Chapter Thirty-one

Astrid’s POV
I woke up with the lingering tingles of sleep still in my body. Realizing I had fallen asleep, I adjusted my eyes to the sunrise peaking through the blind of Kaden’s balcony. Stretching out, I rolled onto my back and turned my head to see the man of my dreams peacefully sleeping beside me. Smiling, I quietly slipped out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. I hopped into the shower, washing my face with the products I had brought from Rathguard. Afterward, I dressed in my favorite lazy, comfy outfit: my soft yoga pants, a silk shirt, and the fluffy robe Kaden had gifted me.
I leave the walk-in closet to see Kaden watching me with a smile. “Can I help you, good sir?” I smile as I raise my eyebrow slightly.
“I'm just making this a core memory for me. Making sure you are my greatest core memory.”
As soon as his words reached me, I felt my heart skip a beat. My breath caught in my chest, and a warm flutter spread through me. His gaze, filled with so much sincerity, created the kind of moment that imprints itself on your soul, where time slows, and everything else fades away. I couldn’t help but smile, though I felt a mix of emotions welling up inside me. I wasn’t sure how to respond, but the warmth in his eyes told me that I didn’t need to say anything at all.
He got up, walked over to me, and pressed a soft kiss to my temple. "I’m making breakfast for you, so do me a favor, baby girl, and give me five minutes, okay?" With that, he led me to the ottoman before disappearing into the bathroom.
I sat patiently, replaying his words, baby girl, and a smile tugged at my lips. Moments later, he emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped snugly around his hips, drying his hair with a smaller, softer one. When he caught me staring, he smirked. "Keep looking at me like that, and we’ll be heading for round two."
Blushing, I quickly composed myself. "Okay, okay, how about that breakfast now?"
He chuckled and headed to the closet to get dressed. When he came back, he kissed me, his passion more restrained but still electric. Taking my hand, he led me through the hallways and into the kitchen, where he guided me to a table by a large window that revealed the kingdom stretching for miles. As he began grabbing ingredients and mixing them, I leaned back, watching him. This is nice. He can cook. I could definitely get used to this.
"Didn’t think a king knew his way around a kitchen," I teased.
He shot me a knowing grin. "Haven’t you heard? Never judge a book by its cover. Sure, I’m king, but I also believe in giving the people who keep this place running smoothly their time off. A leader should never be corrupted by power. It darkens the soul. True leadership means helping all your people, especially those struggling. Many lose sight of that." I looked at him, my heart swelling with love and admiration.
Just as Kaden finished speaking, we heard a loud yawn and the shuffle of feet coming down the hallway. I didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.
Lily burst into the kitchen, her hair a wild mess of curls, wearing an oversized sweater that nearly swallowed her whole. "Well, look at you two, playing house," she teased, dramatically throwing her arms out and plopping down in a chair with a grin.
"Morning to you, too," I laughed, shaking my head at her. "Sleep well?"
"Oh, like a baby," she said, leaning back in her chair and stretching. "And you two lovebirds? I mean, I assume you weren’t just getting up to cook breakfast all night." She wiggled her eyebrows mischievously, clearly enjoying the chance to make me blush.
"Lily!" I protested, my cheeks instantly warming.
Kaden, ever composed, smirked as he stirred something on the stove. "Good to see you're up. I was just about to whip up something special for breakfast."
"Oh, you're cooking?!" Lily gasped, her eyes lighting up with mock disbelief. "Is this real life? A king who cooks? Somebody pinch me!" She dramatically pinched her arm for emphasis.
She grinned, clearly enjoying herself, but there was a softness in her eyes as she looked between us. "Alright, alright, I’ll behave… for now. But I could get used to this royal breakfast service."
Despite her teasing, there was an unmistakable warmth in the way she settled into the moment with us. The playfulness was just her way of showing she cared.
While Lily was asking Kaden questions and conversing, I looked out the window. I took in the view and every detail my eyes could see. My thoughts went back to my mom and that night when she was taken from me. I’m starting to formulate my theory on what could have happened that night. Ultimately, I’d have to ask the one person my mother entrusted me to.
I received my answer on where I belong. Yet, part of me wasn’t ready to leave the place I grew up in. I know Lily would stay with me; this world is like a fairytale for her, and she’d never want to leave. But my aunt… she can’t leave, not after what happened with my cousin. Losing her child broke something inside her, a wound so deep that she never fully healed. She stays here because every corner of this house, every tree, every familiar scent reminds her of him. It’s her way of keeping him close, even if it means living in constant pain. Leaving would mean abandoning those memories, and I know she’s not strong enough to bear that. I want to take her with me, to show her there’s more out there, but I know in my heart she’ll never leave the only place where she still feels connected to her son.
I wanted to know why my mother left this place. How she did it is my biggest goal. What made my mom leave her home was a completely different world. That’s when it hit me. I have to see my Aunt again. I have to leave Rathguard again. Kaden isn’t going to take this well.