Kaillas had been awoken by a scream. The sun was nowhere near rising, as the moon still shone through the curtains. It couldn't have been later than two in the morning.
His blood ran cold and he had gotten up faster than should have been humanly possible. He knew that scream, knew who it belonged too. Katya. His sword was in his hand, as he was far from it. He looked back at Ophelia, barking at her, "Stay here." Then he was running out if their suite.
Guards were already swarming the hall to the youngest princesses rooms. When no one brought out a bleeding girl or assassin, he relaxed, eveb if slightly. One look from the guards and he knew it was nothing but a nightmare. Nightmares that had been gone for years and suddenly resurfaced. He knew why they were coming back.
He handed his sword off to a guard so not to further traumatize his sister and walked quickly into the room. There she was, sobbing on the bed. He coukd see the tears streaming down her cheeks by the candle light. He rushed to her, sitting on the bed beside her and pulling her into a hug. Most of the guards backed out of the room. Some leaving to tell the princess and queen everything was alright, the rest wanting to give them their privacy.
Elora appeared in the room quite quickly, her guard on her heels behind her. Perhaps if the king hadn't been so preoccupied with the sister in his arms, he would have noticed how is other one was clinging to the young guard.
Ophelia jolts and sits straight up, having been startled out of her deep sleep by the sounds of terrified screams. She watches as Kailas rushes out of their suite, leaving her behind, worried half to death. Something is obviously very wrong. Getting out of bed, she hurries over to the wardrobe and pulls on something more appreciate to wear in case she needs to leave the room in a hurry.
She can't shake off the feeling of unease that lingers in the air. The unknown and the silence following the scream has her worried. So much has happened lately and she fears that this may be another attack. Time seems to pass slowly as Ophelia paces back and forth in the silent room, her mind filled with worry and unanswered questions.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Ophelia hears footsteps approaching the suite. She quickly turns, her eyes fixed on the door, hoping that it's her husband. Much to her disappointment, it's only one of the guards. She's filled in on what's going on and assured that everything is okay.
Wanting to see for herself, she pulls on a robe and leaves the room. It only takes her a minute to arrive at Katya's bedroom. She cautiously pokes her head into the room, her heart hurting for the girl when she hears the sobbing.
Kaillas raised his head to look at his wife and Elora, who had long since let go of her guard who lingered behind her. He sighed silently, rocking Katya. His hand was placed on the back of her head and the other rubbing her back soothingly. He gestured for Elora to come over to join them and she folded right into the hug.
This was how they had slept for months. After the aftermath of the annihilation of half their family, they would crawl into bed with each other and just cling to one another. They would go back to hating each other in the morning, clashing their heads whenever they could. But nights were neutral ground when they would just be.
He looked at Ophelia again, an apology in his eyes. He didn't think he was leaving this bedroom anytime soon. "Go back to bed," he mouthed to her. She shouldn't have to wait up for him when he likely wouldn't come until daylight.
Ophelia's heart aches as she watches the intimate moment between Kaillas, Katya, and Elora, lingering uncertainly in the doorway. She can't even begin to understand the depth of their shared pain, the scars that still haunt them. At least they still have each other and they are able to find solace in each other's arms during the darkest of nights.
Reluctantly, she nods in response to Kaillas's unspoken message. She knows he was right. This is a battle he has to face within the confines of that room, a battle against nightmares and memories that she couldn't fully comprehend. As much as she wishes to support him and the girls, she understands and respects that this is a family matter.
With a heavy sigh, she turns away from the scene and retraces her steps back to their suite. She slips into bed, the emptiness of the room amplifying the hollowness in her chest. Though the night is still young, sleep eludes her as her mind wanders to the struggles her husband and his family faced.
Kaillas eventually laid down his two sisters, one on each side and clinging to him as if he was the only thing keeping them together. They said nothing to one another. The only thing that filled the room where Katya's fading cries and sniffles. He didn't know how long they lay awake until both his sisters finally faded into a restless sleep. He didn't know when he finally fell asleep. Only when he woke, the sun had just begun to rise on the horizon.
