~Katrina~
The room fell into an eerie silence. My heart pounded wildly as the footsteps outside grew closer. There was no knock.
The door flew open, and King Karl stepped in, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me.
I was huddled in the corner, sitting on the floor, tears silently streaming down my face.
I hated that he was seeing me like this—so vulnerable, so broken. He turned to Marissa and, with a calm but commanding voice, said, "Leave us."
I wanted her to stay, but she left without a word, leaving me alone with him.
I couldn't bring myself to move, to stand. I just sat there, trembling, unsure of what was about to happen.
He stared at me for a moment, then asked, "Why is the lioness trembling in fear?"
Lioness? His words stunned me. But what surprised me more was that he even bothered to ask why I was scared. After what he did in the hall, how could he expect me not to be? Everyone was afraid of him. Why wouldn't I be?
"What do you want?" I asked, my voice shaky but defiant. My mouth had always gotten me in trouble, and now it was no different.
"It's simple. I want you," he said, his voice low as he started walking toward me.
A cold shiver ran down my spine. Did he just say he wanted me? My mind raced, trying to process his words.
"Go away, please," I whispered, pulling my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them like they could shield me from him.
He didn't listen. He was standing right in front of me now. His hand reached out and grabbed mine, and my heart skipped a beat—just like it had that morning when I first met him.
But I couldn't let my emotions betray me. This man had lied to me. He had played with my feelings. And now, here he was—the devil himself, standing before me.
I had to be careful. I had to protect myself.
"Stand up from the floor. It doesn't suit you, sitting in a dark corner like this," he said, reaching to help me up. I pulled back, not wanting his touch.
"It's not like you care. You humiliated me in the hall."
He frowned. "Are you blaming me? You made me mad, but I'm here now to talk."
Reluctantly, I let him help me to my feet and sat on the bed, wary of his intentions.
My heart raced, fearing what he might want. I wasn't ready for him to claim me like that. But would he even care if I wasn't? A man like him wouldn't take no easily. If he wanted something, he would take it.
He wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Now, you're making me look bad," he said softly, but his words didn't match his actions. A few hours ago, he was furious, throwing things, and now he was comforting me. "Don't worry, I'm used to it. I can be very bad, trust me. You have no idea."
My heart sank. I thought he was here to comfort me, but instead, he was warning me. His words were more threatening than reassuring.
"Why did you refuse to dance with me? Don't you know you're mine now?" His tone was sharp as he let go of my hand.
"Forgive me, your highness," I said, remembering Marissa's warning to be polite. "I don't know how to dance."
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A princess who doesn't know how to dance?"
"Yes," I whispered, feeling small under his gaze.
"So why didn't you just tell me that in the hall?" His voice had softened, and I noticed his hands were clasped behind his back.
His eyes didn't hold the same coldness they had earlier. For a moment, I saw the man I'd thought he was—the man from the farm.
"Because I thought you'd kill me," I admitted before I could stop myself. My heart thudded as the words hung in the air.
He chuckled, the sound deep and unsettling. "That says a lot about what you think of me. I'd only kill you if you lie to me—about something important—or if you betray me."
I struggled to breathe, my chest rising and falling quickly. Betrayal. Lies. If he ever found out my secret, would that be the end of me?
"Loyalty is everything to me," King Karl said, pacing around the room, his eyes sweeping over the decorations. "I don't forgive. I've never done it, and I don't plan to."
"But you lied to me," I blurted, my voice shaky. "You were Rowland. Have you forgotten?"
He chuckled, stopping to look at me. "No, Katrina. I haven't forgotten. I was just playing around. I had my reasons, and they weren't to hurt you. Besides, we barely knew each other. It shouldn't hurt, right?"
I nodded, though inside, I was screaming. It did hurt. Rowland had been the man I thought I could love, the one I dreamed about. But he didn't care.
"I came to check on you," he said, moving closer. His voice dropped as he asked, "Should I spend the night here?"
My heart raced. His nearness made my stomach twist with nervous energy. He leaned in, his face inches from mine.
"I-I…" My breath caught in my throat. Words failed me.
He was so close, his eyes intense. King Karl was undeniably handsome, his lips hovering just above mine, teasing me.
My body responded before my mind could catch up, betraying me with a longing I didn't understand.
Before I could push him away or even speak, his lips claimed mine. Soft and warm, they ignited something deep inside me.
Heat radiated through my body, my heart pounding harder with each second.
I should've pushed him away. But I couldn't. His kiss was demanding, yet intoxicating.
A sharp ache tugged at my core, but I stayed, unable to move, letting him take control.
I felt trapped in the moment, torn between the man I thought I hated and the fire he lit in me.
He tasted like honey, sweet and addictive, and I couldn't bring myself to stop him.
His kiss burned through my resolve, and though I knew he could destroy me, I couldn't help but want more.
He was fire, and I was drawn to the flame, helpless against the burn.