The Cursed King

"Welcome to Fujiwara Hotel & Spa," the hotel butler greeted Loriel and Elise as soon as they got off the car in front of the hotel lobby.

He was a handsome man in his early 20's who wore an expensive suit. Everything about the hotel screamed elegance and luxury that the staff was also good-looking and well-dressed. Loriel felt he was right in his element. This fancy hotel was truly his taste.

Loriel was not a spoiled man who could only enjoy the finer things in life. However, he would prefer to spend his first holiday together with Elise in comfort.

It would be nice to have a stress-free holiday so their trip would be memorable and pleasant. Their relationship was very new, so he didn't want to take any risk if they went on adventures that would turn out ugly or unpredictable. Planned vacation in a luxury hotel was a guarantee for a stress-free holiday.

"This is really nice," Elise whispered to Loriel when she saw the butler. She still couldn't believe her luck to be able to get such a luxurious holiday from the Sanderman Group.

Loriel nodded. He was happy to see Elise happy. Then he turned to the butler and spoke to him in perfect Japanese. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Elise was impressed by his language skills.

As for the butler, he was dumbfounded for a good three seconds when he heard this caucasian guest spoke to him in Japanese.

Then, he smiled broadly and bowed down his head several times. He was really impressed too. He spoke to Loriel in Japanese, then finally switched to English.

Loriel had told the butler that he wanted fresh new flowers for Elise for tonight and every day that they stayed in this hotel. He didn't say it in English because he didn't want  Elise to know. Loriel wanted it to be a surprise.

Then, he told the butler to switch back to English so Elise wouldn't feel left out.

"Ah, I hope your flight was enjoyable," the butler said to Elise with a sweet smile. "My name is Akira Fujiwara, and I will be your personal butler in Fujiwara Hotel." 

Fujiwara? What a coincidence, Elise thought. The hotel they were staying at was called 'Fujiwara" too.

"Thank you. Our flight was pleasant," Elise replied. She was happy the butler spoke English so she could respond to the butler's hospitality.

"Ah, let me help you with the check-in. It will only take five minutes. Then, we can see your suite."

"Thank you. These are our documents," said Loriel. He took out his passport and Elise's from his coat pocket and handed them over to Akira.

Akira accepted Loriel's and Elise's documents and went to the receptionist counter to check them in. Meanwhile, a well-dressed staff came with a tray of cocktails, mocktails, and sake as their welcome drink.

"Welcome to Fujiwara Hotel & Spa, Sir and Madam," she said with a sweet smile. "Please have the welcome drink on us."

"Thank you." Loriel turned to Elise, "I will take sake to warm up my body. You can try it too."

Elise was interested in trying it too. She didn't expect the hotel would provide sake as one of the welcome drinks. "I will try a little."

She didn't have a problem with the cold, but since Loriel seemed cold in this temperature in winter, Elise didn't want to look weird. She sipped her sake and smiled. "The taste is quite unique."

They enjoyed their drink until Akira came back with their room access. "Everything is set, please follow me, Sir and Madam."

Loriel and Elise followed the butler happily. Even though their flight in the airplane's residence suite was really nice, nothing could beat the real suite in a fancy hotel.

  They took the elevator to level 35 and entered a really nice suite facing Tokyo tower. The room was well-appointed and had all the best amenities to ensure a pleasant stay.

  "Welcome, Sir and Madam,"  said Akira as he spread his arms to show the majestic suite.

  "This is really nice," Elise commented. 

  "I'm glad you like it," Akira was very pleased to hear it. "Let me show you around."

  Akira took them around the suite and showed them the huge terrace, the kitchen, living room, dining room, and…. bedroom.

  "Uhm… why is there only one bedroom?" Elise asked innocently when they were shown the only bedroom in the suite. She and Loriel were staying in a suite with double cabins on the plane, so they each had their private space.

  However, this hotel only had one bedroom? Did that mean, Elise and Loriel would have to share it?

  Akira looked surprised by the question. He looked at Elise and Loriel alternately and his mouth agape.

  Weren't this beautiful lady and the handsome man in a relationship? Didn't they sleep together? Why asked for another bedroom?

  "Uhm… well.." Akira looked like he was feeling guilty for not doing the best job that was expected of him. "I'm sorry for the mishap… Maybe I accidentally gave you the wrong suite. Let me double-check."

  Elise didn't want the young man to beat himself up for just such a small inconvenience. So, she touched his hand. "It's okay. I like this suite. I was just asking about the bedroom because I thought there will be another room. This is fine. It's beautiful." 

  Akira now looked so relieved. "Thank you, Madam."

  Elise decided not to talk about the bedroom in front of Akira Fujiwara. She wanted to discuss with Loriel about their sleeping arrangement later.

  "You may go," 

Akira bowed down several times and finally left them in their suite. He still had to buy the fresh flowers that Loriel asked him to buy.

  "Ahhh…. I love the suite," Elise walked around it with genuine admiration. "This is really nice."

Loriel crossed his arms on his chest and watched Elise with a faint smile. He knew Marc made sure to give a one-bedroom suite for Loriel and Elise so they would be forced to sleep in the same room.

He didn't even mind if he had to sleep on the couch, as long as he could spend the night with Elise, he would love it.