He untangled himself from Katya and gently shook Elora awake. "Get dressed, we're going hunting," he murmured quietly to her so as not to disturb their sleeping sister. She merely nodded and slipped off the bed and slinked out the door. He kissed Katya's head before slipping out of bed himself.
He crept back to his room, his bare feet cold on the wood floor. He immediately went to his wife's side, kneeling next to the bed and brushing her hair out of her face. "My darling," he murmured, kissing her head.
What feels like hours pass as Ophelia lays in the dark, staring up at the ceiling. She struggles to get any rest. It feels wrong being here, alone, in their bed while Kaillas is just a few rooms down. She tosses and turns, doing whatever she can to get herself comfortable. Eventually, sleep overtakes her and she falls into a restless sleep.
The sun soon begins inching its way into the sky. The light streams through the window, starting to illuminate the room. Yet, she doesn't wake. The exhaustion of everything that has been happening lately has finally caught up to her. Both her body and mind are desperate for sleep, forcing her to not wake at her usual time.
It's not until Kaillas enters the room and kneels next to the bed that Ophelia stirs from her sleep. The first thing she is aware of is the gentle touch and the tender words of her husband. Blinking her eyes open, she meets his gaze with a mixture of sleepiness and concern. His presence at her side brings a sense of warmth and comfort, despite the heaviness that still lingers in the air.
"Kaillas," She whispers, her voice soft and filled with affection. She reaches out to touch his cheek, her fingertips brushing against his skin. "Is everything alright? How are Katya and Elora?"
Kaillas tilted his head into her palm, his eyes closing briefly. "No," he said truthfully. Buried trauma was resurfacing after years of having been dealt with. it was hard. All he could see was his parent's bodies in their coffins, his brother's. The crown that he wore on his head was never supposed to be his. It didn't belong to him. He was an imposter wearing clothes that never belonged to him.
"They're dealing." Or at least trying to. "Katya is still in bed. Elora and I are going out hunting for a while. Will you stay with Katya for me? I don't want her to be alone." He didn't want to leave his youngest sister but he knew Elora needed this, needed to be with him. And they needed to talk. A long talk. Their little hunting trip would not be a lot of hunting.
He got up from his kneeling position and went for the closet. He dawned on his riding clothes and strapped his sword to his side. he freshened up in the bathroom before returning to Ophelia's side. "I'll be back later. Likely after lunch."
Ophelia watches Kaillas with deep concern as he admits to his troubles. She can sense the weight of his burden, the resurfacing trauma, and the overwhelming sense of displacement he feels. It pains her to see him in such distress. She wishes that she could take this pain away from him.
Nodding softly, she gently removes her hand from Kaillas' head, allowing him to rise and prepare for his outing with Elora. Hopefully this outting will prove to be good for the both of them. She knows that they need some time to talk about everything that has been going on.
"I'll stay with her," She assures him, having no problem with that. "She won't be alone. Take the time you need with Elora.”
As Kaillas returns to her side after freshening up, she reaches out to place a comforting hand on his arm. Her touch is gentle, offering support and reassurance. “I’ll see you after lunch. Good luck with your talk.”
Kaillas gripped her hand in his own and leaned forward to kiss her gently. He had a hard time trying to pull away. He had wanted to spend the night with her. He had wanted to finally fall asleep with her body on his. Bit his sisters needed to be first right now.
"Go back to sleep," he said as he finally pulled away from the kiss. "You need your rest." The look in his eye told her exactly why she needed her rest. "I'll see you in a few hours." Then he was gone.
He met Elora in the hall, wearing her riding leathers and that guard from last night by her side. Two more guards fell in line behind then as they began to walk down the hall. They were Kaillas' guards, as much as he hated it. He had butt heads with the captain a few times about it. It did nothing to change anything.
As they reached the stables, their horses were already saddled and their bows and quivers already attached to the saddle. Some provisions were in the saddle bag to get them through the afternoon. He looked at his sister, nodding before mounting his horse. She did the same along with their guards. Then they were off.
