A Story From Zinnia

Part 22: First Night

The wedding party ended in the blink of an eye. All activities ranging from the core ceremony, family photos, to welcoming guests have been completed in the afternoon. Impressive short and dense. Remaining King Arthur, Xavier, Oliver at the Cassania Palace and Lord Eden who just say goodbye to Oliver and his new son-in-law.

There was still some time before dinner. Xavier decided to clean himself up after a full day of meeting a lot of people. While Oliver? He was really awkward not knowing what to do, as a result he sat on the edge of the bed still wearing his full wedding dress.

"Not showered?" Xavier said with bare chest and only wrapped in a towel that covers his body from the waist to the top of the knee.

"Yes! Put your clothes on!" Exclaimed Oliver who was unfamiliar with such a sight.

"Why? Never seen a man's body before?"

"I-I... B-OPEN THE PERVERTED!"

"Ha-ha-ha after all this is my room, I'm naked here should be fine, shouldn't I?" Xavier Temptation.

"YEP! HURRY UP IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A SHOWER!"

"alright... You wanna come?"

"HUH?!"

"Shower together... That's what we should be waiting for" Xavier's words were cut off when a deterrent Oliver threw a pillow at him.

"OK, I'm taking a shower." Xavier throws the pillow back and hits Oliver's face.

"Huft–"

Xavier took a long shower, making Oliver tired of waiting for his bath. The bored Oliver now begins to walk around Xavier's room, which will be his later room. Metal gray rooms with interiors that are mostly black, ash, and navy give the impression of mysterious but still pleasing to the eye. There are not many items in this room, only a wardrobe, a work desk and a bookcase, along with some displays and photos. Oliver's eyes were fixed on a wooden sculpture in the shape of two horses located next to the family photo.

"This sculpture... It doesn't really fit the feel of the room." Inner Oliver.

He put the sculpture back and his attention was turned to a family photo. Nobody doesn't know this family, the Rayton family.

"It's.... King Arthur, the late Queen Issabela, the late Princes Nathaniel and Xavier."

In the photo Xavier is still 3 years old, a fairly old photo.

"I know the prince too."

Oliver turned around and he gasped because Xavier was already behind him.

"OOHH!" Oliver exclaimed, unconsciously his back hit the bookcase behind him and made him lose his balance.

Xavier swiftly held onto Oliver's body that was about to fall, "Be careful" he said.

Oliver's cheeks flushed, "I-I'm sorry..." He hurriedly put down the Xavier family photo he still held and ran towards the bathroom.

Xavier snorted, "Dasar–" He also resumed his clothing activities. Xavier this time wore a milk-brown shirt with a black subordinate, a suit that fit for the afternoon.

Unfinished he buttoned up his shirt, Oliver called out to him from the bathroom.

"Xavier! Come here!" Call her.

Xavier walked towards the source of the voice, "What's the matter?"

"Emmm.... Can you unzip my dress? It's so hard, I can't reach it." Said Oliver timidly.

"This is what I tried."

Oliver turns around and Xavier now removes the hook on the top of the zipper and lowers the zipper along Oliver's back.

'The skin... Very white.'

"Have you?" Ask Oliver.

"A-Ah yeah, it's been."

"Thank you." Connect Oliver who then goes back in and closes the bathroom door.

'Think what you Xavier.' Xavier said to himself.

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Not long after Oliver came out in his bathrobe while still drying his long, wet blonde hair.

"There's a hairdryer, put it on." Xavier said as he pointed at the bottom drawer of his closet.

"OK."

"Hurry up, it's time we go downstairs to dinner."

"S-For a moment, I don't know where the outlet is."

"There is." Show Xavier.

Oliver rushed in the direction in question and instantly dried his hair.

"Here, let me dry."

"alright... Thank you." Thank you."

Oliver sat on a chair with Xavier standing behind him holding a hairdryer. Xavier painstakingly dries Oliver's hair,

"You know, those with lower status should not be present late compared to the king. It could be considered impolite, especially if at a meal." Xavier.

"Have you ever been late for dinner?"

"Often. But that was, back then, the times I was still wayward and kept going against my father."

"Why?"

"Let's know, I just wanted to be a dissident back then."

"If now?"

