Chapter 87: 86

Lorelei stretched languidly in her bed, a wide yawn escaping her lips like a burst of sunshine. Sunlight, dappled through the gap in the silk curtains, danced playfully across her face. Almost noon on a weekday? The thought startled her. It had been a while since she'd slept in so late!

Yawning again, she stretched, feeling refreshed. In a moment of forgetfulness, something felt different. A pleasant, lingering feeling tickled at the edges of her memory. It was like the memory of a warm hug, maybe the sound of raindrops drumming a comforting rhythm on a tin roof.

It felt like the wonderful time in the museum condo back in Porys, when she'd slept in knowing Katiandra was at home.

Home, a word that would forever feel strange for her. Her eyes roamed the dreamlike design of the bedroom she slept in every day. This was more than just a room for her; it held a deeper meaning.

Shaking her head to avoid dwelling on negativity on a day that started so wonderfully, Lorelei leaned against the bed's headboard, contemplative, her hands lazily caressing the sheets that smelled of her shampoo. Maybe she had used a bit more than usual the night before?

Or maybe Katia had been there, like the last time. Shaking her head, she admonished herself that Katia would have woken her, for sure. Lorelei deflated slightly, a small pout forming on her lips. Must have been a side effect of that whole "moon thing" business. Still, the feeling lingered, a pleasant warmth, a sense of… well, everything being okay. It was positively bizarre.

"Maybe it's just residual sensations from the moon," Lorelei mused, picking up a pillow and burying her face in it. A familiar scent – a comforting blend of lavender and sunshine – flooded her senses.

"Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine..." she murmured, her eyes widening in realization. "That's it!" She tossed the pillow aside, a newfound spring in her step replacing her earlier lethargy.

The events of the past few days – the whole lunar prophecy business, the near-fainting incident, the intense family gathering – all ran wildly in her mind. But remembering it all reminded her that she wasn't alone. All those people loved her; they were her family. She had an obligation to be positive.

So, she decided, she would be "a sunshine," she said more firmly, arising from the bed.

Outside, Sloan, her watchful bodyguard, glanced at the screen studying his boss. It was clear Lorelei had no clue about the surprise in store for her. To avoid spoiling it, he resolved to stay silent until she emerged. The woman could be a lies detector even for the best poker face.

Putting his tablet on night mode, he leaned against the wall, his fitness at coming in use to his ability to stay alert for long periods.

In the bedroom, Lorelei stood resolute, determined to be in charge of her own sunshine from now on.

Katia would come when she came. With that thought in mind, belting out a showstopping rendition (at least in her own mind) of "I Feel Pretty" from a musician Alicia always listens to, Lorelei decide to get out of the bedroom, not bothering to change out of her pajamas.

Hunger gnawed at her stomach, but the thought of room service and the inevitable phone call filled her with dread. Not only did the idea of talking on the phone seemed daunting, but she also felt bad for Martha, who would have to walk all the way to her room with a large tray.

"Nope," she declared, channeling her inner self into her best behaviour.

"Today, is a new day to life! Let's be our own warrior!" Chuckling at herself gently she stood up feeling energised.

Just as she was about to step out of the doorway, she felt a small pain in her left flank. Massaging it with a frown, she chalked it up to the stress of recent events.

Stepping out, she noticed a familiar figure stationed outside her door like a sentinel.

The unexpected sight sparked a flicker of unease in her, though she couldn't pinpoint why.

It was Sloan, his usual stoic expression replaced by a hint of amusement at the sight of her singing in her pajamas.

"Sloan!" Lorelei exclaimed, surprise widening her eyes, a frown on. "What are you doing guarding my door like I'm some kind of princess locked in a tower?"

Sloan, known for his few words, simply cleared his throat and inclined his head in respect by way of response, then gestured towards the stairs.

"Breakfast," he stated, his deep voice a low rumble.

He had became like a big brother to her so she did not mind his strange attitude, that except of Norman she would never allow fron anyone else.

Lorelei's stomach rumbled in agreement, momentarily forgetting her earlier bravado about walking all the way down, but she put a smile on her face.

"Breakfast, huh? Sounds good. Lead the way, oh noble knight!" she declared playfully, making a sweeping gesture with her arm.

Sloan, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, turned and began to descend the grand staircase, his movements silent and surefooted.

