The banquet hall buzzed with low chatter and the clinking of goblets as Zarpha's warriors and nobles shared a meal to celebrate their strengthened defenses.

Adrian sat at the far end of the long table, flanked by Zack and Ava. Lilith leaned casually in her chair, sipping wine with a mischievous glint in her eyes, while Hera was engaged in a quiet but intense debate with one of the senior officers about strategy.

Adrian was halfway through a plate of roasted lamb when a one of the young maidens Lilith had taken a liking to, approached, her head bowed respectfully. "Lord Adrian," she said in a soft, clear voice..

He set down his goblet. "What is it?"

"The Queen requests your presence," she said, glancing nervously at the gathered crowd. "She's waiting in her chambers."

Ava let out a low whistle. "Well, well. Looks like someone's in demand."

Adrian shot her a warning look, ignoring the amused smirks from Lilith and Zack, an the envious look from Eris. "Thank you," he told the servant, rising from his seat. "I'll go at once."

As he left the hall, he could feel their gazes on his back, a mix of curiosity and humor.

The palace was quiet as Adrian made his way through its winding halls, the only sound was the soft echo of his boots on the polished floor. Two guards stood at attention outside the Queen's chambers, their spears crossed as he approached.

"She's expecting me," Adrian said.

The guards exchanged a glance before stepping aside. One knocked lightly on the ornate wooden door before pushing it open, allowing Adrian to step inside.

The room was warm and inviting, lit by the soft glow of a dozen candles scattered across elegant tables and shelves.

The air was filled with the calming scent of lavender. Queen Alannah stood by the window, her silhouette framed by the moonlight. She wore a simple yet elegant gown of deep emerald green, which stood out compared to her earlier mourning attire.

"Your Majesty," Adrian greeted, bowing slightly.

She turned, offering him a small, tired smile. "Adrian. Thank you for coming."

He straightened, his expression softening. "You needed me?"

"I did," she admitted, gesturing for him to sit on the plush couch near the center of the room. She joined him, moving gracefully even with the weight she obviously bore.

They sat quietly for a moment, the peaceful atmosphere of the room surrounding them.

"How are you holding up?" Adrian asked gently, breaking the stillness.

Alannah sighed, her fingers absently tracing the edge of a silk pillow. "Better than I was," she admitted. "But these days... they feel endless. The decisions, the responsibilities... the loneliness."

Adrian's chest tightened. "You're not alone, Alannah. You have the council, the people of Zarpha, and..." He hesitated briefly, then added, "You have me."

Her eyes met his, and for a moment, the weight in her gaze seemed to lift. "I know," she said softly. "And I can't thank you enough for everything you've done. For Zarpha. For me."

She reached out, her hand brushing against his. "Do you remember the first time you came to this city?"

Adrian chuckled softly. "How could I forget? You had me handle your issue with the beast before granting me an audience with you. Then in a matter of a day or two, I became your special advisor."

Alannah laughed, a genuine sound that warmed the room. "You handled it well. Better than I expected, honestly."

"High praise," Adrian teased, his tone light.

She smiled, then her expression turned wistful. "There was something else I remember from that time," she said, her voice quieter now.

Adrian tilted his head, curious. "What's that?"

Alannah hesitated, her cheeks flushing faintly. "That massage you gave me," she admitted. "When I was too tense to even think straight."

Adrian blinked, a surprised laugh escaping him. "You still remember that?"

"Of course I do," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "It was the first time I felt... at ease. If only for a moment."

Adrian leaned back slightly, his arms crossing over his chest. "Are you asking me to give you another one?"

Alannah's blush deepened, but she held his gaze. "Would it be inappropriate if I did?"

For a moment, Adrian simply looked at her, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows across her features.

Then he sighed, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Not inappropriate. Just unexpected."

He gestured for her to turn around. "Alright, Your Majesty. Let's see if I've still got the magic touch."

