Rara slowly pushed herself off the soft, inviting bed, feeling the faint creak of the mattress beneath her. She stretched her arms above her head, arching her back in a long, languid motion.
The muscles in her body protested at the sudden movement, but she welcomed the stretch, letting out a soft sigh of relief as the tension slowly eased away.
She gave a quick bow of her head to the stillness of the room, a silent acknowledgment to Prince Xavier for his generosity, before turning toward the door. Her bare feet whispered across the cool wooden floor as she made her way toward the exit.
The doorknob felt cool beneath her fingers as she gripped it, twisting and pulling it open with a soft creak that echoed faintly in the otherwise quiet hallway.
Stepping out into the corridor, the faint sound of her footsteps echoed off the stone walls. The space was quiet, dimly lit by the soft glow of lanterns hanging at intervals along the corridor.
She hesitated, the silence pressing in around her, but then continued down the hallway, her mind focused on the stairs ahead.
As she approached the staircase, her hand brushed against the smooth wooden railing. With a deep breath, she lifted her foot to take the first step down, her body leaning slightly forward in preparation.
Just as the tip of her shoe hovered above the first step, a cold voice sliced through the air, halting her mid-motion.
"Where do you think you're going?"
The words were sharp, unsettling. Startled, Rara spun around, her heart skipping a beat as she realized her foot had never touched the ground.
In that split second, a wave of panic surged through her, and she felt herself begin to tip backward, headed straight for the stairs.
Her breath caught in her throat, her pulse pounding in her ears as she braced for the inevitable crash, the sharp pain of the fall... but it never came.
Instead, a firm arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her. She blinked in surprise, her body still suspended in mid-air. Confusion flooded her, followed by a flicker of relief, but before she could gather her thoughts, a voice broke the moment.
"How much longer do you want me to hold you?" His voice, low and rough, vibrated against her ear, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine.
The warmth of his breath lingered on her skin, making her breath catch in her throat. She could feel the strength of his arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her suspended in midair, as if she were the most delicate thing in the world.
A familiar fragrance enveloped her senses, a scent that seemed both distant and close, but she couldn't quite place where she had smelled it before.
Her mind raced, trying to latch onto the memory, but it slipped away like smoke. She shook her head, attempting to clear the fog and focus on his words instead.
But her body remained suspended in mid-air, held effortlessly by the strong arm wrapped around her waist, leaving her feeling disoriented, almost weightless.
Heat flooded her face, her cheeks burning as the reality of their closeness hit her. His chest was mere inches from hers, and she could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing against her.
Her hands, as if of their own accord, had gripped his shirt—fingers pressing into the soft fabric, pulling it tighter as though trying to steady herself. She could feel the texture of the material, crumpled and warm beneath her fingers, the sensation making her skin tingle in embarrassment.
His shirt, still creased from its recent wear, now bore the marks of her grip. Rara's fingers tightened around his shirt, her body instinctively drawing closer as if trying to steady herself in more ways than one.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and she was suddenly hyperaware of every inch of their proximity. She had no idea why, but being this close to him made her feel vulnerable, exposed.
"It seems you really like my shirt," Prince Xavier remarked, his lips curling into a smirk, clearly entertained by the flustered expression on her face.
Rara's cheeks flushed even deeper, her heart thumping in her chest. She quickly pulled away, steadying herself, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to regain her composure.
"I... I didn't—" Her words stumbled out in a jumble, the intensity of the moment leaving her mind in a haze, her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind.
Prince Xavier's grin deepened, his gaze flickering with mischief. "Where were you headed just now?"
Rara clenched her fists, willing herself to focus despite the flustered heat creeping up her neck. "I... I was going back to my... my room..."
Her voice wavered, and she lowered her gaze, her feet shuffling slightly as she attempted to sidestep him. But before she could take even a single step, she felt the ground vanish beneath her.
"Ah!" A startled cry escaped her lips as her body was lifted effortlessly into the air. Her arms instinctively flew up, wrapping tightly around his neck as her heart leaped into her throat. "What are you doing? Put me down!"
Her voice carried a mixture of panic and indignation, but her grip on him betrayed her fear of falling. The warmth of his body against hers only heightened her awareness of their proximity, making her cheeks burn even hotter.
As she steadied herself in his arms, Rara couldn't help but feel a mix of embarrassment and something else—something she couldn't quite name. She hadn't expected to be so close to him, and the warmth of his body made her feel uncomfortably aware of the space between them.
"From now on, you'll live with me," he said, his tone firm, leaving no room for argument.
Rara's ears burned as they moved through the corridors, the occasional servant stopping to bow or glance curiously in their direction. Her embarrassment surged with every step, her face practically glowing with mortification.
She felt like a child caught in some outrageous spectacle, not a grown woman being carried in the arms of Prince Xavier.
Her body stiffened with self-consciousness, but his hold remained steady, unyielding, as if daring her to protest.
