Chapter Text
A sharp voice rang in Aristia’s ears:
"Burn! Burn this wretched Empire! Burn this town and all in it! They will see the true power I possess! Burn down! Let the fires of Hell reign mighty!"
It’s warm. I can’t breathe.
Just… who is that man?!
His face was hidden. Only his voice echoed, warping through the smoke.
Then came laughter. High, skin-crawling.
Louder than the screams.
Louder than the flames.
——
Aristia jolted upright in bed, her lungs burning.
Fingers clutched at sweat-soaked sheets. Her chest rose and fell, too fast.
“W-What was that…?”
——
"Aristia?" A gasp cut through her panic.
Ah… spacing out again. "Apologies, Your Majesty. What were we discussing?"
Ruveliss rubbed his temple, sighing. "Imperial defenses. But honestly… I don't think that matters right now."
Before she could protest, he was suddenly there, pinning her to the desk. Her heart skipped. His eyes sparkled with a strange mix of mischief and… affection?
"Does this make you uncomfortable?" he murmured, voice low.
She tipped her head back, cheeks burning. "I…um…that’s—"
His face hovered closer. Aristia’s breath hitched. "Your Majesty! We have work to do!"
A small laugh escaped him. His fingers brushed her wrist as she tried to pull away. "Why not forget about that for a moment?"
Aristia opened her mouth, but before she could speak, his lips met hers.
The nightmare’s smoke and fire still clung to her senses, but now they mingled with the dizzying warmth of his lips, leaving her breathless in more ways than one.
Her fingers dug into the edge of the desk, grounding herself as waves of heat and shock coursed through her.
"Y-Your Highness.."
Ruveliss pulled away slowly, gasping slightly when he noticed her pained expression.
"Whoa, what's the matter?"
Aristia turned to catch her breath.
"Nothing. It's nothing. I'm fine, now why don't we-"
"Aristia!"
Suddenly, she found herself in his arms, exhaling shakily.
"M-My apologies! I'm very sorry, your Highness..!"
Aristia moved a hand to his chest to push him away. "Don't move." He said, grabbing a hold of her hand.
Aristia gradually obeyed, becoming frozen as stone in his arms.
Ruveliss stood up, tightening his grasp around her as he called for his attendant.
"The door, please?"
His attendant glanced at him. "Couldn't I just--"
"The door." Ruveliss repeated.
"I could just take Lady Aris--"
"The door??"
His attendant bowed his head, opening the door for him.
"Don't worry, Aristia," Ruveliss whispered as they reached her room, his hand still steady on her back.
Her vision blurred, the last thing she saw was his gaze, dark and piercing, before the world slipped away.
——
Aristia.
A warm sound whispered in her ears, tickling.
Aristia.
She looked around, but everything was dark.
Aristiaaaa.
Now it felt as though they were far away, their voice echoing in a dark, long tunnel.
"I'm coming!" She called, placing a hand on the void walls.
Hurry, Arista! Hurry, he's dying!
"Who's dying?"
Aristia ran through the tunnel, reaching the end to find a crowd of people surrounding someone. They lay on the ground, blood pooling all around.
"Excuse me!" Aristia said, making her way through the crowd.
Aristia.
"Please, let me through!"
The sea of people suddenly moved away, revealing a man.
He looked pale, unconscious.
Aristia leaned closer, studying the man.
Aside his pale skin, his hair was a beautiful dark blue, and he wore....
"Ruveliss?!"
No! It can't be, It can't!
Aristia!
It can't be him! How did this come to happen?
ARISTIA!
——
Aristia, once again shot up from her sleep.
"Aristia..."
She looked over in the direction of the voice, clutching her heaving chest.
"Ruveliss..." Her voice was shaky, almost off balance.
"Oh thank goodness. It was only a dream..." She murmured, hiding her wet eyes behind the palms of her hands.
"Aristia," Ruveliss reached out his hand, placing it on her shoulder.
She jumped in response.
"Ah..I didn't mean.."
Ruveliss pulled her closer, into a hug.
"It's ok." He spoke softly, planting a kiss on her head.
"You're ok now.." He whispered, lowering his arms down to her back for better grip.
"Your Highness, I-...I shouldn't..."
"It's ok. Don't apologize."
Aristia bit her lip, slowly sinking into the warm embrace.
"Your Highness," Aristia said after a moment.
"Yes?"
Aristia wiped the tears from her eyes, letting go of Ruveliss.
"I had a strange dream this morning."
"What about?"
Should I tell him?
No.
I feel it would only worry him.
"It's nothing. Nevermind me."
"Aristia--"
The door swung open.
"Your Highness!"
The guard stopped short, clearing his throat.
"Erm...Pardon me. But..I have some urgent news to report."
Ruveliss sighed heavily, looking up at the guard.
"What is it?"
The guard glanced at Aristia. "Well...It's just.."
"What is it?" Ruveliss snapped, losing patience.
"Y-Your office..It was ransacked. The window was broken, and someone seemed to be looking for something. I felt you should know. But i-if you're busy, we can take care of it."
Ruveliss waved his hand dismissively. "Go ahead. There's nothing of-"
He paused, jolting up from the bed.
"Have you searched the whole perimeter? Was anything missing?"
The guard rubbed his neck nervously. "We did. Nothing was missing as far as I'm aware."
Ruveliss pushed past him, storming out of the room.
"Everyone needs to search the whole palace. They couldn't have gone far."
"But Your Highness, how do we even know--"
Ruveliss slammed his hands against the door. "Why would they break into my office and not even take anything?"
The guard froze. "G-Good point, Your Highness."
Aristia stood up from the bed. "What's going on?"
Ruveliss sighed again, stopping her. "Sit back down. And stay here."
"But Your Majesty, I can take care of myself, I went through-"
"I said SIT DOWN. I don't care if you went through the training to become a knight, I don't want you fighting out there."
"Now then!" He yelled, taking one last glance behind her before her closed the doors.
——
(Ruveliss)
The doors closed behind him, ordering everyone to do a thorough search of the palace grounds.
"I will search my office, just in case anything is missing."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Ruveliss took off towards the office, pausing at the open door.
He looked in, making sure no one was around before closing the doors.
Taking a step towards the desk, he searched every drawer.
"Well, like he claimed, everything seems to be in order... but perhaps I should..."
He trailed off as he traced his fingers around the small leather box.
"Aristia.." He breathed, clasping it in his hands.
If she says yes...
He opened the box, surprised to find it empty.
"What?!"
Shoving the box back in the drawer, he ran for the doors.
"Hey."
Someone behind him said.
Ruveliss looked over his shoulder, throwing a small pocket dagger.
"Woah!" They exclaimed, dodging it narrowly.
A hood hid their face, though a smile was visible.
"I'd stop there if I were you."
They said, revealing the silver ring.
"Why you--!"
The hooded person dodged again as he tried to slice their neck with his sword.
"Missed again," They clicked their tongue teasingly
"Now."
They grinned mischievously, pinning Ruveliss to the wall.
"Keep quiet or you'll never see this again."