Chapter Two — Lines That Blur
Royalty didn't sleep that night.
Feifei knew because she didn't either.
The mansion was quiet in the way only powerful places were — no chaos, no noise, just the steady hum of control. She lay on the massive bed staring at the ceiling, skin still warm where his fingers had touched her waist hours earlier.
One touch.
That was all it took to undo the illusion that this was just a transaction.
She rolled onto her side, biting her lip, angry at herself for how her body had reacted — how her breath had stuttered, how her knees had almost weakened.
Royalty was dangerous.
Not because he was cruel.
But because he was disciplined.
And discipline always broke eventually.
_______
Morning came with sunlight pouring through sheer curtains.
A knock sounded.
"Come in," she said.
A woman entered — tall, elegant, mid-thirties, sharp eyes softened by curiosity.
"I'm Mirela," she said. "Head of household operations. And unofficially, the only person who tells Royalty when he's being unreasonable."
Feifei smiled despite herself. "That must be a full-time job."
Mirela laughed quietly. "You have no idea."
She handed Feifei a tablet. "You'll be trained. Etiquette. Languages. Defense. You're not a prisoner — but you're not free either."
"And if I refuse?"
Mirela's smile faded slightly. "Then you'll still be trained. He just prefers cooperation."
Feifei exhaled. "Figures."
Before leaving, Mirela paused. "For what it's worth… he hasn't brought anyone here in years."
That stayed with her.
_______
Royalty watched the security feed from his office.
Feifei crossed the courtyard below, dressed in fitted black pants and a white silk top, hair pulled back loosely. She moved with quiet confidence — not trying to impress, not shrinking either.
"She adapts fast," Luca said from the corner, Royalty's second-in-command.
"She's not adapting," Royalty replied. "She's observing."
"Still think bringing her here was smart?"
Royalty's jaw tightened. "No."
"Then why do it?"
He shut the screen off.
"Because debt isn't the only thing tying her family to me."
Luca frowned. "What aren't you telling me?"
Royalty stood. "Everything that matters."
_______
Training changed things.
Physical training, especially.
Feifei learned how to strike, how to break a hold, how to shoot. Royalty never touched her during sessions — always corrected verbally, always distant.
Until one day, she misstepped.
She lost balance during a pivot.
Royalty caught her by reflex.
His hands locked around her waist, solid and unyielding, her back pressed flush against his chest.
Time froze.
Her breath caught.
His did too.
Neither moved.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," she said — too softly.
His grip tightened before he let go abruptly, stepping back like he'd been burned.
"Session's over."
She turned to face him. "Royalty—"
"Enough."
The word cracked like a whip.
But his eyes were dark. Unsteady.
That night, she found him in the library again.
This time, she didn't pretend it was an accident.
"You're avoiding me," she said.
He didn't look up from his glass. "I'm protecting you."
"From what?"
"From me."
She stepped closer. "You already touched me."
His eyes lifted slowly. "And I've been paying for it since."
Feifei reached out — deliberately — and placed her hand over his.
Electric.
He inhaled sharply.
"This isn't fair," he muttered.
"Neither is being collateral," she replied.
Silence stretched.
Then Royalty stood.
"You want honesty?" he asked. "I don't take women who can be used against me."
"And me?"
"You already are."
Her heart pounded. "Then why keep me here?"
His voice dropped, raw. "Because letting you go would be worse."
Before she knew what was happening, Royalty in a blink of an eye
Rushed to kiss her
The first kiss wasn't gentle.
It was restrained.
Controlled to the brink of breaking.
He cupped her face, thumbs brushing her jaw, mouth hovering a breath away.
"Last chance," he murmured. "Say stop."
She tilted her chin up. "Don't you dare."
That did it.
His mouth claimed hers — slow at first, then deeper, hunger bleeding through control. He kissed her like a man starving, like he'd denied himself too long.
When he pulled back, their foreheads rested together.
"This changes everything," he said.
"Good," she whispered. "I was tired of pretending it
_____
Elsewhere in the city, a man watched surveillance photos spread across a table.
Royalty.
Feifei.
A smile curved his lips.
"So that's his weakness," he murmured. "Interesting."