"I didn't forget your lack of answer about what you were doing at my door dear!" Lorelei exclaimed, her voice firm despite her hunger.

"We'll talk about it later." She ended dropping the topic, seeing how Sloan's shoulders relaxed in relief.

"Jeez, I'm really hungry," she muttered. "What did Doctor K inject me with?"

Sloan just looked at her with a hint of a smile as she followed close behind, her bare feet padding softly on the plush carpet. This was a completely out-of-character behavior for Lorelei – she wouldn't normally walk around barefoot. But her shoes were nowhere to be found, and with the luxurious carpet everywhere, it wasn't a major issue.

As they reached the landing, the sounds of conversation and laughter drifted from the breakfast room. A warm feeling bloomed in Lorelei's chest as she peeked through the doorway.

As she did, Sloan met the eyes of a maid who was about to go back in the kitchen after placing a refill of pancakes between doctor killian and kayley, as she lifted her head, Sloan lifted his eyebrows firmly then emitted a nod towards Lorelei's bare feet, with no words needed the woman understood hurrying to bring a new pair of slippers from the laundry since not every one had access to the professor aisle anymore.

They all knew rules had changed with the Queen arrival, this was not a simple mansion as Lorelei's soft attitude had let it be, they were briefed to aim for perfection in all services, even more importantly to be attentive to all needs pertaining to the young woman wellbeing if none of them wanted to be jobless.

Oblivious to all that had changed in less than twenty four hours, Lorelei's attention was focused on all the others occupants of the room.

There, gathered around the mahogany table bathed in sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling glass wall separating the room from the garden, sat her family.

Her mother, Bertha, looked radiant, her attire a bit strangely formal for a weekday morning. But whatever made her happy, Lorelei thought. Beside her sat her father, who seemed slightly preoccupied, yet his eyes were the first to find hers.

Doctor Killian, who was discreetly observing the man after the way he had treated the Queen, immediately sensed something was off, he was smiling, trying to understand this sudden change in his behavior, she followed his gaze, not surprise to see who was at the receiving end of the man sudden happiness.

The sight of his daughter had the doctor mind stopped for a moment as the young woman smiled back genuinely in acknowledgment.

The doctor, with a silent understanding of the situation, studied the young woman thoroughly taken aback by the vibe she released.

He too, killian could tell from her peripheral vision of his demeanor, saw the glow radiating from his child, and there was no need to ask why. The fact that she was not even aware of the woman presence amazed Killian who  leaned back in her seat, feeling full.

This was the longest breakfast she had had in her life and it was not even ready to stop, at least until the Queen had come back from her video call. She was the one deciding it was over. Rules like those no Porysian could go against them, Whatever mood one could be in.

What was sure for the doctor, was the fact that she will not eat anything else for the day. The doctor thoughts wandered, then her eyes fell back on Lorelei's face.

Between the Queen's authoritative figure and the way Lorelei seemed to be deep into her, Killian swallowed the small bit of the wonderful pancake she was chewing nodding her head slowly, then expertly wiped her mouth,

"This is a battle they have already lost", she thought in her mind, referring to Lorelei's parent's disapproval.

Lorelei, however, as Killian also understood, was completely oblivious to their reservations – as, she had no clue yet about the Queen currently residing in the house.

For a moment, Lorelei just stood there, absorbing the sight of love and acceptance radiating from her family. It felt like a gift, a blessing she was incredibly grateful for.

The pleasant feeling she'd woken up with intensified, washing over her like a wave. It wasn't just residual happiness from how good they had been with her– it was the overwhelming feeling of being loved, of belonging.

With newfound confidence, Lorelei straightened her pajama pants and took a deep breath. Feeling it was time to stop lamenting on herself to join her family, her real life.

Her smile widened as she met doctor  Killian, with whom she exchanged a knowing wink, the woman amused with that version of the young  woman winked back discreetly hiding a smile.

Fully confident in herself, Lorelei entered the room in all her pajama glory. Sunlight seemed to follow her in, bouncing off her messy hair and the playful grin plastered on her face.

The room fell silent for a moment. The clatter of silverware stopped abruptly as everyone turned to stare at her. Initially, they seemed happy to see her, then surprised by her attire.

It was like a synchronized moment of stunned silence lasting about a minute, then Alicia, predictably, was the first to break the ice with her usual flair.

