My heart skipped a beat, shocked and utterly unprepared for the sudden embrace. I felt his strong arms encircle my slender waist, and his wonderful scent enveloped me. His warm body was pressed against mine. I couldn't help but lean more into his embrace.
This was the second time a man had held me close, and it felt different. His touch was different. I didn't despise the prince's proximity or his touch. In fact, my heart yearned for more.
And that frightened me. I was here on a mission and not to fall in love with the prince. If I did, I would mess everything up. But how do I control my heart? The prince was such a good man, and it was too easy to fall in love with him.
Realizing that my thoughts and emotions were spiraling out of control and my actions were too brazen for a princess, I tried to push him away again. But this time, he grabbed my chin and made me look at him.
"Why are you pushing me away?" he asked, his dark eyes boring into mine for an answer.
I blushed, feeling my cheeks turn red like a ripe tomato. "It's not right," I stuttered, trying to keep my composure.
He raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Why? Isn't it natural for a prince to hug his princess?"
I nodded timidly, my eyes cast downward. He tenderly raised my chin, urging me to meet his gaze. "Don't look away; look at me. I love when you look at me," he murmured, a soft smile gracing his lips.
My heart fluttered at his words, and my entire body trembled nervously as he caressed my soft cheeks with the back of his thumb. I held my breath, staring into his eyes, my body completely stiff under his touch.
"Relax, my princess," he chuckled softly. "I will never hurt you. I promise."
I nodded and tried to relax my body.
He smiled at me, took my hand, and gently kissed the back of my palm. Before I could grasp his intentions, he pressed my hand against his firm chest. THUMP-THUMP-THUMP... The strong beats of his heart pulsed under the softness of my palm, and my eyes widened in astonishment.
"Do you feel that?" he asked, his gaze locking with mine.
I nodded slowly.
"You're the reason," he whispered, sending a flurry of butterflies dancing in my stomach.
I blushed furiously, overwhelmed by his words and his touch. His touch did things in my body and in my heart that I never knew I was capable of feeling. His touch was like magic, igniting a flame of desire that I never knew existed. It was a feeling that consumed me and made me scared and excited at the same time.
And then, he surprised me again.
He took my leg in his hand, and his gentle touch lingered on my ankle, which had swollen up due to the fall. I watched in shock as he massaged it with his fingers, his eyes fixed on the task at hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
At that moment, I forgot all about the pain and just stared at him in wonder. I wanted to protest, to tell him that he shouldn't be doing this, that it was improper. But before I could say a word, he spoke up, his voice soft and gentle. "Call me Killian," he said, still rubbing my ankle with a soothing touch that made the pain fade away.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The prince, the future king of the kingdom, was asking me to call him by his first name. And the way he looked at me, with those dark black eyes full of warmth and kindness, made me feel like I was the most important person in the world.
All I could do was blink in surprise and stutter out a question: "W-what?"
"Call me by my name," he spoke softly. However, I could sense the domineering tone in his voice. I realized by the firmness in his voice that he was not going to take no for an answer.
But, how could I call him by his name? It was improper. As a princess, it was strictly forbidden to address the prince by his name, as it was considered a sign of disrespect. The rules were clear, and the punishment for breaking them was severe. I couldn't take the risk.
"I-I... I can't...." I stuttered nervously, hoping that he wouldn't get angry at me.
He looked at me with a hint of amusement and challenge in his tone, "You won't?" he asked.
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment and shook my head. It was too intimate, too personal to utter his name. We were not married yet, and I didn't want to break any rules.
A smile slowly formed on his face, and before I could even comprehend what was happening, he bowed his head and planted a gentle kiss on my ankle. I was taken aback, my body stiffened, and I froze in shock. I had never expected him to do something so bold and intimate. It was a moment that felt like it lasted forever.
"P-prince... Ki... Kilian....."
"Lia, if you don't call my name, then I will just have to make you," he whispered, his voice low and seductive as he leaned in closer.
My eyes widened as I tried to pull my leg back, but his grip was firm. He continued to place feather-light kisses on my skin, moving slowly higher and higher. Each kiss sent shivers down my spine, and I could feel the heat rising in my face.
"Please...." I whispered, ignoring the strange feelings that were taking all over my body.
He gave me a devilish smile, and I almost found myself melting under his gaze. "If you want me to stop, just call my name," he whispered, his voice low and seductive.
I sat there transfixed, my heart pounding in my chest as Prince Killian leaned in closer and continued to kiss higher and higher up my ankle. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I knew I should stop him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. He was too alluring, too tempting.