How Do You Do, Sire?

I stepped forward, realizing the path led to a garden. At its heart stood a gazebo, its elegant frame draped in cascading ivy, forming natural curtains of greenery. To my surprise, a wide, cushioned sofa rested inside, an unusual yet inviting addition. Just beyond it, a fountain glimmered in the moonlight, the gentle trickle of water adding to the serene atmosphere.

Without hesitation, I continued outside, the cool night air kissing my skin. As soon as my heels met the soft grass, relief flooded through me. I had been standing for far too long, and the first thing I did was bend down, slipping off the delicate shoes with a quiet sigh. Holding them by their straps, I let my bare feet sink into the earth, grounding myself in the moment. I strolled past the fountain, the sound of water soothing my restless thoughts, before settling onto the plush sofa inside the gazebo.

From here, I could see the Astera palace in the distance, its towering glass windows revealing the lively festivities inside. The golden glow of chandeliers illuminated the swirling figures of dancers, their laughter and music filtering faintly through the night air. It was a beautiful sight—a world of opulence and effortless social grace.

I smiled bitterly.

No matter how hard I tried, I could never truly belong in that world. Socializing, charming the nobles, and playing the political game—it all felt like a carefully choreographed dance, one I could never quite master. My reputation preceded me, and no matter where I turned, wary glances and whispered gossip followed.

Tonight, I had intended to seek out potential suitors, just as I had boldly declared. But now? I was exhausted. Perhaps I would try again another time.

Today had already been too much.

"One step at a time," Maya had always told me.

Oh, Maya… If only you knew. I didn't even manage to dance tonight. Well, except for earlier in the afternoon—with the prince.

I sighed, shaking my head. How in the world am I supposed to find a boyfriend at this rate?

If only there were dating apps in this world—how much easier would that be?

I tore my gaze away from the lively banquet hall and looked up at the sky. The moon hung high, its silver glow casting a soft radiance over the garden. It was luminous, serene—almost otherworldly. I leaned back against the plush cushions of the sofa, sighing as I pulled my feet up, tucking myself into a fetal position. My arms wrapped around my legs, holding them close as if bracing myself against something unseen.

And then, without thinking, I began to hum—a quiet melody slipping past my lips.

"Oh, he's so attractive, he could never be mine...

I think he might break if my hand touched his skin...

I've never been so close to such pretty things...

And it hurts, to be only of earth..."

The words drifted into the breeze, delicate and wistful, carrying with them a quiet longing I hadn't even realized was there.

"Mr. Porcelain Doll, Mr. Perfect and all,

Mr. flatter me enough just to keep me on my toes...

Does it ever get lonely up there on the wall?

To be looked up to, but never to hold..."

A long sigh.

"Mr. Porcelain Doll..."

My voice barely rose above a whisper, each note floating between like a secret only the night was meant to hear.

A voice shattered the quiet.

"Who are you singing it to?"

Startled, I froze, my breath catching in my throat. The voice had come from the shadows, cutting through the tranquil night like a knife.

I turned my head, my heart lurching as I caught sight of him—the Crown Prince.

Bathed in moonlight, he stood there, watching me. His presence, regal yet oddly unguarded, sent a ripple of something through me—something I dared not name.

Still curled in my spot, I tilted my head slightly, offering him a small smile.

"Hey..." I greeted softly.

It was you.

I was singing about you.

But, of course, I couldn't say that.

In just one day, in just a fleeting moment, I had come to realize how utterly captivated I was by the man before me. His beauty was undeniable, almost unreal, like something sculpted rather than born. And yet, no matter how many times I had entertained the idea of finding a suitor, of seeking love in this world, I couldn't possibly reach for him—could I?

He was of the highest standing, a prince meant for greatness. And though he remained unwed, who was to say his heart was unclaimed? Lady Juliana's name had been whispered beside his for years. 

I said nothing in response to his question.

Instead, I asked, "What are you doing here, Your Highness?"

His answer was simple.

"I was looking for you."

My eyes widened at his direct response.

I met his gaze, finding him now standing right in front of me. Meanwhile, I remained curled up on the cushioned seat, looking up at him.

"My neck hurts from looking up at you," I said with a small smile. "You can sit."

I patted the spot beside me, an unspoken invitation.

Without a word, he moved. My eyes followed as he bent down and took the seat next to me, his movements deliberate yet effortless.

"It's quiet here," he murmured, his voice softer than before.

"Yes. Quite comforting."

He let out a faint hum. "I didn't think you would find my spot."

"Oh!" I blinked. Right. This was his palace, after all. "Yeah, I did. Thanks for having this place. I can finally relax."