"Not anymore, I want to change my father's judgment on me. Especially with the members of the big family who often scolded me because they were often late at big events."

"It's over." Xavier.

Oliver looked at Xavier, "Why?" Ask Xavier.

Oliver shook his head, "Quick change your clothes then, I'll wait outside."

"Hm."

Oliver wore a simple dress for dinner this time. It's his first dinner as part of the royal family. How nervous he is.

"Is he ready?" Xavier, who had been standing outside, turned around and found the girl in front of him ready for dinner, dressed in a simple dress patterned with black flowers.

Oliver replied with a nod, "Come on." Take Xavier.

They descended down towards the palace dining room. The long dining table with so many chairs that Oliver had seen still made him surprised, the question of anyone who would eat at the table so far often appeared in his mind. The answer is no one else but the three of them at the table all this time, a long table that might be used as a golf course.

"Sit down." Said Xavier who had pulled up the chair, letting Oliver sit down.

"Thank you."

Xavier sat down next to Oliver. They are now waiting for King Arthur.

Oliver's eyes didn't stop looking around, "Will there be only three of us?" Ask.

"Yes. There's no one else in a palace this big."

"I heard King Arthur has 2 younger brothers, does their family not live here?"

"There can be no 2 suns on one roof, no two princes in one palace. After they were twenty years old, the princes or the non-heirs to the throne in the first line would come out of the Cassania Palace. They will be given another residence outside the palace."

"Ah...is that so?"

"Yes, this is to reduce conflict between families. Therefore, large families will only gather if there are official events."

"Wouldn't it be so lonely in a palace this big? I just feel so lonely in my big house that there's nothing more to it than this palace."

"Yes that's.... There's nothing I can do, tradition is tradition." Close Xavier.

After a while King Arthur entered the room, Xavier and Oliver stood up, bowing respectfully.

"Well, my new partner. Sit down." Sit down."

They all sat down, and before long the servants came in carrying trays filled with food that had been cooked by the royal chef.

Occasionally Oliver glanced at Xavier who was meticulously wearing his dinner napkin. He has learned about table manner, but still nervous if it should be practiced.

"Look easy, son." King Arthur said to calm.

"Ha-ha-ha forgive me, Your Majesty." Oliver Sahut.

"Your Majesty? Call me dad, you're my son-in-law now. Don't be so formal, son."

"True, dad."

"Well!" Continued King Arthur, actually King Arthur also can not hide his happiness. Now she feels like having a daughter.

Xavier, who was talked about, was just engrossed in eating, feeding a spoonful of mushroom soup into his mouth.

"Good dad."

Dinner is over. Oliver returned to the room first because apparently Xavier still wanted to talk first with his father.

"Take him. I think he's still very innocent, it might be difficult for him to adapt to the palace." Said King Arthur.

"Sure, dad."

"Are you starting to fall for her?"

"....I don't know, I'm not sure."

"What's wrong, love exists because it's used to it and you'll get used to it."

"I think maybe so– is over, I want to go to the room first yeah."

"Based on young people, it's still at this hour to go to the room." Temptation of King Arthur with a smile.

"I'm tired yeah....."

"HAHAHAHA yes, it's gone there Oliver's waiting for you."

"Good night then, Dad."

"Good mal– OH YES! Xavier take this!" King Arthur throws a mysterious little black bottle at Xavier.

"What is this, yeah?"

King Arthur chuckled, "For tonight, that you may be strong."

"DAD!!"

King Arthur who saw his son was upset just laughing crisply, endless he berahili and tease the youngest child.

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Xavier returned to his room. He found Oliver had changed into his pajamas and was sitting reading a book with his round glasses.

Therefore Xavier also changed his clothes into a nightgown, a plain white T-shirt and his sleeping pants. Without ba bi bu, he opened his shirt quickly followed by a scolding from Oliver,

"CHANGE HER CLOTHES IN THE TOILET!"

"Ha-ha-ha why? Now that we're married, you've got to get used to this."

The embarrassed Oliver, covered his face with the book he was reading.

'Holy thing...' Inner Xavier.

After he was done changing clothes, Xavier walked towards Oliver, he lowered his head, equalized his height with Oliver who was still sitting and lowered the book that still covered his wife's face,

"His grandson, you're still shy about things like this." Xavier Temptation.

