The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Hours later, after a very refreshing sleep, Aeric stirred from his slumber, the beautiful dreams he had had all fading into a haze as an odd sensation pulled him to consciousness.

This sensation wasn't the typical morning grogginess but something far more unsettling. His perception was dragging him awake, a prickling at the nape of his neck.

It felt like he was being watched!

Trying to understand the weirdness, Aeric's eyelids fluttered open, the dull colors brightening to discernible ones. When his eyes opened fully, there was no one to be seen.

Then— tap, tap, tap. The faint sound of hurried footsteps reached his ears, followed by the quiet click of his door closing.

Aeric sat up quickly, heart quickening as his gaze darted around the bright room.

No one. Nothing. Just silence, hanging in the air.

Aeric stared at the door, his body tense. "What the—" he muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

He grabbed a shirt and slipped it on hastily, ignoring the chill of the early morning as he dashed to the door. Throwing it open, he stepped into the hallway.

Empty. Again.

He looked left, then right. The bright glow of dawn filtered through the windows, filling the stone walls with long shadows.

Aeric lifted a brow, slightly angered. "Hello?" His voice echoed faintly, but no answer came.

Aeric rubbed the back of his neck, a frown creasing his face. 'Was someone watching me just now? While I slept? What?'

He looked around for one more time, then shook his head before giving up and retreating into his room, closing the door behind him.

The perpetrator of that act meanwhile, was not far away. Just around the corner, squatting low behind the end of the hallway wall, Misty stifled a breath.

Her small hand covered her mouth as her teary eyes stayed shut. She used her other hand to hold her skirt down, covering the center of legs which were leaking wet.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and she pressed her back firmly against the cold stone. She could not believe what she had just done and what was even more terrifying was that she was almost caught.

When the sound of Aeric's footsteps faded and his door closed, Misty exhaled shakily. She stayed still for another heartbeat, ensuring the coast was clear, then took away her hand from her mouth, got up to her jittery feet and scurried down the hallway, her soft slippers making barely a sound.

Back in his room, Aeric leaned against the edge of his bed, his mind racing. 'How odd. I could have sworn that I saw someone inside my room. Felt them. Is someone spying on me?'

Still collecting his thoughts, he was interrupted when a soft knock interrupted him.

'Hmm?' he looked at the door. 'Could it be the person coming to apologize?'

"Come in," he called.

The door opened eagerly to reveal his maiden who appeared more presentable than usual with her neatly braided hair and a gentle demeanor.

She carried a folded towel in her arms, her cheeks slightly flushed as she curtsied.

"Good morning, Master Aeric," she said softly. "Would you like me to assist with your bath?"

Aeric blinked, caught off guard by her suggestion as he had forgotten that she usually took his baths and gave him those early morning blowjobs.

"No, that won't be necessary," he said quickly, standing up from the bed.

Her face fell slightly, the brightness in her eyes dimming. "As you wish," she murmured, turning to leave.

"Wait," Aeric said, stopping her in her tracks.

She celebrated internally and turned to him, smiling. "Yes, Master Aeric?"

Aeric gave her a simple gaze. "Did you… come into my room earlier? Or maybe you saw someone who did?"

The maiden's brows furrowed, disappointed by Aeric's question as that was not what she had anticipated. "No, Master Aeric. I haven't been here until now. I also did not see anyone"

He studied her expression for a moment but found nothing suspicious. "Alright. Thank you. You can go."

She stood still for a moment, feeling dejected. "Will that... uhm... Will that be all, Master Aeric?"

'Hmm?' Aeric glanced at her shortly. "Yes. I'll ask of you if I need something else. For now. That is all."

"Okay." She curtsied again and left quietly, leaving Aeric alone with his thoughts.

'Jeez. This is troubling.' Aeric stood by the edge of his bed, hand on his chin as he traveled in his thoughts. 'Perhaps Mother Selene has hired another spy. What else could explain what just happened this morning? Someone in my room... Watching me all night?'

The thought sent an involuntary shiver down his spine. 'Truly such a strange thing to do. Why would anyone do that?'

He shook his head, forcing the paranoia aside. There was no use obsessing over something he couldn't explain, not when he had a big day ahead of him. He needed to focus.

He would investigate this matter later, and most likely take measures that ensures that whoever it was gets caught and questioned.

Since he had taken a bath the other night, Aeric took only a brisk one that morning, then dressed quickly, donning a tailored dark shirt and trousers that accentuated his lean frame, and then his red royal cape with golden clips of the Region's insignia connecting it to his shirt.

He walked out of his room and his boots clicked softly against the stone floor. Remembering that he had not seen his mother last night after her important thing, he made his way to his mother's chambers.

Two knightguards stood by the sides of the door, who greeted him as he arrived.

Aeric stood by the door for a while, brows furrowed in thought. 'I don't even know why I'm so jealous. Mating with Eros is her duty is not? Why do I want to take my mother away from Eros even more than every other Mother or Daughter? Why do I get so angry at the idea of him ever touching her?'

"Ugh." Annoyed at himself, he took a deep breath and tried not to think about it again. Then, he opened the door and entered.

The room was extremely large and long, designed with a milk colored wall with designs of red and pink. At the far end of the beautiful, vast room, he found Guinevere sitting by her mirror, perched gracefully on a carved wooden stool.

From where he stood, he could see her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, a few strands braided into intricate patterns. She wore a gown of deep red and shimmering gold, the fabric catching the light and giving her an almost regal glow.

But it wasn't her beauty that struck Aeric, he was used to his mother being so beautiful. What struck him was the expression on her face. Her delicate features were tinged with sadness, her crimson eyes distant as she gazed at her reflection.

Aeric hesitated in the doorway, his chest tightening. Mother… He clenched his fists and approached quietly, careful not to startle her. As he got closer, he saw that she didn't notice him, even though she was looking straight into the mirror.Nôv(el)B\\jnn