Silence settled between us. Not just any silence—a heavy, deafening one.

"So…" I spoke up, suddenly feeling the weight of awkwardness. "You said you were looking for me?"

"Your knight was looking for you," he said, glancing at me. "He thought you had been abducted already."

"Oh, shoot!" I shot up from my seat. I totally forgot about sir Edwin.

"Be at ease." He reached for my hand, halting my movement. "I have already sent word that you are found and ordered him to withdraw. Henceforth, I shall escort you back myself."

I froze. His grip wasn't forceful, yet firm—warm and grounding. It wasn't just a casual touch; it was as if he was holding me in place, unwilling to let go just yet.

I looked down at our joined hands, then back at him. His expression remained unreadable.

"What about Lady Juliana?" I asked, my voice careful, measured.

An unspoken question lingered between us. Why are you here with me when you're supposed to be with her?

"An imperial knight has already been assigned to her," he answered simply.

"But why?" I pressed, my voice laced with uncertainty. Guilt.

I shouldn't feel this way—I had only just met him, and yet, I found myself already drawn in. Captivated. Isn't this too fast?

And yet… he was here. With me.

Without a word, he rose to his feet, his gaze locked onto mine—intense, unreadable, yet filled with something unmistakable. Before I could even process the shift in the air between us, he closed the distance. His lips crashed onto mine.

"Mmph..." My mind went blank.

The world faded, time itself seemed to stutter, and all that remained was the heat of his touch, the firmness of his lips molding against mine. His hand, still holding mine, tightened slightly, grounding me in this moment, while his other hand gently cupped my face, his thumb grazing my cheek with an aching tenderness.

My eyes remained wide in shock, my breath stolen from me.

But then, just as suddenly as it began, he pulled away, only far enough for me to see the seriousness in his expression. His eyes searched mine—was he waiting for my reaction? A protest? A rejection? But I gave neither, because the moment his lips hovered near mine again, I found myself wanting.

This time, when he kissed me, I melted.

My lashes fluttered shut as I leaned into him, surrendering to the warmth of his lips, the intoxicating way he tilted my head just so, deepening the kiss with agonizing slowness. Then, I felt it—his lips parting slightly, his tongue tracing the seam of my lips, coaxing them open. A small gasp escaped me, and he took advantage of it, his tongue slipping inside, tasting, teasing, exploring.

"Ah..." A shudder ran through me.

His kiss was skilled, controlled, but the way he devoured me, the way his tongue tangled with mine, was anything but innocent. A slow, tantalizing rhythm formed between us, our breaths mingling, the taste of him—warm, sweet—spreading through me like liquid fire.

I barely noticed when his free hand moved, fingers gliding down the curve of my back, settling against my bare skin. His palm was warm, firm, and when he stroked the exposed expanse of my spine, a shiver rippled through me, goosebumps forming where he touched.

I was burning.

A strange, new heat curled in my stomach, tightening low in my belly, sending a tingle between my thighs. My hands, previously frozen at my sides, moved on their own, pressing against his chest—not quite pushing him away, but needing space to breathe.

"Haaa..."

Sensing my urgency, he slowed, then finally—finally—pulled back.

I inhaled sharply, my lips tingling, my chest rising and falling as I tried to regain my composure. He was breathless too, his own chest heaving, but there was something else in his expression now. Something dangerous. His darkened eyes flickered over my swollen lips, my flushed cheeks, and the way my dress clung to me as if molded to my skin.

Then, he smiled.

A slow, knowing smile that sent another wave of heat crashing through me.

Before I could speak, he pulled me into his arms, wrapping me in his warmth, his breath hot against my bare shoulder. I felt his lips press there, feather-light at first, then firmer, lingering.

Then—his teeth.

"Ah..." I gasped, my body jolting as he nipped at the sensitive skin, a spark of pleasure mixed with something dangerously addictive.

My fingers curled into his coat as his lips soothed the area he had bitten, his tongue flicking over the spot before sucking gently, igniting another wave of heat inside me. My knees felt weak.

He chuckled softly, his voice deep, vibrating against my skin.

After a moment, he pulled back just enough to look at me, his hands still gripping my waist, his thumbs tracing absent patterns over my sides.

"You truly look stunning tonight," he murmured. Then, after a pause, his voice dropped lower. "No—more like a goddess."

I still couldn't find my voice, still couldn't believe what had just happened.

Finally, after a long, shuddering breath, I managed to whisper, "I know."

Something flickered in his eyes—amusement, surprise, pleasure. And then, to my utter astonishment, he threw his head back and laughed. Loud, genuine, as if something about my answer delighted him beyond reason.

