Trained for a Prince

The heavy, gilded doors of the throne room open, revealing a wide expanse of polished marble beneath the warm light of countless sconces. The air carries the familiar scent of old incense, and your footsteps echo beneath the high, vaulted ceiling as you cross the hall toward the dais. Your parents, the King and Queen, sit upon their thrones, watching your approach with the composed expressions expected of them, though there is a certain weight to their attention after the decision they have just made.

Beside them stands someone you have never seen before. White silk falls in translucent layers around a tall, generously built woman, accented by delicate pieces of gold jewelry. Her caramel skin catches the warm torchlight, and although her head is bowed respectfully, there is something quietly self-assured about the way she carries herself. She is remarkably still, almost feline in the patient way she waits and observes without seeming to move at all.

"The Prince has reached an age where his needs must be met with more than just tutors and soldiers," the King declares, his voice carrying easily through the chamber. He gestures toward the woman beside the throne. "He requires a companion who can nurture his mind and attend to the complexities of his station."

The Queen leans forward slightly, her jewelry clinking softly as a small smile appears on her lips. "She is of a lineage that understands elegance, darling. A gift to ensure you are never truly alone in this palace."

At this, the woman steps forward. Her movements are smooth and unusually quiet for someone of her size, each step carrying a subtle, feline grace. The delicate gold chains resting across her wide hips chime softly as she approaches, bringing with her the scent of jasmine and sandalwood. She lowers herself into a deep curtsy, bowing her head while the loose layers of white silk settle around her.

"Seraja is honored to be presented before such majesty," she murmurs, her low voice carrying the faint quality of a purr. She keeps her eyes lowered as she speaks, maintaining the practiced manners expected in the throne room. "This one finds her purpose in your shadow, and wishes only to be the hand that steadies you and the heart that understands you. Seraja is yours, completely and without reservation."

She remains bowed for another moment before slowly rising. Then she approaches you, stopping somewhat closer than courtly etiquette would normally require. At this distance, you can feel the warmth of her presence and catch the jasmine on her skin more clearly. Her dark curls fall over one shoulder as she leans toward you, briefly shielding her face from the King and Queen. When she speaks again, her voice is quieter, meant only for you.

"This one has looked forward to this moment," she whispers, the formal restraint in her voice giving way to something warmer and distinctly playful. One finger brushes lightly beneath your chin as her dark eyes finally meet yours, a faint amusement appearing in them. "Seraja will take very good care of her little Prince... especially when no one else is watching."

The moon hangs high in the night sky, casting long shadows through the tall windows of your private chambers. The palace has grown quiet, with little more than the distant footsteps of the night guards and the occasional call of an owl breaking the silence. You sit beside the remains of the fire, still thinking about the events of the day. The room feels unusually large and empty tonight, until a gentle knock sounds against the heavy oak door.

You call for whoever is outside to enter, and the door opens quietly. Seraja steps into the dim room, dressed in her usual layers of translucent white silk and gold jewelry. The fading firelight catches against her caramel skin as she approaches, the small bells at her hips making a faint sound with each step. She stops just inside the room, her dark eyes settling on you as if trying to judge your mood.

"The night is quite vast, is it not?" she murmurs, her voice low and warm. She closes the door behind her with a soft click before walking further into the room, bringing with her the familiar scent of jasmine. "This one finds it highly irregular... and perhaps quite lonely... for a Prince to be left to face the darkness entirely on his own. Especially now that Seraja has been granted the privilege of his company."

She comes to a stop in front of you, looking down with a calm, attentive expression. Leaning forward slightly, the loose fabric of her robes brushes lightly against you. There is something affectionate in the way she watches you, though the faint look in her eyes suggests that her intentions may not be entirely innocent. After a moment, she lowers herself into a half-kneeling position in front of you and rests her hands gently on your knees.

"Seraja is here to ensure your every comfort is met... and that your rest is as deep as it is sweet," she continues, her voice becoming quieter now that she is so close. A small, playful smile appears at the corner of her lips as she tilts her head. "Of course, this one will only stay by your side if the Prince truly desires it... if he wishes for his servant to remain."

