Give Up The Remainder Of His Life
Rafael stiffened. Her hands curled around his back tightly as she kept on jumping excitedly in his arms.
“I love them,” she enthusiastically said. “Thank you so much.”
“If you keep jumping, you’ll trip, Princess.”
He had no choice but to wrap a hand around her waist because he was certain she would trip from how much jumping she was doing. But his hold caused her body to drift closer to him. In this position that they were, he could feel her ample chest pressing against him and the hotness of her body seeping into his skin.
“Did you get these from Yvlies too?” She glanced up at him in question and his lips curled into a smile at the satisfaction on her face. It turned out, it was all he needed as a reward for his journey to Yvlies.
“It’s not,” he softly whispered. “These are Elyria’s.”
Elora nodded. “I see. I…I do love them,” her voice lowered.
“You do?”
“Yes. The brushes too… they’re really durable.”
“And what else do you love, Princess? You should tell me, not someone else.”
His gaze locked onto those eyes of hers. His journey to Yvlies made him realize how truly her eyes matched the color of the trees and the forests over there. Those eyes pulled him in just like the woods. They seem dangerous, and deadly for him yet comforting enough. Just like the forest, they screamed two things. Death or comfort.
The longer he stared into those eyes, the more he was unable to look away. His breath increased and he could feel hers too, their chest rising and falling in rhythm.
“Books too. I do love books and…and also hairpins,” she breathed and lightly bit the corner of her lower lip.
“Noted.”
Rafael’s throat bobbed. His hold on her waist tightened and unconsciously, her body drew even closer to his, there was barely any space for a sheet of paper to fit in. Their chest rose and fell in rhythm and they felt the heat of each other’s skin.
His gaze skimmed down from her eyes to her nose and then to the lips he’d been dying to taste, dying to have just one taste of those peachy lips. He bet they were as soft as they looked and heaven, he would give up the remainder of his life just to have a taste.
A sudden throat crack rang out from the door. Instantly, their bodies separated. Elora quickly turned the other way, her cheeks immediately turning red and she avoided looking at the person at the door as if being caught doing wrong.
“Your highness.”
Rafael cast Adam a death glare. If his interruption wasn’t important, he definitely would be punished. Smothering his coat, he turned. “Speak.
“Forgive me, your highness. Viscount Dean has arrived at the estate. He must be on his way here.”
His expression turned icy. “Dean?”
“Yes, your highness.”
He bit at the corners of his lips. Glancing back at Elora, he spoke. “Permit me to leave. I’ll see you later.”
Elora finally turned, looking a lot calmer than earlier. “I…I will go exchange pleasantries with him.”
But her words caused Rafael’s eyes to darken. The clench of his jaw was sharp and he hid his hands behind his back to hide his fist. “You will stay here,” he sharply said in a commanding tone. His tone left no room for argument. But Elora wouldn’t have it that way.
“It is harmless. He’d given me a gift yesterday. It would be so mean to ignore his presence in the mansion.”
“No, it won’t.”
“Yes, it will.”
He shut his eyes. The more days passed, the more his wife proved that she wasn’t just an innocent exiled princess of Yvlies. She was instead, trouble. And for many reasons, he didn’t know how to handle her stubbornness nor did he know how to refuse her request. Forcing his eyes open, he breathed, stepping out of her way. “You first.”
His fist tightened when he saw her eyes light up. Was she so excited to meet the Viscount? They’d only met once but Dean seemed to have caught the liking of the Princess. If he’d known bringing gifts on their first meeting would please her as much, he would’ve brought one on their wedding day.
Without another word, Elora strode past him. Ruffling his hair at his forehead in frustration, he had no choice but to walk beside her as they stepped into the hallway. Only a few seconds later, Viscount Dean stepped into sight, walking in the opposite direction. Dressed in a brown overcoat, a white undershirt, and a grey pant, he held a box in his hand.
“Your highness,” he dipped his head low. “Princess Elora.”
“Dean,” Rafael acknowledged.
“Princess, it’s a pleasure to…”
Before the Viscount could complete his exchange with Elora, Rafael cut in. “I don’t think we had an appointment today, Viscount Dean.”
The man forced his eyes off the princess and relaxed them on him. “Forgive me, your highness. I could not find you a day ago, so I thought to pay a visit today instead.”
“Next time, if you’re not invited, don’t show up. This is not your house to walk in as you please.” He ignored the slight tug on his coat from Elora and completed. “Are we clear?”
She tugged at his coat even more, side eyes sending daggers his way. But he pretended not to notice her action.
The Viscount lowered his head and apologized. “Forgive me, your highness.”
Seeing the tension between both men and the glare that Rafael held toward the Viscount, Elora stepped between them. Without thinking, she blurted. “What do you have in that box, Viscount Dean?”