Stella felt her heart pounding in her throat. That eerie feeling she had had all morning seemed to be spreading. It was as if invisible arms were wrapped around her, surrounding her body in an attempt to comfort her. She shivered again. What had Brandon meant? All day long, the connection she had felt to Audra had only been symbolic, hadn't it? How had Audra made this marriage happen? As a throbbing pain lodged itself in her head, despite wanting to hear more, the loud voices had turned into whispers, and she knew that to understand them, she would have to get much closer than was currently possible.

"My Queen?"

She jumped, pressing her back against the wall once again when she heard the dark-haired girl in uniform call out to her. This time, it was out of fear. The girl, dressed in a military uniform, looked at Stella apologetically, already feeling the regret of having startled her. "Forgive me, my queen, I didn't mean to scare you." As Stella quickly began to study the young woman with just her gaze, her fear gradually subsided, and her rapidly beating heart began to return to a calmer rhythm. Though there was a sternness on the face of the dark-haired beauty standing before her in soldier's attire, Stella could also sense respect and attentiveness in the way she looked at her. How can they be so respectful towards me? They don't know me! Despite being their queen, there were still many things that didn't make sense to Stella in this palace. People treated her with warmth and respect, as if she had been here for years. In Solaria, she felt much more like a stranger, yet here, they had already begun to make her feel at home. Was it because of this that she was already getting used to it? After just one day, no less!

"It's fine, I was just caught off guard for a moment."

The soldier apologized again, bowing her head, but Stella murmured for her to relax. In response, the woman raised her head again, fixing her warm gaze on Stella. "Actually, I was supposed to introduce myself tomorrow, but since I've seen you now," She cleared her throat and placed her hand close to her chest, bowing her head slightly as she spoke in an extremely respectful tone. "I am Aisha Andros, my queen. Our king has tasked me with protecting you and accompanying you in many matters. It would be an honor to serve you." Stella blinked, staring at the woman who had introduced herself as Aisha. With Brandon just a corridor away, in the midst of a heated argument with his aunt, Stella, caught in the anxiety of being discovered, glanced between Aisha and the dark hallway.

"Protect... and accompany me?" Aisha nodded in confirmation; she seemed to misunderstand the concern in Stella's voice, and quickly began to explain. "Please don't worry, my queen, I am highly trained and a soldier you can trust. My life is at your service." Stella shook her head and hands rapidly, feeling her cheeks heat up. "No! If the king sees you fit for the role, it's not my place to question that, and I have no doubt about your skills or abilities, but is this really necessary? What could possibly happen to me inside the palace?" Aisha furrowed her brow, careful not to overstep her boundaries, but the king had warned her about Stella's innocence. Just as Stella had been happy and at peace in Solaria, Brandon was determined to ensure she felt the same in Nyxoria, no matter what it took. "Everything, my queen. Don't fear monsters or dark forces, our walls and soldiers are strong. But danger doesn't always come from the outside. It's always best to be cautious."

Not knowing what to make of this, Stella studied Aisha for a moment, but refused to dwell on it for too long. She wasn't going to mentally wear herself out any more than she already had. The day's strangeness and unease had been more than enough. "My queen? If I may be so bold, if the reason you're out here isn't very important, please allow me to accompany you back to your room. Only then can I retire for the night with peace of mind." Stella glanced again at the dark corridor but already knew she wouldn't be going that way. It would be best to retreat to her room and wait for Brandon. Maybe she should have told Brandon from the start that it was she who had moved the portraits into the main hall. She still didn't know what had upset him so much about the meal, or how the conversation had led to her, but a voice inside her told her she had overstepped her bounds far too much for the first day. A flash of lightning lit up the sky, and Stella shivered, turning her gaze toward the massive windows. Why were the windows black in a palace that was already so dark?

"Alright. Thank you." Aisha smiled in response, Stella smiled back. She felt a warmth towards her. She had heard that there were many cold and savage people in Nyxoria, but aside from Brandon's aunt and cousin, she hadn't yet met anyone unfriendly. Actually, Brandon could also be considered as such—though not towards her, his demeanor toward others was entirely different—cold, rough, as if filled with anger and hatred. Stella knew that, as Brandon got to know her, his attitude would change too. As her uncle had said, the day he would throw her out the door could be as short as the life of a candle that burns all day long. Aisha motioned for her to lead the way, while Stella thanked her again and began walking toward her room. The palace was enormous, but she never forgot a path she had walked before. If she had survived this long, it was certainly thanks to her attention to detail.