Ophelia sighs softly as he reluctantly pulls away from their kiss. She can sense the conflict in his eyes, torn between his desire to stay and his responsibility towards his sisters. She understands the weight of his obligations and the love he has for his family.
As he reassured her, telling her to go back to sleep and emphasizing the importance of her rest, she feels a mix of emotions. She had wanted to spend the night with him, to hold him close and feel his warmth next to her. But she also respects his dedication to his sisters and admires his sense of responsibility.
With a soft smile, she nodded. "I’ll be here when you return." Her voice carries a hint of longing, but she wants to reassure him that she’s fine with his priorities.
As he vanishes from the room, she settles back into her pillow, her mind fills with thoughts of Kaillas. She knows the wait will be worth it, and the anticipation only deepens her affection for him. She closes her eyes, hoping that the hours would pass quickly until they could be together again.
Kaillas wanted nothing more than to return to bed and hold Ophelia. He had been dreaming of it for weeks. Everyday since he had been gone, really. It had been torture to be away from her so long. But he had done it for three weeks, what was one more night. Though he knew with her nightmares resurfacing, there woukd likely be more nights just like this, for all of them.
He took Elora into the woods behind the palace. They wouldn't go to far as they needed to return by around midday. They spoke more than they actually hunted. They stopped by a small stream where they sat and let it all out. There were a few tears and a hug that lasted forever. Then they were back on their hunt. They needed to catch at least something so they were empty handed. They managed to come across a boar and that was that. It was time to head home.
When Katya had woken to an empty bed early in the morning, she had slipped out of it and padded down the hall until she had reached her brother's rooms. She noticed he wasn't inside but Ophelua was and she felt safe enough with her. As quiet as she could, she climbed into the other side of the bed, almost smiling as she smelled Kaillas on the sheets. Then she went back to sleep.
She didn't wake until midmorning. Breakfast had already come and gone but she didn't find that she was very hungry. At least not after last night. Blood and gore didn't really leave her with much of an appetite. She really didn't want to do anything except tend to her garden. So that's what she did.
Eventually sleep returns and Ophelia is able to drift off for a few hours more. She doesn’t notice the dip in the mattress as Katys crawls into bed. She returns curled up on her side of the bed, sleeping soundly as the sun rises higher and higher in the sky.
By the time she does wake up, it’s mid morning. The time for breakfast has passed but she imagines that lunch will be served sooner rather than later. Yawning, she climbs out of bed and shuffles over to the wardrobe to get changed into something. She knows that she shouldn’t have left this long but she hadn’t meant to. She’s just been so exhausted lately.
She pulls on a simple and comfortable gown, knowing that she doesn’t want anything of importance to do today. It’s not until she turns around to face the bed that she realizes she’s had a visitor. She’s not sure how long the girl has been here. She’s not even entirely sure how long she’s been asleep for.
Katya had begun to stir as she felt Opehlia moving around in the bed. She didn't open her eyes until the weight on the otherside of the bed had disappeared. She blinked her eyes, yawning, and sat up. She rubbed at her eyes, trying to get the sleep out of them. She knew better than to mess with her hair. She already knew it was a tangled mess down her back. It was every morning.
Blood rushed to her cheeks as Ophelia finally noticed her. She looked down at her hands sheepishly. "Sorry," she muttered under her breath. She probably should have asked if she could sleep in there with her.
She cleared her throat, climbing out of the bed. "I'll um, I'll just go back to my room." She wanted to garden. She didn't want to do anything else. Gardening helped cleared her mind. It gave her the time she needed to be alone and in solitude.
“It’s fine, Katya,” Ophelia assures her quickly, not wanting her to feel bad. She really doesn’t mind that the girl decided to join her. Last night was rough and she probably just didn’t want to be alone. There’s nothing wrong with that. Besides, the bed is huge so there was plenty of room for the both of them.
As Katya exits the bed, she notices the state that her hair is in. It’s in pretty rough shape. “Why don’t you stay with me for a few minutes? I could do your hair for you?” She offers, happy to help if she can.
