"I said put me down, Your Highness!"
My screams were futile as Kael carried me in his strong muscular arms, a perfect princess-style hold.
"Put you down? Oh, Lina," Kael purred, a sly grin playing on his lips, as though this were some kind of game he was hell-bent on winning.
How did the lost puppy turn into a damn sly fox?
"You're light as a feather. Honestly, I'm doing the servants and doctors of duchy a favor by carrying you around like this. Who knows when you might faint again, huh?"
I glared up at him, but the heat creeping up my cheeks probably ruined my attempt at looking fierce. So much for the fearsome villainess personality I had written for Evelina.
You're supposed to love the heroine, not me, Kael. Not the villainess.
What do you even love in Evelina?
"I don't need your help, Your Highness. I've managed just fine without you playing knight in shining armor. I'll say it again—I can walk. Put me down."
Kael chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine.
What's this feeling that seems to run into chambers of my heart that even I don't know about?
"Oh, is that what you've been doing? Managing? Because from where I'm standing—or, well, carrying—it looks like you're one faint away from kissing the floor, Lina."
"I. Said. Put. Me. Down," I hissed through gritted teeth, wishing I could slap that smug grin off his stupidly perfect face that I made with my own hands. "And don't call me Lina. We aren't friends, Your Highness."
But I wanted us to be.
For some reason, I was glad those words didn't escape my lips. What a mess, it would be.
Did you forget, Ji-eun? The man you loved—the man for whom you left the one who raised you—what did he do?
Han Wei.
There's no such thing as love. Only... foolishness.
Wait. Adrian was inspired by Han Wei. But Kael? Who was Kael's inspiration?
The thought brought a fleeting smile to the back of my mind. The face of the owner blurred because of the excessive brightness.
A heavy gasp tore from my lips. My body jerked slightly in Kael's arms.
Why can't I remember? Who was he?
"Lina... Lina! Don't cry. I'll put you down, okay? Don't cry," Kael said softly, his steps slowing as if he could feel the tension radiating from my trembling body. His cocky grin melted into something softer as he gently set me on my feet.
Kael's voice dropped low, raw and laced with something that almost sounded like regret.
Does he regret loving Evelina? He should.
"Lina... I said you were light. I didn't mean I wanted to carry a crying feather. What's wrong? Do you hate having me around? Because I... I like being around you, My Lady."
I clenched my fists against his chest, swallowing the lump forming in my throat.
Hate me! Why don't you hate me!? I am the Villainess! What's wrong with this world I wrote!?
"I'm not crying because of you, Your Highness. Not everything revolves around you," I said, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. "You're not that important. And don't forget... I'm the Cold Witch of the North. You shouldn't waste your kindness on me, Your Highness."
"It's not a waste if the sole reason for it's existence is you in the first place."
The words hung heavy in the air, their weight pressing against the walls of my chest. My breath hitched as I looked up at him, eyes locking with his.
"What... what are you saying?" I whispered, barely audible, my voice trembling as if afraid to disturb the fragile truth hanging between us.
Kael's gaze didn't waver, his eyes darker now, deeper, as if he'd stripped away the layers of arrogance and teasing to reveal something raw beneath.
"Do I need to spell it out for you, Lina?" he said, his tone soft but firm, daring me to look away.
I bit the inside of my cheek, willing the burn in my eyes to subside. He looked like an obsessed maniac. As if... If I told him to rip the world in half he would.
"I don't love you."
"You don't love Adrian or anyone else either. I still have a chance."
"You're crazy, Your Highness."
"For you? Yeah."
Those words seemed to stir something inside me. Is it fine to let go of everything for once. Why does my broken heart long for another man who's not even real!?
What if I end up loving the fictional character I wrote and then wake up in my real world? But, maybe this is my new life. After all, how can I survive a truck accident?
Maybe... This is a different reality. Maybe... This is not a stimulation.
Ugh!
"Lina."
"Yes, Your Highness?" I looked up into Kael's eyes, lost. Confused about my existence.
What should I do? I don't want to live. I don't want to die before I kill Han Wei. I-
"Don't think." Kael's voice cut through the chaos in my mind. My thoughts screeched to a halt as if his words had taken control of my spiraling emotions.
How does he do that despite the fact he's not real?
"Don't think," he repeated, his hand cupping my chin gently, tilting my face toward his. "You'll only overthink yourself into a corner, Lina. Just listen to me."
Kael's touch was warm, grounding, and infuriating all at once. I wanted to pull away, to snap at him for daring to act so intimately, but my body betrayed me.
Instead, I stood there, frozen in his grasp, my lips parted as though I'd forgotten how to breathe.
"Your Highness," I began, my voice trembling, but Kael shook his head.
"Kael," he corrected firmly, his thumb brushing lightly against my jawline. "Not 'Your Highness.' Not when it's just us."
"Kael... What kind of heart loves one person one moment and tries to love a new man another moment?"
Rough lips pressed against my forehead as my heart calmed down. Everything came to a stop.
"Rest. I'll see you tonight."
Did Kael just f**king kiss my forehead!?