Oriana had drifted into slumber while nestled in the comfort of their bed. Her body, still in the process of full recovery, demanded the extra rest, and it was only beneficial for her well-being. Arlan chose not to rouse her from her peaceful repose, opting instead to gaze upon her serene countenance.
His fingers idly toyed with the stray strands of her hair, their unique musky scent wafting gently to his nostrils. The sensation of her soft, silky locks entwined around his fingertips left him marveling at the exquisite texture of her hair. It was a wonder how soone’s hair could be so enchanting.
A mory flashed across his mind – the day they had first crossed paths in the forest. Her long hair had been the foremost feature etched into his mory, those lustrous, reddish-blond tresses glistening in the brilliant sunlight as they danced in the wind while she ran away from him.
In that mont, he had harbored an unusual desire, instead of wanting to see her face he wished to touch those hair and run his fingers through those captivating locks and caress them. He couldn’t fathom what made her hair so special, but its allure remained a tantalizing mystery.
His longing to see her with her long hair down and dressed in won’s attire had been fulfilled, yet the occasions to fully savor it had been fleeting because either she often wore a veil, or when she didn’t, they were always arguing.
However, on the day of their wedding, Arlan’s heartfelt wish ca to fruition as he watched Oriana gracefully walk down the aisle toward him. His gaze remained fixed on her resplendent appearance, and he swore that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes upon – his Oriana.
That appearance of her as his bride, remained like a fixed picture in his mory which would never wash away.
He felt grateful that even when she was disguising herself as a man, she never cut her hair, despite the inconveniences it may have caused her. If she had cut it, he would have been greatly displeased with her, not sparing her till she grew her hair back to how they were.
Just then, he noticed that his fingers, entwined with strands of her hair, began to shimr with golden scales. ’Do you also appreciate her hair as much as I do?’ Arlan talked to his other self. ’Beautiful, isn’t it?’
In response, the scales glead even brighter, as if agreeing with Arlan’s statent.
’We have been fighting with each other for a long ti and it would have been continued till the end of our lives if there was really any end for us, but I want to stop fighting now.’ Arlan continued, speaking to the soul that shared his body. Together, we must protect her. I intend to make her fall in love with us, and you must harness your powers to safeguard her. We cannot permit her to return to the demon realm from whence she ca. If you do not wish to lose her, then listen to whatever I say. We have to do everything in our capability to keep her by our side.’
Although there was no spoken reply, Arlan could sense that the other soul within him had acquiesced to the plan.
Arlan leaned in closer, planting a tender kiss on her forehead. As he did, his face shimred with flashes of golden scales, his other self making its presence known.
"I will never allow you to be taken away from . You belong to and will forever remain mine. No matter who seeks you, I will ensure they never lay a hand on you."
At noon, Oriana awoke alone in their bed, her drowsy eyes scanning the room. ’How did I fall asleep?’ Her gaze then shifted to the blanket covering her, and she instinctively checked beneath it, relieved to find her clothing intact.
"Nothing happened." She heard the familiar voice and watched the man standing next to the window as he said again, "I may be a pervert but not a lecher."
Oriana felt a pang of guilt and attempted to explain herself. "I... didn’t—"
"If I had done anything with you, you wouldn’t be sleeping so comfortably here like this," Arlan interrupted her as he looked at the guilty woman in front of him, "When I would be doing sothing with you, I would make sure to keep you wide awake and make you feel and enjoy every bit of it."
Oriana gulped nervously, those words were too provocative for her acceptance. She wanted to refute but the way he looked at her, she decided to swallow her words. She was the one at fault to doubt him and ended up provoking him.
"We should go et them," Arlan finally broke the unusual silence that had settled in the room.
She glanced at him with uncertainty. "Now?"
He responded in a gentle tone, the earlier intensity in his eyes now softened. "Would you prefer to rest a while longer?"
"No," she replied.
"Then we shouldn’t keep them waiting for too long. They have other pressing matters to attend to," Arlan explained.
"I understand," she said, climbing out of bed. After getting ready, she inquired, "Where are we headed?"
"To the lounge area," he answered, making his way towards the door.
"The lounge? Here? I thought we were going sowhere farther," she remarked as she followed him.
"Why go far when they can simply co here," he replied.
Oriana didn’t offer any further comnts and nervously followed him. Along the way, Arlan reached out and held her hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry. Whatever they have to say is for your own well-being."
She nodded and walked alongside him, allowing him to hold her hand.
In the open lounge area, the three friends were sitting, waiting for the couple to arrive. Seeing them coming hand in hand, they felt glad as the things between them didn’t look bad as they had anticipated.
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