stopped in his tracks when he heard Adam's question. Hye Jin looked up questioningly at him but he just shook his head. He immediately resumed walking and was out of ear shot before he could hear Alessandra's answer.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Henry looked at Alessandra and shrugged as if to say that it was something he definitely had no control over. He tilted his head slightly towards her. "I imagine it would be enough time to tell the Prince how you feel about him," he said in a low voice. He winked at her. "Of course, that's just my humble opinion," he added before he walked away to follow after the royal couple.

The day went by smoothly.

At sundown, all four of them returned to the castle. "I suppose a congratulatory greeting is in order," a voice called out as soon as Adrian and Hye Jin entered the castle hallways. Adam stepped out from behind one of the pillars and smiled at his brother and his future wife.

Hye Jin immediately gave the younger prince a polite curtsy as he joined them. "Delighted to have you home, Adam. This is Princess Wang Hye Jin of Gyeongsang," Adrian introduced.

Adam smiled at Hye Jin and then raised an eyebrow at Adrian. Beautiful, he mouthed to his brother. "I am Adam Havensworth, Princess, second prince of Whitehaven," he reached out, took Hye Jin's hand and pressed a kiss on the back of it.

"I am pleased to meet you, Prince Adam, Hye Jin said as he flashed Adam one of her charming smiles. "This Kingdom is truly blessed to have two very capable and handsome princes, she added.

"And it is fortunate for Whitehaven to have such a beautiful future queen," Adam gave the princess a lavish bow before he grinned and invited them to join him in the dining hall for supper. But before he walked away, Adam's eyes searched out Alessandra. When his eyes fell on her, a wide smile spread across his face. "Let me just say hello to Alessandra," he said and then excused himself.

Hye Jin's jaw fell open as he watched the younger prince make his way to the handmaiden. What sort of kingdom was this that both princes seemed to fawn over a lowly handmaiden?

Adrian wasn't particularly pleased of Adam giving Alessandra attention but he refrained from looking at her. Instead, he looked at the Princess on his arm. "Shall we proceed to the dining hall then?" he asked.

Hye Jin turned back to Adrian, smiled and nodded.