I entered the palace angrily. Just when I thought I was finally free, they brought me straight to his study.
I walked in and saw him sitting on his leather chair, calmly reading a book.
"You want me to die? You'll lose me!" I said sharply.
"Watch your tongue, my queen," he said coldly, then looked up at me. "I will never lose you."
I won't lie, I liked the way he called me his queen. It made me feel special. But still, I value my life more than anything!
"I shouldn't have applied here," I murmured.
"Even if you didn't, you'd still be forced to serve me until you tell me who the man is. I already planned everything two years ago," he said.
I blinked in confusion. "How am I supposed to believe that? You hated me before knowing the truth."
"I've been watching you for a long time," he said quietly. "But you were never with the man. I once planned to kidnap you and bring you here. I hated you because I thought you betrayed me."
He sighed. "I didn't even bother to investigate him because I knew I might kill him. I made my grandparents believe he was your boyfriend."
I sighed deeply. So even if Elijah hadn't said anything, or if I had never come here, we'd still end up like this? I laughed bitterly. I remembered the day I approached him first, because I had a crush on him. If I'd known he was from the royal family, I would've buried my feelings long ago.
"Regretting meeting me?" His voice dropped low, almost a whisper. His sad face…ughh! That's my weakness. He nodded softly. "I knew it."
I quickly walked up to him, pulled him up, and hugged him. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and buried his face in my neck. "Don't leave," he murmured.
"I'll be killed."
"I'll protect you. I told you to trust me."
I sighed nervously, thinking about what I was getting myself into. Well, I guess I've already gone too far to turn back now. He asked me to trust him, but I'll still save myself if anything happens later.
I ran my fingers through his hair gently. "Okay, my king," I whispered.
He looked at me in surprise, a small playful smile curling on his lips. "So that means… you're ready to submit yourself to me?"
I raised a brow. "Not completely. I'll make my own decisions too. You can't control me, only lead me." I made it clear because Ethan is too controlling!
Ethan chuckled and kissed my forehead. "I'll try."
I rolled my eyes. Controlling is in his blood. But honestly, who am I not to obey him? I was just teasing him.
I tried to pull away, but he held my waist tighter.
"Ahhh… I need to go."
"Sleep with me tonight."
My eyes widened. "Wait, what? No! That's too dangerous!"
"I didn't ask you. It's an order," he teased with a chuckle.
I glared at him, and we both laughed.
"I can't help it when you act stubborn…"
"But…"
"No but."
Thinking about what happened yesterday made me blush. I looked away quickly.
He chuckled and finally released me. "It's already night. You have one hour to do whatever you want," he said, brushing his fingers through my hair.
I looked into his blue eyes and sighed. "You're very stubborn, Ethan," I murmured and left.
I heard him laugh behind me. I rolled my eyes. "Why didn't I just go home that day instead of waiting for him to pass?"
That was the day I planned to approach him after hiding my feelings for weeks.
Later, I finished everything quickly and waited for everyone to sleep. But then a guard came knocking and took me through a secret passage that led to Ethan's room.
When I entered, he was already waiting on his bed. "You kept me waiting, my queen."
"Ahhh," I blushed. "Can you stop calling me that?"
He raised a brow. "My queen?"
"Ahhh!" I covered my face, blushing even more. "It's awkward and…"
"You feel like you don't deserve it?" he finished for me. I looked at him, surprised.
He pointed toward a table. "That's the nightgown you'll wear whenever you sleep here."
I blinked in surprise. "Wait, you mean… this won't be my last time?" I said, holding up the beautiful pink gown.
"You should get used to where you'll spend the rest of your life," he murmured.
I looked at him, then at the gown. He was staring at me so seriously that I wasn't sure he even blinked!
"Ahhh…" I felt awkward, hoping he'd look away.
"Didn't I bathe you yesterday?"
"Ethan!" I rolled my eyes and sighed. At least I was still in my underwear. I lifted the gown over my head, revealing my bra and panties.
"Remove that thing on your chest. You won't sleep comfortably with it," he frowned.
I sighed. He was right, I never sleep with it anyway. I turned shyly and took it off, then slipped into the gown. It was a bit seductive, but thick enough. I felt secure.
"You'll be wearing only nets after I marry you," he teased.
I chuckled but didn't argue. Let him believe whatever he wanted. Would that even happen? I laughed softly to myself and climbed onto his bed. He smiled and caught my hand, pulling me into his chest.
I sighed and rested my head on him. He wrapped his arm around me and covered us with a sheet.
"I know what you're thinking," he whispered.
"What?"
"You think I can't marry you?" He chuckled when I kept quiet. "You don't know anything about my adult version, Allison. Unless they kill me, I'll make it happen."
"But tomorrow is your party, to choose a bride," I reminded.
He laughed. "Don't tell me you're jealous, Queen Allison?"
I rolled my eyes. "Please, stop calling me that," I murmured.
"You'll have to get used to it."
"Well, I'm not," I said stubbornly.
"Really?" He suddenly flipped our position, pinning me under him. I looked at him nervously. "Then why do you look jealous?"
"Ahhh… not that…"
"Then what?"
"It's your parents' happiness, and you must obey them," I said.
"So you'll allow me to have a concubine?" he teased.
"I wouldn't if I were from a rich family," I pouted.
"So why now?"
I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I didn't know you talked this much, Prince Ethan."
He smirked. "But you once said I'm too quiet and don't match your energy, remember?"
"Ohhh!" I laughed, remembering how I used to get angry at his blank stares whenever we talked.
"I don't talk much outside. I'm just trying my best to match your energy," he said seriously.
I looked at him, then laughed. "Oh my God, you're too cute!" I said, giving him a quick kiss on his lips. His surprised face made me laugh even harder.
"A whole crown prince is cute?"
"You sound even cuter," I teased between laughs.
He stared at me for a while. I stopped laughing. He leaned closer and kissed me. I kissed him back. He deepened the kiss, his hand gently slipped under my gown and moved chest.
"Mmm…" I moaned softly. He suddenly rolled over, pulling me into his arms from behind. He turned off the lamp and whispered, "Let's sleep before I lose control."
I chuckled softly and let him bury his face in my neck."Uhmm…" I paused. I was speechless. His hand was under my gown, caressing my waist gently. My hips and legs were completely exposed.
"Be good and don't move. Is your stomach still aching?" he whispered.
I smiled. He always did this whenever I had stomach pain.