I stared at him, dazed.

Was this how friends were supposed to be?

He didn't let me dwell on it.

Instead, he leaned in again, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my lips—no tongue this time, just a slow, intimate brush of lips. Then, he pulled me into another embrace, resting his chin atop my head, his arms tightening around me.

I let him.

My arms hung loosely at my sides, my heart still racing, my body still tingling with the aftermath of his touch.

Was this how friends should be? I repeated the question to myself.

Or had I just encountered the most dangerous man of all?

After a moment of silence, he took my hand and led me to the sofa. I was about to sit down when, instead of letting me settle onto the cushion, he pulled me onto his lap. A startled gasp escaped me as I found myself perched on him, my body tensing at the unexpected closeness. I froze for a second, but when I felt the warmth of his arms wrapping securely around my waist, my initial shock faded into quiet acceptance.

He nestled his head against my chest, his breath slow and steady, as if he found comfort in the rise and fall of my breathing. I sat sideways, my legs resting on the sofa, but the position felt a little unsteady. Needing something to hold onto so I wouldn't lose my balance, I instinctively reached for the backrest. But before I could grip it, he caught my wrist, his fingers gentle yet firm, and guided my arm around his neck. His silent gesture left no room for hesitation.

Now, with one arm wrapped around him, I found myself embracing him just as he embraced me. The warmth of his body seeped into mine, his steady heartbeat pressing against me. I could feel the subtle movement of his fingers tracing idle patterns against my back, and for a fleeting moment, everything else faded away. The world outside no longer mattered—just the quiet intimacy of the moment we shared.

His fingers moved to trace my shoulder, lingering over the spot where he had bitten me earlier. The sensation sent a shiver through me, and I knew he felt my reaction as well.

"It's turned red," he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of satisfaction as he admired the mark he had left behind.

I met his gaze, my cheeks still burning. "And whose fault is that?" My words came out sharper than intended—more of a snap than a question.

He only chuckled, clearly amused by my irritation. His laughter was unguarded, free—so different from the composed and authoritative figure he had been earlier at the party. In that moment, he looked almost like a carefree boy, a stark contrast to the powerful prince he was supposed to be. And to my own surprise, I found myself smiling at the sight.

Something had changed between us, but I didn't know what. Nor did I have the courage to ask. All I knew was that I wanted to stay in this moment a little longer, without worrying about what it meant or what consequences it might bring.

"Aren't we going back?" I asked hesitantly.

"Later," he replied casually.

I frowned. "We've been here for a while now. They'll start looking for us." My voice was laced with worry. "Someone might come any moment." We weren't engaged. In fact, we had only just met today. If someone were to see us like this—me sitting on his lap, held so intimately—what rumors would spread?

Would they call me shameless? A woman of low virtue? Not that it mattered—whispers were already swirling, branding me with names I had no say in.

Yet, I had only just come of age. And yet, here I was, letting the prince hold me like this.

Maybe I was a foolish girl after all. But then again… could you blame me?

I was sitting in the arms of a man breathtaking enough to tempt even the most virtuous woman.

"When this calms down," he suddenly muttered, his voice lower this time, almost hesitant.

I looked at him, confused. "What is?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, his gaze dropped… downward.

I followed his line of sight, and then my breath hitched.

My eyes widened in disbelief.

"Oh!" I gasped, realization crashing into me like a tidal wave. The hard pressure I had felt beneath me wasn't some part of his attire—it was him!

Heat exploded across my face.

"Then you shouldn't be hugging me like this!" I smacked his back in mortification. "Let me up!" I struggled, trying to push myself off of him.

But instead of letting me go, he only tightened his hold, locking me in place.

"Do not move." His voice was soft yet firm, edged with restraint—almost pleading. "If you don't want to stir me any further… stay still." He groaned, his breath heavy and uneven.

I immediately froze.

Understanding dawned on me, and with it, a new wave of embarrassment.

He buried his head against my shoulder, his grip around my waist unwavering. Pulling me even closer. "Just like this," he murmured. "For a while."

I felt the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath me. 

A sigh escaped me, and I allowed myself to relax against him. My head tilted forward, gently resting atop his, while my arms settled into a loose embrace—one wrapped around his back, the other resting lightly against his front shoulder.

We remained like that for what felt like an eternity, neither of us speaking—just listening. The distant hum of music from the party, the soft rhythm of our breaths, and the unsteady cadence of our hearts all intertwined, dissolving into the stillness of the night, wrapped in the gentle embrace of moonlight.