24 Kiss, that's so different.

Nina ambles to her room after the hot relaxing bath and counting the doors on the floor. That's when she noticed the door at the other corner opening.

It's early in the morning so the place is quieter as most of them were still sleeping.

She looks at Maximus and he stares back at her. Nina turned as if she didn't see him.

"Nina," Theodore's voice startled her as he was just behind her. They both woke up at the same time. It's all because of Nina, in sleep, she pushed him off the bed and he stumbled on the floor with a surprised yell as he didn't expect it at all. That woke both of them at that instant. Nina apologized and he smiled because of how silly that was. They went to take a bath as Theodore said it will soon be crowded with all these men.

"Huh?" Nina responded to Theodore. He twirled her to face him and she held his bare shoulders when he pulled her hips close to him.

That was so unexpected.

She stares at his eyes and he smiles charmingly. His hair is gone and so hers.

He leans to her face, Nina closes her eyes hoping he would kiss her lips but he nibbles just below her ear, under the chin. Even the kiss to her lips wouldn't have given this feeling but this is alluring. He has never felt this way before.

She felt embarrassed to look at him when a small moan escaped her lips after the kiss. Why did he kiss me like this?

"You look beautiful," he pulled the wet hair away from her face.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" she mutters. She can feel that Maximus is still there and watching them.

He smiles, "Let's go inside," he whispered near her lips and dragged inside.

But once they were inside, he took off his hand. Nina couldn't understand what was wrong with him this morning.

"Get dressed," he said.

"Can you explain what you just did?" she asks.

"What did I do?" he asked and that pissed her off.

"Oh, you are going to pretend? Fine, do whatever you want," Nina said and walked to put on her clothes thinking he would have done it to annoy Maximus or to let him know that was indeed in love as he always carries that doubtful look whenever he sees them.

But Theodore kissed her because he wanted to. Ever since he opened his eyes, she's looking so bright to him and he's strolling behind her after the bath, he kept admiring her long hair swirls and her shoulder blade that gleamed in the sunlight.

He thought he could battle it but something had gotten into him when he saw Maximus. His thought to annoy him somehow and his desire to kiss her drove him to what he has done.

After getting dressed, Sylvia brought food for Nina and Theodore to their room. He had his breakfast hurriedly to leave, as he got to meet a lot of people now. Nina just watched him depart and then turned to Sylvia.

"Have you had your breakfast?" Nina asks.

"Not before you, your highness,"

"Great, join me,"

"No, I can't,"

"Why not?" Nina asked and sat down to eat.

"Because it's one of the rules my aunt taught me," she answered.

"Look, your aunt is not here and I don't want to have a meal without company. So come on sit here," Nina said.

Sylvia reluctantly agreed and sat opposite Nina.

"If my aunt sees me sitting across the table with you, then…" she stopped before spilling the truth.

"What she will do?"

"Scold me," Sylvia answers and pretends with a smile.

"Don't worry, you are free here," Nina took a spoonful of that soup.

"God! This tastes nothing but hot saltwater,"

Sylvia smiles, "Try on some bread with fruits," Sylvia said.

"Sure," she had it. "Thank god, this is good," Nina said.

"I will tell the cook to make the soup better tomorrow," Sylvia said.

"Yes, you have to because I now realize why he didn't eat anything before leaving," Nina said.

"We should unpack your clothes," Sylvia said.

"Yes, let's do that later," Nina says, "I am so tired, I didn't sleep last night,"

Sylvia looks at the bed and smiles looking down. Nina wants to know what is the actual reason Sylvia was afraid to come here because considering her aunt, she would prefer this place more than anywhere else. But she is not willing.

And the weird look that Maximus had while staring at Sylvia. She could feel there was a connection between them, at least something is going on. That's the only way that could connect all of these.

Why am I so curious about them? I should concentrate on my life or is this the way my mind distracts from all the other things that are going on in my life?

Nina huffs and eats her food.

Once they finished their breakfast, Sylvia pick up the dishes to leave and Nina followed her.

"Do you have a comfortable room?"

'No, it's not a room, I have a comfortable bed and shelf to keep my stuff.

"Oh, if you need a room, I can talk to someone," Nina said.

"That's so kind of you, but I am comfortable with what they gave," Sylvia says.

"Okay, at least you can sleep comfortably," Nina mutters.

"Your highness?"

"Nothing, Sylvia. I am going to look around the place," Nina said walked to the other side.

"I will come and see you later with Tea," Sylvia said.

Nina walked around the house and came outside to see Jordan was waiting for his carriage so he could leave this place.

"Good morning," Nina greeted.

"Morning," Jordan smiles, "I think my brother has left,"

"Yes, he has," Nina smiles.

"I am sorry to ask you this, where are you all heading to?" she asks.

"To the border, where the enemies attack anytime," he answers simply.

"Oh," Nina don't know what to say.

"What about others? The place is quite now," she asks.

"Others have already left; I am the last one here. Don't think it's going to be here quite all the time, you will see it tonight," he chuckles.

"Are you comfortable in your room?" he asks.

"Yeah, but we need a big cot,"

"We all have small beds here. Maybe take another one if you want," he gave her an idea.

"Thank you,"

"Don't mention it. I am happy to help you," he smiles. His carriage came and left in that.

Nina walked till the end of the street, it's heavily guarded. Except this house, there's no other home in that street, probably to safeguard this place. She wanted to go to the town and have something delicious to eat or at least buy the ingredients so that she can cook. Food is the only way that might make her feel better.

With that thought, Nina walked back to the house and the first thing she need to do is to get a bed for her.