From the very beginning, Adelyn had no experience in this kind of scenario. The only thing that she knew about bed activities between lovers and husband and wives were the ones she had read in a book that one of her younger maids had slipped past from the royal head maid.
One time, Adelyn was inside the library when she saw the young maid reaching out towards one of the bookshelves, but at the sight of her, the maid sprinted out of the library without looking back. Adelyn had, af first, wanted to call the maid back to let her read the book she wanted to read, but she was already gone – leaving a book that was half pulled from the tight collection of books.
That's when Adelyn found that besides from history books that told everyone about the records of the world, the economy books stating how important managing resources for a flourishing kingdom, and mathematics' importance in one's daily life, a book that showed a far more vibrant and imaginable story also existed.
Honestly, it was just a diary of a widowed woman. But the words she wrote in her entry were enough to make Adelyn, a young and budding flower, blush and avoid making eye-contact with a man.
Ironically, that same Adelyn was now face to face with a naked man. A beautiful naked man.
"Oh, gods, forgive me."
"What does the gods have anything to do with you helping me remove my trousers?"
Adelyn's eyes shot up to meet his glimmering golden eyes. She could tell he was having fun at her own expense after she blurted out her thoughts.
All of a sudden, Adelyn had the desire to run from there. But as though he could see through her thoughts, the man pulled the hand she was holding by his waist, and grabbed her wrist. His palms almost seared her with just a touch.
She couldn't help but wonder what would happen if those hands that belonged to him had thoroughly touched her. Could she survive the night?
Perhaps, she will. But she might not be able to forget his touch for the rest of her life.
Probably because she will soon become a bride of a person whom she had never met and an enemy who had brought ruin to her people and kingdom, Adelyn was swept by her own desire to be in control of her life for the last time.
"Nothing."
The gods had long forsaken her. What she does from this moment on has absolutely nothing to do with them.
His golden eyes narrowed at her. His gaze seemed to be able to pierce through all the secrets she held inside her.
"If you have any second thoughts on what we're about to do, say it now..." He leisurely stepped forward, taking the space that was in between the two of them. His thumb rubbed circles on the skin on her wrist, making her heart skip a beat before he added, "Because later, there won't be anything stopping me from ravishing you."
Blood rushed up to her face. Adelyn could tell that at this moment, she looked like a ripe red apple. She was curious whether men usually spoke to their bed partners like this.
Adelyn straightened her back. Fighting back her embarrassment was a difficult thing to do, but she had to set their relationship straight. "It seems that you have misunderstood your position…"
"My position?"
His lips stretched into a twisted smile, and he looked wicked in a sinful manner, in a way where bells rang inside her head telling her to run away from him.
Adelyn swallowed hard. "Yes." Miraculously, she kept herself calm on the surface, but the loud thudding of her heart mocked her disguise.
"And what should be my position in your opinion, milady?"
Scowling at him for not understanding her meaning, Adelyn cleared her throat before telling him, "A male escort. I paid a lot for you to accompany me tonight. So, you just need to fulfill what is being asked of you and not make any presumptuous comments."
"....."
He was speechless for a second. It was certainly his first time to be mistaken as a male escort. And though the lady had called it nicely by using the word 'escort'. The truth is, they're just prostitutes. And right now, she was also telling him what he should and shouldn't do.
Was it his unlucky day?
Perhaps, not. Because when would one come across such an bizarre and ridiculous situation as this one he was experiencing?
"Very well…" He finally spoke after a few seconds of silence. But the four words that came out of his mouth forced her to blush…Again.
"Take your clothes off… Please."
Though his words sounded as though he was finally admitting to his own position in their current relationship, his voice had no trace of pleading or requesting. Instead, in Adelyn's ears, it almost sounded like a command.
She frowned, but her irritation would only make him feel intrigued to tease her again.
Adelyn tugged her hand that he had been holding this whole time. He released her without resistance and took a step back as if he was going to watch a good performance on a stage. The main performer was none other than her.
From the start, she knew what she was going to do tonight. And the man had appeared in a timely manner. But she underestimated his capabilities.
In just a single sentence, he reversed their position in a sneaky way. Even Adelyn was unconscious to it as her hands reached upward to untie the knots that had kept her dress together.
But just as she had made an action on pulling it, the man stopped her.
"Let me do it."
He told her in a gentle whisper. His dark hair fell down to the front of his forehead, shading a part of his golden-brown skin.
Before she could evade his hand, the knots were already untied by him. The gown she was wearing flowed down, exposing her shoulders to the cold air.