That night I had a dream, the same dream that terrified me each time I close my eyes, it was the day mother had died. I could still hear those devastating voice that still clung to my ears.
"Your royal Highness, we are sorry she couldn't make it, we discovered that she had been poisoned, and it seemed like the complications during her child birth ten years ago hid the symptoms of being poison."
"Who dare poisoned her? Who would dare kill my wife?"
"Calm down Your Highness, you might startle the child."
"Child? She's the reason I lost my dear wife." He stared at me, and said.
I could still remember how my father looked at me, his eyes suddenly became scary and cold, it felt like I was looking at those devil's mother would always read to me at night inorder for me to go to bed early.
Just as I was a about to open my mouth, I suddenly woke up as I realized I was in my bedroom, safe and sound. The remnants of the dream still clung to my mind, making my heart race and my body tremble.
The moment I turned to the side, I was startled by a dark figure who was staring at me, with fiery eyes it was none other than Briareus, he seemed to had been wakened by me due to my nightmare.
I couldnt tell if he still had his mask on or not, but I could feel his stare had somewhat softened as he saw me come to my senses.
"My Lady, it was just a dream. You're safe," he reassured me, his hoarse voice laced with genuine care. In that moment, he raised his hands and gently rub my head.
Taking a deep breath, I sat up in bed, trying to steady my racing heart. "Thank you, your highness, " I whispered, my voice still shaky. As sweat dripped and tears down my face, still terrified and confused.
Briareus took my hand in his, and pulled me into his arms as he lightly embrace me. "Nightmares can be overwhelming, but at the end they are nothing but nightmare, My Lady," he said, his voice filled with unwavering strength.
I nodded, finding solace in his words. The nightmare had stirred up a sense of vulnerability within me, a reminder of the darkness that lurked in the shadows. Eventually, as he held me in his arms, my heart beat gradually became steady, and before I knew I fell asleep once again.
All through the night, I could still feel the warm embrace of Briareus, he seem like he knew I wouldn't be able to sleep properly since I kept waking up from time to time terrified.
When I woke up I collected myself and the remnants of the haunting dream began to fade, I couldn't help but feel a surge of memories.
As I looked around, I could see Briareus I couldn't help but approached cautiously, the warm morning air carrying a mix of embarrassment and uncertainty. His posture conveyed a sense of authority and confidence, but I couldn't shake off the memory of my dream and the unanswered questions that swirled in my mind.
"Your Highness.." I called out softly, my voice tinged with nervousness. As he turned to face me, I couldn't help but notice the slight flicker of surprise in his eyes before it was replaced by his usual composed expression. It made me wonder if he had been lost in thought or perhaps contemplating the events of last night.
"My Lady," Briareus greeted with a gentle nod, acknowledging my presence. There wasn't an unspoken curiosity in his voice like I thought.
"Can we talk?" I said, trying to sound assertive and steady despite the lingering trepidation within me.
He still had his mask on, I wonder if he ever takes off the mask, his eyes remaining impassive. "Of course, My Lady. What is it that you wish to discuss?"
Choosing my words carefully, I began, "Last night... I would like to apologize for what happened."I said.
He stared at me for a few seconds, when he did I couldn't why my heart began to race heavily. He probably couldn't sleep well because of me, it was courteous to apologize I thought.
"What happened like last night?"He suprisingly said, as though unaware of what happened like last.
It was a reaction I totally didn't expect, it was so unexpected for a mommy I had nothing to say and was just dumbfounded.
As if he knew I was stuck between a rock and a hard place, he looked at me,"My lady did you have a good night rest?"
"I did, Your Highness I mean Briareus, what about you." For a moment I felt dumb for asking such an obvious question, he surely must have been disturbed all night, so he definitely didn't sleep.
"Yes my lady, I slept extremely well. Would you mind having breakfast with me?"Once again I was surprised, I didn't expect him to lie again.
"I would love to,"I said putting on a smile, although I didn't understand why he wouldn't accept what happened last night, I didn't think much about it.
As we sat down to enjoy breakfast in the serene garden, the picturesque surroundings provided a momentary respite from the weight of my thoughts. The array of vibrant flowers and meticulously sculpted hedges offered solace, giving me a welcomed distraction from the peculiar tension that hung in the air.
I took small bites of the delicious food, the flavors dancing on my tongue, yet my appetite remained suppressed by the knots that still tightened within me. Every now and then, I would steal glances at Briareus, observing the subtle expressions that played across his mask. There was a sense of unease lingering in me, unspoken words waiting to be uttered.