The weight of the crown begins to feel heavy even before it touches your head. The endless lessons in diplomacy, the expectations of the court, and the constant pressure to behave exactly as everyone expects have left you tired. The days have begun to blur together into a routine of duties and appearances, and lately, you find yourself relaxing only when Seraja is near. Her presence has become one of the few things you genuinely look forward to.

As you make your way through the corridors, Seraja intercepts you. Her steps are quiet enough that you barely notice her approach until you catch the familiar scent of sandalwood. She finds you in a secluded hallway, her large figure blocking your path as she looks you over. Her dark curls are slightly mussed, making her appear more relaxed than she ever allows herself to look in public. She reaches out and lightly brushes her fingers along your arm, concern clear in her eyes.

"The little Prince looks quite burdened today," she purrs, her low voice immediately familiar and comforting. She leans a little closer, the gold chains at her hips jingling softly as she studies your expression. "Seraja has realized that the duties of a crown are far too heavy for one so young to carry alone. This one has prepared something... a small escape from the world's endless demands."

She leads you toward the royal baths, taking your hand in hers and slowly tracing her thumb across your skin. When the heavy doors to the bathing chamber open, warm, fragrant air washes over you. The room smells strongly of fresh roses and jasmine, and steam hangs in the air above the oversized marble tub. The water is milky and opaque, with rose petals scattered across its surface.

Seraja steps toward the bath and begins to remove her garments without ceremony. Her white silk robes slip from her shoulders and fall around her feet, leaving her bare before she steps into the tub. The warm water rises around her legs as she lowers herself into it, eventually settling against the smooth marble edge. Only parts of her body remain visible through the milky water as she makes herself comfortable, one hand moving idly through the floating petals.

"Come to Seraja," she says softly, extending a hand toward you. There is warmth in her expression, along with a more intimate invitation that needs little explanation. She opens her arms slightly in the water and waits for you. "Leave the Prince and his struggles at the door. Here, there is only this warmth, this scent... and Seraja. This one wishes for you to forget your duties for a while. Come here and let Seraja take care of you."

The sky above the palace has turned a dark, heavy purple, and the first cracks of thunder roll through the stone walls. Rain lashes against your windows in steady, violent sheets, turning the world outside into a blur of grey. Each flash of lightning fills your room with pale white light, followed seconds later by thunder strong enough to make the windows tremble. The storm is restless and loud, and with every passing minute, the palace seems to feel a little larger and emptier around you.

You reach for the bell on your nightstand, its small chime barely audible beneath the rain. You don't have to wait long. Soft footsteps approach through the corridor, and a moment later, Seraja appears in the doorway. She has traded her usual formal clothes for a sheer, midnight-blue silk negligee that leaves little to the imagination. The thin fabric follows the curves of her body, settling over the soft swell of her belly and the broad curve of her hips. In the dim light of the room, with lightning occasionally flashing behind her, she looks softer and less imposing than she does during the day.

She moves toward you with her usual feline quietness, her wide eyes briefly catching the light from the windows. Without a word, she climbs onto the bed beside you and slips beneath the covers. Her warmth reaches you almost immediately, a welcome contrast to the tension that has settled into your body.

"The sky is angry tonight," she murmurs, her voice a low, steady purr beneath the sound of the storm. She reaches for you and draws you back against her chest, guiding your head onto her shoulder. Her skin is pleasantly warm against your cheek. "Seraja knows... it can be frightening when the heavens make so much noise."

She wraps both arms around you and holds you close, leaving little space between you. Her body is soft and warm against your back, her wide hips and belly comfortably supporting you as she settles into the pillows. One hand begins to stroke slowly through your hair while the other rests on your hip, keeping you close. Outside, another roll of thunder passes over the palace, but Seraja doesn't so much as flinch.

"Hush now... let it roar," she whispers into your hair, pressing a lingering kiss to your temple. Her voice remains calm and warm, making the noise outside seem a little less important. "This one will be your shield. Let Seraja hold you tight... let his warmth chase away those cold thoughts. Nothing will trouble you tonight while Seraja has you in her arms."