.
His head left her neck side and his eyes locked on her lips, Orchid could feel the heat from his body. His lips moved closer to hers, brushing slightly against hers
It was as if a feather was slowly caressing her lips, she was surrounded by his warm, seductive breath
She began to panic
"Y-you said you wanted my blood, this..."
"This is...the introduction" they spoke against each other's lips and could feel the heat radiating from their mouth
But before anything could happen, the door to the library burst open. They both turned around, one's expression holding shock and the other had a scowl at the disruption
"Princess..."
"Your Highness-" the guard bowed deeply and so did Ava, stumbling upon the intimate scene the moment they had barged in
They really should have knocked first
Orchid tried to get away from him but Ciaran didn't budge, trapping her in between his arms. Her face flushed in embarrassment as Ava had seen them so close
"What is it?" Ciaran asked with a glare forwarded to the guard who flinched under his gaze. He had arrived at the wrong time
"Y-your H-highness. His Majesty and the crown prince are gathered in the court room, as well as the ministers, your presence is highly needed" the guard said in a rushed tone
"Hmm" he hummed at the guard and turned to face Orchid who fidgeted where she stood. He could actually see the hint of red on her face. He touched her cheek "We'll have plenty of time to continue when I get back"
He smiled and stepped backward before leaving with the guard
Orchid breathed out and placed her hand on her chest. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath the moment he had touched her cheek
"Princess..." Ava rushed over to Orchid "A-are you okay, princess?"
"Oh... I-I'm alright" Orchid answered, trying to hide her flushed face
"I guess I walked in at the wrong time?" Ava said cheekily
"Y-you didn't. Let's leave"
.
In the courtroom, the court members held the same worried expression as that of the king. There was distress in the air
"Your Majesty, we need to take action now, necessary precaution before this situation exceeds" Minister Rai said, looking worried
"What happened, Rai?" Ciaran asked, going to sit by the king
"Your Highness, this 'protest' as you had called it has gotten extreme. They are people right outside the palace gates with spears and weapons. They are attacking, Your Highness"
"I thought you had it under control. What happened then?" Ciaran's question was directed to Rudolf, who seemed as surprise as they all were
"Your Majesty, I tried my best to-"
"Tried? I suggested helping but you claimed you could handle it, now this happens"
"Are you pointing something here?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Stop it, you two!" King Mathias snapped, deep lines forming on his forehead "This isn't the time to create an argument, we need to figure this out"
"I'm not sure the available guards can handle such aggression from the people, Your Majesty" stated Minister Roo
"Send in reinforcements. Do well to hold them back"
"Yes, Your Majesty"
"Dismissed!"
After the agreement and order from the King, they all proceeded to leaving the courtroom
"I never thought you'd go this far, brother. For this...chair" Ciaran said, stopping Rudolf in his tracks
"What are you talking about?" Rudolf asked in confusion, not getting an inkling to what he was saying
"Oh...what else might I be talking about. We all want to know why all those people are creating a ruckus outside. Mind telling us what you did?"
"How would I know that? I-I...I didn't do anything"
"You didn't? That's not what he said" Rudolf raised his brow in question as to who he was talking about
"What is going on, Ciaran?" King Mathias asked, also in a confused state as the ministers "We have enough matters on ground, don't start"
"I just wanted to give everyone a little show before we deal with what's going on. If you'd let me, Your Majesty. This might also help with this matter"
"Go on" King Mathias said after a pause
"Have a sit, brother" Ciaran said with half a smile. Rudolf gritted his teeth in annoyance, wondering what little stunt the prince was about to pull