IWBQ 21

Chapter 21

. An Unskilled Task

2023.08.21.

The carriage rolled back into the plaza it had passed when coming to Jasmine’s house.

“Wait here.”

Elise told the coachman and took only Regina with her into one of the many cafés lining the square.

It was Rose, a well-known café in the capital, famous for the tables spread out in its open terrace.

As soon as Elise entered, people who recognized her glanced over and began whispering.

“That woman from the gossip paper…”

“How shameless to show her face…”

Every word was a cliché, and Elise could only laugh softly. Regina, however, looked deeply upset.

“If it’s someone you simply must meet, why not invite them to your house instead?”

Seeing Elise scorned hurt Regina, and she pouted sadly.

“If I could have, I would. But this is someone I cannot summon there.”

Who on earth could she be meeting, that she couldn’t call him to her home?

Regina’s question was answered at once.

“Have you been well?”

The deep, resonant voice from the inner part of the café captured every ear.

A man emerged from the shadows, drawing every gaze toward him.

He was impossible not to notice.

His sharp eyes, high-bridged nose, and graceful mouth commanded attention first.

Then came his bronzed skin, broad shoulders that made the doorway look narrow, and his tall, well-built frame.

It would have been rude to stare, but his appearance left no other choice.

“Prince Karan.”

At Elise’s address, Regina—and everyone else—snapped back to themselves from staring at him.

“Oh my! That must be the barbarian prince we’ve heard of.”

“Weren’t barbarians supposed to look like bears? Where’s the bear in him…?”

“He does look strong as a bear though. Maybe those stories weren’t all exaggeration.”

Even hidden behind their fans, the ladies’ voices leaked out.

Ignoring them, Karan strode toward Elise.

He bowed, took her idle hand, and naturally pressed his lips to the back of it.

His soft warmth lingered there for a long while—until Elise’s ears flushed red.

“Your Highness, you don’t have to do that.”

Elise lowered her voice, whispering.

Men often bowed to women they loved, but princes and kings seldom did—unless it was to a queen or princess-consort.

“Have I kept too much distance? Should I try a more lover-like greeting instead?”

Straightening, Karan stepped closer with a faint smile on his lips.

He’s teasing me.

Elise gave him a not-so-serious glare and then turned, leading the way back out to the terrace to sit.

“Elise, are you upset?”

“Why would I be? You’re only doing exactly what I asked you to.”

They had made several agreements by letter.

First: Karan would treat Elise casually.

He used to call her “young lady,” a title unfitting both for a prince and for the new relationship between them. So he was to call her by name.

Second: Elise asked him to act as though they were in love.

With the scandal already public, people’s eyes were on them. Elise didn’t want anyone suspecting otherwise.

Back at the lake, you were far too cold with me.

That had left a strange chill in her chest.

So his display just now was only part of that agreement.

I thought you only knew how to fight, but your acting’s impressive too.

She rubbed at the hand he had kissed, which still felt warm.

“That’s enough. Come sit down.”

Elise moved first and chose a table.

She picked a spot outdoors, in full view of the passing crowd, then gestured to the waiter.

After she ordered, the waiter gave Karan a quick sideways glance while leaving.

And not only the waiter—women everywhere were staring at Karan.

For some reason Elise’s mood soured.

It was the perfect condition for her plan to succeed, so why did it feel so unpleasant?

Maybe I’m just tired.

She blamed her fatigue despite having slept plenty, and lowered her head.

Her long hair spilled forward.

When the strands brushed against the dessert plate, she straightened quickly and looked at Karan.

He was already watching her, and their eyes met.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything.”

“My hair keeps falling forward. But I have no maid here…”

She had chased Regina out to go shopping, so Elise looked around in fluster.

She’s acting again.

Karan knew but played along—because Elise’s little performance amused him.

“If you need my help, I’ll gladly assist. What would you like me to do?”

He was eager.

Elise hesitated, then placed a hair clasp on the table.

“Would you pin up my hair?”

Karan frowned slightly with a low hum.

“Did I offend you?”

It could certainly make him look like nothing more than a lady’s attendant.

But Karan shook his head.

“Not offended. Just…”

He brushed his lips with a finger.

Elise’s eyes flickered to those lips.

The heat and softness of them against her hand returned vividly, and she quickly covered that hand with the other.

Perhaps it was a mistake to ask him this.

“If it’s troublesome, then never mind—”

But before she could retract the request, Karan had already risen, his hand on the clasp.

Their fingers touched when Elise reached for it too.

When she tried to pull away, he lifted both her hand and the clasp together.

Then slowly, he turned her palm over and slid the clasp from it.

“As you know, being Tetrisian, I’m not very skilled in such things.”

Even for a Bedrokan, hair-dressing wasn’t exactly a natural skill.

“But I’ll do my best. Though… it may be a little dangerous. I’ll endure it as best I can.”

What was dangerous? What did he mean by endure? Elise didn’t ask.

The energy in his eyes was the same as that night they had first lain together, and she swallowed hard.

Karan stepped behind her. Tetrisians were said to run hot, and as soon as he stood there, Elise felt the heat radiating from him.

Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee on the cold stone.

“How should I do it?”

Had she imagined his earlier hesitation? His voice now was calm, steady.

“Gather it all into one.”

Elise’s own voice trembled instead.

Karan obeyed like a marionette.

“Pardon me.”

With that polite murmur, he began to gather her hair.

His huge hands, meant for swords, monsters, and beasts, handled her strands with such gentleness that Elise’s breath caught.

He took care not to touch her more than necessary, holding her hair as if cupping air itself.

Still, plenty slipped free at her nape and shoulders.

She had to tell him again.

“All of it.”

This time he did not answer right away.

Worried, Elise started to turn her head—only for Karan to quickly say,

“Stay still. The hair will fall.”

He seemed to sigh faintly as well.

Then he resumed, even more carefully, his fingertips brushing her nape.

And then Elise understood what he meant by “enduring.”

No matter how innocently she tried to think of it, the light touch sent a shiver of heat through her.

Her neck and ears flushed pink.

Above her, Karan’s breath fell heavy. Not just a feeling, but real.

“All done.”

His voice was low, thick.

Elise took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and focused on recalling Jasmine’s instructions.

After tying the hair, the next step was:

“Twist it into a coil.”

He did so, flawlessly, then waited.

“Now lift it to the back of my head. And pin it with the clasp, please.”

Though her words alone were hardly clear, Karan adjusted and tried until he managed.

She felt the blunt ends of the clasp scrape gently against her scalp.

“Is it done?”

“Try letting go.”

He released the clasp.

Like a cage of ribs, the piece held her soft hair neatly.

Her slender white nape was now exposed.

Looking at it, Karan had to exhale deeply to smother the sudden hunger rising in him.

That long throat of hers could drive a predator mad.

His breath tickled her skin, warming her body without her realizing. But Karan only repeated the act of restraint again and again.

For he had promised Elise he would endure.

“If you’re finished, sit down, Karan.”

Unable to bear his heated gaze, Elise urged him back to his seat.

He sat across from her.

All around, audible sighs slipped out.

Karan turned at the sound, and the onlookers scrambled to act innocent.

They were staring at Elise.

His eyes went cold.

Predatory light flashed in them, and those sensitive to it went pale.

This was why Elise hadn’t wanted to meet him in public.

She was too beautiful—people coveted her. And when they did, Karan wanted to tear their greedy eyes out.

A different kind of desire surged, and he clenched his fists.