>> “I can’t sleep...” Astarte grunts while turning side by side on her bed. It’s already time for her to sleep, but she can’t brush off the words Justine said.

Her heart still flutters from those words. Her heart keeps thumping like a drum.

This is the first time she felt like this. She can’t help but to feel the longingness to see him.

“I want to see him. I want to be with him. I want to feel his warmth.”

Those words left through her mouth while thinking of him. “But Abigor said I can’t. Sleeping with him, huh?”

That bothered her. She knows that when two people are in love, it’s normal for them to sleep together. It’s normal for them to be together.

Astarte knows that much. “But I can’t right now. Yet, I want to be with him. I want to smell and cuddle with him.”

Such sensuality of adoration fleet on her feelings. Her body feels the embrace of his arms, his warmth left hanging; her body keeps yearning for it.

“Argh! Damn it! This can’t do! I want to see him right away!” Astarte sits at the bed and gets off while wearing a shoal to cover her body. Leaving her chamber secretly, she sneaks out to the hallway.

“Your Highness?” from behind her is a familiar voice that made her body jolt out of surprise.

Turning her head sideways, Alecto quizzically gazes at her. “Ah, I thought it’s Abigor.” She grunts and sighs in relief.

“Hmmm? What’s the matter?” Alecto asked.

“Ah, uhm...” Astarte stuttered. “You want to see His Highness?” Abigor interjects. That made the Queen’s mouth agape open. How did she know about it?!

“I reckon it is, no?” she asked again. Astarte reluctantly nods as an answer to the servant. “Yeah, since we’re betrothed and all.”

Her voice becomes bashful as those words eloquently said.

“I see. Congratulations, Your Highness.” Alecto greeted.

“Thanks.” Astarte smiles as she thanked the servant. “Then, I’ll be on my way to the quarters. Have a good night, Your Highness.”

Alecto bows to the Queen and walked past at her. “Eh!? Y—you’re not... you’re not backing me off?”

Her voice filled with flabbergast, asking the question to the servant. Alecto stopped and faces the Queen. “I know you are longing to see the King, and I’m a servant. It’s my happiness to see Her Highness to be with him.”

Those were sincere words. Astarte knows that Alecto must do her duty, but right now... she just became selfish for her sake. Although, she understands it, yet...

“To that’s why, I, Alecto, will support you to the best way I can. For my master’s sake.”

Astarte sees the mellow looks on the servant’s face. At that moment she knows; that servant of the King shows the conviction to show her love and loyalty to him.

And for the Queen’s sake, this matter is taken off from her. “Thank you, Alecto.”

The servant nods as she bows once more to the Queen and kept walking.

They took different ways. As the Queens turns her back, the smile on her lips carved.

* * *

>> Astarte safely arrive at the King’s chamber. Her sneaky moves kept in check until she comes inside the room.

From there, she sees Justine lay down on the bed. His sleeping face show, illuminating on the faint moonlight shining on the window of the room.

Her heart skipped a beat as she sees it. He is in peace. “How cute.” Astarte mumbled as she sits down on the bed. Her hand then reached to his face.

She gently caresses it. But then, a sudden tear formed through his eyelids. It flows down to his face. “Huh?”

That made Astarte felt wondered. “Is he crying in his sleep?” she mumbled softly. Caressing the tears formed on his eyes, Astarte then lay down beside him.

Facing his way, she glances at his stature. An unfamiliar thing plugged on his ears. “What could that be?”

Out of her curiosity, she picked the earpiece and puts it in hers. A gentle song plays, with mellow melody. Yet, the language is like a muffle cacophonous sound.

“This might be the language of his world, huh?”

Astarte giggled, and placed down the earpiece beside Justine’s face.

“By looking at you made me feel at ease. My heart is in comfort as I see you with me. Since the time I meet you, my heart keeps thumping like a drum. Your presence alone makes me smile. And I feel I can do everything when you’re with me.”

She softly giggled while saying those lines. Leaning closer to him, Astarte reached on his body, locking him to her embrace. The longing warmth she wanted has been fulfilled.

“Good night, Justine. I love you.” Whispering those words, Astarte closes her eyes. With a deep breath, her consciousness left her.

Within that night, the two hearts felt the longing warmth they keep finding.