She may have other people doing her hair a lot but she learned to do a lot of hairstyles when she was younger and she’s actually really good at it. She can do anything that Katya wants, not problem.
Katya paused, looming down at her bare feet. She hadn't even bothered to put on slippers or socks. She should have, her feet were cold. Her head lifted at the Queen's offer, a small smile slipping on her face. She nodded her head.
She didn't know what she did in her sleep but she always woke up with a rats nest in her hair. It was always tangled and took a while to brush out and style. She wanted to cut it all off but Catalina had looked about ready to faint when she mentioned that. So she kept her hair long, eveb though she didn't like it. Or at least the work that went into it.
She had tried sleeping in braids before to keep her hair under control but the ties always seemed to come out in the middle of the night and end up worse than when she didn't braid it. She had no idea how she accomplished that either.
Ophelia smiles when Katya agrees. It’s been a little while since she’s done someone else’s hair so she’s admittedly pretty excited about this. “Come into the bathroom and take a seat,” She says with a hum, already trying to think about what hairstyle to do.
She goes over to the vanity in the bathroom and pulls out the stool for Katya to sit on. She then goes through a few drawers and picks out some supplies that she thinks will work best for the texture and length of hair that she’s going to be working with.
“Do you know what you want me to do with your hair?” If Katya isn’t sure, then she has plenty of ideas of her own. Either way, she’s happy to do anything. This is going to be a nice change for them to bond with each other.
Katya followed after her into the bedroom, looking around to see the few things that had changed. She had been surprised when Ophelia had returned and took to her brother's chambers instead of her own. Surprised but thought it sweet. And knew it was something Kaillas would do.
She sat down in the stool in front if the vanity, trying not to cringe at her appearance. Her eyes were still slightly red and swollen and there were noticeable bags under them. Her skin was a bit paler than usual. And her normal glow had dimmed. Too much had happened and yet so little had at the same time.
She shrugged her shoulders. She didn't mind. "Nist something to keep it out of my face. I'm going to garden today." She want to deal with co Stanly trying to push her hair back, only to get dirt and grime and other things in it.
Ophelia has merely added a few of her own touches. All of Kaillas’ stuff is still here and now she’s got a few of her own things as well. She thought is that they mesh pretty well together but she may be biased about that. She can’t imagine going back to living in her old room now. It would just feel wrong.
Once everything is out on the counter, she steps behind Katya and takes a closer look at her hair. “I’ll be sure to get it up and out of your face,” She assures it. She can imagine that it must be troublesome to constantly be fighting hair while gardening. She’s happy to take care of that for her.
She starts by adding some detangling solution to Katya’s hair and working that in. She wants to make brushing it as pain free as possible. Once the solution has been properly added, she gets ready to brush out the knots and tangles. “Let me know if this hurts.”
Katya sat quietly in the chair. She was thankful for the near silence. She didn't really want to talk about what was bothering her, at least not with Ophelia. Not yet, that was. As wonderful as it was to have her here, she still didn't know the queen all that well. There were some things, especially in regards to this, that she refused to talk about with anyone that wasn't family. Her blood family.
"Okay," she simply said. She wouldn't say anything, though. She had learned to put up with the brushing and tangles and pulling every morning. While it hurt, she had long learned to deal with it. Along with a great many other things.
She didn't make a sound as Ophelia brushed her hair. She may have winced once or twice but sat generally well. It wasn't necessarily that she had a touch scalp, more so that she was used to the pain as her maids brushed her hair every morning. The detangling solution helped some and she was grateful for it.
Ophelia gently brushes through Katya's long hair, each stroke of the brush gliding smoothly through the silky strands once she’s managed to wrestle out all of the tangles. She doesn’t mind the silence. In her eyes, if Katya wishes to discuss something with her then she will. She will not badger her about anything.
