Wings of Ambition Shackled by Fate

The entire night, Valeria and Katherine stayed up talking about how Katherine and Elias ended up together. The cottage was filled with shrill laughter and happy screams as they shared stories. Katherine eagerly recounted how Elias, assigned as her guard a few months ago, had been cold and stoic at first. But her relentless chatter eventually broke down his walls, and since then, he had fallen deeply for her.

By the time the sun rose, Elias was preparing to escort Katherine back to the estate. Asher, on the other hand, would stay behind for another day to ensure that their earlier stroll outside of the cottage wouldn't draw any unwanted attention to Valeria. Outside, Elias and Asher stood waiting as Valeria and Katherine hugged each other tightly in farewell.

"Be careful, okay? Don't miss me too much," Valeria teased, her voice soft. "And try to have fun with Elias during the journey. I'm sure he'll keep you entertained." The journey from Valeria's small cottage on horseback to the Lohra estate only took a few days unlike with a carriage that was much slower and took weeks.

Katherine giggled, her blonde hair bouncing as she pulled back. "I should be the one telling you to be careful," she countered. A sly smile crept onto her face. "Valeria, can you do me a favor?"

"Of course," Valeria replied without hesitation. "What is it?"

Katherine leaned in closer, her tone turning conspiratorial. "You still don't know what happens between a husband and wife at night, do you?"

Valeria's eyes widened, heat rushing to her cheeks. "What?! Katherine!" she whispered harshly, glancing nervously at the door where the knights were waiting.

Katherine grinned mischievously. "Ask Asher. Then write me a letter about it, I want to know too."

Valeria felt her jaw drop. "No way! Are you out of your mind? Why Asher?! Why don't you ask Elias and write me a letter?"

Katherine shook her head adamantly. "I can't ask Elias! That'd be too embarrassing! And he can't talk. What do you expect him to do, write it down?"

"Yes!" Valeria exclaimed. "That would be much less embarrassing. He could just write it in private and hand it over!"

Katherine crossed her arms and pouted, her expression heartbreakingly adorable. "You're married, Valeria. You should be the one asking. Don't you want me to be prepared one day when I marry? Do you want me to feel as clueless as you did when you married the king?"

Valeria sighed in defeat. She couldn't say no to those puppy eyes. "Fine," she grumbled. "I'll see what I can do. But no promises."

Katherine beamed and hugged her tightly again. "You're the best! Trust me, it's for your own good if you ask Asher."

Valeria frowned, confused by her friend's cryptic words, but before she could ask for clarification, Katherine skipped out the door toward Elias and Asher. After their final goodbyes, Katherine and Elias mounted their horses and rode off, leaving Valeria alone with Asher.

The rest of the day passed in awkward silence. Asher prepared dinner, and they sat across from each other at the small dining table. Valeria spent the entire meal pondering how to bring up Katherine's ridiculous request. She couldn't believe her friend had put her in such an embarrassing situation. And why Asher of all people? Wouldn't it have been easier for Elias, who couldn't even speak, to just write it down?

Finally, she cleared her throat. "I need to ask you something."

Asher looked up from his bowl, his brow furrowing. "What is it?"

Valeria's cheeks burned as she avoided his gaze. How on earth was she supposed to ask this brute about such an intimate topic? Taking a deep breath, she steeled her nerves. "What does a husband and wife… do during the night?"

Asher blinked at her, his confusion evident. "Sleep," he said matter-of-factly.

Valeria resisted the urge to facepalm. "That's not what I meant!" she snapped, her embarrassment growing. "I mean… what do they do?"

Asher put down his spoon, his frown deepening. "They sleep, my lady. Did you hit your head or something? Why are you asking such strange questions?"

Valeria wanted to cry. How could someone be so dense? "I mean, how do they… make babies?!"

Asher froze, his eyes widening at her outburst. A moment later, he burst into laughter.

"Why are you laughing?! This is serious!" Valeria hissed, mortified. "Stop laughing and just answer the question!"

"I'm sorry," Asher managed between chuckles. "But you're just… too cute, Valeria. I thought you were a married woman. How do you not know this?" Without noticing Asher once again addressed Valeria without her title.

Valeria glared at him, her face red as a tomato. "The king and I never…" She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. "Just explain it to me!"

Asher's laughter subsided, though his amusement lingered in his eyes. "Alright," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Did you at least see the king's manhood?"

Valeria's eyes widened in horror. "No!" she exclaimed, shaking her head furiously. "And I'm glad I didn't!"

Asher sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're more clueless than I thought. Alright, listen carefully. A man has… a thing between his legs. When he's aroused, it gets hard, and that's what he uses to—"

"Stop!" Valeria interrupted, covering her face with her hands. "I don't understand a word you're saying!"

Asher chuckled softly. "I told you an explanation wouldn't help. It's something you have to experience with the right man."

Valeria's heart sank. She looked down at the table, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't want to… with the king."

Asher's expression softened. He stood, walking around the table to kneel before her. Taking her hands in his, he said gently, "You won't have to. You're safe here, Valeria. I won't let anyone hurt you. I swear to protect you forever. I will kill the king with my bare hands if he ever should lay a hand on you."

Valeria stared at him, her heart fluttering at the unexpected tenderness in his voice. She noticed how handsome he looked without his usual scowl. Her cheeks burned as an unfamiliar thought crossed her mind—she could imagine doing… that with Asher. She trusted him not to hurt her.

She quickly averted her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Asher… for everything."

For the first time in months, Valeria felt a semblance of normalcy. Asher had brought her a sense of peace she hadn't known since her life was upended by the king's cruelty. These past few months had been quiet and almost perfect—a reprieve she hadn't dared to dream of.

Little did she know, the peace wouldn't last.

What happened next between them was something neither of them would ever speak of. It would remain their little secret, a fleeting moment suspended in the delicate balance between safety and longing.