A Royal Obligation
Chapter 277: Epilogue: Heavy Sleeper

Chapter 277: Epilogue: Heavy Sleeper

The kitchen was filled with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly cooked food as Lysara moved gracefully between the stove and counter. Her complexion were vibrant, her cheeks full and rosy, a stark contrast to the gaunt, skeletal woman who had been rescued five years ago.

Happiness radiated from her, her every movement imbued with a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in years.

She stirred the pot one final time, tasting the meal with a small smile of approval. "Perfect," she murmured to herself, placing the spoon back in its designated spot.

Her gaze lingered on the bubbling stew for a moment before she wiped her hands on her apron and stepped away, her bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor.

---

Inside a modest room, the morning sun was casting a warm golden glow over the disheveled sheets and tangled limbs. Drystan’s strong hand was pressed firmly over Sadiki’s mouth, silencing the soft, desperate moans that threatened to escape as he thrust into him with slow, deliberate precision.

The bed creaked faintly beneath their movements, the sound almost imperceptible but for the heavy stillness of the early hour.

Sadiki’s body quivered, his fingers clawing at the sheets as Drystan leaned down, his lips brushing against the shell of his ear. "Quiet," he murmured, his voice low and commanding, sending a shiver down Sadiki’s spine. "You wouldn’t want your mother to hear you, would you?"

A knock at the door shattered the fragile silence.

Both men froze, their breaths catching in unison. Sadiki’s eyes widened, panic flashing across his face, but Drystan only smirked, unfazed. His hips stilled, though he made no move to pull away.

"Sadiki? Drystan?" Lysara’s voice drifted through the wood, warm and melodic, yet tinged with curiosity. "Are you awake?"

Drystan’s hand tightened slightly over Sadiki’s mouth, stifling a whimper as his cock twitched inside him. "We’ll be out in a moment, Lysara," he called back, his voice steady and composed, betraying none of the heat that coiled between them.

There was a pause, and then Lysara’s voice came again, closer this time, as though she had stepped nearer to the door. "Sadiki? Is he still asleep? Wake him up, Drystan. Breakfast is ready."

Drystan chuckled softly, his breath hot against Sadiki’s neck as his free hand trailed down to grip his hip. "Don’t worry," he replied, his tone laced with amusement, "I’ll wake him."

Sadiki groaned into Drystan’s palm, his body trembling as the man above him resumed his movements, each thrust deeper and more punishing than the last. The bed creaked louder now, the rhythm growing frantic, and Sadiki could feel the tension coiling in his gut, threatening to spill over.

Lysara’s footsteps retreated, her voice trailing off as she headed back toward the kitchen. "Good. And hurry! You don’t want to be late for the ceremonies."

Drystan’s smirk widened, and he leaned down to whisper against Sadiki’s ear, his voice dripping with dark promise. "You heard her. We can’t be late."

With that, he quickened his pace, his hips snapping forward with a relentless ferocity that left Sadiki gasping for air, his muffled cries barely contained by Drystan’s hand. His own hand shot down to grasp himself, stroking in time with Drystan’s thrusts, the pleasure building unbearably until it finally crashed over him like a wave, his release spilling over his fingers as his body convulsed beneath Drystan’s weight.

Drystan followed soon after, his groans low and guttural as he buried himself deep inside Sadiki, his own climax shuddering through him. For a moment, they stayed like that, their breaths mingling, bodies slick with sweat, the air thick with the scent of sex.

Drystan finally pulled away, moving with practiced ease as he cleaned himself up and adjusted his clothes. He tossed a towel to Sadiki, who lay sprawled on the bed, still trembling from the aftershocks.

"Get dressed," Drystan said, his voice back to its usual cool composure. "And try not to look so... satisfied."

Sadiki shot him a glare, but there was no real anger behind it. He wiped himself down hastily and tugged on his clothes, his movements hurried but precise. By the time they emerged from the room, they looked nothing like what transpired between them.

The dining table was already set when they arrived, the bowls of food neatly arranged and steaming gently in the morning light. Lysara stood by the window, her back to them as she stirred a pot of something fragrant. She turned at the sound of their approach, her smile warm and welcoming.

"There you are," she said, her voice cheerful. "I was starting to think you’d sleep through breakfast."

Drystan chuckled, taking his seat at the table with practiced ease. "Apologies, Lysara. Sadiki is a heavy sleeper."

Sadiki sat down more cautiously, avoiding his mother’s eyes, his attention fixed on the food in front of him as if it required his full concentration.

Lysara tilted her head, studying her son for a moment. "Are you feeling all right?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly. "You look... flushed."

Sadiki froze, his spoon halfway to his mouth. Drystan, ever the picture of composure, interjected before he could respond. "He’s fine," he said, his tone light but firm. "Just a bit tired from waking up. Right, Sadiki?"

Sadiki nodded quickly, forcing a small smile. "Right," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. He kept his eyes on his bowl, his cheeks burning as he stirred the porridge aimlessly.

Lysara shrugged, seemingly satisfied with the explanation, began serving the food. "Well, hurry and eat," she said, her tone brisk but kind. "The ceremonies start soon, and you don’t want to miss the beginning."

Drystan nodded, his expression neutral as he reached for a piece of bread. "Of course," he said, glancing briefly at Sadiki, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

"And I’ve prepared a gift for the royal baby, Drystan. Don’t forget to take it with you when you go to the palace." Lysara added.

Drystan smiled warmly at her. "Of course, Lysara. Thank you for thinking of them." He turned to Sadiki, and observed for a moment before he asked. "You have something for the baby too, don’t you?"

Sadiki nodded without looking up. "I do."

"I’ll let Prince Eirik know it’s from you," Drystan said, his voice gentle.

Sadiki shrugged. "It doesn’t matter." He kept his focus on his food, his appetite suddenly waning.

Drystan studied him for a moment, his gaze softening, but he said nothing further. They finished their meal in relative silence, the clinking of utensils filling the space.

When breakfast was done, Sadiki followed Drystan to the door, his steps slow and deliberate.

Standing in the doorway, Sadiki hugged Drystan tightly, burying his face in his shoulder. Drystan kissed him passionately, before stepping back.

Dressed in his ceremonial guard attire, Drystan mounted his horse with practiced ease. "Take care of yourself," he said, his eyes meeting Sadiki’s one last time before he rode off, the rhythmic clatter of hooves fading into the distance.

Sadiki stood there for a long moment, watching the road until Drystan was out of sight. A deep longing filled his chest, his thoughts drifting back to his days as Prince Eirik’s personal guard. He clenched his fists at his sides, the memories both bittersweet and sharp.

"Do you miss it?" Lysara’s gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Sadiki turned to see his mother standing behind him, her warm smile softening her question.

He sighed, unsure how to answer. "I... I don’t," he said, his voice quiet.

Lysara’s brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t press further. "You should stop dwelling on the past," she said softly. "Focus on what you have now, on Drystan, who loves you. He’s given us a place to stay, a life to rebuild."

"I’m not dwelling," Sadiki insisted, though the heaviness in his chest betrayed his words.

Lysara gave him a knowing look, her expression a mix of concern and motherly affection. "If you say so," she said lightly, before turning toward the kitchen. "Come help me with the dishes."

Sadiki groaned, dragging his feet as he followed her back inside.