The Cursed King

Loriel looked at Elise and smiled faintly. Ahh... what would she say regarding their sleeping arrangement? Would she ask him to sleep outside?

The living room had a fluffy couch, but Loriel was too tall to be able to sleep comfortably there. However, he didn't mind sleeping there if Elise wanted it. He knew their relationship was quite new and she might still feel awkward about sharing the same bedroom.

"I am sorry about the bedroom," he said apologetically. "I think the travel agent only prepared a room for couples who are used to sleeping together. I can take the couch."

He pointed at the couch to his right. Elise bit her lip and shook her head. "No... you don't have to apologize. I am sure they assume that couples do sleep together and..."

She didn't continue her words. Her face flushed red.

Yes, now that they were a couple, she started thinking about it too. She knew that loving couples usually became intimate after a while. Some even slept together before they bound themselves in a relationship. You know.. to test the goods before being committed to the person.

She and Loriel had only touched the first base and it was wonderful. After their first kiss, they had not been doing it again until they arrived here. And it was quite a big step to suddenly share a bedroom together.

However, seeing how small the couch was, compared to Loriel's big and tall body, she flinched. Elise could already imagine how he had to bend his leg to fit on there and how uncomfortable it would feel.

Of course, she didn't have the heart to let Loriel suffer. The man seemed used to luxury and comfort. She asked him to go with her to Japan because she got lucky with the raffle and wanted to see the country.

She shouldn't make him suffer just to keep her company.

"We can share the bed," Elise said sheepishly. "I don't mind."

"You don't?" Loriel was really happy and excited with this development. However, he could keep his cool. After all, Loriel was a man with centuries of experience and good talent for lying.

He walked closer to Elise and touched her shoulders lovingly. "I really don't mind sleeping on the couch. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

Elise felt her heart pounding when he touched her. She was thinking of sleeping on the same bed with this man and having Loriel suddenly touch her shoulder, she suddenly became nervous.

However, she brushed off the feeling and looked up to Loriel as she smiled. "I don't mind, really. The bed is huge and comfortable. We can share it."

"Are you sure?" Loriel asked her again. Inwardly, he hoped she would say yes.

Please don't say no.

Please don't say no.

"Yes, I am sure," Elise's words sent a feeling of relief to Loriel's heart. The man was overwhelmed with happiness as he took her to his embrace.

"I love you," he whispered tenderly.

They hugged for a while before Loriel let her go. The hug was proven effective to remove the awkwardness on Elise's part because she felt comfortable in Loriel's embrace. She actually quite liked it. The man had a specific scent that was both manly and sweet.

His strong arms were also giving her a feeling of protection and comfort. She enjoyed their touches and kinship. She loved hearing his voice saying he loved her.

In short, she loved having this man around her.

DING DONG

The bell suddenly rang from the door and they could hear Akira's voice from outside their suite. 

"Good day, Madam and Sir. I have the flowers for you," he said politely.

Loriel was happy because Akira was very efficient. He opened the door and accepted the huge bouquet of flowers from the butler. 

"Thank you," he said. What Loriel wants, Loriel gets. That's what happened most of the time. However, sometimes it could take a while or a phone call to Marc since some of Loriel's requests were difficult to obtain.

It should have been quite difficult to have this many beautiful fresh flowers in the middle of winter, but Akira proved himself to be capable. In a short amount of time, he had accomplished what Loriel asked him to do.

The former king was very satisfied. He gave the flowers to Elise and smiled broadly. "This is for you."

"Oh..." Elise pressed her lips in surprise. She didn't expect Loriel to give her flowers all of a sudden. When did he ask Akira to get her flowers?

Her mind went back to the scene earlier in the hotel lobby. Loriel was speaking to Akira in Japanese. Maybe he was asking the butler to get the flowers as a surprise?

She accepted the flowers with a beaming face. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent. It was really wonderful!

When she opened them again, she smiled so big and then tip-toed a little to kiss Loriel on the lips.

"Thank you! I love this!"

Akira looked away and pretended not to see the couple's intimacy. Loriel waved at him and gave the butler a sign to leave them alone. Akira stepped back and left the suite. He closed the door behind him.

"Now, do you want to rest after the long trip?" Loriel lifted Elise with his arms, with her still holding the flowers. He carried her princess style and went to the bedroom.

Elise wrapped one arm around his neck and nodded. "Yes."

"You can rest now and then we can start exploring the city after you are fully rested."  Loriel put her down on the bed and took the flowers from her. "I'll put them in a vase and give water."

"Thank you."

After Loriel left for the kitchen to take the vase, Elise looked around her and admire the huge bedroom. It was well appointed and looked very luxurious. She especially loved the fluffy bed.

Ahh.. tonight, she would share the bed with Loriel.