BEYOND THE CROWN

The imperial carriage rattled up the winding driveway, its wheels crunching on the gravel as it came to a stop before the grand entrance of Malaka Castle. The moon cast its silvery glow over the imposing walls, illuminating the intricate stone carvings that adorned the facade. Arvin helped Nailah down, his hand lingering on hers for a moment before he released it.

As they stepped into the castle, the warm glow of torches and the soft murmur of attendants enveloped them, a welcome respite from the intrigue and politics of the ball. Nailah's eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light, taking in the opulent furnishings and the lavish tapestries that hung from the walls.

"Have your dinner," Arvin said, his voice low and husky, as he handed her over to the waiting attendants. "I have some matters to attend to in the study. I'll have mine later."

Nailah nodded, watching as Arvin disappeared into the darkness of the castle, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls. She was led to a grand dining hall, where a sumptuous feast was laid out before her. The attendants fussed over her, serving her delicacies and pouring her wine.

But despite the lavish spread, Nailah's appetite was nonexistent. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of Arvin, of the way he had looked at her, of the way he had touched her. She felt helpless, trapped in a web of her own desires, with no escape in sight.

As the dinner dragged on, Nailah's thoughts grew more and more turbulent. Why was Arvin avoiding her? Didn't he know how much she needed him? The questions swirled in her mind, driving her to distraction.

Finally, the attendants withdrew. Nailah rose from the table, her eyes wandering to the window, where the moon was now high in the sky. She felt a sudden urge to break free from the constraints of the castle, to flee into the night and lose herself in the darkness.

But something held her back. A spark of determination, perhaps, or a glimmer of hope. Whatever it was, it drove her to take action, to seek out Arvin and demand answers.

Nailah made her way to her chambers, her heart pounding in her chest. She dismissed her attendants, locking the door behind them. For a moment, she stood before the mirror, her eyes locked on her own reflection.

And then, with a newfound sense of purpose, she began to dress. Not in the elaborate gowns of the court, but in a simple, flowing nightgown, one that would allow her to move freely, unencumbered.

As she dressed, Nailah's mind was made up. She would go to Arvin, and she would tell him exactly what she wanted. No more games, no more subtlety. She would be bold, and she would be fearless.

Taking a deep breath, Nailah opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. The castle was quiet, the only sound the owl outside. She made her way to the study, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she reached the door, she hesitated, her hand trembling on the handle. What would Arvin say? Would he laugh at her, or would he be angry?

But Nailah steeled herself, pushing aside her doubts. She opened the door and stepped inside.

Arvin looked up from the papers scattered across his desk, his eyes narrowing as he took in Nailah's appearance. She stood before him, her slender form clad in a flowing nightgown, her long dark hair tumbling down her back like a waterfall of night. Her eyes sparkled with determination, her jaw set in a firm line.

As their gazes met, Arvin's thoughts were running wild he had no idea why she looked so dissatisfied, all his life he had been taught how to deal with even the most dangerous of all situations but never about how to deal with a with a woman, the way Nailah had looked at him was alarming but he kept his composure,his expression neutral.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the air thick with tension. Arvin's eyes crinkled at the corners, his gaze softening as he took in Nailah's determined expression. He leaned back in his chair, his hands steepled together as he regarded Nailah with a thoughtful gaze.

"Nailah," he said, his voice low and husky. "What brings you here? Is anything the matter?"

Nailah's heart pounded in her chest, her palms growing damp with sweat. She had never felt so vulnerable, so exposed. But she steeled herself, drawing on a deep well of courage. She took a step forward, her eyes locked on Arvin's.

"I want to talk to you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arvin's expression changed, his eyes flashing with surprise. He leaned forward, his elbows on his desk, his eyes burning with intensity. His mind racing with possibilities, he wondered what Nailah could want to talk about.

"Please, come in," he said, his voice gentle. "Have a seat."

Nailah hesitated, her eyes locked on Arvin's. She could see the curiosity in his eyes. She felt a surge of confidence, her heart pounding in her chest. She sat down in the chair opposite Arvin's desk, her hands clasped together in her lap.

