Chapter 268: Chapter 268
Excitement was easily planted within me. The uncertainty in an innocent challenge was a nice impulse for a playful woman like myself.
Having serious goals can make one feel pressured to achieve things and develop unnecessary stress. Which I believe could be our case without our knowledge. After all, the subconscious is a very powerful feature of the human body. Powerful and troublesome.
’If I have an innocent motive to get better... one silly like my personality... I could feel less pressured and still work hard since I’m an aspiring detective. Fufufu~’
With this in mind, I grasped my post-it notes to write another response.
[ That appears to be fair. As I also keep secrets from the Prince, and I am also to tell them when my voice is gained. I will grant His Highness this selfishness. ]
I felt malicious. But strangely pleasant since his new demeanour kind of allowed this brazen attitude I decided to take. Having a loosened mood was the best. And he had succeeded in changing my spirits to feel comfortable once again in his company. Moreover, he had told us he would entertain us in this journey, and with this crafty way he was trying to get our attention... he was honouring his words again.
"Selfish? That... haha... My Lady, how am I selfish?"
’Don’t feign innocence, kinky. I know you’re a sly one.’ — Sneering at him for also being shameless when asking this, I intentionally moved my eyes with glamorous suspense. Wanting to mess with him a little bit.
[ The Prince is making it so I have no choice but to accept. That is a selfish action on his side. ]
"Am I?... Nonetheless... that is not selfish in my eyes."
’You’re right. It’s just shameless–’
"A truly selfish thing would be... to do as I wish right now." — Pushing my hand down that was preparing to write a retort, he leaned closer. Making me lean back to keep a distance he shouldn’t... and haven’t crossed in these last few days.
’....what...’ — And as I moved away... my eyes couldn’t help but imitate his.
The lilac shade had stopped staring into our grey ones and had gone lower. To watch our immutable lips... And we did the same... Finding the thin ones he had in that handsome face that lacked the stillness ours had. Which lifted viciously in a sexy smirk that only let a tasteful hint of his teeth to be seen in between the flesh.
Witnessing their move, I had thought words would come out. Hence, I made my gaze go back to stare into his to listen...
"... Does the Lady know what I wish?"
"....." — Holding his stare, I gulped at the implied seduction.
Troublesome.
Once again, the comfort would flee our ambience as he has made it our usual... So troublesome, so weird... because even then... even when troubled, I felt at ease if it happened with him.
’Shameless Prince...’
I could sense with his gestures what he meant.
The way his eyes kept peeking at my lips with mischievous gaze... I’m not dumb or maiden enough to not understand what the wish he implied was.
He is seductive... and I...
’I– I won’t... give in this time...’ — Still troubled but determined, I turned my head away from his that wanted to indulge in the wish he conveyed.
I’ve been too lenient. And... some limit... I have to draw some limits until the original story starts... Only until then and–
"I will not do it." — His sensual whisper in my ear threw a shiver through my every fibre. Causing my fingers to clench the post-it notes from the thrilling anxiety his provocation invoked with such manly sound.
"Yet this distance... may I keep it?"
’... No...’
The blush I felt on my cheeks felt so annoying. As if contradicting the denial with my head, our body was selfishly giving hints that we liked his attempts. It’s obvious... we cannot lie very well in these circumstances.
"... Is the distance un–!?"
The big jump of the carriage made us lose balance.
It surprised me enough to inwardly scream and close my lids out of reflex since I felt my body float and fall back roughly in a split moment. And it was immediately after that we heard a voice while bewildered.
"Lady Marianne. Crown Prince. Are thou alright?" — Along the knock of our carriage’s door one of the guards’ muffled voices came through to our side. Yet it was that one I heard so discernable and close that made me open our eyes completely.
"We are fine..."
His eyes were also shocked as they stared intently at mine. Perhaps bewildered because of the sudden change of position we had come to achieve. As if against a wall... but holding me by the waist. Supporting me while wrapping his arm around it...
"... Did... Did you... Is the Lady unharmed?"
I faltered a little before nodding. Because the nervousness hiding in his eyes was infected in a blink to us through his husky voice. And we felt enormously conscious of what I had been fighting not to find so much delight in through this trip.
His manly touch and force... the nice scent he had. So subtle yet enticing... It felt more vivid now that a bit of his hair grazed the fringe of my temple.
The squeeze it sent was maddening. What’s more... the following pull he gave to our back to help us straighten made it more provocative.
"We missed a stone. Excuse the disturbance, your Highness."
"... it’s fine..." — Holding us... he whispered looking into our eyes. Answering so softly that the man outside probably didn’t hear it.
But I did...
And my hands complied with the tension his closeness deserved. Because the one that had landed on the back of the seat barely got to touch the white and smooth leather after he grasped us. As the other hesitated... since the warmth of his body trespassed the loose sleeve of silk that made a poor job of hiding his toughness.
I held my breath. Wishing for my determination to not falter if an attempt of a kiss was made by him... Yet also wishing for him to try...
It’s conflicting. That I want his temptation in such a contradictory manner... But I like it. The tug-of-war we currently have is fascinating in itself.
"I said I wouldn’t..." — The Prince then told me after glancing at him bashfully. Maybe giving away my thoughts with such honest eyes I had.
Leaning, his voice felt like a caress itself. And he then crowned it with the graze of his nose’s peak against mine, to confirm his previous resolution with unfair honesty.
"And I will not... Yet know that I am aching to do so, my Lady."