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Yaaaawn…
The blonde rolls around her bed as she stretches her arms and legs, the light of sunup faintly passing through the curtains of Anne's room. The warm glow gave the room a light aside from the nightlight.
The sheets and pillows were as nice as ever, the chilly evening gave the fabric a cool feeling which made it understandably harder for her to get up and go about her day. It seems like the house of Cromwell is awake already, except for her.
Oh well, it won't hurt to have another minute or two of sleep, wouldn't it? She hugged a pillow closer and tighter to her, and slowly, she-
*knock knock knock*
"Anne?"
Oh, come on.
It didn't matter to her, she'll go to sleep if she wants to either way! It's her room, it's her bed, her pillows and blankets, and she'll decide what she wants to do!
She covered her ears with the pillow she was snuggled up on and pretended the person on the other side wasn't there, she buckled her knees up and waited for her dreams to grace her back again.
The door creaked open, Anne could still hear the creaking even with the pillow pressing on her ears, it's probably just because the door is within her earshot.
Then, it closed shut, followed by footsteps walking away. She opened her eyes again, and it seems like she couldn't sleep anymore, so she might as well just stay up until someone enters the room again.
She thought of getting up already and parting the curtains for some sunlight, but she just feels really lazy today. Strange, she never felt such tardiness before, maybe she just needs a little more rest.
The sheets rustled as she moved her legs and arms, sitting up on the bed felt impossible, she couldn't do so as sitting up would mean that she'll have to get her head off the fluffy cold pillows… The thought plagued her, but she managed to do it.
She rests her head on the headboard of the bed and closes her eyes again, basking in what little time she has left before the servants inevitably come to her room and force her to wake up.
That voice from the door moments ago… that doesn't sound like anyone in the house…
The girl pondered, eyes fluttering back up. The swirling gold decoratives and the crystalline chandelier looked beautiful on the ceiling, like the waves of water and stars in the sky, like heaven and earth interlocked in a slow, swirling waltz, flowing paisleys in the cosmos up high.
Paired with the pristine beauty of the ivory ceiling above, no such thing could ever come close to its grandeur, and this is just her room. Prosperity unrivaled by anything in the world, but she didn't feel content. Prosperity would inevitably decay sooner or later, it's naught but short-lived glory.
Revel in the golden swirls as much as she'd like, but she won't carry all that gold in the afterlife. Material wealth exists only temporarily in the grand scheme of things…
Oh well, no matter. What's for breakfast anyway?
She turned her head towards the door, waiting for someone to knock again.
"Anne, I'm coming in."
The voice from earlier bled through the door, emanating a muffled, drowned out voice, but still crystal clear.
"Who's there?"
Anne echoed but didn't get a response, but the doorknob twisted and creaked open. It's Arthur, yeah.
He held a tray in his hands; a plate with some breakfast options such as pancakes, sausages, and eggs, a teacup sitting on a saucer, and a separate plate for some bread and pastries.
"When did you come here? You should've told me beforehand!" Anne spoke in an upset tone, she straightened out her back and fixed her sitting position so that she wouldn't look like an absolute mess to her special guest.
"I came to visit, that's all." Arthur gave her a warm smile, a smile she hadn't seen in quite a long time. She couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy on the inside when she saw him again.
"You really shouldn't have brought me breakfast all the way here… I-I was on my way." She stammered as she spoke.
"The head maid herself asked me to do so." Arthur places the tray over her legs, making sure that they’re placed firmly so its contents won’t fall and make a mess all over her unblemished sheets.
Oh, the delectable aroma of everything wafting to her nose every time she breathes in is absolutely spectacular! The invigorating heartiness of the meat, the fluffy and buttery texture of the pancakes, everything is served perfectly. Everything she could’ve asked for, all in this tray! Being served right in front of her!
Arthur could see the enthusiasm and vigor gleaming in her lustrous sapphire eyes, he missed those eyes of hers, always so full of confidence and pride, and that smug smile to complete her look. She was nothing short of beautiful, yes, but it’s who she is that he loves most. He loves not just a certain stroke of brush in a painting, not just a peculiar shape, nor a vibrant yellow in the backdrop of shaded red, but the whole canvas - he loves her for who and what she is.
“So, are you gonna eat now?” Arthur’s voice snapped the girl out of her overindulgent gawking at the plate full of food and picked up the utensils served with the tray.
“Tell the head maid that I’ll bring the dishes down myself.” Then, she started eating, cautiously so, however, so that the little specks of food and grease wouldn’t get all over the place. It’s the little things that matter most.
“Alright then.” Arthur walked closer to Anne who seemed unfazed as she continued to tuck into her meal, he placed a hand on the girl’s head and leaned in to give her a small kiss on the forehead, audibly chuckling right after.
“Have a nice meal, mon amour. ” He whispered close to her ear, making her stop abruptly. He swore he could feel a bit of steam gushing out of her head, and she did look quite pinkish around the cheeks, too.
Arthur smiled and gave her a bit of rubbing on the head, feeling her silky smooth hair run between and across his fingers felt nice, it’s still as smooth as ribbons even though they looked quite like barbed wires when she woke up.
Then he left, leaving as quietly as he entered.
“M-m-mon amour… ?!”
She whispered those words quietly to herself, putting a hand up to her cheek to feel the warmth of her blushing face, a nice warmth. At least her reaction isn’t as volatile as it was before, when they were still starting out, but it never fails to make her blush redder than blood.
He never fails to keep her smiling.