Chapter Four: Heat and Shadows
Feifei woke to the soft light of the mansion spilling across her room. Her muscles still ached from the morning training, and the memory of Royalty's sharp, assessing gaze made her pulse quicken.
She wrapped herself in a loose robe and stepped out, thinking she could sneak to the kitchen for coffee before him. But as always, the mansion had other plans.
"You're awake early," a deep voice said from the doorway.
Feifei froze. Royalty stood there, leaning casually against the frame, dark eyes fixed on her.
"I was… just getting coffee," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"You shouldn't be wandering around alone," he said, stepping closer. His presence filled the room, heavy and magnetic. "You know how dangerous it can be."
Her stomach flipped. "I can handle danger," she shot back, though her voice wavered slightly.
His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "Can you?"
_______
Later that night, the mansion was quiet. Feifei was in her room, finishing some notes from her lessons when she heard the soft click of the door.
She looked up. Royalty was there, leaning casually against the doorframe. The moonlight caught the edges of his face, sharp and impossibly handsome.
"I need to talk to you," he said softly, stepping in.
Feifei swallowed, suddenly aware that she was only in her lingerie and a robe slipped off her shoulders. She tried to stand, but he raised a hand.
"Stay," he said, calm but commanding. "I'm not here to scare you."
Her pulse raced as he approached, moving slowly, deliberately, close enough that she could feel the heat from his body.
"You shouldn't be alone," he murmured, almost a whisper. His fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face. Electric.
"I can take care of myself," she said, trying to sound confident.
He smiled faintly, just enough to make her stomach flutter. "I know. But I want to see it for myself."
The air between them felt thick, charged. Every look, every step, every subtle touch made it impossible to think straight.
_______
Days passed in the same rhythm. Training, lessons, quiet meals, and stolen moments in hallways or empty rooms. Every glance, every brush of a hand, every word carried weight. Feifei felt the pull—stronger than she'd admit. And Royalty, for all his control, never let his guard completely down, but the tension between them grew until it felt almost unbearable.
One evening, they found themselves alone in the greenhouse. The air smelled of damp soil and blooming flowers, soft light filtering through glass.
"You've improved," he said, stepping close enough that her shoulder brushed his.
"I've had good teachers," she replied, daring.
He studied her for a long moment. "You notice everything. Details others miss. That's… dangerous for you. And for me."
Her heart thudded in her chest. "Why me?"
"Because…" His voice dropped lower, rougher, slower. "…letting you go isn't an option."
Feifei swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. She had never met anyone like him—someone so controlled, so dangerous, yet magnetic in a way she couldn't resist.
And somewhere, far away, the rival watched again. He didn't know about this—the closeness, the tension, the way they were drawn together. But he didn't have to. Soon enough, he would make his move.