For a brief moment, she found his unannounced arrival suspicious, but the moment she saw his cheerful smile and lively chatter, her caution melted away like snow.
“Look at this, Your Highness! I finally found the puzzle I mentioned before!”
Holding out a large toy box, the man exclaimed excitedly.
“You cannot imagine how hard I worked to obtain this! I swear I did not put this much effort into gifts for His Majesty the Emperor!”
The man proudly lifted his chin before suddenly scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
Apparently, he had belatedly realized the impropriety of arriving so late at night.
“I originally intended to give this to you on your birthday, but... I must leave the capital urgently tomorrow, so I shamelessly came despite the hour. Will Your Highness forgive my rudeness?”
Seeing him droop the corners of his eyes like a rain-soaked puppy, Talia sighed and shook her head helplessly.
“I suppose there’s no helping it. Come inside.”
He smiled brightly and stepped into the detached palace.
It was the first time «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» she had ever invited someone inside who was neither a guard knight nor a maid.
Suddenly, the chaotic state of the palace felt embarrassingly shameful.
She led him past the reception room that had never once been used and had gathered nothing but dust, then brought him instead to the library on the second floor.
Aside from her bedroom, it was the cleanest room in the palace.
There, they unfolded the puzzle atop a chess table and sat facing one another while assembling the pieces.
She became so absorbed in the task that she failed to even notice that the man’s knees rested on either side of hers.
Talia devoted all her attention to fitting together the tiny pieces that formed a pointed castle tower.
To help her, he leaned in closely and fixed several delicate pillars into place.
At last, one tower was complete.
Talia smiled proudly.
Then suddenly, she realized he was far too close.
A look of discomfort crossed her face.
The man had pressed himself so near that the wine-scented warmth of his breath brushed against her forehead.
She shifted uncomfortably.
But abruptly pulling away now would make things awkward.
Carefully, Talia twisted slightly to the side, pretending to search the box for another puzzle piece.
Then the man moved behind her.
Stretching his arms around both sides of her waist as though embracing her, he began rummaging through the box.
“So it was here.”
Talia’s body stiffened instantly.
His long muscular arms tightened firmly around her waist.
Feeling hot, damp breaths spilling against the back of her neck, she instinctively hunched her shoulders.
Her heart pounded violently with fear at the unfamiliar situation.
And yet, strangely enough, no sound would leave her mouth.
He shoved his arm deeper into the box, pressing his body more tightly against hers.
At last, Talia managed to squeeze out a strained voice.
“L-let go...”
“Just... just a moment. Your Highness’s body... smells unbelievably sweet.”
He pressed his nose against her shoulder and inhaled deeply.
Talia felt every nerve in her body stand on edge.
Cold sweat dampened her skin, and goosebumps rippled down her spine.