Chapter 46
“Stop.”
I told them to stop because it seemed like things were getting annoying, but they both looked like they’d lost their minds. Especially Francis. He seemed uneasy, yet also like he was holding something back.
“Your Highness, with whom did you enjoy it more?”
“Can you even call that a question? It’s the first time in my life I’ve seen anyone so clumsy.”
“Ah… Are you disappointed in me because I was clumsy, Your Highness? Then I’ll try again…”
“No. It was good. So, stop.”
A sense of foreboding that I might be devoured made me quickly continue speaking.
“Let me wash Your Highness’s legs as well.”
“Fine. Shouldn’t you wash other places too?”
“That’s enough! I just want to stay in the bath!”
So much for generous treatment! At this point, I’d be lucky if I wasn’t eaten alive!
“What do you mean you’ll do it without washing properly?”
“Ah…!”
Adrian entered the bath faster than me and grabbed my leg. His hold on my ankle moved up my leg to my knee. Then he began stimulating me with a sponge, tickling me. The strange thing was, even though he was rubbing me with something soft, it felt as sensitive as if he were using sandpaper, making my breath quicken.
“…Ah, don’t, ah, stop.”
“If you make a face like that and tell me to stop, who would actually stop?”
“Your Highness, I will also proceed.”
I was startled as Francis approached from behind, and the sponge touched my neck. It tickled, and Francis’s fingertips gently grazed my neck. He soon put the sponge aside and began stroking my neck; his large, smooth hand felt reassuring. The hand stroking my neck soon moved down over my shoulder.
“Ah, Sir Francis. That tickles…”
Our eyes met, and he was close to me again.
“Mm…”
Had I already gotten used to him sucking on my lips after just one time? His tongue quickly entered and began to stir. He clung to me like he was twisting a cherry stem, but just as things were about to get intense, he pulled away, and I saw the bare red flesh receding. Along with the transparent thread attached to it.
“You bastard, you make it impossible to let my guard down.”
“Ah, I can’t take this!”
“What?”
“Your Highness?”
Damn it! What am I doing right now!
I pushed them both away and got into the bath, submerging myself. Then I sprang up and got out of the bath.
“You two wash up. I’m done washing!”
“Your Highness?”
“Gracie.”
Seeing that they were about to follow me, I had to dash away.
That was a close call! Damn it! These… these seductive bastards! Is it impossible to cast a counter-curse on all of them? How can I resist if they tempt me with those faces from now on? Ah, I’m really going crazy!
But why is my body so sensitive like this!
`Quest! The Distance Between You and Me I – Failed!`
`Adrian Russell feels more insecure than before!`
`Penalty: The weight of your right arm increases by 70kg! ▼`
“Ugh! Damn it!”
My still-damp body fell forward, and I hit the status window with my head. Thanks to that, the un-pressed arrow was pressed on its own.
`▼ Penalty Remaining Time: 40:18`
“Argh!”
***
Adrian, that sly fox, was straining, his foot hooked on the doorframe, trying not to leave. He stood with his back to the open door, his eyebrows twitching. Honestly, with a guy this handsome also being so persistent, it seemed like the only way I’d be safe was if I kicked him out right now. But wait, he dried himself off, so why does he still seem to glow? He’s even sparkling! If I keep looking at him like this, will I go blind? A glowing gemstone! A luminous pretty boy! No, get a grip! This isn’t it!
“So, you’re saying if I go back today, you’ll have lunch with me the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Just one day?”
“Yeah.”
I don’t know if his judgment was twisted, but his slightly furrowed expression had now become a fully crumpled face as he looked at me. Looking at him closely, his lips are quite… No! Don’t even think about it!
“Do you think I’ll leave like that?”
“Fine, one week.”
“See you the day after tomorrow.”
“Ugh…! Hey!”
He moved his body away from the door, pressed his lips against mine, and then pulled away. Maybe because of the soft sensation, my chest ached with that strange illusion again.
“You should ask before you do that!”
“You’re making a face that asks for more, so why should I ask? Though, you always cried when we spent the night together too.”
“What? Did you make it so hard that I cried? Are you even human?”
“No. I just found it fascinating that you would cry when I reached my peak.”
He kept spouting outrageous things, leaving me speechless. My mouth just gaped open, trembling in disbelief, and he laughed again. So bewitchingly.
“You always reacted so happily whenever I touched you.”
“You… you madman!”
“Now, I find it hard to sleep without you. So, try to regain your memories as soon as possible. No, perhaps if we try again, you might remember. Shall we test it? How your body reacts to me. How much you wanted me…”
“Have a safe trip.”
