19. Chapter 19

OPHELIA

Epilogue – Three Days Later

I shouldn't be standing. I shouldn't even be out of bed but I'm growing restless, lying there helplessly as the world passes me by. Years of training have kept me alert and ready, the need to move constantly flowing through me. However, I've been on mandatory bedrest and I just can't do it anymore.

Juliette left this morning to attend to royal duties, smoothing out the transfer back to Smunia. My brothers have been in and out of the room when they can, cracking jokes and trying to keep my spirits up. I haven't seen King William once but that's to be expected. Queen Daniela and Her Majesty Seraphina visited to wish me well and inform me that they would formally meet with me once I was well enough to stand.

Well, that day is today.

"What are you doing?!" Juliette shrieks as the door bangs open. A tray clatters on the table nearby and I curse under my breath as I catch myself on the back of one of the chairs by the bed. My side smarts and I do well to hide the twinge of pain that explodes through my torso. "You shouldn't be standing. The royal physician-"

"Juliette, I need to move."

She lets out a garbled sigh, rushing to my side and gently guiding me back to the mattress. "I don't care. I won't have you in any other condition than okay. No more fighting. No swords. No war. No-" Juliette pauses, reading an expression I didn't mask quickly enough. "Wait, what did I say?"

My brothers' chuckles spill into the room as Blaise grabs the discarded tray of food and brings it closer. "Princess, you just asked my sister, a trained soldier, to lay down her sword for you. Permanently."

Shock and then horror floods Juliette's face as she claps her hands over her mouth. "No! I just don't want any more pain. Just no fighting. I just-"

I laugh as I hold open my arms to her. "Come here, sunshine." She quickly bounds over to me and I spread my legs to catch her against my chest, wrapping an arm around her waist. I gently caress her cheek with my free hand, loving the way she nuzzles into it. Both of my brothers gag but I ignore them. "I don't intend on dying anytime soon but my sword is a part of me. It has been for a very long time. Do you need me to give that up for you?"

"No! No. Just… no dying."

"I think I can swing that," I murmur as I pull her head down into a sweet kiss that quickly deepens. Someone clears their throat and I pull back, sighing. "Sunshine, as much as I'd love to show you how wonderful you are, I would rather not do it in front of my brothers. Besides, I think you brought me lunch."

She nods enthusiastically, twisting around to grab the tray from Blaise. My brothers approach, bowing their heads to mine in a silent embrace. This will be the last time I see them for a while, both of them choosing to stay in Kusovania. I'm sure that will change when they get bored without me but I don't blame them.

"There's little sandwiches and fruits. Oh! And cheeses. The carriage has been prepared to return to Smunia but…" Her gaze dips to my bland attire and she bites her lip, trying to figure out what to say. "Are you going to wear that?"

"I was thinking of dressing in my armor as well." She frowns and I can't help but laugh at her pitiful expression as I snatch one of the little sandwiches. "Juliette, I would never do that. I apologize for the joke."

"Maybe a dress?"

My brothers share a glance between the two of them and then me, all of us shaking our heads in silent laughter. Artemis answers for me. "Princess, I've never seen my sister in a dress save for at the gala. You'll have to make it worth her while to stuff herself into another for you."

Juliette's nose scrunches up before she walks the tray over to the table beside the bed and then points to the door. "Excuse me but I need to speak with Ophelia for a moment." My brothers smirk, knowing that I'm about to get yelled at. "I think I have a way to make it worth your while."

I raise an eyebrow, placing my hands on the mattress and leaning back on them. "And how would you propose that, sunshine?"

"Let me taste you."

I choke on my own spit, horrified and amused at her statement before glaring at my brothers. "Out. It seems my princess would like to show me something and you two aren't invited."

They fall into a fit of laughter shouting ‘gladly' before escaping into the hallway and shutting the door. I turn back to Juliette, tilting my head to the side, waiting for her to indulge. I expect her to be nervous or shy about taking charge in this moment so I'm not ready for the hand on my chest, slowly pushing me to lean back.

Juliette playfully drops to her knees, hazel eyes glittering with excitement and desire. She grunts in frustration, looking up at me. "See? This is why dresses are better."

"You might be right, sunshine. You might be right."