"Well, isn't this a sight? Seems the moon goddess has finally decided to grace us with her presence after her beauty sleep," she quipped, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Her way to deal with the predicament that had given her the fear of her life was resorting to joke about it, which Lorelei was okay with as long as Alicia was good with all of it, and no psychological issues coming out later. The fact that her father had died seemed to not hold any relevance in her thought or anyone else. That said how bad the man was.

Lorelei, unfazed by the double meaning in Alicia's words, continued walking in with a theatrical flourish.

"Goddess, huh? Good morning everyone! Did you miss me?" she declared, striking a mock-heroic pose.

A ripple of laughter spread around the table. Even Bertha, usually stoic, couldn't help but crack a smile at her daughter's antics.

"Missed you? Lorelei, it's barely noon," Benoit, Lorelei's best friend and self-proclaimed "soul brother," deadpanned.

He earned himself a playful swat of the arm, meant to brush his comment aside, though wondering what they were still doing in here with breakfast foods on the table.

"But darling Benoit," she retorted with a wink,

"a day without me is a day lost, wouldn't you agree?" Her voice, usually tender and calm, held a newfound confidence, an energy that seemed to radiate from her.

It was as if a switch had flipped within her. Everyone noticed it, especially her parents who exchanged glances, while Killian simply smiled knowingly.

"Oh, absolutely," Benoit conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"The world has been waiting with bated breath for your royal entrance, gracing us with the breath of the day."

Lorelei, her eyes sparkling with amusement, swept past the table, her gaze lingering for a moment on Killian, who offered a small, knowing smile. Finally, she reached her usual spot between Alicia and Benoit. Not once did she paid attention to the table settings or the half eaten meal at the head of the table.

As she settled into her chair, conversation started flowing again. No one seemed to care about the late hour she woke up the same, she did not dwell on the tardiness of this breakfast.

In fact, they seemed to have all been just talking and waiting for her to join them, she convinced herself putting the warm waffles Martha hurriedly place in front of her.

After a quick "thanks you" To the older woman who returned her a warm smile, Lorelei took a bite of one of them with much syrup on them thankful of Sloan efficiency, he must have warned Martha she was already up, she liked them freshly cooked.

"Slept well, Lori?" Kayley, eager to see Lorelei's reaction but aware by her total normalcy that she didn't know about the Queen's presence in the mansion, asked with concern.

"All good, all good," Lorelei started, then a serious note crept into her voice. "But... in a way," she began, "I think I just had the most bizarre dream..."

Before she could continue, Alicia let out a loud, mocking gasp, clearly knowing what Kayley was trying to do, since the bizarre dream was not one.

"Oh no, don't tell me!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with feigned concern.

"You dreamt about your soulmate again, didn't you?" It wouldn't have been malicious if it wasn't said so casually, even with a loving smile.

Lorelei sometimes confided in Alicia about seeing her mother in her dreams. Her parents being there was not an obstacle for Lorelei, she now believed in the instant happiness, after all that happened she was not about to share or hide who she was as she reflected on Alicia words enlarging her eyes her mouth opened in false horror.

Though her cheeks flushed a rosy hue. "Exactly! Come on, Alicia, you're making fun of me when I'm serious..."

But even as she said it, she couldn't help but notice a flicker of something in Alicia's gaze, a knowing glint that hinted at more than just amusement.

Suddenly, a wave of memories crashed over her. The scent of lavender, a scent unique to her lover, the lingering warmth of a presence in the room, the way her body had been pressed against another, warm and comforting.

The feeling of peace with a hand caressing her bare back, she could still feel the spot where the thumbs had grazed her skin.

She remembered telling Katia when they had lived together that it always left a mark, even though she knew it was a reflexive movement when Katia had missed her for too long. Katia had simply said it was to replace the hickeys she couldn't leave on her neck, to mark her forever.

As if by reflex, Lorelei's left hand moved to the sore spot just under her shoulder blade. Her body froze in shock, her mouth drying as she looked intently at Alicia's knowing eyes. Now she understood Sloan's strange behavior.

It wasn't a dream. It was…

Her eyes darted towards her mother, who sat at the other end of the table, her expression unreadable. Yet, Lorelei could swear she saw a flicker of something in her eyes too, a silent confirmation.

