A sharp pain drummed on her temples and she groaned as her eyes fluttered open, her vision hazy. There was a stillness in the air and the soft covers beneath her told her she was lying on a bed. She blinked a few times trying to clear the fog over her eyes to look around. Where was she?

But before she had the chance to orient herself, the creak of floorboards startled her and she spun her head towards the doorway, spotting a figure. Hasty footstep hurried towards her and a male voice filled with worry, called out to her. “Princess, you’re awake!”

Princess? That didn’t ring a bell. A panic started creeping from the back of her head as she realized: She didn’t know her name.

She sprung to sit up but had to clutch her head as the sudden movement caused the throbbing to intensify, sending daggers of pain through her skull and she moaned in pain.

“Princess, it’s okay. You are safe” the man spoke, and she heard the sheets rustle as he sat down on the bed next to her. Placing a palm on her shoulder, she lifted her gaze to look at him, the sight starling her. His face was beautiful with deep blue eyes nestled in a perfectly symmetric face with a square jaw and soft lips. The visage adorned by golden blonde locks that fluttered across his forehead as he leaned in over her, his expression that of concern.

But her fascination lasted only momentarily when the question again beckoned: Who was she?

“Where am I?” her voice trembled, rough and dry like she hadn’t spoken for a long time.

“My mansion, do you remember what happened?” the question sent ripples of dread through her. There was nothing. She had no idea where she was, who she was or what had happened.

“No…” she could barely form her response from the tightness of her throat, tears pressing on her eyelids, “I don’t remember anything… I don’t even know my name!”

As she spoke her voice went from a soft whimper to a frightened sob and the man gently wrapped his arms around her stroking her hair as the tears gained free reign.

“It’s okay” he whispered, and she clutched at his broad shoulders, accepting the comfort of his warm embrace. Only when her tears had dried out and her voice stilled, did he gently retract from the embrace, tucking at her shoulders to look at her. With the pad of a thumb he dried a tear from her eye, and she stifled surprised at the gesture.

“It’s okay. I’ll tell you everything, slowly…” his deep voice reverberated softly in her chest. It was so warm and gentle.

“Your name is Leonira enna Xe’tai, a princess of our country. Well… former princess” he seemed to hesitate, drawing a breath before he continued. “I’m so sorry… the castle, your home, was attacked… the king was overthrown… killed” he paused, gauging her reaction and it took a minute for her to understand his words. If she was a princess, that meant her father was the king… and he was dead. The news rose a cold, empty feeling to form in her chest but her blank memory left her unable to feel genuine sadness or despair.

She sat a moment staring into the air, her gaze empty. Then she slowly nodded to confirm that she had understood his words.

“It was… quite violent… My men and I were at the castle when it happened, and we stumbled upon you unconscious as we made our escape… so I saved you. I had to”

There was a warmth to his words, a desperation that made her lift her gaze curiously and the expression in his eyes sent warm shivers throughout her body.

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“Did we know each other?” she asked on a trembling exhale, mesmerized by the man’s gaze.

“Yes. Though I more than you…” he whispered trailing his hand along her cheek, making a heat rise in them.

There was a longing in his gaze, and a warm but slightly sad smile pulled momentarily at the corner of his mouth as he spoke. Then his eyes widened slightly as if he had suddenly been reminded of something and he straightened his back, a polite smile forming instead.

“Forgive me, I haven’t introduced myself” he took her hand and kissed the back, his soft lips sending ripples of shivers through her, “my name is Arwin. Marquis Arwin de Raugh, I’m the lord of this mansion.”

A noble gentleman? No wonder he looked well-polished and the room seemed luxurious. Her eyes flickered over the velvet bed drapes, the Persian rug, the sturdy and artistically carved oak furniture and the shiny chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

She had a feeling she wasn’t unaccustomed to such surroundings, but she had no recollections to confirm it. Her gaze returned to that of Arwin’s, peering up at her after the kiss on her hand. The sight made her blush a little, butterflies fluttering in her stomach, trying to push away the feeling of dread and anxiety gripping it.

“A pleasure” was all she managed to utter, her lips trembling with further questions that seemed to topple over each other before they had a chance to form. The blonde man seemed to have noticed her bewilderment, because he spoke:

“I know you have many more questions, let me try my best to answer”

She sighed breathlessly as he let go of her hand to adjust his position on the bed, to one more appropriate for serious conversation. She listened closely as he began his explanation.

The country in which they resided, called Xe’tai, was a land in the east bordering the sea. And although it wasn’t vast it had always been a place of beauty and peace. Until her father had ascended the throne. He was a vicious man, a tyrant, and hungry for power he had exploited the people, started wars with foreign countries, reintroduced slavery and ruled the nation with an iron fist. At first the nobles had watched, some with more distain than others, as the blood spilled, but as it went on unrest started rising. Finally a group of nobles gathered and in a violent coup they overthrew the king, murdering the tyrant and anyone who still supported him. Few of the guests that resided in the castle were spared, but Arwin was and as he fled, he had stumbled upon Leo lying unconscious near a burning building. Unable to leave the princess to die, he had brought her with him to shelter her in his home. Though he feared their discovery, she was safe for now, he assured her. A new king was to be crowned in just a few days and he was already working out a plan to assure her continued safety, she needn’t worry. For now she needed rest.

Though concern and anxiety clung to her, the warmth in his voice was comforting. She did feel weak and tired, she could use the rest.

Just as she had the thought her stomach suddenly growled, a loud roar and the sound made Arwin’s beautiful mouth curl in a smile and he chuckled. She wrapped her hands around her stomach startled, like the gesture could mask the sound and her cheeks flushed a deep red.

“Perhaps some food would be good for you as well?”

She nodded embarrassed. Food would indeed be nice. She wondered how long she had been asleep for.

As if Arwin had read her thoughts, he spoke: “You have been asleep for four days, so you must both be thirsty and hungry”

“Four days?!” she marveled at the statement. She was indeed hungry and weakened, but she should be feeling worse if she had been asleep for that long, shouldn’t she?

Ever the mind reader, Arwin answered her unspoken question: “I had a healer brought in for you to heal your injuries. With magic he also made sure you wouldn’t wither from lack of nourishment in case you intended to stay unconscious.”

She tilted her head a little. Magic? He chuckled at her apparent confusion, kissing the back of her hand comfortingly.

“I’ll make sure food and drink is brought to you. Afterwards make sure to rest.”

His words made her brow furrow, disappointed and a little anxious at the implied parting.

“Don’t worry. I’ll back again soon” he spoke softly a warm smile adorning his mouth in an attempt to ease her worries. Even though she had only just met him – at least from her perspective – there was something about him that made her trust him completely. So she nodded her head in confirmation, although reluctant.

At that he rose from the bed and exited the room, her eyes following his broad back not noticing the smirk forming on his lips.