When she paused in front of her grand doors, Stella turned to thank Aisha again for accompanying her and opened the door. "My queen." Stella's eyes returned to Aisha, she lowered her head slightly, her cheeks reddening as she continued to speak. "I'll be here tomorrow, ready for your orders." Stella bit her lip, pushing back the words she really wanted to say. Brandon had given an order, and Stella wouldn't speak against it. She nodded, wishing Aisha a good night, before stepping into her room. The moment the door closed behind her, she exhaled deeply. Enough! The scream waiting to break free inside her never came, but her brain had already begun to throb in a small revolt. In truth, the day hadn't been as bad as she had expected. She had explored the castle from top to bottom, memorizing every corner. She was curious, when Brandon threw her out the door, would anyone notice if she hid in those dark corridors? But, as dark and oppressive as the palace was, it was also spotlessly clean. So, she would undoubtedly be discovered by the servants within an hour of hiding.

After taking a quick shower and reluctantly putting on another overly daring nightgown, she slowly walked barefoot toward the fireplace, her feet gliding across the cool floor. Her steps suddenly halted, and her body froze in place as Stella quickly glanced around the room. She had rushed straight to the bathroom upon arrival and, while changing and brushing her damp hair, hadn't even glanced at the room. She hadn't realized how much it had changed. The room, once suffocated by gothic and jet-black decor, now felt completely transformed, radiating warmth and brightness, making Stella feel like she was blooming inside. The headboard, which had made her feel like she was surrounded by ghosts, was gone, replaced by a wooden bed adorned with orange and dark red bedspreads. The vast room's cold stone floor was now scattered with what appeared to be handmade rugs. As Stella's gaze swept across the wardrobes, lamps, curtains, and small decorative trinkets, she felt a warmth inside her. Shades of orange, yellow, red, brown, white, and beige harmoniously reinvented the room. Even the windows had been replaced, she noticed in surprise. Instead of black windows, there were now clear panes. The walls were still black, but Stella realized they weren't as ominous as she had remembered from the previous day—had they painted the stone? Shaking her head, she gave her legs the order to move, her gaze once again landing on the fireplace, where this time she jumped back in shock. A large, plush cushion had been placed in front of the crackling flames, flanked by small wooden side tables, creating an incredibly cozy scene.

Without hesitation, she moved toward the giant cushion and leaped onto it, instantly sinking into its softness. Giggling, she nestled deeper into the cushion, sighing contentedly despite its sinking. Getting her out of this room was definitely going to be a challenge. But that wasn't the real issue—when had all of this happened? Could they have finished everything while she was touring the palace? Brandon should definitely give everyone a raise because everything was perfect. But why had everything changed so suddenly? She couldn't believe this was Brandon's style; his entire wardrobe was filled with black clothes. The only colorful thing he owned was a pair of gray underwear. Her cheeks flushed as she tried to forget the embarrassment of having peeked into her husband's underwear drawer, but the moment Brandon entered the room, her blush deepened, betraying her.

Brandon's eyes immediately found her, and without wasting time, he moved to her side, looking at her as she sank into the cushion, with a mixture of desire and admiration. But as much as his masculinity might interpret this scene to his advantage, Brandon was surprised to feel another emotion stirring. The contentment on Stella's face was evident, and although he didn't fully understand how a room's makeover could affect her so deeply, he felt proud of his decision. Slowly, he settled down beside her, leaning back after planting a kiss on her flushed cheek and another on her forehead. Those small gestures were becoming a habit for him.

"I thought I lost you again. Isn't it time to end this chase?"

Stella blinked and looked at Brandon, as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close, making her eyes widen in surprise. In response, Brandon grinned as Stella pressed her hands against his chest, trying to steady her breath. Her hair falling on her face and Brandon's chest, she tried not to make any noise and upset him further. Maybe Brandon wasn't aware that Stella had heard the argument between him and Lady Clytia, and she wasn't going to mention anything about it, but there were lots of questions now inside her brain that were screaming to get out. Especially those about Queen Audra.

"Are you always this quiet, Stella?"

