XERIS' POV

This was the most rested I had felt in ages. I hadn't had such good sleep in a long time. Before opening my eyes, I savoured the last remnants of sleep I had.

I opened my eyes slowly and was surprised at what I saw.

She was so close.

Victoria.

I held her close in my arms. I looked behind me and saw that it was indeed I who had moved over to her. My arms were under and around her. Our legs were intertwined. Her arms as well were under and around me. I looked at her sleeping form and registered how comfortable she looked, how comfortable it was to have her in my arms.

I didn't want to move just yet and lay my head back on the pillow.

I'll keep you safe. I won't let anything hurt you ever again because of me.

I was startled by the fierceness I felt when uttering those words in my head. I meant every single one of them. Surely, I felt this way because I knew how important she was to the mission.

That must be it.

I looked at her face. She was quite beautiful, even I had to admit that. Especially when she smiled. I loved her smiles.

Loved? No, appreciated her smiles.

She mumbled something and pulled herself closer to me.

I smiled at this.

Looking at her now, she looked like such a child. Adorable.

A stray strand of her curly hair had found its way out of one of her braids and fluttered on her face with each breath she took. I slowly brushed it back and behind her ear with my fingers. My fingers were still hovering over her face.

I had this strong desire to touch her. Feel her skin beneath my hand. I slowly lowered it, not really decided on whether to caress her or pull back.

My hand landed softly on her cheek, and she responded by rubbing it against my palm. My breath caught in my throat.

Is she awake?

I didn't move until I confirmed that she was still asleep. I released the breath I had been holding and began breathing normally again.

I raised my hand and instead used the back of my fingers to caress her cheek. Her skin felt softer than silk.

When did she break out of her cocoon?

I was mesmerised. Did she always look like this?

Like waking up from a trance, I realised what I was doing and withdrew my hand. I managed to untangle our limbs and got off the bed. My heart was beating a little too rapidly.

I raised my hand to my chest.

I haven't done anything wrong. Why are you beating so fast? I asked my heart.

After one more glance at Victoria, I went into the closet and grabbed my training attire. I didn't bother showering and just changed. I tied my hair up in a messy bun because I was in a hurry to leave the apartment.

In the training room, I worked out until I had convinced himself that nothing was amiss with me.

When I felt I had worked out enough, I went back to the apartment only to find her crawling to the closet. I stood and watched her, because she hadn't noticed my presence yet. I leaned my shoulder against the wall and had my arms crossed over my chest. A small smile on my lips.

I cleared my throat and she froze where she lay. She slowly turned her head to me. I raised my eyebrows in question. An embarrassed smile crept onto her face.

I sighed then pushed off the wall and approached her. I crouched low then lifted her up. My heart rate spiked a little at the contact but soon subsided.

"Where to?" I asked.

She wouldn't look at me. Was she that embarrassed?

"I wanted to take a shower," she said in a small voice.

Her arm was around my shoulders, but it was stiff, as if she was trying her hardest to minimise contact.

Could she possibly know what I did this morning?

No, she always slept like a log. She couldn't possibly.

I walked to the closet and passed the training attire and went straight to her day wear. She grabbed the overcoat and was about to reach for the inner body mask.

"You won't be needing that," I said.

She looked at me and I at her, and she quickly glanced down.

"You won't be able to get it over your leg."

She only nodded. I took her to the bathroom and sat her down on the toilet. I moved to undo her braids when her hand slapped mine away. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Obviously, helping you." I replied.

"Helping?" she had a blank look on her face.

"Don't worry, I'm just going to undo the braids and put you in the shower."

She nodded again.

The dress wasn't that complicated to take off. It resembled the overdress, except it was made of a softer material. I undid one braid and watched her curls cascade down her back. They were beautiful. Unlike anything I had ever seen. I undid the other braid, enjoying the feel of my fingers in her thick curls. Once I was done I stood back preparing to lift her and stopped short.

For the second time today, my breath caught in my throat. This was... she was... picturesque. And then she looked up at me. My eyes went wide.

Victoria?

Could this be the same girl I had spent over a year with?

How had I not seen this?

