Beatrice groaned as her eyes fluttered open.
“Ugh... my head,” she mumbled, pressing her palms against her temples and rubbing gently, hoping to soothe the pounding inside.
“You’re finally awake!”
Her eyes snapped shut at the sound of Riela’s voice. A small smile tugged at her lips despite the throbbing in her head. At this point, she and Princess Riela had beco like sisters, more than just friends.
Beatrice had always looked up to Riela when they were younger, relying on her like a big sister. But that bond had been fractured when Riela fell ill, her mind slipping after the chaos caused by Cain.
For nearly a year, their interactions had been rare and cautious. Visits were limited, often guided by the Queen Mother, who feared Riela’s unpredictable temperant at the ti.
Now, everything had changed. Riela had healed, and the warmth between them was restored. They were back to how things used to be—barging into each other’s rooms without warning, laughing, teasing, and enjoying the closeness they had missed for so long.
Beatrice couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face despite her hangover.
“Are you sure you were that happy spending ti with Uriel last night?” Riela asked, perching on the edge of Beatrice’s bed.
The mont she heard Uriel’s na, Beatrice jolted upright, blinking rapidly at Riela. “I was with Uriel last night?” she burst out, eyes wide.
Riela creased her forehead. “You really don’t rember?”
Beatrice frowned, trying to piece together the fragnts of mory. “I... I saw him leaving while I was pretending to enjoy the company of other n. That annoyed , so I started drinking. I rember the taste of wine... and then you and Uncle Arturo brought to your table.”
She paused, blinking. “After that... nothing? But I’m sure it’ll co back to later.”
Riela scoffed. “You better hope so.”
Beatrice tilted her head, frowning. “What’s with that face? Are you saying I ssed up last night?”
Riela’s smile turned teasing. “Well... I don’t know the whole story. You and Uriel were alone last night, right? But what I do know is that he left quite late... after carrying you to your bedchamber. Your maidservant said she waited for him to leave before tending to you... but he took his ti.”
Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “So... what did you two do? Or what did you do that made him stay longer instead of just dropping you off and leaving?”
Beatrice felt her face heat up. She truly couldn’t rember.
“I... I don’t know,” she admitted with a weak laugh. “Let just freshen up first. I need to eat and recharge. I’ll tell you once my mory starts coming back.”
She pushed herself off the bed, wincing slightly from her headache but smiling brightly. Despite the lingering ache, she was in a good mood and Riela could see it clearly.
*****
anwhile, Uriel tried to focus on the docunts in his hands, though another yawn escaped him before he could stop it.
“Are you sleep-deprived?” Simon asked, glancing at him while handing over another stack of papers. “You’ve got dark circles under your eyes, and you keep yawning.”
Simon placed the docunts neatly on the desk. “His Majesty is already back, you know. You don’t have to finish all of these today.”
Uriel scoffed. “That king... Yes, he’s back, but can you believe he still wants to extend my work with these docunts?” He rubbed his temples in frustration. “I’m a healer mage, Simon. The Minister of Healing, not so overworked clerk.”
In truth, the reason for his exhaustion had nothing to do with paperwork.
Last night, Beatrice had tornted him so badly that he barely slept at all.
“Well,” Simon replied with a casual shrug, “I suppose His Majesty wants to enjoy a few more days of his honeymoon.”
Uriel let out an exasperated breath. “He’s been on his honeymoon forever.”
Simon nodded in quiet agreent as he continued reviewing another set of docunts.
“I’m just glad Osman is finally back,” Simon added after a mont, a faint grin spreading across his face. “Now he can return to his duties in the field, which ans I get to spend more ti here in the palace.”
Uriel didn’t comnt. He already knew why Simon looked so pleased.
After all, the man had finally reunited with lva, and he was clearly enjoying every mont of it.
“Also, you’re doing an excellent job. His Majesty is very pleased,” Simon added while organizing the docunts on the desk. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he promotes you to Chancellor soon.”
Uriel let out a dry laugh. “Please don’t wish that kind of fate on .”
Just then, a loud knock echoed through the room before the door suddenly opened.
“My Lord! I got all the information you wanted!” Leon burst in, panting heavily. A proud grin stretched across his face as he hurried forward with a thick stack of papers in his arms.
But in his rush, his foot caught the edge of the carpet.
“Ah—!”
Leon stumbled forward and crashed onto the floor. The papers scattered everywhere, fluttering across the room like startled birds.
Uriel groaned and pressed a hand to his forehead.
Simon sighed but bent down to help gather the fallen sheets. He calmly picked them up one by one until sothing on the pages caught his attention. His brows slowly drew together as he scanned the nas listed.
“These n...” Simon murmured, pausing as he held one of the docunts up.
He turned to Uriel with a puzzled look.
“Why are you investigating them?” he asked. “Are they so kind of threat?”
“Of course, they’re a threat to My Lord! They’re possible suitors,” Leon burst out proudly. “They are the best candidates the Queen Mother is considering for Lady Beatrice!”
Simon slowly turned his head toward Uriel, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Well, well,” he scoffed lightly. “So much for soone who said it wasn’t his concern.”
Uriel stiffened. “It’s not my concern. I was just checking to make sure—” He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly unable to find the right words.
Simon simply shook his head, clearly unconvinced.
“Do you know the worst thing a person can feel,” he said calmly, “worse than guilt?”
Uriel remained silent, but Leon leaned forward with curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
“What is it, my lord?”
Simon glanced briefly at Uriel before answering. “Regret.”
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