As she sat, Arvin's eyes roamed over her, taking in the expression of her face,but his expression was neutral.

Arvin's eyes never left hers, his gaze on her. "What is it that you want to talk about, Nailah?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Nailah took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that she had to be bold, "But how do i tell him,how I start, is it even normal?" went through Nailah's head. As she formed the words in her head, She leaned forward, her eyes locked on Arvin's.

"I want a child," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Instant Regret, Nailah was mentally cussing at herself because that's not what she wanted she blured out the wrong words her mind was a mess. "What!?" Arvin asked, his voice low and husky.

The room fell silent, Arvin's eyes widening in shock. Heman appeared in the doorway, his face expressionless. The only sound was Nailah's ragged breathing, her heart pounding in her chest.

Arvin's expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He leaned back to his Sit.

"I see," he said, his voice low and husky. "I guess i have been too busy, if thats what you desire, i will see to it. You seem tired tonight, though we shall start tomorrow for an heir."

Nailah was relieved, sighed, and smiled

"Tomorrow sounds perfect," she said, her voice firm.

Arvin nodded, and Nailah got up and headed back to her chambers.

"You are free to speak," Arvin said. Heman.

"Congratulations in advance, sire,"Heman responded to which Arvin rolled his eyes

Nailah's heartfelt lighter. As she went to bed, she felt like she was being swallowed by the softness of the mattress somehow thing are looking bright again

The following morning

Nailah was woken by a hand stroking her hair when she opened her eyes it was Arvin

Her heart skipped a beat she almost pulled back

"Sorry if I woke you, it's time for a bathe," Arvin said in a low voice, almost a gentle whisper,

Nailah's eyes widened,"a bathe, together?"

Arvin said nothing he headed out, and Elara and other attendants walked in to help Nailah up

"Where did the emperor go, and why was he here? Am I to bathe with him? Nailah kept questioning Elara,

"His Majesty ordered us to take you to his bathe house,"

Elara said, trying to stop herself from blushing

"I think your Majesty's honeymoon has just begun. We have been ordered to stay in the Western wing of Malaka unless summoned,"

Hearing this, Nailah's heart dropped to her stomach

Was she nervous ?, was she excited? She didn't know some part of her wanted to run, but some part of her never wanted this to end

She saw all her attendants blushing, and she covered her face with her hands.

It was all coming back to her their conversation last night

Elara cleared her throat, indicating they were done, and the Emperor is waiting

Nailah felt like she was glued to the position she was standing in

When she took a step forward, she lost balance. Luckily, Elara was there to help her.

Elara guided her to Emperor's chambers she did not enter, indicating that's how far she is allowed to go.

With Nailah entering the emperor's room was large her room felt small. As she walked in, there were rooms that even went outside the garden. From here, she was busy exploring, and she forgot her nervousness,

Nailah was busy fascinated by the rooms in one chamber. Arvin walked in the closing of the door, caught Nailah's attention

"You are here, "Arvin said, and Nailah nodded aggressively

Arvin could sense the nervous tension in the air he came towards Nailah and reached out to have her hand, and Nailah took it

Arvin leaned in and kissed her hands

He then led Nailah to his bathroom

"This is the bath room since you will be living her for a while. You can use it anytime you, or we need it," Arvin informed

With that being said, Arvin called for the attendants to prepare breakfast and water for them

Nailah who was nervous, but she wasn't afraid they had done it before, not once but twice, "but both times were in the dark and unexpected..this time it's morning and we know what we are going to do" Nailah's minds conflicts itself and she watches the attendants moving in and out.

As she mustered the courage, she entered the bathe room

She saw fruits at the edge of the water, and Arvin was already naked on the other end of the water. He was facing up and seemed to be looking at something like he was lost in thoughts

His veiny hands grip the stone edge, his wet torso, and you can almost see in manhood in the water

Nailah's mind is a mess. The attendants all exited and closed the door, which caught Arvin's attention he looked to the door, and Nailah was standing just staring at him

He looked at her, tilted his head slightly

"Care to join," Arvin said,

Which broke Nailah from her desire trance. She held on to her wrapper as she walked to the edge, sat, and placed her legs into the water. The floor was made of stone she thought it was a pawn and the water was warm.

