Chapter 206: Chapter 206
— Women are meant to be taught by their husbands. That’s the honour the spouse owns. —
The scripts were clear.
The tanglings of a couple’s flesh were to be taught by the male. So far as possible, that was to be the case with noble women whose value multiplied by their purity in the eyes of the feeble men chasing them.
Zeleskiaz knew that her innocence did not mean ignorance. The Lady he was after, was a mysterious woman that flaunted a clever mind with humble grace. Nonetheless...
’How come she knows?’
"..." — His hand commenced to crack its knuckles, slightly displeased.
’What is the extent of her knowledge?’
"... experience..... does she... have it?"
A dry swallow scorched his throat. Like acid, the thought burnt his insides, enraged that some other could have touched her as he wished.
However, as much as it unsettled him, his jealousy helped him in the reminiscence of their unfinished mesh.
The timid shake along the unaccustomed reciprocation to his caresses was ample proof or simple reassurance that in some measure... The woman had yet to taste the pleasure his hands could give her.
"I’m inclined to believe in her words... Not enjoying others’ touch... She ought to do so." — Mumbling, he declared to himself.
There was no way for him to know that no other man had been permitted what he has. Much less the fact he was the first one to teach her the feel of a man’s passion this closely.
Zeleskiaz’s turmoil appeased itself with wishful thoughts and fantasised about the idea of truly being the only one that... besides the blue-haired man he disguised as... in her memories, those craved in mind and body, only him was to remain.
— Only I shall stay in your memories. —
’I unquestionably told her this before...’
The doubt and curiosity were to be kept concealed inside him.
Walking his way to the near mattress that would comfort his dreams, the absorbed Crown Prince sat on the edge to feel its luxurious sheets.
’... Her gown was softer...She was... Softer.’
Recalling how her cloth and her soft flesh under it moulded to his fingers once he lifted her, he smiled.
’Ironically... Only she remains in my recollections...’
As he was, Zeleskiaz laid on his bed fully dressed unlike what he was accustomed to.
Dazed by the return of his elation, he thought of tomorrow, and reluctant to let the remains of her scent be lost without proper appreciation, the man slept in the stuffy clothing that the last night of a heated spring demanded to be changed.
’If her scent surrounds me... One delightful dream could visit my night again.’ — He thought, naughty hopeful.
The Crown Prince found true rest that night.
His dreams were ones where her silky hair covered him in its lovely fragrance and as if the real her was concurring his slumber, the song of her hushed voice woke him.
As his eyes opened, the blank of a forgotten dream happened, only letting to remain a short glance of its film in his head.
The picture of a recollection lifted his corners in the drowsy state.
"... Reddish brown waterfalls....." — He mumbled before breathing in the empty of her scent ambience.
Anticipation was all he could feel.
Leisurely yet meticulously, he got up and prepared for the promised encounter for that morning.
Cold water to calm his hurry. A certain suit he thought would be proper to meet her. And his hair, combed by his fingers endlessly, fighting the unknown restlessness this lovely anticipation also brought.
Making sure his appearance was as recalled. He smirked.
’A promise can also be this delightful...’
He started as he learned, comparing this one with the difficult compromises before made.
Afresh, he closed the door of his chambers which appeared to be foreign on this day. The indiscriminate invasion of the rising sunlight, pouring itself through the open curtains, reached every corner of the usually sombre quarter.
Zeleskiaz’s mood... The Lady’s influence... Propiciated another change in his glum life.
*******
It was yet to be the right time for the first meal.
Nonetheless, time wouldn’t be wasted if in her presence.
The knock on her door his hand caused seemed to be heard in a faraway land.
The Crown Prince’s perceptions suddenly became lengthy and unbearingly slow, oblivious to his fast racing heartbeat.
Nervousness in a shape he ignored was invading him. Only finding release once the door opened.
’... Paige???’ — The girl inwardly asked as she shyly peeked outside, concerned that no voice was heard at the call on her door.
"!??!!!!" — ’Not Paige!!’
Bang!
Jumping in surprise at the least expected person to meet as soon her eyes opened, she closed the door in a reflexive reaction.
Bewildered, she placed her hands on the firm entrance as if guarding it while her thoughts made sense of what happened.
’What’s he doing here??! It’s too early! I haven’t even washed my face yet!’