Alannah shifted, sitting with her back to him on the couch. Adrian slid closer, his hands hovering briefly over her shoulders before settling gently on them. Her muscles were tense, as expected.

"Relax," Adrian said softly, his thumbs pressing firmly into the knots at the base of her neck.

She let out a quiet sigh, her head bowing slightly as his hands worked their way across her shoulders. His touch was firm yet careful, his movements deliberate.

"You've been holding onto a lot," Adrian murmured, his voice low.

"I don't have a choice," she replied, her words muffled. "If I falter, Zarpha falters."

"You're stronger than you think," Adrian said, his tone filled with quiet conviction.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The silence was filled only with the sound of their breathing and the occasional crackle of a candle. Adrian's hands moved lower, kneading the tension from her upper back.

"You're good at this," Alannah said softly, her voice tinged with gratitude.

Adrian chuckled. "I've had practice. Running a kingdom isn't so different from leading a battle—both require keeping people from falling apart."

She laughed lightly, her shoulders finally beginning to relax. "Well, you're certainly good at keeping me from falling apart."

Adrian's hands stilled momentarily as Alannah's voice broke the silence. "Adrian," she began, her voice soft and slightly hesitant. "Do you think… these clothes might be a bother?"

He blinked, her words pulling him from his thoughts. His hands still rested lightly on her shoulders as he considered her question. "Are you asking if you'd prefer something less restrictive for this?"

Alannah nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on the flickering candlelight. "It's not every day I get a chance to truly relax, and… well, I was wondering if…" She trailed off, her cheeks flushing.

Adrian chuckled softly. "If you're asking for a full body massage, Your Majesty, I think it's safe to say you've earned it."

Her blush deepened, but she smiled. "I suppose I am." She glanced at him over her shoulder, her emerald eyes glimmering with vulnerability. "Would you mind helping me out of this gown?"

Adrian's throat tightened for a moment, but he quickly nodded. "Of course."

Alannah rose from the couch gracefully, and Adrian followed her movements as she turned her back to him.

The soft sound of the zipper sliding down filled the room, and Alannah's shoulders relaxed as the tension eased from the fabric. Adrian's hands brushed lightly against her back as he helped lower the gown to her waist, exposing smooth, flawless skin.

"There," he said softly, stepping back to give her space.

Alannah gathered the fabric in her hands, holding it modestly to her chest. She turned, her gaze meeting his briefly before she nodded toward the door leading to an adjacent room. "I'll just get the other room ready. Wait here for a moment."

Adrian nodded, stepping aside as she glided past him, her gown rustling faintly.

Once she disappeared through the door, he exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. His heart pounded slightly, but he pushed the thoughts from his mind. This wasn't about him—this was about helping her find some much-needed peace.

A minute later, her voice called softly from the other room. "Adrian?"

He stepped toward the door, pushing it open cautiously. His breath caught as his gaze fell on her.

Alannah lay face down on a massage foam laid out on the polished floor. A white towel was wrapped securely around her, covering her back and hips but leaving her long legs and elegant shoulders bare.

Beside her, a small wooden bowl filled with golden-hued massage oil sat on a low table.

"Is this alright?" she asked, glancing at him over her shoulder. Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of nervousness in her tone.

Adrian swallowed hard, forcing himself to focus. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "It's perfect," he said steadily. "You've thought of everything."

She smiled faintly, resting her head on her folded arms. "I thought… if I'm going to indulge, I might as well do it properly."

Adrian knelt beside her, reaching for the bowl of oil. He put his fingers in, feeling the warm and smooth liquid against his skin. Taking a steadying breath, he let the tension leave his shoulders and focused on the task at hand.

Starting at her shoulders, Adrian applied the oil in gentle, sweeping motions. His hands moved with practiced precision, kneading the muscles beneath her skin and working out the knots that had accumulated from weeks of stress.

Alannah let out a soft sigh, her body relaxing under his touch. "You really are good at this," she murmured.

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