Chapter 84 ….
Bang—
“Karus!!”
The moment the door flew open, she saw him in front of the mirror changing his shirt.
His expression didn’t look very good.
Well, anyone would be startled if someone suddenly burst the door open and shouted like that.
“What?”
“Was I the one who asked to get married first?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m asking if I was the one who proposed to you first! Before I turned seven!”
Decarus seemed to think for a moment, then quietly nodded.
For a second, it felt like a fuse snapped in her head.
So all of this happened because of this damn mouth.
“My life… I must’ve been crazy.”
You twist your own fate with your own hands.
That saying fit perfectly right now.
“Why, who said that? Jane?”
“…Yeah.”
Elena walked over like a zombie and sat down on the bed.
Seeing that, he smirked and came closer.
“It caused quite a commotion back then. You went around the entire palace shouting that you were going to marry me.”
Seriously, original owner of this body—why did you do that?
Why would you do something like that and make me suffer now?
“Do you regret it?”
“I don’t know. I’m in a bad mood right now, so don’t talk to me.”
Elena pulled the blanket over her head.
If the Elena of the past hadn’t done that, how would her life have turned out now?
She probably wouldn’t have met Decarus, and she wouldn’t have found her family either.
If she could go back and had to choose one of the two, what would she pick?
“…Ha.”
Elena peeked her head out from under the blanket and looked at him.
His handsome face still shone brightly enough to easily charm any passing woman.
“What on earth made me….”
Without realizing it, her hand reached toward his face.
When she ran her fingers down his sharp jawline, he flinched and made a strange expression.
“Are you trying to seduce me?”
“No. I’m just wondering what about you made me fall for you.”
“Why look so far?”
With a sly expression, he took the hand touching his chin and gently kissed it.
“You can tell just by looking.”
“What are you talking about?”
Holding her hand, he traced along his jawline.
His subtle gaze shot toward her face like a laser.
“Because I’m handsome.”
“…Wow.”
With confidence like that, he wouldn’t feel intimidated anywhere in the world.
I mean, how many people openly call themselves handsome without the slightest hesitation?
She was so dumbfounded that a laugh slipped out.
“I’m not?”
Elena looked him up and down with a displeased expression.
It was true that he was handsome, but she didn’t want to admit it.
“Forget it. Go away.”
“I’m not leaving until I hear it from you.”
“What…!”
He slowly bent down and leaned his face closer.
Elena leaned her head back in response.
But then his arm blocked the back of her neck.
“What are you doing? Let go.”
“Tell me.”
His dark-chocolate-like voice spread near her ear.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the gaze demanding the truth.
Through his narrow eyelids she could see black eyelashes, a sharp nose brushing the tip of hers, snow-white skin, and lips red as if dyed with flower petals.
His face was so beautiful it made her swallow and lose her breath.
Rolling her eyes around, Elena tilted her head slightly and muttered quietly,
“Well… you are handsome.”
Only then did Decarus seem satisfied. He kissed her with a soft smack.
Why was it so embarrassing just saying that one sentence? Her face felt like it was burning.
“Now move….”
She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
He would definitely tease her again for blushing.
As she carefully pushed him away with both arms, something moist touched her lips again.
“You’re too cute to let go.”
He kissed her forehead, nose, and lips one after another.
Each touch sent tingling electricity through her body.
It seemed dangerous to leave things like this, so she covered her face with both hands.
“Stop now.”
But he ignored her and kept kissing the back of her hand.
“I said stop.”
“I want a little more of your lips.”
Want to eat them? What does he mean eat?
How could he say such embarrassing things so easily?
It seemed impossible to have a normal conversation with this stubborn man.
“That’s an order. Seriously, stop.”
For the first time, she used the word order with him.
Even as she said it, her heart pounded like she’d done something crazy.
She didn’t want to use her position as Crown Princess like this, but this idiot wouldn’t listen!
When she slightly spread her fingers, she saw him making a sulky face through the gap.
“If Your Highness commands it.”
Wait… does the word order really work?
All this time and I didn’t know something this useful?
“As you wish.”
Elena narrowed her eyes at him.
She needed to test whether he was serious or just pretending.
“I’m thirsty.”
Without a word, he poured water from the table and handed it to her.
When she looked suspicious, he calmly passed her the cup.
“What troubles you, Your Highness?”
“No, no. It’s nothing like that.”
Her suspicious gaze still didn’t fade.
But now she understood why Elena before age seven used to order him around.
He does everything like a genie!
“Then come lie down here.”
It felt like she was controlling a robot.
He walked around the bed and lay down right beside her.
“Good job.”
She couldn’t stop little laughs from escaping.
It felt like the frustration built up until now had suddenly been cleared away.
Who knew being above someone else could feel this good?