This time, Stella felt her eyebrows furrow involuntarily. Brandon's fingers got into her hair, near her scalp, slowly massaging her. Well, are you always this erratic?

Brandon's eyebrows shot up in surprise as Stella realized in horror that the question she thought she had kept to herself had actually been spoken aloud. After giving her a quick once-over, he could no longer hold back his laughter, his chuckle echoing through the room. Blushing covering her, she wasn't sure if she should stay silent and listen to him laugh because it definitely was a heavenly sound, or to just run away. She tried to pull away, but his firm grip around her waist wasn't going to allow that. As he laughed, she wished she could shrink down to the size of a matchstick, but of course, that wasn't going to happen. When Brandon finally stopped laughing, Stella had no doubt that her face was hotter than the fire burning in the fireplace. One of his hands moved from her hair to her face, tucking her fallen hair back, and Stella swallowed hard. She was sure she would die of embarrassment, and he was already starting to tease her. Her chest rose and fell rapidly with her heavy breathing as Brandon's face grew serious, his gaze fixed intently on her.

"You're so beautiful."

Though it wasn't the first time she'd heard this compliment, the way it hit her now was completely different. Her gaze lifted to meet Brandon's eyes, the pounding of her heart was impossible to ignore. Brandon's fingers gently caressed her skin, and Stella had to fight with all her will to keep her eyes from closing. Was she really getting sleepy from the touch of a man she didn't even know? Your husband's touch, her inner voice reminded her.

"Too beautiful."

The tone of his voice stirred a strange sensation in Stella's belly, she was now certain that the sound of her heart was echoing not just in the room but throughout the entire palace. As he slowly lifted himself from the pillow he was leaning against, Stella belatedly realized her body had been moving backward on its own and maybe because the way Brandon was coming towards her. This time, with her back resting against the large cushion, he watched as Brandon took his place above her, gazing down with a breathtaking look. Stella swallowed again, and to her surprise, the bold nightgown she was wearing wasn't as uncomfortable as she had thought. In fact, to be honest, it was the excessive clothing on Brandon that bothered her more. God! What's wrong with me? What am I even thinking?

Brandon swiftly scanned Stella's face, not wanting to miss or forget even the slightest expression. Although he felt uneasy about the possibility of detecting fear or reluctance on her face, he hadn't sensed any objection from Stella. In fact, if his brain wasn't playing tricks on him, Stella seemed to be waiting for him with her slightly parted lips and half-closed eyelids. Damn it. Stella wasn't the only one whose breathing had quickened. Brandon pressed his knee into the pillow between her legs and shifted his weight onto his hands, which were braced on either side of her. Damn it, Brandon thought again. He hadn't expected to be this affected, and when he felt his heart racing like that of a hormonal teenager, his shock doubled. As he brushed his nose against Stella's, she let out a trembling breath, and at the same time, Brandon captured her lips with his, cutting off both of their breaths. A hand cupping her cheek to pull her closer like it was possible, he started to kiss her as if his life depended on the kiss.

Stella moaned, her inexperience clumsily betrayed her emotions, which only pushed Brandon further. He began kissing her more fervently, wanting to hear that sound from her again. Novice, Brandon noted with indescribable satisfaction, as Stella, unsure of what to do, let him kiss her without moving. Moving she was, but it was clear that her lips never touched to any other before. As for Brandon, the same thing cannot be said about him, considering that even though Stella wasn't responding as she should, Brandon was guiding her just fine. Almost like a teacher, teaching her how to spell, only this time practically.

In her mind, she believed she was responding to him—at least, that's what she thought. But Brandon had noticed her inexperience. Despite the immense pleasure he got from kissing her, he couldn't suppress the hunger he felt from Stella's lack of response. Moving his one hand from her cheek, he gently cupped her chin, and as Stella noticed her lips parting, Brandon softly and slowly guided her chin downward, making her wait with her mouth open. When he slid his tongue into her mouth and brushed it against hers, Stella trembled. She didn't know whether to be more surprised by the overwhelming sensation she was experiencing or by her body's intense and almost uncontrollable reaction. She wasn't in a position to think about it, anyway. Even if she wanted to open her eyes, it was clear that she had surrendered completely. As Brandon shifted his weight onto his knees, he let his other hand slowly glide from Stella's soft skin of her arm to her slender waist. Although his body wanted to move more urgently and with greater need, he couldn't help but be gentle with the woman who reacted so strongly to even the slightest touch. Actually, it wasn't accidental. This was a pace he wanted to savor and remember. It was about getting to know Stella slowly.