I pushed him away and slammed the door shut. Turning around, I saw Francis looking at me with great expectation.
“Sir Francis, you should return to your guard duties now. I’m going to sleep.”
“Ah… Yes, Your Highness.”
Then, as he approached as if to kiss my cheek, my body stiffened on its own.
“May I?”
“May you what?”
“This… the kiss.”
Why are his eyes getting moist again… I had no idea the temptation of a moist pretty boy could be this powerful.
“Only on the cheek.”
“Yes.”
Then, his lips touched me as lightly as a feather and immediately pulled away.
***
I must have been worried about Clayton, who kept looking back as he left, because I dreamed of him emerging. It felt so ominous that I wanted to wake up immediately, but strangely, even though I knew it was a dream, I couldn’t wake up.
`Don’t go, Gracie.`
`Let go.`
His pitiful, clinging face was truly a masterpiece, both then and now. If someone asked who was the most handsome in the world, I’d probably hesitate between Adrian and Clayton and be unable to answer. Clayton’s bright image, his sharply sculpted high nose bridge, his bewitching eyes with double eyelids.
Above all, that stunning, solid pectoral muscle that made one hold their breath.
`It’s a misunderstanding.`
`A misunderstanding? You call what I saw a misunderstanding?`
I could see him, not knowing what to do, unable to let go of my hand. He seemed on the verge of tears, saying it wasn’t true, but also afraid that Gracie might shake off his hand and run away at any moment.
`No. It’s really a misunderstanding.`
`This isn’t the time to talk about misunderstandings.`
The banquet hall was packed. It didn’t seem like the right place for a lovers’ quarrel. Even though my memories of living as Princess Gracie weren’t that long, the problem was that it was enough for me to feel the shame on her behalf. Looking around, I saw quite a few familiar faces. Among them was my sister.
I don’t know what made her so happy, but she kept smiling, which was irritating.
`I love you, Gracie. I really can’t live without you.`
`Don’t make me laugh.`
`It’s true.`
`Ha.`
I averted my gaze from him as if finding it ridiculous and looked elsewhere. The glass was polished until it shone like a mirror. Perhaps because it was brighter inside, I could see my reflection. What I was wearing on my ears were those sapphire earrings with rose petals inside them, the ones I’d seen before.
`If you don’t believe me, I’ll say it again here.`
`……`
`I love you, Gracie. Please marry me.`
He knelt on one knee on the ground, took off the family head’s ring he was wearing, and placed it on my finger. My vision blurred and then cleared again. It was certain that what was streaming down my cheeks were not tears of joy.
`It’s dirty, take it off.`
I shook off Clayton’s hand and threw the ring away. Then I turned and left. In a glimpse, I saw him crying with a devastated expression.
Finally, it seemed I had woken from the dream, as the vague sound of voices felt more like reality. Looking outside, moonlight was streaming in. The documents I had been reading before sleep were scattered nearby.
My arm was heavy, making it difficult to sign the documents; I kept failing when I tried with my left arm, so I must have taken a break and fallen asleep.
“Why? Are you trying to seduce the Second Princess this time?”
“…Watch your tongue.”
“Vulgar bastard. No wonder you were stripped of your Marquis title and now wag your tail under Her Highness.”
One voice was familiar, the other was a voice I had become all too accustomed to.
“I’ve always hated your petty pride. You even seized the Marquis title after Lord Levalt passed away.”
“Shut up.”
“If Lord Levalt were alive, would you even dare to think about reclaiming the Marquis title?”
`……`
“Do you really think Rubiana left you and came to me because of love?”
The conversation, which I probably shouldn’t be hearing, continued, making me uncomfortable. The door seemed not quite closed, so I went closer, and sure enough, it was slightly ajar. Right. How soundproof is this room? They weren’t even shouting, so the sound shouldn’t be carrying over.
“Do you want to wag your tail for the person who ruined your life?”
“I have not even a speck of interest in Rubiana. Not then, not now. So, cut it out.”
“Who would believe that? Ah, right. You want to get in there that badly?”
`”…I am your superior.”`
“Who acknowledges that? Be honest, how many people in the Royal Guard actually see you as the Captain? The moment Her Highness the Princess gets tired of you, you’ll be driven out to the countryside without even getting your title back. Then, no longer a noble, you’ll have to bow even to Barons.”
My arm was still heavy. But not as heavy as my heart.
“If you want in that badly, ask properly. ‘Please, Lord David, let me come in.'”
“‘Please, Lord David, let Sir Francis come in.'”
The problem was that I had already heard too much to just listen quietly.
