295: She Tastes Sweet

She Tastes Sweet

When Oriana opened the door, she found the prince in his sleeping robes, standing by the window of his bedchamber. She wondered whether he was waiting for her arrival, or he was simply lost in thought.0

'It has to be the latter, right?'

As soon as Kerry closed the door behind her, all the nerves in her body seemingly came alive. She gulped,  her palms clammy with sweat.

"G-Good evening, Your Highness."

Arlan turned to look at her, saying nothing as he stared at her for some time. Though her head was lowered, she could sense his gaze on her. It made her more nervous and she dared not raise her head.

The Crown Prince might be able to act the same, but with awareness, the way Oriana perceived his actions had changed. A man would not gaze at a woman with such intensity for no reason.

Could things truly remain the same between them?

Oriana felt like she had the answer now.

'Why if he is not saying anything? If he plans to do anything, I am…No! I can't let him!I want to trust him. He won't break my trust… right?'

Arlan was observing her fidget her fingers in discomfort. He could hear her racing heartbeats, and it told him how nervous she was under her pretentious calm. 

This feisty woman who fears no one appeared so delicate at this moment, like a willing prey  in front of a predator. It brought a satisfied smile to his lips.

'Finally…'

Was it a good decision to admit that he knew her secret? Arlan initially had doubts. He was aware it would change the dynamics between them, and the easygoing days would no longer return.

'Some things had changed, but for the better.'

Like her current behavior.

Arlan had a long, exhausting day. Due to his prior commitments, he had been busy for most of the day, and he had never gotten a chance to have alone time with her. He was too caught up with work outside the mansion to interact with her to his heart's content.

Now, he was finally free and she stood before him with no one else in sight to ruin the moment. He could take liberties with her and appreciate her beauty for as long as he wished. 

But merely being in the same space could never be enough. A part of his heart demanded more. 

"It's late. We shall sleep," Arlan said as he walked towards the bed. 

His choice of words puzzled her. 'What does he mean by 'we shall sleep'?' 

She raised her head and observed him make his way to bed. He settled under the sheets as usual before raising a brow in her direction. 

"What are you waiting for?"

Hesitantly, she strode towards him. 'Those words, I hope it's not what I am thinking of.'

Taking the quilt in her hands, she draped it over him to cover his body. The entire time, Arlan's gaze was fixed on her face. Their gazes happened to meet when she adjusted the quilt up to his chest. She averted her eyes and took a step back with a lowered head.

"Good night, Your Highness."

Arlan simply closed his eyes. Getting no other orders from him, she felt relieved and cheered up. 

'I was overthinking. He really kept his word.'

After extinguishing the flames from the oil lamps within the chamber, she went to the couch next to the prince's bed and lay on it. It didn't take her long to drift to sleep as she was tired. 

Moments later, Arlan opened his eyes and turned to his side, facing the woman who was sleeping soundly on the couch. 

'Her duty is to put me to sleep but she is bold enough to sleep earlier than me. Nevermind.' A wicked smirk painted on his lips. 'In the future, she will not get much sleep at all.'

Amidst her being in deep sleep, Oriana felt a familiar sensation on her lips, gentle and warm, and it was the kind of dream she welcomed, one that brought a comforting flutter to her heart.

She felt the pair of warm lips playing with hers, a kiss equally tender and sweet. She reciprocated in instinct, loving the sensation of the kiss. Just as those lips were about to pull away, she responded to the kiss with greater yearning. 

That warmth, she wanted more of that familiar warmth—

'It's not a dream.' 

Oriana abruptly opened her eyes, only to find there was no one in front of her. She moved her head to look at the prince, but found him sleeping soundly in bed.

'Was I mistaken?'

She touched her lips. They sure felt moist and the feeling of warmth still lingered on them. If she was really kissed by the prince, then it was impossible for him not to be in front of her. He was tucked neatly under the quilt. No one could move so fast, it did not even take the duration of a blink.

She once more touched her mouth and that moistness around still surprised her, the sensation of warm lips over hers was still alive that she could feel it clearly. 

'Was I licking my own lips in my sleep while dreaming about the kiss? Have I really turned into a pervert to have such dreams? No...It can't be..!'

She covered her face with her palms in shame, even kicking her legs in the air, feeling frustrated over herself. She turned around,  burying her face onto the pillow with her back facing Arlan.

'I am not a pervert. I am not—'

Unknown to her, the sneaky perpetrator opened his eyes to peek at her reaction. She was not mistaken. It was indeed him. 

He could not help but smile at her reaction. Then he pulled his hand out of the quilt and watched the gold scales on his hand disappear entirely. He closed his eyes and proceeded to sleep for real. 

'She tastes so sweet.'

pqdm.com