Once the brushing is complete, Ophelia gathers the hair, section by section, and begins delicately braiding it. Her nimble fingers weave the strands together, creating an intricate pattern that is both practical and beautiful. While she wants to ensure that the hair is out of the way, she also wants Katya to enjoy the hairstyle she’s created.
The process continues with a sense of reverence, as if Ophelia were crafting a masterpiece. With each plait, she incorporates subtle twists and turns. The finished product is three intricate braids woven together to create an elegant undo, nearly twisted into a bun. She weaves in a dainty ribbon and then stops, not wanting to go too crazy. “All done.”
Katya watched with growing fascination as Ophelua did her hair. She seemed to enjoy doing her hair, instead of the maid's that did it begrudgingly. Her maids did it because they had to. She had thought about going to Kaillas for new maids but hadn't wanted to bother him. But…seeing her hair, she should. She should have someone that wanted to do her hair and help her, not just because they had to.
She smiled up at Ophelia, that light returning to her eyes. She twisted in the stoll to look up at her. "Thank you," she said, her voice sounding a bit better. "Will you teach me how to braid?"
Everything had always been done for her. She was never really taught anything other than how to change and dress herself. She had forced her way into learning how to garden. She had to threaten to bring her bother out there for the gardeners to let her stay.
Ophelia smiles back at Katya, relieved that she seems to be doing a bit better. She’s glad that she’s been able to help, even if only a little. It’s been nice to spend some one on one time with her new sister-in-law. Granted, they haven’t done much talking but she feels like this is a step in the right direction.
“I would be delighted to teach you how to braid,” She agrees sincerely. She knows quite a few fun braids and she’s happy to share that knowledge with Katya. “If there’s ever anything you want me to teach you, I’d be more than happy to.” Hair, makeup, sewing, music, or even some light baking. She has a few different topics that she’s well versed in.
She always had maids doing everything for her when she was young. After her brother died, her parents stopped minding the maids so in turn, they spent less time doing her hair and things like that. She learned on her own after much trial and error. She’s gotten pretty good at most of it, she’s happy to admit to that.
Katya nodded her head. She wasn't sure how much of that she would actually take her up on, but it woukd be nice to learn how to do her own hair. Even if it was just the basics. She had her lessons and her gardening and that was about it. Her education took up most of her days though she knew no one would blame her for skipping the next couple of days.
She hopped up off the stool, looking up at Ophelia once more. "I'm going to get dressed and then maybe we can go to the kitchens? The cook always sneaks me extra food, and we missed breakfast." She shrugged her shoulders and look down at her feet, shifting on them. She was fully prepared to take the rejection.
As much as she loved her brother, he didn't always have time for her. He denied her plenty of times to hang out because he had kingly duties to attend to. It was the life of a royal she supposed, never getting free time or a chance to spend with family. It was a lonely one.
Ophelia observes Katya's hopeful expression and senses the yearning for connection and companionship. She understands the loneliness that comes with being part of the royal family, with responsibilities and duties overshadowing personal moments. It can be overwhelming and lonely so it’s always good to take advantage of moments like this one.
A soft smile graces her lips as she gives a nod. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Katya," She replies warmly. "I would love to join you for a trip to the kitchens. I’ll meet you out in the hallway in about five minutes and then we can go.”
While she may be dressed, she still needs to take a minute to pull back her hair and put on a little makeup. Now that she’s queen, she has to take time to ensure that she always looks presentable. Gossip can be killer. She doesn’t want to give anyone a reason to talk or start a rumor. It would be very bad for her this early on.
Katya beamed, her nightmares temporarily forgotten. There weren't any girls her age jn the palace and even fewer that would spend time with her occasionally. They normally flocked to Elora until they learned that she didn't put up with most courtly goings. She had long believed that neither she nor her sister truly belonged in the palace. They were both free spirits that would rather do anything but royal duties. Besides planning balls and parties and such.
She hurried off to her room, her bare feet padding along the floor. The guards didn't so much as glance ger twice. She was thankful for it. She didn't want to see any looks of pity in their eyes. She dressed quickly in a simple gown with laces she coukd easily tie herself. Not a corset. She didn't particularly like those, thought Elora enjoyed them.