She was aware of their promise yet greatly confused at the short time she had to wake from her sleep.
’... Wait. I just closed the door in his face, didn’t I?... To the Male Lead who has fun in war??..... Oh, d*mn... He might smile for a different reason today...’ — The innocent girl dramatized. Aware of her rude action yet sure in the corner of her spirit that no harm would truly come to her.
Meanwhile, the man outside... that one she was losing the fear of...
’... It’s indeed too early...’
Covering his mouth with a seemingly severe expression, Zeleskiaz restrained his grin from being seen by the horrified men guarding her quarters.
’She closed the door on the Crown Prince’s Face!!!’ — The men inwardly screeched, as scared glances were exchanged between them.
The short glance he saw was similar to yesterday’s, only that her gleam seemed stronger as the drowsy appearance of the Fair Lady illustrated her natural beauty once welcoming the daylight.
... Creak...
The sound of her gate dimly reached him after a few moments of silence.
Through the tiny gap, the thin white limb of hers came out, holding a piece of her so known letters.
"..." — He smirked at it, silently planning.
Lifting his hand to retrieve the message, Zeleskiaz purposely took it caressing the inside of her fingers causing a lovely flinch in them, followed by another bang of her door.
’B*stard!’ — Flustered, she cursed at the mischievous action of the man.
’Ninth!! Please!!! For our sake!!’ — The terrified men exclaimed at the scary repetition.
Aloof to everyone’s thoughts, The Crown Prince turned the sheet to read its contents, hiding skillfully his entertainment.
[ Give me a few minutes, Your Highness. ]
"... More waiting... Unthoughtful Lady." — Jokingly he mumbled.
Nonetheless...
’... We’re dead...’ — The men mistakenly thought.
The woman went to polish herself in front of the mirror sighing, inwardly upset at how busy she suddenly became.
Not much could be done on her own as it was her servant who would bring all the necessary items to cleanse herself.
Making sure her hair wouldn’t look as messy and her visage would not appear in the least unsightly, she stared blankly at the mirror for a moment.
’... I can’t even dress by myself... There are so many things I did wrong that one time I dressed on my own, that Paige almost fainted... Dressing up is difficult here since many layers have to be used... I’m my times’ clothes were simple... Sigh, I miss my jeans...’
"..."
’I know he’s waiting but who cares... He’s at fault since it’s too early. Even Paige hasn’t arrived but he’s already here... She must be on her way, though.’
"..."
’... Heh. Should we make him wait? That thing he did on our hand was certainly on purpose.’
Although resentful, she felt entertained. It was unexpected, nevertheless, befitting of Him in a way.
His wait indeed took longer.
The maid arrived shortly after.
Stunned at the Prince’s immovable stance at her ladyship’s doors, the woman greeted the Royal and entered the bedroom in a bewildering rush.
"My Lady!" — Whispering a scream, she ran to the carefree Lady that was leisurely going through her wardrobe. — "The Crown Prince!! His Highness is outside!!"
’Heh. I know, darling.’ — Smug on the inside, no expression was shown as she nodded on the outside. — ’Don’t worry~ Five minutes is nothing–’
"We ought to hurry!! Excuse me, my Lady!!!"
"!!!"
Like a bull, the determined maid attacked her Master.
’Gwaaah! My gown! Kyaa~ Wait! Paige!! I’m shy~!!!!’
In a flash, the maid undressed the woman and ordered her as an Almirante would.
"Cleanse yourself while I arrange your outfit! No time to lose, My Lady!!"
’Dude, I’m naked! How the hell did she do that?!?! She’s a pro!’
"Do not stumble, My Lady! I’m keeping an eye on you!"
’What the???... Woah... Suddenly I heard my mother’s voice...’ — Confused, she blinked as she obeyed. — ’... Wasn’t I supposed to be treated like a Royal??... Why do I feel so little right now????’
Washing her face on the bucket brought by the maid, she questioned her life.
Her slow body rushed as much as it could, however, another attack came from her close servant.
"Too slow, My Lady! Your dress is ready! Let me help you!"
The glint in the young maid’s eyes scared the two souls residing in the Lady. And as if a tornado had engulfed her, our cared child was drastically overpowered by the eagerness of her friend who wished for her Lady to impress the polished man waiting outside.
’I know what a compromised man looks like! You ought to show your graceful stance, my Lady!!’