Chapter 271: The Showdown Between Besties, Let Me Take the Fall (4)
"Pfft, as if!" Rong scoffed, though her tone lacked conviction.
She wasn't actually jealous. She just felt she'd been teased too harshly earlier and wanted to get back at him.
"Then why say something like that?"
Shia moved closer, taking a seat beside her and grabbing her delicate hand. He gently toyed with it in his palm.
Rong's heart, which had just begun to calm down, started racing all over again.
Her face flushed as she stammered, "Master, don't—"
"Don't what?" Shia's low voice carried a magnetic tone as he leaned closer.
"Don't... you were teasing me earlier... and now..."
Rong's breathing quickened, her mind turning into a chaotic mess. All she could think about was escaping, but her body wouldn't cooperate.
Her flushed cheeks, as pink as a ripe peach, were impossibly alluring, practically inviting someone to take a bite.
Her innocent yet flustered expression, tinged with a hint of charm, was irresistible.
Shia leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek, his grip on her hand firm yet gentle.
"What's wrong with showing you how much I like you?"
To Rong, his words were like a spark landing on dry tinder, igniting a blaze within her.
Rong's face was flushed bright red as her petite hand unconsciously scratched at Shia's palm, her soft little feet curling adorably. She looked like a shy, soft girl on the outside, but inside, she had already turned into a flustered mess, like a squeaky rubber chicken running in frantic circles.
'Master said he likes her!'
Thinking about the sensation from earlier made her body grow even softer. No matter how she tried, her strength just wouldn't return.
The socially anxious princess hung her head low, feeling utterly at the mercy of her mischievous master.
'Rong, pull yourself together!'
It's just a few sweet words! Where's your succubus pride? Show some charm!
Even as she berated herself, nothing worked. Her mother's teachings seemed utterly useless in moments like these.
'Should she go back for another lesson?'
Her thoughts spiraled wildly as the moon climbed higher into the night sky, and the villa sank into quiet stillness.
That night, Nia invited the two guests to share her room. Nia clung to Violet, hugging her tightly against her abundant chest, sleeping peacefully.
However, Violet—who was on the verge of suffocating—couldn't sleep at all. Her eyes stayed wide open for a long time before she carefully began to move.
Nia was sound asleep, showing no signs of waking.
Violet carefully extricated herself from Nia's embrace. A vague thought was growing stronger in her mind.
She couldn't sleep.
She wanted to go out for a walk.
As she tiptoed to the door, she glanced back at the bed. Nia's serene sleeping face reassured her.
Barefoot and clad in her silky white stockings, Violet walked silently across the carpet, her movements as quiet as a whisper.
But as she passed by Shia's room, she suddenly stopped.
Her slender hand rested on the doorknob. Just as she was about to try opening it, the door opened on its own.
'It wasn't locked?'
Violet was momentarily stunned before a wave of delight surged through her.
'The heavens must be helping her!'
"What are you doing here, Princess?"
A voice suddenly came from behind, startling Violet. Her entire body froze on the spot.
Slowly, she turned her head and let out a small breath of relief when she saw it was Shia.
Shia stood there, holding a glass of warm water, looking down at the silver-haired princess before him.
He had just gotten up for some water and caught someone trying to sneak into his room barefoot.
Violet peeked up at Shia through her lashes, then quickly looked down again. Her cheeks burned with heat, and her heart raced.
She wasn't sure why she had come. It was almost as if her body had moved on its own.
But now that she was here, and Shia was right in front of her, she had to put on the proper air of a princess!
Gathering her courage, Violet suddenly shifted from flustered to composed. She glanced at him with a hint of pride before stepping into his room with a queenly air.
Shia stood there, confused.
What just happened?
Violet gracefully sat on his bed, crossing her legs. Her elegant white-stockinged legs gleamed under the soft light as she tilted her chin up slightly, looking at him with a proud gaze.
'Maintain your royal dignity! That's right, confidence is key!'
She mentally cheered herself on, but the moment she locked eyes with Shia, her confidence crumbled.
Her gaze darted away, and her proud aura deflated like a balloon. She looked more like a timid little wife now, sitting there nervously.
Shia couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
He slowly took a sip of his water, his eyes never leaving Violet.
'She barged into his room, sat on his bed, and then… just sat there? Silent and awkward?'
The longer Shia said nothing, the more nervous Violet became. It felt like time was stretching endlessly.
Her palms grew damp with sweat as tension gnawed at her.
"What exactly do you want?" Shia asked after finishing his water, breaking the silence.
It was his final attempt to get an answer.
'If she didn't explain now…'
Violet's mind raced as she searched for words. A vague thought floated in her head, but she couldn't fully grasp it.
Her hands clutched the bedsheet tightly, and her lips pressed together. Yet, no words came out.
Shia raised an eyebrow and finally placed the glass on the bedside table with a soft "clink."
The sound echoed sharply in the quiet room.
Violet tensed even more, gulping softly. Her body language screamed nervousness, yet her outward demeanor was one of cold indifference. She sat upright on the bed, her expression calm and dignified, not even sparing him a glance.
'She looked like she owned the place.'
Shia took a step closer.
Playing coy?
Not going to happen.
Hearing his footsteps, Violet's heart quivered. She finally looked up, her gaze meeting his. She could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.
She wanted to say something—anything. But before she could, Shia was already moving.
Her lips parted in surprise, but she was silenced immediately.
Her lips were captured in a kiss, stealing away any chance to speak.
Instinctively, Violet's hands reached out, trying to push him away. But she forgot that she was leaning back, relying on her arms for support.
The moment her balance shifted, her stomach dropped.
It was too late.
Her arms wrapped around Shia's neck, clinging to him as she gave up resisting. Her soft body collapsed against his firm frame.
Her mind went blank.
Her heart raced wildly, and her breath quickened. She couldn't control the way her body seemed to melt into his.
As the kiss deepened, she clung to him like a drowning person grasping for air.
When it finally broke, Violet gasped for breath. Her chest heaved, the motion drawing Shia's gaze to the abundant curves rising and falling in rhythm.
Her wide, misty eyes were unfocused, as if she wasn't entirely aware of what had just happened.
Her flushed face, combined with her dazed expression, was undeniably enchanting.
Shia reached out and gently caressed her cheek. Her skin was as smooth as polished jade, impossibly soft to the touch.
"Princess, I'd like to get to know you on a deeper level…"
His voice was low and slightly hoarse, carrying a sensual undertone.
Hearing his words, Violet's cheeks turned bright red, as though steam might rise from her head.
'Deeper level!?'
Her mind filled with chaotic images, blending the forbidden with the lingering sensation of his lips.
Her teeth bit down on her lower lip, her expression a mix of frustration and bashful anger.
"You… you're too much!" she stammered.
Shia raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.
"What did I do?"
"You're still asking?! You're thinking of doing that kind of thing to me!" she accused, her voice trembling with embarrassment.
Shia's expression became even more confused.
"What are you imagining?"
"I just meant I wanted to hear about your past."
"What kind of nonsense were you thinking about?"