The next few days I was extremely busy. Between making arrangement for the Celebration, to ordering a completely new outfit to be made. I didn't really have any time to myself, really. Hell, I had been so busy that I had been unable to even bathe. And that was saying something. I could tell that Joseph was noticing my exhaustion, because he all but forced me to take a bath, claiming that he's "got it". Whatever that meant.
So, listening to the curly haired man, I went to my bathroom and stripped down to nothing, climbing into the cool bath. I sighed contently, leaning my head against the tub pillow, the ends of my hair turning slightly darker from the water. The coolness cascaded my skin like an extra blanket and I felt more relaxed than I had in a while. Or, well, the last few days, at least. And Joseph may have told me to take a break, but he didn't say I couldn't think about what to do next.
From what I was told, my newly tailored outfit was supposed to arrive tomorrow, which was a day before the Celebration. That gave me a few hours to come up with a style for my hair, as well, and I should probably order Joseph a suit too, since he was going to accompany me. I wasn't sure if Delkele was going to show, since he had been staying here for the last few days, but if he wanted to accompany Joseph and I, I might as well order him something too.
I sighed, stretching my arms up over my head before I grabbed at my shampoo, squirting some of its contents into my hand before I began lathering it into my hair, careful to not get it in my ear holes. I then rinsed my hair out and put in the conditioner before I began to lather my body with soap, making sure to get the oil and grime that had built up the three days I was too busy.
I then heard a sound and froze, my breath caught in my throat as I strained my hearing. Maybe I had imagined it? I frowned when I heard it again, and slowly put down the cloth I had been using to wipe my body with, slowly climbing out of the large tub. I heard it again, and it sounded like it came from my room. Holding my breath, I walked to the bathroom door and opened it, frowning when I saw no one. I turned to go back into the bathroom, only to screech at the same time Joseph did, the brunet dropping the tablet he had been holding.
"Ash, holy crap! You scared the hell out of me!"
"Sorry, I thought I...I thought..." I shook my head, my damp hair falling behind me down my back. "I thought there was an intruder. Why are you in here, anyway?"
For a second Joseph was silent, his eyes taking in my nude form, both of us blushing awkwardly. I held up my finger, a crimson blush dashed across my cheeks, and went back to the bathroom to get a towel, wrapping it around my waist before I came back out, clearing my throat awkwardly. "Sorry, go ahead."
Joseph cleared his throat and looked to the side. "I came in here for my tablet. I wanted to text my Ma and see if she's ready to come here."
"What she say?"
Joseph shrugged, glancing back down at his tablet as he poked at the holographic screen, probably pulling up the messages. "She said she can't right now, since air travel is halted at the moment."
I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest. "Is it because of Issak?"
"I'm not sure," Joseph answered with a shrug, glancing up at me with those beautiful chocolate eyes of his. I noticed that they seemed lighter in the...well...light, now a more honeyed gold, rather than the dark chocolate they normally were. And I felt my heart racing at the sight, he was just so handsome. You're also naked in front of him. If that isn't awkward, I don't know what is, I mused, the blush returning on my cheeks.
"Um...I'll leave you to get dressed. Sorry I barged in. Ah...yeah." Joseph left with a crimson blush dashed over his sun-kissed cheeks.
I nibbled at my bottom lip, standing the in silence before I left and finished bathing, dressing in my lounge outfit before I made my way out of my room. I made three more calls, one for Delkele and Joseph's outfits, as well as a call to the chefs and decorators, making sure they brought the correct celebratory items. After that, I made my way around the palace in search of everyone, surprised when I found them in the large training room. Jox was sitting off to the side, eating some dried Sycle Fish scales, watching as Joseph and Delkele fought with one another. Though, more in training than from anger. It was amusing to see Joseph go against a man that doubled his size. Don't get me wrong, Joseph was fit in his own right, but it was like watching a chihuahua go against a lion. Though, I was quite surprised to see Joseph managed to pick Delkele up, tossing the gargantuan man over his shoulder to the mat below.
Delkele looked at the other man impressed, his red eyes wide as his crimson brows pulled together. "That was actually...impressive." Joseph smirked, about to say something when the barbarian king continued. "For a human."
Joseph snorted at that, helping the larger man up. "Not bad yourself. For a princess."
"I'm a king."
"Oh, you are? Sorry, the long hair confused me."
"I hate you."
"Aw, I love you too."
I rolled my eyes at their playful banter, making my way over to sit next to Jox. I took one of the Sycle Fish scales, popping it into my mouth and savoring the saltiness of it. "Seems like they're having fun," I said, taking note how Jox's light blue eyes followed Delkele's form. I raised an eyebrow, deeming now as the perfect time to ask him what I had been wanting to ask him. "Jox, may I ask you something?"
Jox glanced at me, his blue eyes as bright as Earth's sky. "You are my king, Asurah. You may ask me what you wish."
I leaned in closer and lowered my voice so the others didn't hear. "So, I've noticed that you have been eyeing Delkele lately. Do you...I dunno...have a crush on him?"
Jox blushed darkly, his blue eyes going wide as he averted his gaze from me, scratching the back of his closely cut white hair. "What? Why would you assume that?" He glanced back at me and at my deadpan stare, he sighed, and looked away awkwardly, shrugging his shoulders. "Ok, maybe a little."
"Awe, that is so cute!" I whisper yelled, poking Jox in the side and making him squirm.
"I don't see how it's cute." Jox muttered with a shrug. "I have a crush on a guy who is in love with someone else."
I frowned at him and placed my hand on his shoulder, making the other albino look at me curiously. "He knows that I have found someone else. He'll have to let me go, and when he does, you can be there to catch him if he falls. Delkele...despite being a big jerkface, he's actually rather sweet when need be. Not to mention his patéras was quite cruel to him growing up. So he needs someone like you to care for him properly. He may not see it now, but there will come a time when the doors open up. Just have patience."
Jox stared at me before he looked away thoughtfully. He glanced back up at Delkele who was now getting back in stance with Joseph. Those clear blue eyes then shifted back to me and after a moment, he nibbled his lips and nodded slowly. "I suppose you're right. Though...what if he does not like me back?"
"He will," I assured him, a small smile on my lips. "You're a kind man, and it would be foolish of him to not like you as well."
Jox smiled softly at me. "Thank you, Asurah. That means the world to me that you believe so much in me."
I returned his smile, both of us going back to observing Delkele and Joseph, watching them go at it again until the redheaded king finally pinned Joseph down, grinning as he exclaimed his victory. Yes, I thought, glancing at Jox from the corners of my eyes, he definitely can find true happiness in Jox. And maybe he too can find happiness.