16. ILUTION POTION

It was quiet. No one spoke for a while. Pascal only looked at Crysta with a gaze that was difficult to interpret. In silence with the hope that Pascal would react, Crysta finally looked down in disappointment. It seemed useless that she had expressed her feelings. Her love was unrequited.

''Say it one more time.'' He turned his face to Crysta.

''Sorry to make you uncomfortable,'' she repeated guiltily. After this, Pascal would definitely start keeping his distance from her. At least that was what she had learned about this man.

''Not that one.''

Crysta's lips parted. ''About me being in love with you?''

In a swift motion, Pascal pulled Crysta into his arms. It left the girl stunned and at the same time not expecting to be in this position. Their bodies were pressed together. Pascal also tightened the embrace behind her hips. Until the only way to see Pascal was to look up where their lips were so close together.

''Since when did you have feelings for me?''

''Do you also have the same feelings?'' Crysta hoped Pascal would say yes.

''Don't answer a question with a question. Just answer it.''

''Ever since you entered the palace hall with your tiger,'' the handsome and brave prince. That was the first impression when Crysta saw him for the first time.

''At your birthday party?" Pascal guessed.

Crysta shook her head. ''When I first visited Valliant. Back then Titan wasn't as big as now and I was only seven years old.''

Crysta found a smile on Pascal's lips. Now she was sure that Pascal did have feelings for her. Especially when Pascal's hand gently rubbed her smooth cheek. It was both careful and passionate.

''Since childhood?'' Pascal chuckled. ''How can a princess already be in love at such a young age? You are such a naughty princess, Crysta.''

The two of them both laughed. But Crysta hurriedly stopped it. ''And you, since when did you have feelings for me, Prince? You've always pretended not to be interested in me until I believed that.''

''Does it matter?''

''It does. It matters to me.''

Only a small chuckle escaped Pascal's lips. Crysta also didn't demand an answer because Pascal had silenced her with a warm embrace. The strokes on her head allowed Crysta to continue silently enjoying the touch Pascal was giving her.

I hope this is not just a dream. I hope this is real. Even if it's a sleeping flower, at least don't let me wake up-

''Princess...''

''Princess...''

The voice called her to open her eyes. At the same time, Pascal was kissing all areas of her face.

''Princess...''

Pascal lifted her up in his arms. Carried her to the messy bed. Lay her down and continued to fondle her relentlessly.

''Princess...''

Down to the neck. Up to the upper chest which was still covered by her corseted dress.

''Princess...''

With a rush of breath, Pascal began to strip off the cloth that clung to her body. Loosening the straps that encased what he wanted to see.

''Princess, wake up.''

Pascal darkened as Crysta's breasts were finally exposed. Then stripped off everything that was still attached and immediately attacked Crysta who was now completely naked.

''Crysta...''

The beat after beat she got in the intercourse made the voice more clearly audible. Pascal said her name without stopping. Not sure if it was because their activities made the man levitate or if it was Pascal's expression of love. But eventually the voice no longer sounded soft.

Crysta's body arched, her breathing labored. Right when she had climaxed because of Pascal's actions, the man suddenly shouted quite loudly.

''Crystaaaa!!!''

Making her eyes open. Realizing that the experience she had with Pascal was an illusion.

Still inside Pascal's room, also still seeing the same person. ''What happened to me?'' asked Crysta who felt a pain in her neck. Reflexively touched that part. And found a pungent-scented cream stuck to her fingertips when her hand was moved away.

''You've been exposed to ermora poison.'' The girl fell unconscious as Pascal pressed the tip of the poisoned sword against Crysta's neck by accident. He hurriedly administered the antidote and guarded Crysta until she woke up.

"Ermora's poison?''

Crysta felt unfamiliar with the name. Surprisingly, she didn't feel any pain. Even when she fainted, she didn't realize it.

''You're lucky you were only slightly injured. The poison didn't spread throughout your body. But it's enough to put you to sleep.'' Pascal added a little more cream due to Crysta's naughty finger. The wound was not completely covered because there were parts that were not covered by the antidote cream.

''Do you feel anything, Princess?" he asked while sitting on the edge of the bed.

Pascal must have been asking about her feeling pain or not. So Crysta shook her head. If Pascal was asking if she was happy or not? Then the answer was yes because she had just...

''You were definitely having a nice dream.''

Crysta's forehead was lined. How did Pascal know?

''That's the effect of the ermora poison if it doesn't spread,'' Pascal's explanation answered the question mark on Crysta's face. He uncovered the strands of hair that covered the beautiful face. Whether it was a form of attention or just a favor. What was clear was that Crysta felt so loved for this small act.

''If it's not treated within five minutes, the effects will be like facing the angel of death. Your body temperature will rise dramatically. You'll feel like you're being burned from the inside. Then your skin will blister. And you'll die slowly,'' he continued which made Crysta shudder in horror.

''How horrible. Master of science Valliant shouldn't have created such a poison.''

''I created it. So there's no need to blame him.''

It was no wonder Pascal could do that. Besides being sadistic and violent, Pascal was also known as intelligent. It was only natural that he knew how to concoct potions to become deadly weapons.

''You really are a terrible prince, Prince Valliant,'' Crysta hissed.

''But you're not afraid of me. You just walked into this room.''

''I just wanted to see you.'' Being exposed to the deadly poison to be able to see the face of the handsomest prince in the eastern region was the price Crysta had to pay. Quite expensive actually.

''What would happen if Leonard found out that his fiancée was lying in my bed?''

That sentence instantly crushed the flowers in Crysta's heart. Day and night she waited for Pascal's arrival and the topic of discussion was Leonard?

''Don't mention his name.'' Crysta looked away, lazy.

''Why? Wouldn't you be lying in his bed later? With him? Making a little prince and princess-''

''Pascal!'' The girl cut in because she couldn't imagine it.

''I'm telling you the truth. Leonard will be your husband. And you will be Lucard's future queen. We will be neighbors.''

''Pascal, stop it!''

''Your behavior in coming to my room shows how unfaithful you are to Leonard, Crysta. You're being treacherous even though I don't know your true intentions for coming.''

''I told you that I wanted to see you,'' Crysta replied again.

''We've already met, then?'' he asked, waiting for Crysta to speak the truth. But Crysta only looked at the open window. Reluctant to look at Pascal. Making the prince furious.

''Leonard,'' called Pascal. He laughed inwardly. He knew Crysta wouldn't like that nickname.

''My name is Crysta, not Leonard!" she protested.

At least Pascal managed to make Crysta look at him again.

''You're going to be his wife. Carrying his child. Why be angry if that's the reality?''

Because I'd rather be your wife and carry your child too, you idiot! Unfortunately, the words were not delivered. Crysta kept them to herself.

''Isn't that so, Leonard?" he teased again.

''Pascal!''

''Answer quickly, Leonard.''

''Pascal!'' Even mentioning this bastard's name was unlikely to stop Pascal from getting what he wanted.

''Say it quickly, Leonard!''

''Pascal!''

''If-''

''Pascaallll.''

Both of them jumped.

''That's your father's voice,'' Crysta panicked. ''Where should I hide?" she asked Pascal. The voice did not come from inside the room. It came from outside.

Both of them looked unprepared. Staring in confusion. Pascal was busy looking for a good spot to hide Crysta. Just as the door opened and several of the king's guards entered first.

Damn.