Brandon's tongue brushed against hers and explored her mouth, while Stella, unsure of what to do with her trembling hands, found herself clinging to his muscular arms. It was a simple and soft gesture, but it seemed to be enough for Brandon, who pressed his lips harder against hers, introducing his tongue more fervently, while his fingers gently cupped her cheek and he began to kiss her as if he were starving. Stella, realizing she had unlocked a new feeling, let out another moan that she couldn't suppress. Those moans were going to cause a headache on her tomorrow. And as Brandon felt himself being pulled deeper again, he struggled not to press his body against hers, almost in pain from restraining himself. His own moan, which spilled from his lips into Stella's mouth, surprised him just as much as it did Stella, who, unaware of her own movements, lifted her hips and rubbed her aching womanhood against Brandon's thigh.

"Shit."

Torn away from Stella as if caught in a wave of shock, Brandon realized how much he had frightened her with this sudden reaction. Without wasting time, and still breathless, he leaned down to her. "Shh, it's okay." His lips sealed over hers once again, and Stella, this time, didn't close her eyes, choosing instead to wait for a moment and make sure he wasn't mad. Brandon's eyes were closed, as he kissed her inexperienced but responsive lips with a devouring hunger. As she restrained herself from pressing her legs together, it was Brandon who now surprised her, sending a shockwave through her body. As he pulled his knee forward and pressed his leg against her womanhood, Stella let out a muffled moan involuntarily. The warm sensation was making her squirm, she wanted more.

Guided by her moans, Brandon moved his hand to cup her chin again, and this time Stella knowingly parted her lips. In response, Brandon grinned, while Stella, surprising herself, let her tongue meet Brandon's. He couldn't suppress the guttural moan that escaped from his throat, and with even greater hunger, he captured her mouth in his, his hand tightening around her waist and lifting her just little close to his body, slowly caressing the warm body under the thin nightgown. He was going insane—in every sense. He couldn't decide if it was the realization that Stella was experiencing her first time that satisfied him or the sounds she made and the way she squirmed beneath him. Not to mention the warmth spreading on his thigh, knowing damn well she was wet for him and burning. Every breath and moan she released was enough to drive Brandon wild. As Brandon's lips trailed down to her neck, Stella, overwhelmed by the confusing whirlwind of emotions she had just discovered, decided not to think for now as her lower body continued to press insistently against Brandon's thigh.

Her fingers slid from his arms to his back and then to his waist as Brandon, trying to move quickly but carefully, pulled back just long enough to remove his clothes. His eyes, bright and shining, were fixed on his breathless wife, who watched him through half-closed eyes. As the last piece of fabric fell away, leaving him in just his black pants, Brandon once again buried his face in Stella's neck. His lips traveled across her soft skin; he was still amazed that he hadn't passed out from the intoxicating and overwhelming scent of her. As his fingers slowly slid from her waist to her hips, Stella, sighing deeply, focused on the sensation of his fingers gripping her hips. She wanted more, even though it embarrassed her to admit it. She wanted it. Stella's fingers trembled as they slowly gripped Brandon's hair, and, in a move that she was sure would embarrass her later, she pulled him closer, completely changing the slow rhythm that had been set. She had woken him up.

Without lifting his head, Brandon began to kiss and inhale the scent of her skin, sucking and nibbling as he went, while Stella, now fully allowing herself to moan freely, continuously lifted her hips toward him, struggling more and more to resist the growing need inside her. She knew she was surprising herself—how had she let go like this? How had she trusted Brandon this much? Strangely enough, she still trusted him. As her lips parted, Brandon's lips began to trail down her heaving chest, moving in time with her ragged breathing. What she hadn't expected was for him to press his forehead against her chest breathing heavily. The hand gripping her hips slid under her nightgown, and as it traced her bare skin and stopped at her waist, her breath caught once again. There was something behind Brandon's touch—something protective, possessive…

"You've taken my breath away. But I can't do it. Not tonight." When Stella bit her lip hard in fear, Brandon lifted his head, out of breath, and looked at her. This time, she was waiting for something—Brandon must have finally realized that despite being a princess, she wasn't special or beautiful like the other princesses, that she wasn't as valuable as she seemed. Her smooth skin couldn't hide the emptiness inside, just as her uncle had said. As she fought to keep her eyes from filling with tears, Brandon pulled her onto him by the waist and threw himself backward on the cushion. Though this sudden movement briefly lifted Stella's gloom, it quickly returned when she looked back into Brandon's eyes.

