The sun was going down behind the hill and the night sky had a red hue to it. Downwards the slope he could see a wheat field and the royal castle was standing on the hill where the sun was descending. Something felt strange but Gandon couldn’t figure out what. He realized to his surprise that he didn’t wear a shirt, it was a warm sunny day, but he should still wear something more than pants when he was outside. Suddenly he could hear a woman laughing in the wheat field. It was a wonderful laugh, only meant for him. He didn’t think at all his legs turned toward the destination the laughter had come from on their own.

He found her quickly enough it was Alexandra, it was her who ran among the wheat field singing and laughing. She wore a brown skirt but from her waist and upwards she was topless. Her breasts were dancing when she ran and her chestnut hair swayed in the wind the same direction as the wheat. Now the heat was intense even though he could see that the sun was about to go down.

He could hear the song now. “Would you give up a kingdom for a lover’s kiss? Fairer than any maiden she was.”

She got out of sight and he could no longer hear her voice.

He started running. “Alexandra don’t leave me!”

“Why are you falling behind? I thought you loved me?” she shouted while laughing.

Why must she tease me so?

He started to sprint but there was no use, he had lost her, he had no idea where she went.

“The smartest man to hold a board piece in his hand but couldn’t make a woman weak in her knees even if his own life was at stake.” She was near but he couldn’t pinpoint her voice.

“That’s not true!” he was afraid now. He had felt a similar fear when he had seen her the first time in Geor’s work room.

“If you love me, how come Ilmur is the only man I have ever kissed? Do you really think that was all we did during our ride in the moonlight?”

“Ilmur would never lie to me!”

“You are a fool, I was wrong. You should wear the jester’s hat for the court to mock you.”

“No, please don’t do this to me! Haven’t I suffered enough?”

“Perhaps you have.” She started singing again. “He grabbed the moon and forged it into a wedding ring. Then they dance throughout the night.” Suddenly she leaped out from the wheats that were hiding her. He could feel the heat from her body and the scent from her perfume.

Suddenly she was on top of him, she guided his hand towards one of her breasts and she started kissing him with her tongue.

“Make love to me, Gandon,” she said with a voice that was dripping with honey.

If this is wrong, why does it feel so right?

He jerked up from his bed breathing heavily. It took a moment for it all to kick in. His heart was beating hard. He tried to get back to sleep but it was impossible, sleep wouldn’t embrace him now.

This is too much; I can’t deal with all of this. His love for Alexandra that had only deepened under the lectures. Also, his love for Ilmur and his responsibilities that awaited him when he left for Alden to start negotiating with the guilds.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

In the dream, Alexandra had been cruel to him, but that had nothing to do with her personality, it was his insecurities that had taken shape in his dream. The dream had still been more pleasant than bad though.

He felt horrible, but he wasn’t sure that Alexandra and Ilmur were the right match. He thought that maybe he would have more to offer. He was still part of the royal family, so Alexandra marrying him would still strengthen House Bellouse. Ilmur would still have plenty of suitors that would fit him. A part of him felt horrible, but he knew he needed to engage with Alexandra privately while Geor or Ilmur wasn’t there.

Alexandra smiled at him when he arrived in Geor’s room, and he felt that it was more difficult than normal to meet her eyes. Make love to me, Gandon. Those words were burned in his skull.

He could feel himself blushing, why couldn’t that have happened for real?

“Is something the matter?” asked Alexandra anxiously.

She cares about me, at least that’s something. But he wanted more than that, the studies seemed so trivial now. What could Geor teach him that could be so important?

“I didn’t sleep so well, so you might have a chance now during Geor’s blitz questions,” said he bluntly.

She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t remember you ever being a problem.”

“Well, your memory can’t be that good then.”

“Is there room for me in this conversation or am I just bothering you?” asked Geor.

Gandon sat down quickly. Alexandra’s perfume was really similar to the scent that had been in the dream. Concentrate you fool! Or you might as well wear the jester hat!

“Sorry, master Geor,” said Gandon.

“I thought it would be good if we would go over the guilds that are in Alden soon. If the king is bent on sending you as an envoy. Alexandra convinced the king that Ilmur should go as well.”

Alexandra beamed at him. “Ilmur’s good looks and charisma will be a perfect asset to your dry wits. You two are strongest together.

“Indeed, I know no more iconic duo,” said Geor.

Gandon had broken the quill in his hand.

“What’s the matter with you? You must have had a bad dream last night,” she said.

He turned to her. “Couldn’t you have talked with me first? This is regarding me after all. You make decisions like it’s you that is going.”

Alexandra looked surprised. We all just want what’s best for the kingdom, we thought that it would be good for Ilmur to go, and the king agreed.”

So, he and Ilmur would go together after all? Very well, so be it. Having your best friend that is also an excellent swordsman would provide protection and would also make the journey much more fun.”

Geor started giving them blitz questions, but Gandon was distracted and couldn’t keep up with Alexandra at all. Today he would have preferred a lecture and just listened passively, but it didn’t look like Geor was going to grant him his wish.

He and Alexandra left at the same time after the lecture. He usually enjoyed talking privately with her but Alexandra started to question him when Geor was out of sight.

“What’s the matter with you today? You barely answered any question before me,” she said suspiciously.

“Can you blame me? I’m going to Alden soon, it’s an important trip. I have a lot to think about.”

She hugged her books tightly. “Is that all there is?”

“What else could there be?”

“Are you angry that Ilmur is going? Why would you be that?”

Gandon closed his eyes. “I’m not angry that he is going but I wish you had respected me and let me be a part of the decision.”

“There was nothing to think about. Ilmur needs to see the world as well.”

“On that we can agree, he hasn’t gone a day hungry in his life. It would be good for him to get some perspective.”

“And you have?” asked Alexandra.

“Well, I’m not exactly royal.”

“Oh, please. You were brought here as an infant. What do you know about the struggles of being a commoner?”

“I was quite daring when I was younger, I have seen a lot of people.”

“Seeing is not the same. That you even can read makes you different from most.”

“Imagine a world where everyone could read,” said Gandon thoughtfully.

“That would be something.”

He wanted to talk with Alexandra more, but he would prefer under different circumstances. It felt a bit hostile after the lecture. His mind was made up, he would take Alexandra on a date if he got the opportunity. Perhaps not the nicest thing to do to Ilmur, but he had been hiding it from Gandon at first as well.

Where to take her? Walking in the royal garden during a sunny day would be nice. They could discuss books without Geor intervening and maybe he could impress her with some magic.

“I’ll go back to my room to read some more, but I’ll talk to you soon,” said Gandon.

Alexandra waved at him when they went different directions.