Age of Heroes

He is now a Prince and many of his advisors have advised him to marry fast. It is not because they fear that he would be alone, for everyone knows he is betrothed to Helia, but mostly because it is political.

Althea family guarded the most area in the south, and also occupied many land there.

Thanks to their assistance to Vermont family during the trial and their help during the War of Succession, they were given an influential position in the new Kingdom

Their contribution to the rise of the Vermont family is indispensable.

Their ancestral home is there and Lord Helve is a compassionate ruler there which is why Arial took Helia hand gladly. It is fortunate that he also loves her.

But his advisor worries are about something else. It is not betrothal matter that they are worrying about.

It is about his heir.

Until he has an heir, his council will not stop worrying about him, and unsettled in respect to the succession if he died.

Even now the only thing that stops from any nobles claiming this land is because of his family influence.

Of course if they ever press such a claim they know themselves that their claim is invalid.

Before the Vermont, only the House of Alan has authority over this land in such a forest filled only with villages.

But Arial knows in the castle of the King, various nobles are perpetually plotting to put themselves in the good graces of the King.

Silas has reported to him about this schemes and plots but thankfully the King remains steadfast to his conviction in supporting his family.

It was obvious to Arial and his council that a great part of the cause of this restless people vying his place will be removed if he had an offspring.

It became therefore, an important matter of state policy that he should be married and produce an offspring as fast as possible.

In fact, many of the friendly nobles to his noble house, Lord Summersill, Lord Paris, urged this measure upon him, on the accounts which they perceived it would have, in settling the minds of the people of the state and consolidating his power in the East and South.

It is to that measure, that all things forgotten that night as Arial look at his beautiful and lovable Princess.

Arial approached Helia and hugged her gently from the back.

Helia blushes a little but she did not resist. Arial hand is at her hips and Helia traced her fingers playfully at Arial arms. Arial grab that finger and rubbed it with his hands. Helia giggle a little.

She leaned on Arial chest, gazing at the stars.

'Look at the city' Arial said.

'Hmmm' she nodded.

In front of them the city is still alive, with lights lighting up the streets. People still trading and sounds of people selling wares and people visiting the city can still be heard if they went down.

'City of lights' Helia muttered. Arial smile. The wind breeze through them and Helia shivered.

'Cold? 'Arial asked and he hugged tighter. Helia smiles.

'That's better'

Arial don't know what struck him. Was it the atmosphere? Was it the cold? Or was it just because of Helia?

He turns Helia to face him suddenly. Her gaze slid to the side, abashed and flustered. He pulled her against his chest.

His nose tickled her ear. She let out a tiny gasp. Arial closed his lips softly to her slender neck.

He noticed the dragon pendant he bought her a long time ago when Arial stay in the castle for a while.

He wanted to tease her and Helia is blushing red, her face heated.

He then leans closer to her ear.

"I love you" he tells her.

"I love you" and then he kisses her right at her lips.

And Helia is shocked. Because for the first time, she truly felt Arial care for her.

She knows he loves her, but she didn't really let herself believe that Arial really care for her the way she cares for him.

But she could feel it in this kiss. Then Arial broke the kiss, their breath mingling.

'I…thought you didn't care' Helia said, a slip of word. Arial look at her like he can't believe what she just said.

'I do care. I care' he said in a trembling voice.

"Even if I am distant at times, and I know I'm guilty of this, and seem as if I do not want to be with you, it is only because this scares me, too." He said, honestly from his heart.

He always fears what would happen. Sometimes knowing the future can be a curse. Helia look Arial like she sees him for the first time.

Maybe because of the pain.

Maybe because of the impending war Arial couldn't help but say everything he has stored inside his heart. Honest and vulnerable for the first time.

He too looked at Helia again and he kissed her again for all the lost kisses.

He cups her face in his hands and kisses Helia so deeply that both of them don't know who is breathing for whom.

Helia thought to herself

"His mouth and tongue taste like sweet wine. Addicting and irresistible. I don't know how long it lasts, but when I let go of him, I miss it already." 

'A thousand kisses will not be enough' Arial said under his breath.

"Hmm" she said gasping for air.

'With you…'he said 'it will never be enough.' Helia is flustered.

Arial is rarely like this. And then like he is embarrassed at himself, he tries to turn away to hide his face but Helia grab Arial hand and force him to look at her.

'I want to see you Arial. I wanted to see your face, caress my hand in your cheek and see your eyes when I awoke from my sleep.' she confesses.

'I wanted to kiss you when I see you, hug you and hold your hands in the streets. But I always thought you care about your reputation as a lord, so I dare not approach you in public decorum. I distance myself and only approached you when we both are alone. But…. kissing you…' and she looked at Arial lips 'the kiss you gave me show me something.'

'What?' Arial said his embarrassment turns to curiosity.

'I was wrong. By Light, I was wrong. I should have done all those things earlier.' Arial smile and he said

'By Light, me too.' 

And then holding hands, that night, they embrace each other, and kissed each other with fiery passion.

'Come to my bed' Arial said, his eyes hungry like a feral wolf.

'You said- 'She asked.

'In front of you, I forget any promises, any oaths. And I know it's not like me but with you…. I felt free.'

She smiles mischievously.

'My dear lord, lead on' she said.

Arial smiles a wide smile with a hint of mischievousness. It's not like him but that night Arial has never seen Helia more beautiful, and that moment seared in his memories.

And Arial carry her on his arm bringing her to his room.

And that night they make love as they share their souls and bare their worries and cast away their fears, Arial praying for a better future, Helia praying for more days of happiness.

But Arial has a hero's fate only he doesn't realize it yet. Every moment, every step he takes, prepares him toward that inevitable destiny

He is destined to suffer hardship and only if he endures it, can he find his happy ending.

The stars twinkled brightly that night and a raven perched outside the towers of that castle, caw and fly into the air.

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See you all tomorrow and the raven...anyone noticed that bird have been mentioned from even the beginning of the story. Even during Arial previosu life? Hmm...I will not say anything. I will let you find it out for yourself.

Hmm.