"OF COURSE, I've never had a room with a man before–"

Their eyes met each other, Oliver's bright brown eyes met Xavier's blue emerald eyes.

'Beautiful, her eyes are beautiful.' Thought Oliver.

The eye contact lasted long enough, and unknowingly Oliver blushed in embarrassment so he pulled back the book he read covering his face, inviting Xavier's naughtiness. Oliver's misdeeds look very, very adorable to Xavier.

Instead of making the wife more misbehaved, Xavier finally went and laid himself on the bed. Honestly, his body was really tired this time.

"Sleep, you've been tired all day." Xavier told Oliver.

"Where am I sleeping?" Xavier who heard it woke up,

"Of course it's here." Xavier patted the empty spot next to him.

Inevitably, Oliver got on that bed. Lying next to Xavier at a considerable distance away, looked at the ceiling of the room.

"What are star stickers?" Oliver asked as he pointed at the ceiling.

"Yes, I asked him to be put there." Xavier.

"They light up in the dark, beautiful."

"Beautiful, right? Since it was hard to see stars in the night sky, I ended up making stars in my own room."

"Do you like camping?" Ask Oliver.

"Company?"

"Yes, camp. With tents, campfires, and sleeps only grass or mats."

"No, I never did. Except for military training, it was only once."

Oliver smiled, "Once you have to do it, in the wild maybe you can see the real star. I love camping, you can do it with me if you want."

"Sounds very pleasant."

Oliver nodded, "Hm, what a pleasure."

"Oliver..."

"Yes?"

"What's the reason you married me?"

"Ah it–"

"Honestly, it's okay."

This arranged marriage took place quickly, Oliver who was preoccupied with the business of graduating college, troublesome wedding preparations made him no room to breathe for a while. He is confused as to the real reason he married Xavier. Was it because of a match that he could not refuse? Is it because Xavier's old best friend? Is it because Xavier is a prince? What and why?

"If I told you I married you because I couldn't resist this match, would you believe it?" Oliver.

Xavier nodded, "Of course, we.... In the same position."

"If the person I'm being betrothed to isn't you, maybe I'll insist on refusing it. Although I haven't seen each other for a long time, I know a little about how you used to behave. Not just because you're a prince, but you're a good man. And my father believes in you, I.... Don't want to disappoint me." Obviously Oliver.

"I do too, I have a responsibility to carry on my shoulders. And my father's already issued his word, what can I do."

Oliver turned his face to Xavier, "Xavier– what if I wasn't the one you were betrothed to, would you still accept it?"

Now Xavier turns to face Oliver, "I agree because I know it's you."

"But you said it was an order."

"Just because it's an order doesn't mean I can't resist, you know I'm a dissident? Rejecting my orders is not hard."

"There's a sense of calm when I know the person is you, someone I know."

"It's like fate, isn't it?"

"Yes, the thread of fate."

Now their bodies are facing each other, with faces not so far from each other.

"Thank you." Xavier.

"Thank you for what?" Oliver asked confusedly.

"Because you're willing to marry me. I know it's a hard choice for you, but thank you very much." Connect Xavier.

Oliver smiled, "Me too, thank you for accepting me when you knew the woman you were betrothed to was me. L'm... Will perform my duties and duties well!" Oliver.

"Oliver–" call Xavier.

Oliver raised both eyebrows, "Yes?"

"May I hug you?"

Oliver replied with a small nod. Xavier then approached and hugged Oliver's petite body. Warm, very warm.

Oliver returned the hug. There are no words, only warmth from both people.

"Oliver–" No response from Oliver.

"Oliver?" Xavier then pulled his body and saw that Oliver was asleep in his arms.

"His Funny... Good night, Oliver." Xavier's good-night speech ended with a sweet kiss on Oliver's forehead.

...Sorry for late update 😭😭😭😭...

...The author again there is another busy thing about it, thanks to many who have been willing to stop by and wait for this malem episode. **Once again the author apologizes. 🙏🙏😭😭😭...

...Because it is not perfect to make 2 episodes, today's episode is extended to more than 2000 words. Welcome to read* ><...

^^^- With luv, author ⁇ ️^^^