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Alear has a confession to make. She's actually a very light sleeper.
It might come off as surprising, considering that she had been asleep for more than a thousand years. But, it also not, considering the same reason. Sure, her body may be accustomed to sleeping, but that doesn't mean her mind is.
The truth is, she's a little scared of sleeping, of how so easily she falls asleep the moment her body begins to relax against the soft material of her bed. But luckily, it was countered by how easily she woke at the faintest hint of change in her surroundings. May it be at the sound of birds perching on the trees of the Somniel, or the quiet footsteps by her door.
Now, speaking of footsteps, Alear has a second confession to make. Whenever an ally comes to wake her up, Alear is actually listening in to whatever discreet private ramblings they murmur underneath their breath.
Sometimes it was a flurry of quiet compliments, other times it was their own contemplation about her. Alear always feels a little guilty for pretending she is asleep when she is actually awake, but it would be awkward for her to suddenly open her eyes while they were in their long winded speech about her 'radiance' or 'beauty' or whatever other things they murmur about.
Oh, and the fact that the first time Alear rose up from the bed when Clanne opened the door for his wake-up duty, he had thought he committed a 'grave sin' of giving the Divine Dragon a 'rude awakening.' Alear still remembers five hour long fervent apologies, and makes a mental note to 'wake-up' only when she knows the coast is clear, or when someone actually nudges her to wake up. Thus, the reason why she keeps this habit a secret.
Still, she feels guilty whenever she does it though.
So, she is determined to come clean with her habits starting today to whoever is on wake-up duty.
"…They're coming rather late today."
Sighing in her bed, Alear pulls up the sheets and begin staring out to the sky. It must be 'let the Divine Dragon oversleep a bit' day. Ah well.
Alear shifts, letting her long multicolored hair sprawl on the sheets and raises her hand to the sky. It was then that a small smile surfaces on her lips.
"Diamant …"
The gem of the ring Diamant had gave her glints, and Alear finds it difficult to contain the joy that blossoms in her chest.
Around a week ago, Diamant had approached her to give her this ring that even now she feels unworthy of having. In return, she had gifted him the Pact Ring. They had vowed to protect each other and always support one another. And ever since then … their relationship has become even closer than before.
Ah, she wants to see him. Maybe she should just get up now and …
…
…
"… Still asleep?"
… Huh?
"I'm honored that you trust me but … I fear what others may think of our vulnerabilities. I also fear, that one morning, you may not wake at all."
That voice. Is this a dream? She doesn't remember falling asleep. And the fear behind that person's tone -- ah, it must be …
"Unfounded fears like that … reveal how close I've grown to you, and how I've grown to need you."
Diamant.
Alear must have relaxed her body too much when she was admiring his ring before and actually fell asleep. And Diamant must be on 'wake-up' duty today … ah, she thought it would either be Clanne, Framme or Vander. These days, she would prefer if it were her Stewards to be the one to wake her up.
Oh, she needs to open her eyes. She needs to come clean about this bad habit she's developed of listening to other's ramblings.
But hearing the sadness of his tone, Alear suddenly feels herself wavering. There is a reason why she's always so hesitant to let the truth out after all.
These words of vulnerabilities … what is she supposed to say to them.
So instead, she stays put and keeps her eyes closed. Pretending to sleep once again.
There was silence for a few seconds, then she hears his footsteps quietly echoing in the vastness of her personal chambers. Then, they stop.
"Oh. Look at that. The ring I gave you."
Diamant's voice is lighter this time, and Alear feels a sense of relief washing over her. She hears a soft thump, and a certain weight by her side. Oh, did he kneel beside her bedside to observe her.
If it were anyone else, she would have felt rather pressed about it, but if it's him … then she doesn't mind."
"You wear it even when sleeping. I sleep with the Pact Ring on. If I could … I'd even wear it during battle. It makes me think of peace."
She hears a smile in his voice. Alear hopes that he is smiling.
There is a soft chuckle, and it takes everything in her power to hold back a smile from appearing on her lips.
"Heh. Do you hear how you've softened this prince of a Kingdom of Warriors?"
She hears him, loud and clear. Just as her heart begins to race at his sweet confession.
A gentle finger tucking away her stray strand of hair, Alear finally allows herself to stir and slowly open her eyes.
The soft morning sun, the quiet chirp of the birds about. When her mismatched eyes open, she is greeted by the sight of Brodia's crown Prince, Diamant, her trusted ally, her most beloved person, with a tender expression on his usually hardened face.
Diamant's expression brightens, and Alear could no longer hold back a smile.
"Good morning, Diamant."
"Good morning, Divine One. Did you have a nice sleep?" He asks.
"Mhm. Truthfully, I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep. So it came as a surprise when I woke up to see your handsome face." Alear says cheekily.
"My handsome--Well, I--Ahem." Red dusts his cheeks. "I am honored that you think that my face is, well, pleasant to the eye."
"Please, let there be none of that. Um, what time is it …? I didn't accidentally oversleep, did I?"
"Ah, please, there's no need to rush." Diamant says hastily, placing a hand on her shoulders. "The day is still early. So until you have to leave … would you mind staying here a moment longer? Would you mind … keeping my ring on?"
His cheeks were dusted in a pale shade of red, and Alear was sure that her cheeks were of the same color, if not, a few shades darker.
Feeling a little bold, she decides to scoot and pat the empty side of her bed.
"Only if you'll join me." She smiles.
The poor man's face reddens even further. "Divine One! I cannot possibly--!"
"Alear." She says. "I told you to call me by my name when we're alone, didn't I, Diamant?"
He looks conflicted. "… Alear, I--"
"Please, Diamant?" She pleads. "Just for a few minutes. I promise."
A moment of silence, before he concedes. "… Very well, Alear."
The prince takes off his boots and carefully lay by her side. Alear's heart was racing, but she was so very happy that he had indulged her wishes, and even more when she catches the sight of the Pact Ring on his finger.
"You're wearing it." Alear says happily. "The Pact Ring."
"Of course I am." Diamant seemed to relax at the pure joy in her tone. "I would wear it wherever I go, if I could. Even to battle." He says with a smile.
Unable to resist herself, Alear says; "I know."
Diamant blinks, and his body begins to tense a bit. "You … know …?"
Ah. This is why its hard to admit her secret. Ugh, she's such a coward sometimes.
"Is that … not something I should know?" She asks wryly.
"No!" The red head replies almost immediately. "Wait, yes! No, I mean …"
"I'm joking, Diamant. Please, don't be so tense. You're making me feel bad about all this."
"I … am sorry."
"Don't be. I'm … just happy that you share my feelings."
Alear looks to him, and the Brodian prince looks back at her with that tender expression that she is reserved for her and only her.
"Diamant … could you hold me in your arms? Just for a moment." She asks shyly.
"… If that is what the Divine One desires."
Diamant pulls her into his embrace, his fingers running through the long locks of her mismatched colored hair. Alear feels his heart drumming against his chest. How his arms seem to shake, and how his hold around her is firm and tight, yet loose and gentle.
"Hah, really …" She hears his sigh near her ear, sending shivers up her spine. "Do you know how much you've softened this prince of a Kingdom of Warriors?"
She knows. She was listening to his private mutterings when he was supposed to wake her up, after all.
But, Alear supposes that story can wait for another day.
For now, she chose to revel in this warmth and wrap her arms around her beloved for just another moment.