The weight of this realization settled over Lorelei. It wasn't a dream. "It wasn't a dream!" she cried out inwardly, a wave of emotions washing over her – relief, joy, and a flicker of something she hadn't felt in so long: hope, bubbling up in her chest. Hope to be granted what she desired the most, right now, not tomorrow.

"Why didn't she wake me up?" she wondered, but then a counter-thought struck her. They knew! it meant they saw her! The silence in the room hung heavy. Katia had been there, in her room.

Looking back at her family, Lorelei saw a mix of concern and amusement on their faces. She felt a surge of confusion, wondering where Katia was amidst it all. Certainly not present. Which streaked a profound pain inside of her heart.

They were all here, though, unconventional as they might be, a family nonetheless, present, all the contrary of what katiandra was.

"Well, tell us about this dream, we're all ears," Benoit urged gently, but his eyes flickered twice to the empty place at the others end of the table which picked.

Lorelei knew it was a game they were playing, with bad player at that! Benoit could never keep a straight face; even his voice held a clear note of deception that she easily picked up on with the way of his gaze. Knowing he was caught, He met her gaze with a raised eyebrow, shook his head like he had lost something, then began devouring his food like a famished giant under her scrutiny.

The revelation that her memory wasn't a dream struck Lorelei with the force of a thunderbolt. Her eyes studied the way the all was arranged at the head of the table, it was clearly too expert like.

Katia had definitely been there! Not like the other time, she was really here! Like really! She caressed her left flank again, feeling different about it.

All came back to her senses right that moment with more force. The lingering scent, the warmth, it all made perfect sense. Suddenly, the waffles on her plate lost their appeal.

The movement of her chewing slow without finishing its motion, she swallowed the tip of her tongue rolling around her teeth slowly while her a raging brainstorm boiled in her head.

she sat there lost in thought, the lingering scent of lavender on her pillow, pinning itself in her mind, the warmth that had enveloped her, the undeniable presence – it all clicked into place with a heart-stopping certainty, now she knew it, all the cues pointed to katia presence here.

A universe of possibilities bloomed within her chest. A love yearning for release finally found its voice, in her heart. Ignoring breakfast altogether, Lorelei shot up from her chair, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and joy.

"Mom?" she called out hesitantly, the word catching in her throat. She directed her question to the one person she knew wouldn't lie to her or make fun in any way. Her voice cracked with a mixture of hope and disbelief.

Lorelei's eyes moved from her calmed mother to kayley's meeting her eyes.

Kayley, sensing her friend's distress, simply offered a knowing smile and a silent glance towards the garden doors. Lorelei understood.

"Excuse me, everyone!" she declared, her voice a touch too loud for the hushed breakfast room.

With a burst of desperate hope propelling her forward, she practically sprinted outside, her bare feet slapping a frantic rhythm against the cool marble floor right after she was out of the breakfast area, the freezing sensation coming from it surprised her a moment but her determination was too strong to stop. She'd forgotten she wasn't on carpet anymore.

Sloan who was already holding her slippers stood still knowing it was far too later, he could only see her back in a matter of second, a real smile on he moved behind her to block the way she had just taken standings still under the  doorway, his back to the outside.

Outside, Queen Katia, her poised posture bathed in the morning sun, had just finished a video call. Relief washed over her as the screen flickered off. But the moment was short-lived, shattered by a wave of something far more powerful: the unmistakable presence of her soulmate. It was like a call resonating from within.

Turning, she was met with a sight that sent a jolt of pure, unadulterated love through her, Lorelei's body first freeze at the sight of katiandra at other side of the long terrace, her eyes went wide with a joyful surprise, as she stood there like she was making sure it was not an illusion,  then her body suddenly jerked in action,

making Katiandra lips moved in a wide genuine smile. Lorelei, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears and a yearning that mirrored her own, was hurtling towards her like a runaway comet.

"Lorelei!" The Queen exclaimed, a mixture of amusement and overwhelming joy in her voice.

Years had passed, but for their souls, it had been an eternity, completely, since they had been physically together. That forced separation had been a constant relentless pain in both their hearts. Now, that ache was replaced by a flood of ecstatic warmth.

With a joyous shriek that pierced the air, a sound that made everyone inside the house pause for a moment, Lorelei, unstoppable like a bullet aimed at its target,  speed from the terrace door, the only thought in her mind was to collide with the Queen in a long-awaited embrace.

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Thanks you for reading guys.

Next parts are coming soon.