Arvin came towards her and helped her into to water finally releasing her wrapper she stood facing Arvin and looked up at him, he looked at her leaned in and kissed her on the lips the kiss was slow and burning just enough to wake his manhood the kiss then became aggressive

Nailah placed her hands on his chest, trying to push him away she wasn't breathing

She gained the strength and pushed him away which managed to separate them she was now panting and so was he but wasn't even started he stroked her face and placed his hand at the back of her neck Nailah felt something was poking her she was very hard she wanted to look down but Arvin grabbed her hair from the back causing her to whimper she was now looking him and he was looking at her with the hand in the hair he turn her to face the edge where the breakfast was set he let go of her hair and lean towards her his manhood was now touching her back Nailah was both excited and terrified at the same time Arvin made her bend as he was pouring some liquid into a cup and then drinking it then he poured another grabbed Nailah's hair again and tilted her head up pouring that liquid down Nailah's throat

Nailah almost choked on the bitter taste, but Arvin gave her a grape

Arvin turned her around and kissed her deeply and aggressively

Causing Nailah to become breathing, and she pushed him away once again while panting, she sat on the edge, and a tear ran down her face

"Isn't that too aggressive, your Majesty? Nailah asked abit concern and once Arvin heard that, he was back to reality

He got off the water and went out to get a cover wrapper and help Nailah out of the water, then carried her into the bedroom

And kissed her gently and softly started to caress her body she was now feeling as thou she is slowly being touring finally Arvin was on top of her and in her moving steadily then slowly turned a but aggressive and Nailah's moans filled the whole room

She came so many times, and Arvin was, yet it went on and on and on until Arvin did too.

Exhausted, Arvin didn't even bother to exit her he lay next to the sleeping Nailah and after pulling out he went to the bathe room he then washed himself and dressed up and called for Elara and her attendants to come help Nailah after washing Nailah he ordered the left and allow Nailah sleep in his bed and he just lay there eventually drifting to sleep

Around the afternoon, Nailah woke up as she was adjusting her eyes to the light she saw something she had always wanted to see

Arvin's sleeping next to her....it's the first time she has ever seen him sleeping he looks so peaceful he looks angelic Nailah though to herself as she sat up she felt sore and funny enough she liked the pain she shifted her attention to sleeping Arvin she touched his face which caused him to wake up and the first time he saw was Nailah's smiled she then kissed him slowly he kissed her and grabbed her waist and placed her on top of him.

  Nailah laughed and she was now on top of him and she was burning with desire she then positioned herself on top of his manhood which was now awaken too allowed it to enter Nailah felt like she was filled to the fullest and started moving up and down because she needed that friction, she moved and moved and when she felt like giving up Arvin would move her both of them reached their climax and this time weren't too exhausted they went and washed themselves.

For the next week, the emperor and Empress had set a goal to make an heir, and they kept going back and forth

It had been a week now, The emperor and Empress were in the garden having their lunch.

"You love purple roses, don't you, your Majesty?" Nailah said

Arvin looked up and then looked to the flowers

"They do look lovely,"

Nailah smiled. She then proceeded with her eating.

"You will return to your chambers tonight I'm going to be heading to Kamaya(The Eastern Kingdom) and I will be there for a while if I return, and you are still with no child we shall try again, thou I'm sure you are with child so when I returned then and only the shall you return to Bukid (Southern kingdom)" Arvin stated.

And once again, Nailah felt like the world was crushing down on her. How could she forget

She asked for a child, not more intimacy time

Nailah tried to eat, but her throat felt as though it had tightened. "When do you plan on leaving?" Nailah asked, voice trembling

"As soon as Heman is finished with the work in the Imperial Castle, I will join him tonight…o we might be gone after 3 nights," Arvin said.

Nailah sighed, got up,,, and smiled weakly. " I will miss you, you know, it's lonely here, and you are all I got," Nailah said and walked away

Arvin felt guilty as he watched Nailah walk away. People's get lonely at times he knows that firsthand

So he went to his study and drafted a letter to the Imperial castle.