Chapter III

Syrena stared at his sleeping figure. She was kneeling on the carpeted floor while intently gazing at Nathaniel’s face. She had to know more about him. He was snoring softly, his lips slightly parted, and his face so peaceful. His messy blonde hair covered part of his flawless face.

Syrena found the urge to touch him almost unbearable.

A slight movement from his hand woke her up from her reverie and she looked at his face. Two pools of the darkest shade of blue appeared behind thick, long, fluttering eyelashes.

“Good morning, Your Highness.” Syrena softly greeted.

Nathaniel sat up on his bed, making the blanket slip down to reveal his bare sculptured, chest. Syrena found herself turning away, a small blush creeping up to her cheeks. Stop it, Syrena. This is not the time to be fascinated over a boy!

“What are you doing here?” Nathaniel asked in a raspy voice. Syrena gulped in some air before turning back to him and giving him one of her sweetest smiles.

“I’m here to wake you, Your Highness.”

Nathaniel looked at her for a moment before chuckling and running a hand through his bed-messed locks.

“Wake me? Are you a maid?” he replied mockingly.

“Nonetheless.” she shot back as she tried to keep her composure. 

“Hn.”

Nathaniel stared at her for a long time before finally deciding to get out of bed and walking into the adjacent bathroom. Syrena found herself turning away for the second time as Nathaniel strolled his way to the bathroom shirtless. It wasn’t until she heard the sprinkle of water come on did she start to breathe normally again. Her eyes drifted across the gigantic room and onto the messy bed last. I should at least clean this, right?

Syrena marveled at the softness of the sheets as she diligently folded them and puffed the soft as feather white pillows. The cloth was surely made from India, the linen just newly-bought and the pillows imported from Africa.

“A bed for a Prince.” Syrena spoke softly to no one in particular as she ran a hand through the soft blanket.

A soft yawn escaped her lips and she found herself sitting at the foot of the bed. She leans back, her hands supporting her weight as she glances up at the ceiling only to find it in an empty shade of white. And as she stared longer, her consciousness started to wander farther into dreamland.

~~_*_~~

As soon as Nathaniel got out of the bathroom, he was expecting to see Syrena standing there in the same spot he saw her standing in like what his usual maids did. He wasn’t expecting to see Syrena on his bed; legs dangling off the side, eyes closed, and lips slightly parted in slow, deep breaths.

Nathaniel couldn’t help but let a small smile creep on his face as he shook his head in disbelief. He silently changed into a crisp white dress shirt and a pair of black pants before putting on his black boots. He slowly walked towards his bed and sat on the edge while gazing down at Syrena’s sleeping face. As he lightly poked her cheek, her brows furrowed as she swatted his hand away and mumbled incoherent words that made Nathaniel chuckle.

Nathaniel watched as Syrena froze and slowly fluttered her eyes open. Blue met blue. Syrena’s sleepy eyes widened upon seeing Nathaniel’s flawless face inches away from hers. Oh my god. She could feel his hot breath on her lips and smell the fragrance of his shampoo – wild berries and mint.

“I’m sorry for waking you up.”

There was a mocking tone in his voice as Nathaniel smirked. Syrena blushed upon realizing what she just did and she hurriedly sat up, making Nathaniel back away swiftly to avoid their faces from colliding. Syrena quickly got off the bed and dusted her white dress before standing straight, her head bowed low.

“I’m very sorry, Your Highness.” she softly said.

“Stop calling me ‘Your Highness’. It irritates me to no end.” Nathaniel answered while ruffling his still wet hair.

Syrena watched as Nathaniel stood on the other side of the bed, wearing a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top buttons unbuttoned, giving her a view of his collarbone and well-sculptured chest. A silver necklace with a cross pendant hanged around his neck and his wet hair left droplets of water on his shoulder blades.

He looked ravishing.

“Shall we go down and have breakfast?”

Syrena snapped her gaze back to Nathaniel’s smiling face before nodding slowly and following the young Prince towards the dining hall. She couldn’t help but grimace at the whispers and gazes the other householders gave her as she walked a few inches behind Nathaniel. They were judging, curious, and something she was used to yet do not want.

“Syrena, keep your head held up.” Nathaniel whispered as he gripped Syrena’s hand. Syrena raised her head to look at Nathaniel’s stoic face looking straight ahead. She blushed when Nathaniel did not let her hand go and continued to grip it tightly.

Nathaniel, on the other hand, was trying hard not to break his composure and stoic façade. He didn’t know what came over him when he suddenly grabbed Syrena’s hand. All he knows is that he didn’t like the way she looked so vulnerable in the midst of mere servants. And as they both walked side by side, he found the thought of letting her go a bit troublesome so he let his hand remain around hers.

She wasn’t complaining, anyway.

Nathaniel smiled softly down at her when he saw her confidence boost up. He leaned in to her ear and whispered something that made Syrena smile, her eyes turning into small-shaped crescents.

You’re doing great, my muse.