Chapter 45
The next day, Iella headed to Grenville. She hadn’t been able to sleep at all, tossing and turning with worry, so once morning came, she hurried out.
Iella urgently asked Murray,
“Where is His Highness the Prince?”
“He’s still in his bedchamber. Would you like to go see him?”
“Eh? Me?”
Murray only looked at her with a subtle smile.
“No, that wouldn’t be proper. I’ll wait in the parlor.”
“It’s fine. You should go in.”
Iella hesitated, not sure what to do, but swept along by the atmosphere, she soon found herself in front of the Prince’s bedroom door. Once there, however, she didn’t have the courage to actually go inside and began to turn back.
“I think I’ll just—huh? Mr. Murray?”
Murray was nowhere to be seen. The corridor was empty; only she remained.
“What in the world is going on here?”
Iella looked between the corridor and the door handle.
In the end, unable to resist her curiosity, she reached out and gently pulled the handle. Despite its heavy feel, the door opened smoothly.
The room was dim, the blackout curtains shutting out most of the light. Only the area around the large bed was faintly illuminated.
Someone was lying on the bed.
Taking courage in the shadows, Iella carefully approached.
It was the Prince, fast asleep, his breaths deep and even. He looked as though he had finally fallen into peaceful rest after days of insomnia.
His sleeping face seemed softer than usual—almost childlike in its gentleness, and yet strikingly beautiful.
Iella slowly took in every detail, as though sketching the face with her eyes. Her hand rose, trembling, as if to touch him—but she stopped midway and clenched her fist.
“Your Highness?”
She whispered softly, but Franz did not stir.
After holding her breath for a moment, Iella pressed a cautious finger against his smooth forehead. Still no reaction. Her finger then drifted lower, tracing boldly down the bridge of his nose before pausing at the tip.
Her gaze was drawn to his lips—red, slightly parted, breath faintly escaping between them. The warmth of it tickled her own skin.
‘Ah… what’s wrong with me?’
Again, she felt that contrast—his sleeping face looked so much softer than when awake. Innocent, yet breathtakingly beautiful.
Her heart wrestled between “I shouldn’t do this” and “But what’s the harm? I want to know.”
“Just once.”
In the end, curiosity won. Gathering every ounce of courage, she lowered her hand.
“Ah…!”
The sensation of his lips on her fingertip was so soft it startled her. She quickly pulled back, instinct warning her not to go further.
‘No more. I shouldn’t.’
It already felt like she had gone too far.
But just as she began to turn away, a strong hand suddenly seized her wrist from behind.
“Ah!”
She was yanked forward with irresistible force and fell into a broad embrace. Shock left her breathless.
Her wide eyes met deep ocean-blue irises—sharp, awake, and fixed on her, as if he had been watching all along. The intensity made it impossible to look away.
“W-When did you wake up?”
“Does that matter?”
His voice was low as he looked down at her from the vast bed. Iella swallowed nervously.
“I-It’s not that I had any particular intention—”
“Intention?”
“I mean, it’s just, um…”
Her mind went blank. She knew she needed to explain herself, but words failed her.
“Well, it’s just that…”
Franz only gazed at her in silence.
“A-ah…”
Flustered, she averted her eyes. But that was a mistake too.
Right before her was his bare chest, firm and sculpted. She had never seen a man’s body before, and her face burned hotly. His touch was feverish; his grip on her wrist almost painful.
Panicking, she turned her head again—only to meet his eyes once more.
“Stop staring at me with those pleading eyes. I’ll let you touch my face, my body—as much as you want.”
He clicked his tongue lightly, teasing her. Iella’s eyes widened.
“N-no! That’s not what I meant!”
“Iella.”
Hearing him call her name sent shivers racing down her spine.
“Want me to tell you a secret?”
Smiling faintly, Franz leaned to her ear and whispered,
“I feel the same.”
“…Huh?”
Iella blinked blankly at him.
“Close your eyes.”
His hand slid from her waist to the nape of her neck, and then his lips pressed against hers. Her eyes flew wide but then squeezed shut the instant their lips met.
Franz savored the moment, gently licking her lips before biting her lower one lightly.
“Ah…!”
As a soft moan escaped, he seized the opportunity, slipping his tongue between her parted lips. Iella trembled as his tongue entwined with hers, pulling it deeper into his mouth.
His strong arms caressed her trembling body—her rigid back, her restless thighs, her heaving chest.
‘What do I do? I can’t…’
He sucked at her tongue, nibbled, devoured. Pleasure surged through her in waves she had never imagined, making her clutch the blanket desperately.
Her muffled moans made the kiss taste even sweeter. By the time his lips left hers, her own were numb and tingling.
Franz smiled like a satisfied beast, his red lips glistening.
“Haa… haa…”
Iella panted, dazed, her lips parted. The kiss had been dizzying, sensual, enough to make her entire body melt.
She blinked open trembling eyes to see his ocean-blue gaze filling her vision. That look alone made her heart pound and her body quiver.
‘So this is what a kiss feels like… This is what it’s like.’
It was intoxicating, dangerous.
‘Could I feel this even with a man I don’t love? Or would it be even greater with someone I truly cared for?’
Her head spun with questions.
“Iella.”
He whispered against her ear while stroking her back, making her shiver all over again.
“I’ve given you what you wanted. Now it’s time to wake up.”
“…What? What do you mean?”
She looked at him in confusion.
“It’s alright. This is just a dream.”
“A… dream?”
“Yes. A dream. So now, open your eyes.”
His smile lingered as his figure faded like smoke. When she looked around, the dim room was empty.
“Your Highness!”
With a start, Iella’s eyes flew open. She sat up abruptly, staring at the familiar sight of her own bedchamber.
“Haa… it was a dream.”
The sensations lingered so vividly that her body still tingled, yet the ordinary room around her made it clear none of it was real. She sighed in relief—then collapsed back against the bed in exhaustion.
“Haa… ridiculous.”
It must have been because of what happened at the party. She had no choice then, but still…
Yes, there had been close contact. But had it shocked her so much that she dreamt that kind of dream?
“I’m insane. I must be. In my right mind, I’d never dream of something like that—with Prince Franz of all people! Crazy, utterly crazy.”
Even as she scolded herself, the dream refused to fade—if anything, it replayed in her head even more vividly.
Iella sat slumped in a chair, dark circles under her eyes, her complexion pale and drawn.
The pale sky-blue lace dress, which exposed her collarbones, only made her thin frame look frailer. Her face was colorless, her eyes bloodshot and unfocused—anyone could see she hadn’t slept a wink.
“How pitiful.”
Franz clicked his tongue softly, but Iella was too dazed to respond.
“Drink your tea.”
“…Sorry?”
“Your tea. Drink it.”
He spoke with patient firmness.
“Ah, yes.”
She lifted the teacup, took a sip, and set it back down. The warmth filled her stomach, easing her body… and making her even sleepier.
‘Ah… this is dangerous. I’m going to fall asleep again…’
Despair crept over her.
“Did you worry a lot?”
The quiet question made her lift her eyes from the cup. But her mind was so clouded from lack of sleep, she could hardly think straight.