When they finally stopped in front of an ornate door, Rara seized her chance. She squirmed in his grasp, her hands pushing against his chest. The moment her feet touched the ground, she stumbled back, putting a safe distance between them.
Her eyes flickered between him and the closed door, suspicion and wariness clear in her stance.
"Why are you standing so far away? It's not like I'm going to eat you," Prince Xavier teased, one brow arching in faint amusement.
Rara pressed her lips together, her gaze darting between him and the imposing door. Her anxiety flared, and she spoke in a hurried rush. "You said I'm going to live with you... but what about Prince Ariel? I haven't told him yet. What if—"
Her words tumbled out in a frantic ramble, oblivious to the shift in Xavier's expression. The glint in his eyes grew darker, sharper, his patience wearing thin with each passing second.
Before she could finish, he stepped forward, his hand wrapping firmly around her wrist. The suddenness of the gesture silenced her, and her breath hitched as he swung the door open with a single, fluid motion. His actions carried a quiet, restrained intensity that left no room for protest.
Still in a daze, Rara stepped into the room, her eyes widening as they swept over her surroundings. Excitement sparked within her as she moved instinctively, exploring every corner with a mix of wonder and curiosity.
Her fingers traced the smooth surfaces of the furniture, the soft folds of the curtains, and the intricate carvings on the bedposts. Everything seemed tailored to her tastes—elegant yet comforting, luxurious without being overwhelming.
She opened doors and drawers, peeked into the wardrobe, and even ran her hand along the plush bedding, a soft giggle escaping her lips. The attention to detail captivated her, and for a moment, it felt as if she had stepped into a dream crafted just for her.
Time slipped away unnoticed as she moved from one discovery to the next, her joy lighting up the room. When she finally turned back, her eyes met Prince Xavier's. He lounged on the sofa, watching her with quiet amusement, a glass of wine in his hand and a faint smile playing on his lips.
After satisfying her curiosity, Rara sank onto the couch in front of him.
Rara's gaze lingered on the wine glass sitting between them, the rich red liquid gleaming under the soft light. A quiet thirst settled in her throat, and she shifted in her seat, inching slightly closer.
Her lips parted as if to speak, but the words faltered, swallowed by a mixture of hesitance and pride. Finally, her voice broke the silence, barely above a whisper. "Can I... have a sip?"
Prince Xavier didn't respond immediately. Instead, he swirled the glass in his hand, his eyes still on the magazine. The silence stretched, punctuated only by the soft rustle of pages.
Her patience wavered, the tension coiling tighter in her chest. "Please," she added, louder this time, her voice carrying a hint of frustration.
When he finally glanced at her, it was with a teasing slowness, his smirk barely concealed. He raised the glass to his lips, taking a deliberate sip, his gaze meeting hers over the rim.
When Rara noticed that the only glass in sight was the one Prince Xavier had set down, her mood soured even further.
It felt as though he was silently telling her,None for you.
Her hands fisted at her sides, then relaxed, her eyes never leaving the half-full glass. The thirst gnawed at her, growing more urgent with each passing moment. She leaned forward slightly, hoping to catch his attention, but Prince Xavier remained absorbed in his magazine.
"Your Excellency," she finally said, her voice tinged with impatience. "Could you please just pass it to me?"
He glanced up lazily, the corners of his lips curling. "What's the rush? It's just wine."
She sighed, exasperated. "You don't understand. I'm dying of thirst here."
Prince Xavier smirked but made no move to hand it over. "I think you're exaggerating a bit."
Her patience was quickly running out. She shifted closer, unable to stop her body from silently pleading for him to notice her. "Please," she said, her voice softer, more pleading. "Just one sip?"
He didn't respond, absorbed in his magazine.
"Your Excellency..." Her voice wavered, a mixture of longing and frustration.
She leaned in even more, her eyes fixed on the glass, trying to make him understand. But still, he didn't react.
"Are you going to stare at it all night?" he teased, his voice light, amused by her obvious discomfort.
Her hand hovered over the glass, and with a deep breath, she reached for it.
Out of the corner of his eye, Prince Xavier saw her movement and couldn't suppress a grin. "So desperate, huh?" he murmured under his breath.
Just as her fingers were about to wrap around the glass, he snatched it away, downing the wine in one quick motion, then giving her a teasing look.
Rara's frustration boiled over. "You—" she started, her voice sharp, but her words quickly gave way to action. Without thinking, she lunged forward, grabbing the glass from his hand—only to find it empty.
She blinked, stunned. "You drank it all?"
Seeing his cheeks puffed with wine, Rara couldn't help herself. Acting on impulse, she reached out, grabbing his head and pulling him down toward her. Her lips brushed his in a sudden, heated moment, the shock of it sending a jolt through her.
For a brief second, Prince Xavier froze, his eyes widening in shock, his entire body still. Rara's heart hammered in her chest as she leaned back, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.
"Did you really just—?" His voice came out in a low rasp, his words trailing off in disbelief.