Dahlia looked at the horse in front of her and gulped. Her heart palpitated with a strange fear of being exposed.
"Hop on," Sullivan encouraged her.
Dahlia slowly walked ahead while nervously fidgeting with her fingers. To her surprise, her hands moved to the rein and in one swift movement, Dahlia found herself on top of the horse.
With amazement, she looked at her hands, realizing she was in the body of Dahlia Ermacora, who was trained in this. A smile carved on her lips as she was now confident that she would ride the horse well.
Dahlia glanced at Sullivan, who looked astonished. "Hop on. Do you wish to get defeated by me?" she teased him.
Sullivan didn't delay this time and mounted the horseback. Moving the horse closer to hers, he said, "Dahlia, let's take a round of this field."
"Sure," Dahlia agreed to him and kicked the horse while pulling the reins on it. She realized that it was her body that instinctively did all this. The original person's soul might not be present in this body, but the body remembered what she had practiced all this time.
Dahlia felt she was flying in the air. The original owner of the body was truly remarkable. She gazed at Sullivan while smiling and went ahead of him. "My poor husband thought he could find out the real me. I shouldn't forget that Sullivan is smart. He speaks less and observes more," she murmured.
Daedric, who was on a night walk, ended up watching Sullivan and Dahlia riding on the horses. His heart ached to witness that sight. Dahlia was enjoying the horseriding with Sullivan. When did it happen? When did her love flourish for Sullivan?
"Your Royal Highness, it's the time we shall go to–" the attendant stopped as Daedric showed his hand to Jarvis, asking him to stop.
"You should go ahead," Daedric said.
Jarvis bowed and went ahead upon the order of the Crown Prince.
In the field, Sullivan caught up with her soon. However, in the end, Dahlia finished first. She extended her arms out, shouting in happiness. Sullivan smiled slightly and slowed the speed of his horse. He got down from it and went to her.
"I won," Dahlia said, crossing her arms across her chest. "Now, you should reward me," she pronounced as she jumped off the horse to reach the ground.
"You've everything. What can I possibly give you?" asked Sullivan as he held the reins of the other horse as well.
Dahlia came in his way and took a step closer to him. She held the collar of his waistcoat and pulled him down. "Sullivan, I want you to give me a present. Give me a good one. I'm not a picky person. So, whatever you'll give me, I'll accept it from you," Dahlia asserted. Her eyes fell on Daedric and she removed her hands from his waistcoat.
"Why is the Crown Prince here?" Dahlia mumbled when Sullivan turned to gaze at Daedric. An idea hit his mind and he let go of the reins from the horses.
Dahlia raised her hand to wave at Daedric with a bright smile on her face when Sullivan held her arm and lowered it.
"What happened?" Dahlia confusedly asked him. She felt a sudden pull and her small frame pressed against him. She had heard how the male lead of the story would pull the heroine close to him, causing the heroine's heartbeats to increase.
Why was it happening to Dahlia? She could hear the palpitations of her heart in her eardrums.
"I have nothing precious except for this," Sullivan said, cradling her neck and meeting her lips with his.
Dahlia felt her breath was knocked out from her lungs. It was her first real kiss with Sullivan. The movements of his rough lips on hers were soft. His gentle nibbles made her forget to breathe and like a statue, she remained at her place.
Sullivan opened his eyes and tilted his head to look at Daedric. He could see how the Crown Prince burned with jealousy. He noticed Dahlia's eyes were closed and she wasn't breathing.
"Breathe," Sullivan said against her lips as he parted from her for a second. She inhaled deeply and again felt Sullivan's lips connected with hers. She didn't hesitate this time. Her hands tightly clutched the fabric of his arms and she kissed him back.
In the real world, Dahlia could never experience such feelings. She was too scared of dating and always remained in the fictional characters. She had read numerous novels, but only Sullivan could steal her heart.
Sullivan, who started this to jealous Daedric, found himself getting attracted more with each kiss.
'I cannot fall into this trap,' his inner voice said.
The next moment, Sullivan stopped abruptly, bringing confusion to Dahlia's face.
Dahlia touched her lips, realizing what she did and turned away from him. A normal pack was okay for her, but she kissed him like she wanted to have it for such a long time.
Dahlia then recalled about Daedric and turned to look at the pavilion. However, he was gone.
'He loves Dahlia, but I married to Sullivan. Had Daedric not punished my Sullivan, I would have never left him on the altar. In the end, Daedric also wanted Sullivan to suffer without knowing what he desired,' she thought.
"Shall we go back?" Sullivan asked. The horse caretaker had taken away the two horses already.
"Yes, we shall," Dahlia said and went ahead of him while pursuing her lips together.
Sullivan walked closely with her. "Why are you shy?" He suddenly inquired.
"Shy? Who? Me?" Dahlia pointed the finger at her chest while gazing at him. "I don't get shy," she stated, lowering her hand.
"Your cheeks say otherwise," Sullivan said with a tiny smile and walked ahead of her.
"No! I'm not shy," Dahlia ran after him and ended up faltering. Her heel twisted, and she reached out, catching Sullivan's arm for balance. His swift reflexes prevented her fall.
"Can't you be less clumsy?" Sullivan chided gently, helping her regain her footing.
"You said I could not become your wife in those terms. But you kissed me. Why?" Dahlia asked him.
"It was a reward. Nothing more can happen between us than sharing kisses," Sullivan stated.
"W-what if something more happens?" Dahlia's question made him gulp and he chose to remain silent. He couldn't let her vision get blurred because of a woman.
"Nothing will happen because I don't understand love. I will only use you and you may regret choosing me," Sullivan said and went ahead of her.