She slipped her feet into some slippers then walked out in the hall when the five minutes were up. Her stomach was rumbling so loud that guard spared her a second glance with an eyebrow raised. She only blushed in response.
Ophelia pulls her hair back into a French braid. It looks elegant and it will keep all of her hair out of her face. She puts on a little makeup and then she’s good to go. Though today will be causal, she has to ensure that she looks proper at all times. There’s no telling who she could run into. As much as she would love to properly relax and wear whatever she wants, she knows that she needs to be careful.
Once ready to go, she leaves her room and heads into the hallway to meet Katya. Spotting her, she offers a smile. “Ready?” It’ll be nice to peacefully enjoy some food with her sister-in-law. Formal meals are nice but sometimes she prefers to gather up some snacks and scurry off to a quiet place so she can eat without having to be prim and proper.
Following Katya’s gaze, she notices the look on the guard’s face and raises her brows. She feels like she’s missing something but she’s not sure what. Oh well. She’ll ask about it later. It doesn’t seem like a pressing matter so she’s not overly concerned about it.
Katya raised her head as she heard footsteps padding towards her. She offered a smile to the queen, though perhaps slightly dimmer than it had been before. She nodded her head once. She was ready.
And hungry. Her stomach growled again, loud. She walked down the corridor, letting her feet guide her more than her eyes. She could walk the halls with her eyes closed. She had lived here all her life. She was rarely away from it. At least not long enough for it to count in any measure.
Quickly enough, they made it down to the kitchens where all she had to do was give the cook a sweet smile and she was given some extra sweets from breakfast. "Let's eat in the garden," she suggested. She wanted to breathe the fresh air.
Ophelia observes Katya's slightly dimmed smile, slightly concerned now. The girl had seemed fine when they parted a mere five minutes ago. She understands that Katya has been going through a lot lately, and it is evident in her demeanor. Nonetheless, she had thought they had a minor break through.
As they walk down the familiar corridors, she heaes Katya's stomach growling. She can’t help but chuckle softly, realizing. Understanding the desire for fresh air, she agrees happily with the suggestion to eat outside.
"Eating in the garden sounds wonderful," she replies with a warm smile. She appreciates the beauty of the royal gardens and believes that a change of scenery would do both of them good. She follows Katya as they make their way to the gardens, the scent of flowers and the sound of birdsong filling the air.
There’s peaceful spot under the shade of a large tree, where a low stone wall is placed. It seems perfect for their snack. The garden is a serene sanctuary away from the worries and responsibilities of the kingdom. She takes a seat and motioned for Katya to join her.
Katya felt like she could breathe a little better as soon as they stepped out of the palace. It was stuffy in there, and not just because if the torches constantly burning. She took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh air and plants. The plants that she had planted and attended too. Her beauty.
A small smile returned to her lips, genuine this time. She felt like a weight was lifting off her shoulders a little bit. She found peace out here. It was quiet. The only thing to be heard was the occasional rustling of wind and quiet murmuring of workers and courtiers alike passing through.
She found a little metal picnic table for them to eat their breakfast. She took a seat, facing the rising sun. It felt good to feel the heat on her cheeks. She wanted until the queen was sat across from her before beginning to eat her breakfast. Her growling stomach seemed content now that it was being fed.
As Ophelia sits at the metal picnic table, a gentle breeze swept through the palace gardens, carrying the fragrance of blooming flowers and the faint sound of chirping birds. The late morning sunlight casts a golden glow on everything around them, creating a serene atmosphere. It’s so peaceful out here.
She happily digs into her food, enjoying the unique and amazing flavors as they flood her mouth. She hums happily, glad that they thought to do this. It’s also greatly appreciated on her end that the chefs were willing to give them some food after they missed breakfast.
"This is lovely, Katya," Ophelia comments, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "The gardens are truly beautiful. You’ve done such a wonderful job with all of the plants and flowers.” They never had anything this nice back at yet home kingdom.
