“Really, why do you bother people?” Rashid casually flicked his hand and turned away. It was quite amusing to observe Lania’s expression, which she had never seen before, and it was also a pleasant unexpected gain.
“Ah, Your Majesty. You’ve worked hard today. It wasn’t my initial intention to do this right away, but it turned out for the better. Thanks to Your Majesty’s kindness——— “
“What did I do?”
“…”
Why was this man like this again? It was even bewildering for her to face a tiger-like human who tilted his head as soon as he turned around but Rashid seemed like he had just awakened from being ice sculpture.
“Catherine.” He lightly twirled the finger that had touched her waist. The finger that he used to tap on the study desk felt as if it had left a mark on the hem of her dress, and the spot grew warm like a stamp. ”
Speak. What did you do to me just now?”
“You… Your Majesty.”
“…”
A low growl emanated from him as he approached Catherine closer.
‘This wasn’t part of the plan!’
Before he could get any closer, she reached out a hand to stop him, but just before it touched his chest, she balled it into a fist. “I told you before, didn’t I?”
“What?”
“That I might use you, Your Majesty.”
Catherine couldn’t even meet his gaze, so she looked down diagonally with her head tilted. Who kissed whom first just a moment ago? Now, she had no choice but to follow her survival instincts and say, ‘I deserve to die, Your Majesty.’
“You told me to give it a try along with that mocking laugh of yours.”
“…”
What should she do? Rashid seemed to have no recollection of it. She wiped off the cold sweat trickling down her forehead and forced herself to smile. She didn’t know why she had to explain this in such a clumsy way, but if this man couldn’t remember, she was really going to be dead. Under his burning gaze, she could keenly feel in her bones what she had just done.
“S-so, it’s, um, the day after that rain where you were waiting for me.”
“Did you really think I was specifically waiting for you?”
“…”
Why did the conversation keep turning like this? Before she could say more, she glanced around her surroundings. As per Rashid’s orders, everyone had left the mansion, but it was an ideal sight for misunderstandings. The Emperor was leaning against the door, bowing his head, while the Duchess was unable to move an inch in between. Other than Lania, who was panicking inside the door, it was not a sight pleasing to anyone’s eyes. Before anyone could suddenly come in, she discreetly turned her body.
“Yes, you know what? I know you know it. Never mind.” Even in this situation, she lowered her voice to prevent it from being heard inside the room, and Rashid’s head came closer. At this point, even attempting to escape was impossible. “You mocked me, but I was serious. And if you really didn’t like it, Your Majesty, you could have just avoided it.”
“Why should I?”
“…”
His laughter tickled her bangs with his distinctive low tone. Her stiffened body felt as if it had completely flipped with him just a moment ago.
“Why should the baggage be avoided?”
“…”
With an empty mind, she had no idea about that either, but for now, she also had to avoid him and the topic herself. Taking a small step back, she seized the opportunity when his hand moved away, but Rashid’s steps as he followed her were leisurely.
“Why?” He asked as if finding it quite amusing but maybe it was even more than that. Although he pretended to not chase after her, his shadow completely blocked her. With each step, he walked along the Duchess’s corridor, bowing his head deeply as he sensed her urgency.
“That’s why. I-I should just stay still, but now you come and say these things and I don’t have any other options… In addition to that, I definitely asked. I am a woman who would really do it if I had to…”
“Is that so?” As his head lowered even further, she unconsciously took a step back. Afraid of falling, she hastily reached out and grabbed onto a decorative shelf. As she turned her head, the frame of the Emperor’s portrait at the top shook.
“Ah. I mean———”
“I asked you, Catherine.” Rashid’s nostrils grazed her cheek, and his tempting chuckle grew nearer. It was a voice that was neither amusing nor cheerful, but rather dark, brushing against her ears. “Is that really all?”
“…”
*THUMP*
With a simple gesture of his hand, the frame of the Emperor’s portrait toppled over. As she stared blankly at it, her chin was immediately guided by that hand, making her face Rashid directly. “Ugh.”
Everything was different from the kiss Catherine was just trying to show someone. His tilted head parted her lips from the start. As he held her waist tightly to prevent a single finger of hers from touching the luxurious shelf, he buried her head in his chest.
“Just do it.”
Or don’t even start something you couldn’t finish. Even the low murmurs that she wouldn’t understand disappeared into the heat between their lips. The brushing sensation made her so dizzy that she couldn’t help but wonder if this still had the ability to untangle or unravel her more. Along with his fingers, which firmly held her head, Rashid’s lips delved deeper. It was an intense force that drove people to the point of breathlessness, unable to determine how far it would go.
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