Lila awoke, her eyes blinking against the soft light coming through the curtains. When she realized she was in a unfamiliar environment, she became confused.
Just then, Margaret, the royal maid, entered the room. "Good morning, Your Highness. Do you need assistance with anything?" Margaret inquired with a warm smile.
Lila hesitated, grappling with her confusion. "Margaret, can you tell me how I ended up here?" she asked, her tone betraying her uncertainty.
Margaret's expression softened. "You were carried in, Your Highness. The Crown Prince wanted you to rest," she explained gently.
Lila's brow furrowed. "Carried in? By whom?" she pressed, her mind racing to fill in the missing pieces.
"His Highness, of course," Margaret replied, her smile knowing yet guarded.
Lila's gaze flickered around the room, searching for any sign of Axel's presence. "Where is he now?" she questioned, her voice betraying a mixture of curiosity and unease.
"He had urgent matters to attend to, Your Highness. Shall I prepare a bath for you?" Margaret suggested, sensing Lila's need for clarity.
"Yes, please," Lila replied.
As Lila luxuriated in the warm waters of the bathtub, her mind wandered amidst the tranquility of Axel's bathing chamber. The splashing of water soothed her nerves, providing a brief respite from the complexities of her tangled emotions.
Suddenly, the quietude was shattered by Axel's entrance. Lila's heart raced as she realized she was not alone. Shocked and embarrassed, she struggled to gather her thoughts.
'What do I do? Should I say something?' Lila uttered to herself.
As Axel tended to his injured arm, Lila's gaze fixated on him, her mind racing with indecision.
'Should I announce myself? No, perhaps it's best to wait...' Lila pondered.
Caught in the unexpected moment, Lila's cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and discomfort. She remained still, her eyes locked on Axel, unsure of how to navigate the awkwardness.
'He doesn't see me yet... Maybe I can slip away quietly...' Lila contemplated.
In that silence, Lila braced herself for the impending interaction, her thoughts racing as she anticipated the outcome of this unforeseen encounter.
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Mateo went through the extravagant corridors, his footsteps echoing softly across the polished marble floors. He searched Axel, determined to locate him within the complicated halls of the Northern Empire's great castle.
Mateo's movements faltered as he turned a corner and stumbled into the bathing area, its peaceful ambiance luring him onward. He approached warily, the scene before him stopping him in his tracks.
Mateo saw Lila. He didn't enter the room but he can see Lila, his gaze landed on her figure. Sitting inside the bath tub, Lila's slim back was exposed to the gentle glow of the chamber's light, the contours of her figure defined by the dance of light and shadow. Her golden hair cascaded down her back, sparkling with droplets that caught the beautiful light streaming through the chamber's windows.
'She's more stunning than I remembered...' Mateo uttered to himself.
Mateo's eyes lingered on Lila's bare back, drawn to the beautiful curves and glowing skin that defined her body. Her presence emanated grace and elegance, in complete opposition to the chaos that lingered beneath the surface of his thoughts.
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Lila's mind raced with uncertainty as she considered her options—should she flee quietly or face the unexpected intrusion straight on?
The sound of approaching footsteps, the steady beat resonating throughout the room, made her heart accelerate.
Axel drew closer, staring at Lila with a look of astonishment and recognition as he took in the sight. Lila had her back to him, her face glowing in the gentle light of the chamber's lights.
Simultaneously, Lila's eyes flicked over to the doorway and she saw Mateo standing there. Her thoughts raced as she struggled to process the abrupt turn of events as panic took hold of her.
Amidst the uncertainty, Axel's remarks seemed like a whisper as his voice broke through. "Lila..."
Lila looked at Axel with shock, and the two of them exchanged a look of mutual surprise. Driven by an overwhelming sense of impulsive determination, Lila quickly closed the distance between them, planting a frantic kiss on Axel's lips.
Taken aback by Lila's abrupt approach, Axel paused for a second before giving in to the intense kiss. His initial confusion vanished, to be replaced by a wave of contradictory feelings that reflected Lila's own.
A silent exchange of need and unsaid words took place as the kiss got deeper. Lila led the way, directing the rhythm of their embrace with her touch. Every gesture exuded passion and intensity.
Mateo's presence outside the chamber went unnoticed as Lila and Axel became engrossed in their unplanned exchange. The world faded away as they got lost in the moment. Flustered, Mateo left hastily.
Lila's touch was electrifying, her fingers barely brushing his jawline as she intensified the kiss. With a faint moan, Lila opened her lips and rubbed her tongue across Axel's sharp tongue. Lila's tongue curled instantly due to his scorching tongue. Lila caught his neck, his breath caught in hers.
"Ha, ah—," Lila, who blinked as if she were seeing an unimaginable reality, regained her composure and pushed Axel's chest away.
Lila was astonished when she regained consciousness. She was naked. She attempted to cover herself with her hands.
Meanwhile, Axel appeared stunned.
"Hurry, get me a towel," Lila hurried Axel, "and, close your eyes," Lila added.
"What eyes?" Axel teasingly said.
Lila, her patience wearing thin, raised an eyebrow as Axel continued to tease. "Oh, come on, Axel. Just close your eyes," she urged, her tone tinged with exasperation.
Axel grinned mischievously. "Which eye, then? Left or right?"
Lila sighed, her annoyance showing. "It doesn't matter! Just close both of them!" she exclaimed, her voice betraying a mix of amusement and irritation.
"You kissed me, I kissed you, we're even," Axel quipped, his playful demeanor persisting.
"Fine, we're even," she replied.
With a dramatic sigh, Axel finally relented, closing his eyes as requested.
Lila swiftly grabbed the towel, her movements deft and efficient. She draped the towel over herself with a sense of relief, the warm fabric a comforting shield against the lingering tension in the room.
"Thank you," Lila said.
Axel's eyes opened. Closing the gap between them, Lila leaned back reflexively. But there was a wall in her path that she was completely unaware of. Axel's face was almost in her nose, yet there was nowhere to run.
It seemed as though Axel was about to plant another kiss, but he turned his head away just before their lips met. Lila noticed his steaming breath.
"It was extremely tempting and ah, sexy..." Axel shamelessly whispered.