Zora stiffened, staring at Prince Kael in disbelief. For a moment, she was genuinely at a loss for words. This man's shamelessness truly knew no bounds. Just when she thought she had seen the limit, he calmly pushed past it again.
"Who would ever have a child with you!" she snapped, her tone sharp and flustered despite herself.
They were clearly only cooperating, bound together by circumstance and benefit. How had the conversation twisted into something so utterly indecent?
The smile at the corner of Prince Kael's lips slowly faded. The playful light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something quieter and far more dangerous now. When he spoke again, his voice was low, almost subdued.
"Darling… do you hate me?"
That single question made Zora pause.
Hate?
She looked at him carefully, suddenly feeling as though something heavy had pressed against her chest. She was used to his teasing, his rogue-like smiles, his effortless confidence.
