Vishendor's unlikely Queen

I stood still, staring into those light brown eyes_still amazed by the contradiction they held. Fierce, intense, but yet... gentle. They absorb me I almost forgot we were speaking at all.

"Anna," he said softly_so calmly I nearly missed the sound of my name on his lips.

I blinked.

"Why the stare?" he asked, the corners of his mouth lifting into a teasing smile.

"What?" I asked, flustered. "I_I wasn't staring."

His smile deepened. "You sure? Or am I just irresistibly handsome?" He leaned a little closer, voice smooth, eyes dancing with mischief. "Or maybe... charming?"

"No!" I blurted too quickly.

"No?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean_not no in the way your interpreting it... I wasn't staring—not like that," I rushed to clarify, the words stumbling out in a flurry.

"So... I am charming, then?" He pressed, one brow still arched, clearly enjoying the way my composure unraveled.

I took a shaky breath, swallowing hard as my thoughts scrambled. My heart pounded loud enough to drown out any rational explanation. I tried to speak_I really did_but my lips parted and nothing came out.

"I_I..." My voice failed me. I couldn't say it. I was too shy. The tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating, and he wasn't helping with the way he kept staring at me like he had all the time in the world.

Then, mercifully_or not_a voice rang from behind me.

"Am I interrupting something?" Lora asked, her tone laced with far too much curiosity.

"No, Lora, you're not," I said quickly_perhaps too quickly-grateful for the interruption that swept away the tension like a breeze clearing the air.

Varen's gaze remained steady. "Anna."

"Yes?" I answered, careful this time not to let my eyes linger too long.

"I would like to know you better," he said, a soft sincerity woven into his voice. "Would you be free tomorrow?"

Behind me, Lora stifle a giggle_like someone who had just been handed her favorite prize.

"Yes," I replied, mirroring his smile with a shy one of my own. "I'll be free."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow," he said, stepping toward me.

He lifted a hand, palm open_an unspoken request.

I hesitated only a moment before placing mine into his. He brought it to his lips, brushing a gentle kiss across my knuckles.

"It was an honor to speak with you," he murmured, eyes never leaving mine.

"The honor was mine," I whispered back, flattered—and a little breathless.

As he released my hand, I turned to find Lora still standing behind me, her grin far too pleased.

"Shall we?" I asked her, clearing my throat.

We walked out of the study together, her arm looped with mine. But I could still feel the warmth of his kiss lingering on my skin_and the quiet promise in his voice when he said, I'll see you tomorrow.

---

We stepped into the garden, where the scent of blooming flowers greeted me like a soft embrace. The air was fragrant, filled with the quiet hum of nature, and the colors around me felt brighter than anything I'd seen in days.

I stood still, smiling to myself as I admired the petals bursting in every shade. The breeze carried their scent, light and sweet, and for a moment, I forgot everything else.

I didn't even notice Lora beside me until her voice broke the silence.

"Hmmm," she said, a teasing lilt in her tone. "Someone's beaming brighter than the flowers themselves."

I laughed quietly, caught.

"You know very well I love flowers," I said, giggling.

She nudged me with a grin. "So I guess someone must have plucked my brother from the finest garden."

I rolled my eyes, amused. "Your brother is kind, yes. But I wouldn't say they bought him_he's not some item to be bargained for."

"Oh, I see. You're siding with him now, sister-in-law."

My face flushed. "Don't call me that! What if Varen hears you?"

Lora only grinned. "He's your mate. There's nothing to be worried about."

She pulled me into a quick hug, warm and familiar. I smiled into it, grateful for her lightheartedness.

"I should get going," I said softly as we pulled apart. "It's getting late and I promised my family I wouldn't be gone too long."

Lora nodded. "Come back soon. The garden misses you already."

I gave one last glance at the flowers, then at the manor beyond, where Varen still lingered in my thoughts.

She waved me off with a knowing smile as I turned and walked down the stone path, the scent of blossoms following me home.

---

I was quietly seated in my room, thinking about Anna, when Lora barged into the room without knocking. As usual, her presence shifted my mood instantly. She was the only one I truly loved_but also the one person who could thoroughly exhaust me like a persistent little pest.

"Oh, look where our Duke of Daydreams is hiding," she teased as she sauntered in, arms folded with a mischievous grin.

"What does my little pest desire this time?" I asked, not even lifting my gaze.

"A pest doesn't need a reason to find its prey," she replied with a theatrical flourish.

"What's with the new name?" I asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"What name?" she said, feigning innocence.

"Duke of Daydreams."

"Oh, that." She smirked. "Well then_what's with the pest name?"

"Little pest? That's exactly what you are to me," I said with a warm smile tugging at my lips.

"And Duke of Daydreams is exactly what you are to me," she mimicked, grinning.

"Can you leave me alone for just one moment?" I pleaded halfheartedly.

"No," she declared proudly. "I'm a pest, remember? I never miss my prey."

"Please," I said again, dragging out the word with a touch of amusement.

"It was an honour to speak with you," she said with a dramatic bow, mimicking my earlier words to Anna, before striding out of the room with a laugh.