"You're not ready yet." Stella blinked and looked at him, while he cursed the fact that he didn't have two more hands, busy as he was stroking her soft skin and hair.

"Even just kissing you takes me out of myself, Stella. You need to be ready. I don't want to hurt you." Was he really thinking of her? As she carefully scanned his face, she found it hard to believe. Was this a sign that her time in the palace hadn't yet run out? Her womanhood ached, but as she looked at Brandon and saw the tenderness in his eyes, she quickly found a thought to replace the ache. Tenderness?

"Let's sleep, beautiful. Come." He opened his arms to her, Stella was about to be surprised once again, but Brandon didn't give her the chance, pulling her into him and wrapping his arms around her. Last night, he'd slept soundly, and all day long, he had thought about this moment, dreaming of it, waiting for the soldier and knight training to end impatiently. Brandon was a young knight. He had even thought that he'd hold onto his knighthood before claiming the throne, even though his father had died and left him the crown, things hadn't gone as planned. Still, just because Brandon had become king didn't mean he'd give up his knighthood.

"Brandon." He smiled with the pleasure of hearing his name from her lips for the first time, his gaze turned to Stella's bright and beautiful face. She had snuggled into his side until she seemed so small, or rather, Brandon had pulled her in so tightly that she was unintentionally curling into him. And yet, it wasn't entirely unintentional.

"Yes?"

"I felt bad about the portraits being in a dark hallway, so, well, I…" As Brandon focused intently on her words this time, in contrast to the anger he had felt toward Clytia, he sensed a softening within himself. "I told the servants, they be placed behind the thrones. I'm sorry." Brandon furrowed his brow, Stella didn't dare raise her head to look at him, bracing for the outburst of anger she expected. Just like he had done to his aunt.

"Why are you apologizing?" His fingers grasped her chin for the third time that night, he gently stroked her lips with his finger. "You didn't do anything to apologize for, Stella. On the contrary, what you did was a deeply respectful gesture. If I had known about the portraits, that's where they would have been placed in the first place." Scrutinizing him to see if he meant the words he said, she felt relief wash over her. Then why was he angry with his aunt if the issue wasn't the portraits? She slowly nodded, while still examining his face carefully to see if he was being sincere, her brow furrowed again as another thought crossed her mind. Her gesture mirrored his, and Brandon furrowed his brow as well, sensing her sudden change.

"May I ask why you felt the need to assign a soldier to protect me?" It was, of course, a sincere question. Though Brandon didn't think it was a sarcastic one, he found himself momentarily at a loss for words. No one had ever questioned him or asked for reasons behind the decisions he made. If someone had, Brandon knew well what fate they would have met. But this time, the subject was Stella—he already felt as though he was in the palm of her hand.

"Let's just say I thought it's necessary for now. Are you angry?" Though he was surprised that he even asked, he tried not to show it too much, and Stella shook her head. Understanding that her response was sincere, Brandon relaxed, but Stella still hadn't gotten used to this warmth, and she was waiting for Brandon to push her away, declaring he wanted to be alone. But, contrary to her expectations, Brandon pulled her even closer, placing one of her legs between his own and practically squeezing her as he closed his eyes. "Now sleep. I have a surprise for you tomorrow." Stella quickly lifted her head to look at him, as Brandon laughed, lowering her head back down. "Sleep, princess." Princess? In fact, it was a form of address that Stella liked, but shouldn't she be considered a queen by now? Cursing her own foolishness, she couldn't believe that she had expected a man she'd just kissed to call her queen. Of course, he would call her princess—Stella hadn't gone far enough to be a queen yet! As she sighed and closed her eyes, Brandon once again breathed in her scent. As it filled his lungs, the only thought turning over in his mind was that neither Nyxoria nor anything or anyone else had ever brought him as much peace as Stella.