"That was better. Did you feel the difference?" Nhel asked, his voice still low.
Anisha wasn't sure if it was the technique or his presence she felt.
Before she could gather her thoughts, the Queen's abrupt clap snapped Anisha out of her reverie.
"That was a great shot."
Anisha tried to pull away from Nhel, but his hold lingered longer than necessary.
She smiled awkwardly at her mother. "It's clear I didn't achieve that on my own."
Her mother let out a teasing giggle. "Alright, I'll leave you two."
The Queen then stepped away. Anisha felt slightly lighter though servants still passed by.
She coughed softly to get Nhel's attention.
"I didn't know you practiced archery," Nhel said, his voice rumbling softly against her ear.
Anisha swallowed. "I do."
"You're self-taught?" he asked knowingly.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Hmm."
The air between them grew heavier
Suddenly, Anisha was spun around. A sharp gasp escaped her lips.
"Are you still mad at me?" Nhel's intense gaze held hers captive.
"I'm not mad," Anisha breathed.
She felt his eyes trail downward before settling briefly on her lips. Her gaze flickered back to his, and for a moment, they were locked in place.
Her heart began to race.
Nhel leaned closer.
Anisha shut her eyes, her pulse quickening uncontrollably.
"So you do want it," Nhel whispered huskily against her ear.
Her eyes flew open, her ears burning at his words. Something did stirred within her and his words incited it the more.
But just as quickly as it built.
"Let's go back in."
The words came abruptly before he pulled away.
Anisha's expression fell into a slight frown as he walked ahead. A soft chuckle escaped him.
This was good.
He had wanted to test her, to see if she felt anything for him at all.
And what he had just seen…
was more than enough.
The walk back was quieter than before
When they returned to their chamber, Anisha blew out the candles and got into bed, turning away from him.
"Goodnight," she forced out.
Nhel joined her shortly after.
Silence stretched between them.
"Don't leave so early that I won't know when you're gone tomorrow morning," Anisha said suddenly.
Nhel stilled, surprised. He had thought she was upset again.
"Hmm."
Night passed more gently and true to his word, Nhel did not leave early.
Anisha didn't know when she had rolled closer to him during the night.
This was one of the rare times she woke up beside him, close enough to truly take in his face.
"Good morning," Nhel's hoarse voice broke through her thoughts, his eyes still closed.
"You hadn't been sleeping?" Anisha asked, her eyes widening slightly.
"I was," he replied, slowly opening them.
Thereafter, Nhel proceeded into morning routine.
After getting dressed, he sat before the mirror as a maid prepared to tend to his hair.
"Let me," Anisha said.
Nhel's gaze met hers through the mirror.
The maid stepped aside.
His expression seemed to question her ability, but Anisha simply picked up the brush and began.
His hair was long, straight, and silk-smooth, falling well past his shoulders. She couldn't help but admire it.
"I don't need too much oil," Nhel said when she reached for a bottle.
"Oh.. alright."
He watched her reflection as she worked, carefully brushing through each strand.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Anisha took her time, perhaps more than necessary.
"I think you've brushed enough," Nhel said at last.
She paused, offering a sheepish smile.
"You're the only one I've seen with such beautiful silver hair. The rest of your brothers must have missed your father's genes. Too bad."
Nhel's expression shifted.
"I'm the only one with this hair in my family."
Anisha paused briefly but continued brushing. "I see."
"You seemed surprised," he noted.
"Surprised by what?" she deflected.
He didn't respond.
"I think the maid should take over. I have no idea how to style it," Anisha added.
The maid returned and styled his hair into a half-tied arrangement, the upper portion drawn back neatly, with a few loose strands framing his face.
Effortlessly charming.
Not long after, Nhel set out.
"I won't take long," he said as he mounted his horse.
"I'll be waiting," Anisha replied.
"She's safe here," Juliana said reassuringly from beside her.
Nhel nodded gratefully before riding off finally.
And just like that, he was gone.
"I'm worried for you, Anisha," Juliana said. "Now that Hazucia's princes are competing for the throne, you may not sleep peacefully."
"You shouldn't be worrying about me, Juli. Think about your baby," Anisha said, gently tapping her hand. "Nhel won't let anything happen to me."
"You trust him that much?"
"If I don't, who else can I trust with my safety?"
Juliana nodded, then leaned in. "Still, this shouldn't delay you from having your first child."
Anisha smiled awkwardly. "What's the rush?"
"You're his first wife. All the more reason to secure your position quickly. When all this is over and if he takes the throne, you may not have that advantage."
"You mean…"
"Exactly. He'll take more wives or concubines just like father. So you must act first."
Anisha fell silent, considering it.
Juliana was right about that.
Her mother had to watch her father take in two concubines just for a son but luck was not on her father's side as none of them gave birth to a son.
The queen unexpectedly got pregnant after not expecting it and believed it was a sign the heavens was about to bless her with a son finally.
Only to give birth to Anisha who turned out to be a girl again. One could imagine the level of disappointment and dejection the queen faced.
"I suppose you're right."
"Of course I am."
Juliana leaned closer. "So… how is he?"
"How is who?"
"Oh, come on, Anisha. Don't make me spell it out," Juliana urged.
"I honestly don't…"
"Fine," Juliana cut in. "How was the wedding night?"
Anisha froze, glancing around quickly.
"Juli…"
"What?" she pressed.
"Why are you being so shameless?"
Juliana gasped. "Wait. Don't tell me…"
Anisha's expression gave her away.
Juliana grabbed her hand. "You mean you two haven't…."
"Not here, Juliana," Anisha cut in sharply.
A loud slap then rang out to the hearing of both of them.
Voices echoed from the pavilion.
"You thief!"
Anisha turned sharply to see Madlyn on the ground. Before she could reach her, Millicent ordered her up and struck her again, harder.
Anisha gasped and rushed forward.
"Sister!"
"Is this the kind of low-bred servant you keep?" Millicent snapped.
"Guards!"
Three guards rushed in.
Anisha's heart pounded. "What did my handmaiden do?" she asked.
"She stole from my lady, Your Highness," a servant replied.
"Take her out and give her eighty lashes," Millicent ordered coldly.
Anisha's eyes widened. Eighty lashes? It was a death sentence.
"I didn't steal anything, Your Highness!" Madlyn cried, trembling.
The guards seized her.
"Wait!" Anisha called out desperately.
They hesitated, only for Millicent's sharp voice to cut in.
"Do you both wish to lose your heads?"
They dragged Madlyn away as she wailed.
"Sister, how did she even access your treasury?" Juliana asked.
"My lady," a servant spoke, "while cleaning the chambers, I noticed her bedding looked unusual. I thought it would be a gift for Rodgers so when I checked… I found the gold. "
"Who is Rodgers?" Anisha asked urgently.