She tilted her head to the side in question. I realised she was waiting for me and I slowly approached her and curled my arms under her. Her curls bounced with each step I took and I couldn't help but stare even more. I opened the shower and set her feet down, surprised I didn't trip. Before completely letting go, I made sure she could stand on her own while leaning against one wall. I hesitated before leaving.

"Are you going to be ok?" I asked, my eyes still trained on her while hers roamed everywhere but at me.

Why won't she look at me?

She nodded. I stepped back and closed the door. "I'll be right outside. Call for me when you're done." I stepped out of the bathroom and stood leaning against the wall next to the door, the image of her with her hair down still vivid in my mind.

She called for me when she was done and I stepped back in. She had taken quite a while. I looked at what she was wearing and realised it was probably because she had to fetch the clothes I had left by the toilet. She was sitting on the closed toilet waiting for me. I bent down and scooped her up. I took her to the kitchen and got her something to eat.

"I'm going to take a shower as well."

I turned without waiting for her reply.

I had gotten rid of my beard and my hair was braided like it normally should have been. I walked towards her, barefooted and scooped her up again without giving a warning. She let out a little squeak and quickly wrapped her arms around me. I took her to the sitting area.

"A little warning would have been nice. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" she grumbled.

I sat across from her and touched the table between us to activate the game we had previously left partway through. She scooted closer to the edge of her chair. She still hadn't managed to beat me. But considering I had only introduced it to her a few months ago, her progress was astounding. It was similar to the Earthian chess but with a few modifications. She was concentrating on the piece placements on the board.

"You'll have to bear with being carried around for a few more days."

"How many days?" she sounded like she was whining.

I held back a smile, "Depends on how well you're doing and what Bulba says. But I'm guessing you'll be fine in two days. And then I can take you out to see the rest of the ship."

"Two days?", she whined again, "wait, did you just say take me out to see the rest of the ship?" she was finally looking at me.

"Yes. You've been cooped up in this apartment for far too long. I agree, it was partly my fault. I just wanted to make sure you were ready to face people again."

She thought for a moment.

"I understand."

My eyebrows shot up, "Won't you complain about me violating your human rights pertaining to free movement?"

"Mm, I'm not really much of a people person. I'm most comfortable when I don't have so many eyes on me. But after having spent time with no one but you, Bulba and Purit around, I miss people. If you were to ask me a few weeks ago, I would have opposed the idea of me going out. But after almost dying, I realised I can't keep hiding from my fears. I'm not going to be a loser anymore."

I was proud of her.

"Besides, you're not the most entertaining person...." she trailed off avoiding eye contact and pursing her lips.

I took it back.

The II noticed the satisfied smile on her face at my reaction.

She was teasing me.

I responded by making a move on the board and just like that, our conversation on the topic ended. Bulba had been making regular visits to make sure her leg was healing properly. Purit also made a visit and we all three had a humorous conversation mostly comprising of Purit telling stories of my worst moments in training. He made sure not to slip up about who I was, and this I greatly appreciated. I just didn't know how to tell her, especially after all this time had passed.

As Purit was leaving, I walked him to the door.

"You've changed," he remarked.

"Changed?" I questioned, "changed how?"

"For starters, you're laughing and smiling more, in her presence that is. To anyone outside this room, you're the same prince you were when we embarked on this journey, intimidating and somewhat cold. But seeing how you are around her... you're happy. I'm glad."

"I don't feel I have changed much."

He looked like he wanted to say something but held back.

"Say it," I said in a commanding tone.

"The prince that embarked on this mission talked only about the mission. He was a perfectionist who wouldn't even celebrate the little successes. He kept everyone else at bay, not that you still don't do that of course. But it's different with her. He detested Earthians; thought of them as barbarians..." He raised his brows at the end as if daring me to challenge him.

I thought back to that time.

He continued, "...And look how easily you accepted them, accepted her. "

I couldn't come up with anything to say.

"You're more approachable now, albeit fractionally. The air around you seems lighter too." He decided to end there.

I was at a complete loss for words, and he took this opportunity to leave. I was left standing at the door, dumbstruck. He was right.

I was happier.