Chapter 11
Charlize was strolling through the garden.
Only a few days ago, her heart had been clouded by the weight of an unwanted engagement. But now, that heaviness was gone. She found herself smiling, wondering what she should send in return for the flowers and gifts she’d received.
It’s been so long since I felt this light.
She could hardly believe herself. Then again, he had always been someone who naturally drew attention. And more importantly…
He said he liked me.
Call it naïve, call it foolish—she couldn’t help it. Her heart had already tilted in his direction before she had time to build any walls. Maybe it was because he’d approached her so honestly.
“No, but still… this is happening too fast. I should be more careful…”
“What’s happening too fast?”
Charlize jumped in surprise, nearly dropping the flower she was holding. She spun around sharply and found Achilles standing just two steps away, watching her calmly.
“Would you please stop appearing out of nowhere?!”
This garden wasn’t part of her private palace grounds. She had used picking flowers as an excuse to come here, but…
If I’m lucky, I might run into him like this.
Achilles’ residence—the detached palace given to him by the Emperor—was nearby. Charlize had been planning to send him something in return for his gifts. Specifically, a pair of cufflinks he could wear at tomorrow’s ball.
She had narrowed it down to two options: a graceful design of sapphire and gold that reminded her of him, and a more striking one featuring yellow diamonds that matched his golden eyes.
Sending both felt like too much, so she was still deciding between the two.
I thought he might show up… but still…
Even though she had half-expected it, she couldn’t help crying out in shock. But Achilles didn’t seem offended. Not that anyone would dare show open displeasure to a princess, but still… his reaction felt sincere.
Charlize found herself thinking of someone else and quickly schooled her expression. Thinking about Valter at a time like this—while standing in front of Achilles—felt inappropriate and unpleasant.
“What are you thinking about, Your Highness?”
He had noticed the shift in her expression. Her eyes widened slightly, then flickered with panic.
Achilles stepped forward.
His cool, golden gaze caught hers, and for a moment, she was transfixed. He bent slightly at the waist, lowering his face to her eye level.
“May I kiss you… every time you think about something—or someone—else?”
“W-What?!”
What is this man saying?!
Charlize instinctively stepped back, still clutching a few flowers to her chest. Her face turned bright red.
“Wh-Wh-What are you even saying?!”
“You’re making me jealous. I want you to think of me. The last time we kissed, you couldn’t take your eyes off me.”
Charlize whipped her head around, flustered. She glanced about the garden, but her maids and guards had already disappeared.
She couldn’t tell if they had overheard that outrageous comment or not.
“That—anyone would react like that in that kind of moment! D-Don’t just say things like that so suddenly!”
“Then please don’t think of another man while standing in front of me, Your Highness.”
He didn’t say the part about wanting to chase that man down and kill him. He figured she didn’t need to know that side of him yet.
Charlize couldn’t bring herself to deny it. She looked away instead.
Achilles took another step closer, and she instinctively backed away—only to catch her foot on the edge of a stone lining the flowerbed.
Oh no…
Behind her was a rose garden. Any other flower might’ve been fine—but roses had thorns. She knew that, and yet her body teetered backward.
“Careful.”
In a blur, Achilles had closed the distance and wrapped an arm firmly around her waist.
Now that they were this close, she could smell his scent—cool and distinct.
“I suppose I’ll have to keep holding you, Your Highness.”
With a gentle pull, his strong arm lifted her off the ground. Charlize gasped, finally realizing what had happened.
“W-Wait a second…!”
“If you scream, your guards will come running.”
Charlize looked up—and found herself staring directly into a pair of amber eyes. They were cold in color, but the gaze they held was blazing hot.
“They might catch us… kissing.”
“M-Master of the Tower! Wha—mmph…”
His lips pressed gently against her cheek. Charlize’s face turned a deep crimson as she stared at him. His amber eyes glowed softly, like golden honey.
“I was afraid you’d be upset if I kissed your lips. Or… are you upset because I didn’t?”
“I never said that—mmph…”
His warm lips brushed hers, soft and slow. Because he was still holding her in his arms, he couldn’t push forward forcefully. Instead, he kissed her like he was asking for permission, his tongue teasing along the seam of her lips.
