“I want you to pay more attention to me. I want you to be willing to be my mate.”

“Why?” asked Prince Aerus, showing a very sour face. The wry expression on his face contrasted with his pale skin. Golden eyes that were still webbed, and limp gold hair. What could describe Prince Aerus’ appearance for now? “Are you disgusted?”

Suddenly Prince Aerus’ voice sounded very far away, even further than before. Like when you felt someone’s screams being dragged away somewhere. Moments ago it might have been as if you could reach the voice. “Oh, still close. Very nice.” But in a very short second, you realize that’s impossible. The voice was beyond your reach.

Hamdi explained without being asked. He felt he had to. “Prince Aerus’ consciousness is starting to decline again. If you hear his voice getting further away then that’s a bad sign. Say what he wants to hear, Lia.”

“I don’t know what to say. I don’t have enough good impressions of him.” Lia protested because she felt cornered. As if she was the only reason why Prince Aerus could be dying, even though it wasn’t completely wrong.

Lia’s entire face began to feel heavy, her muscles tightened. She was starting to feel tired. The sky outside began to show a tinge of light, although it was still a thin streak of light gray and clashed with a light mauve. The light would soon peek, and a few hours after that Lia has to go to work.

Oh, just thinking about it made her irritated. Last night she didn’t get enough sleep. She too had to be filled with an aura of worry. What now? When she worked later she would be sleepy, her impulses would decrease, and it would affect her performance.

Just say that this was an unlucky day, was that enough to make Lia’s life turn to a better place? Like Neil’s cafe? But Lia still didn’t know when Neil’s cafe would open. Another problem was if Lia rushed to decide when everything was not clear.

Prince Aerus suddenly stiffened. His brow furrowed slightly. “Who are you talking to? Neil?”

In response to Lia’s confused blink of an eye, Hamdi explained, “Prince Aerus won’t be able to see and hear me now, at least until his condition starts to recover. That’s why I told you that I needed you and that Prince Aerus would die if you didn’t do something.

“The first is because he won’t gain enough power if he doesn’t come into contact with you. And the second is because his consciousness will disappear and decrease if you don’t respond. He is blind to the world and the universe.”

Lia’s face looked very complicated. Her nostrils narrowed slightly, and her lips pouted. Her eyes were protesting. “Actually what kind of creatures are you guys?”

“A high being. That’s a fact.” Hamdi turned nonchalantly, and then he hurried back to his seat. Before his hips hit the seat foam, he reminded Lia again, “Keep talking to him. Tell him what he wants to hear. Maybe seduce and compliment him. Usually, that helps.”

Once again Lia snorted, not enough once. Beginning to grow various annoyances at Hamdi, which before she was almost impossible to feel. Maybe because she was too tired, and also lacked sleep. Humans tend to get angry easily if they don’t get enough sleep.

Ignoring Hamdi, Lia turned her face back to Prince Aerus. It was as if she was a mother who had just fought with her husband, and was now refocusing on taking care of her child who was less sick.

Lia tightened her arms again, sending warmth from her body back. “I only spoke to Hamdi. He’s so annoying.” Lia glanced and glared when she saw Hamdi suddenly turned to her. “There’s no Neil here. Are you in good enough condition now?”

“Am I not okay?” Prince Aerus’ voice was still some distance away, still out of reach.

“You’re sick. Hamdi said that there is foreign energy on earth that rubs against you. You passed out all night.”

“And you looked after me all night?”

Lia was silent for a long time. Maybe it’s just a casual question, asking did you do anything helpful last night? But Lia got another impression. It wasn’t that simple, especially if they were hugging this close, and weren’t wearing anything either. Another thing was when her face couldn’t escape the gentle brushing of Prince Aerus’ sturdy fingers.

Soft facial lines, like goosebumps and stings. Especially when the fingers slide down to the neck. Lia would choke, decided to do something immediately.

“Yes,” said Lia. “So you need to get well soon. You make me and Hamdi worried.”

“Is it true?” The sound was getting closer, fainter but could be felt. “Are you starting to notice my presence now?” Stupid innocent smile. No one would have thought that the smiling man was an arrogant and domineering prince of Hexa. Prince Aerus looked innocent and was also easy to beat.

Lia bit her lip. Would she take this opportunity?

“I never say that did not notice your presence. You need to get well soon so I can do it better.” Lia’s fingers caressed Prince Aaerus’ face again, tracing every sharp and firm curve, then moving on to a smooth and clean forehead. “You can’t keep being sick like this.”

“But you like Neil don’t you? You like him. You ignore me and just want to be with him. You don’t want our child.”

For some reason, it felt very strange to hear Prince Aerus mention their ownership together. ‘Our children’. Lia was still not used to it. As if she mattered, and as if their relationship was that intimate.

Indeed they had done everything, but deep in the recesses of the heart, in the empty and dark parts of the boxes, or maybe in the light and ready to be occupied, Lia couldn’t even make a place for Prince Aerus. So what should she do now?

“I never said that I didn’t want children. Besides, I’m not pregnant.”

“Not yet,” interrupted Prince Aerus hastily, amidst his physical weakness. “You’re not pregnant yet, and you will soon be.”

Lia’s eyes filled with tears, she almost cried. Her fear might indeed be that soon, that she would carry Prince Aerus’ child and lose all her freedom.

“What will you do if I get pregnant and then give birth to your child? What will you do after your goal of having children is accomplished?” The rumbling heartbeat, unconsciously Lia’s voice trembled including her thin body. Her hope for freedom was long, and she never felt that she had fully realized it. But….

“I will take you to Hexa. You must be my bride there.”

***