Charlize had no idea what to do. The moment she parted her lips ever so slightly, his tongue slipped in—only for her to quickly turn her head away, causing him to retreat and then attempt again.
“A-Ah… mmph…”
Eventually, she gave in. Achilles’ eyes sparkled with heat as he gazed at her. He sucked on her lips softly, entwining his tongue with hers, and Charlize’s breath came out in short gasps.
Soon… maybe even next month, he thought, this woman will be panting in my arms. And when she did—when she trembled and sighed, soaked in tears and breathless—he wouldn’t stop.
As that thought simmered in him, Achilles walked over to a nearby bench he had already noticed. Sitting down, he pulled Charlize gently onto his lap. She looked utterly flustered.
If someone sees us like this…!
“P-Please let me down! Sitting on your lap is just—”
“There are many dangers in this garden, so I can’t possibly let you down.”
The only dangerous thing here is you, Master of the Tower…
Charlize wanted to say it out loud, but her lips were immediately silenced again.
Achilles reached out and gently caressed her flushed cheek, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. From the look on her face, there was no trace of any other man in her mind now.
And even if there had been, he still would’ve kissed her.
…So sweet.
His lips broke away with a faint pop, and her face turned an even deeper shade of red. Achilles smiled faintly—amused by how embarrassed she was over something so small.
But once they were married, he’d make her do things that would make her blush for real—things she couldn’t even imagine now.
“What did you eat earlier?”
“Just tea… black tea.”
She had been restricting her meals since that morning for tomorrow’s banquet. No sweets, no cakes. When she replied, Achilles tilted his head in disbelief.
“Impossible. Your lips taste sweet. Black tea alone couldn’t do that.”
Charlize’s jaw dropped. Is he teasing me? she wondered—but his expression remained serious.
“What else did you eat, Your Highness?”
“J-Just tea, I swear! Ah…”
He lowered his head and gently tilted her chin up, making her look at him. As their lips met again and their tongues tangled, her face grew unbearably hot.
“Ah… n-no…”
Their kiss deepened, wet and sticky. The soft squelch of saliva echoed faintly as Achilles sucked on her lips again, staring deep into her embarrassed eyes.
“Still sweet,” he murmured. “So… unless you tell me the truth… I’m afraid I can’t let you go.”
His voice, low and barely above a whisper, sounded more seductive than ever. Charlize’s whole body flushed at the sensation.
Eventually, she couldn’t take it anymore. Her body squirmed, trying to escape the heat.
She pushed at his chest with trembling hands. Achilles finally pulled back, though he looked clearly disappointed. Charlize, on the other hand, was on the verge of breaking down.
“Haa… ha… huff…”
Breathing raggedly, she scrambled off his lap. Achilles twitched slightly, clearly wanting to hold her again—but he resisted.
My face is on fire!
She turned away, covering her face with both hands. Her heart was pounding so wildly she could barely think.
What even…
How many kisses was that?! And what was all that talk? Was that just an excuse?! He’s just trying to kiss me more! He’s teasing me…
She peeked over her shoulder, only to find Achilles standing right behind her. She hadn’t even heard him get up from the bench.
“Don’t come any closer!”
“Why not, Your Highness?”
Only two steps separated them. Charlize covered her lips with one arm and glared at him with panicked eyes.
“B-Because you keep… you keep kissing me! It makes my heart race! I can’t even breathe properly!”
“Is that because of me?”
“……”
She didn’t want to admit it. With her face flushed and hidden behind her arm, she glared at him again—but Achilles only stepped closer.
She retreated.
“Why are you coming closer? I told you not to!”
“Are you sure I can’t come closer, Your Highness? Because right now, I want to hold you. That expression you just made… I want to embrace you.”
Why does he always…
Charlize clenched her eyes shut and turned her head away. She wasn’t used to someone expressing their feelings so directly. No one had ever come at her like this before.
I can’t just keep running.
“It’s… it’s all too fast. Please. Just… give me a little time to catch up.”
“……”
And you’re looking at me like that… with eyes like that… and telling me to wait?
Achilles was waiting. Even the date set by the Emperor for their wedding—he had accepted it without complaint. In truth, he wanted to take her to the Tower now.
“You don’t need to catch up to me, Your Highness.”