At that moment, Elena made a vow.
She would get her revenge.
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yeah. Very much.”
Power is incredibly sweet.
Now I understand why people crave it.
No wonder politicians cling desperately to their positions.
Elena grinned like a crazy person.
Even if someone hit her with a rock right now, she felt like she’d still be happy.
“In that case, please enjoy it as much as you can right now, Your Highness.”
Decarus smiled softly, the corners of his lips lifting.
Behind that angelic face seemed to hide something sinister.
“W-what are you talking about?”
A chill suddenly ran down her spine and she stammered like a fool.
Elena, get a grip.
You can’t lose confidence now.
You have to maintain your dignity as the Crown Princess.
“Ahem… what do you mean? Say it.”
“You won’t be able to enjoy yourself so leisurely tonight.”
He curved his eyes with a perfectly harmless expression.
Like a sly black snake coiling itself.
“E-enjoy what? Stop saying weird things.”
“You’ll find out when night comes.”
“You, you!”
She had to shut that wicked mouth immediately.
Elena raised both hands and clamped them over his mouth.
Then something soft licked her palm.
“Ahh!”
All the tiny hairs on her body stood up.
What is he, a dog? He licked my hand?
Is this man insane?!
“Are you crazy?! Why would you lick someone’s hand?!”
“I just thought Your Highness might like it. I suppose you didn’t.”
He smiled innocently, so dazzling she could barely look at him.
“Forget it. I’m not talking to you anymore.”
Her face was now redder than a tomato.
She had no idea how to calm this burning embarrassment.
“Your Highness.”
“Wh-what!”
“Come here.”
“No.”
“You’ll regret it.”
Regret what?
Holding her hot cheeks, Elena turned away.
His sticky gaze from behind felt like it was drilling through her face.
“Fine, I’m coming!”
She reluctantly returned to his side.
Even though she was a noble Crown Princess, why did it feel like their positions had reversed?
“Why did you call me?”
Without speaking, he patted the sheet.
Based on extensive data analysis, it meant: stop talking and lie down.
“No.”
“I won’t say it twice.”
“Ugh!”
The moment she lay down, he immediately pulled her by the waist.
Her body was drawn to him like a magnet, pressed against firm muscles.
“Just so you don’t misunderstand—I’m the Crown Princess. I’m only listening to you because I’m nice.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
He gently brushed her messy bangs aside.
The touch near her ear was as careful as if he were petting a small animal.
When she glared at him, he stamped another kiss on her forehead.
“My face is going to wear out.”
“It won’t wear out from that.”
He grabbed her face again and kissed her deeply.
When she puffed her lips, he kissed her once more.
“Stop.”
Embarrassed, Elena pressed her face against his chest.
If she stayed like this, he wouldn’t be able to kiss her anymore.
From his body came a faint blackberry scent.
The fragrance tickled her nose, making it feel like she was slowly melting into him.
After breathing in and out slowly, Elena quietly spoke.
“What should I do now, Karus?”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t know who I was before… but now I really don’t know who I am.”
He silently stroked her long hair.
“Who am I? I’m clearly Elena Helios. But now people call me Elena von Estina, and the Crown Princess. It feels like the whole world has changed except me. Even Jane doesn’t call me ‘miss’ anymore.”
“So you’re upset?”
“Yeah.”
He gently pressed his lips to the top of her head.
“I told you. Even if everything in the world changes, Elena is still Elena.”
She nodded quietly, and his warm lips touched her head again.
“You are someone incredibly special just by existing. The only one of your kind in this world.”
“The only one….”
“Yes. Even if you have many names, the fact that you’re Elena doesn’t change.”
“…Yeah.”
“That’s all that matters.”
The hand patting her back was neither too fast nor too slow.
Moving with the rhythm of her breathing, it was as calm as a quiet lake.
“Where do you learn to say things like that?”
“Learn?”
“When I’m with you, it feels like my heart is healing. Like I’m in therapy.”
Elena rubbed her face against his flat chest and hugged him tightly.
“That’s why I’m drawn to you even more. I keep wanting you. Like sweet chocolate. Once you taste it, you want more. I think I’m getting addicted.”
“Should I spread chocolate on my body, Elena?”
…What?
They were having a serious conversation—what kind of nonsense is that?
Elena lifted her head and stared at him with a bizarre expression.
“What are you talking about?”
“You said once you taste it you want more. So I wondered if it’d taste better if it were on my body.”
For a moment she burst out laughing in disbelief.
This man wasn’t joking—he was actually serious.
Where does he even get thoughts like that?
“Is that all you think about?”
“What do you mean? It’s for you, Elena. If you accuse me like that…”
“Enough, you perverted maniac.”
“I really don’t like that description.”
“If a perverted maniac isn’t called a perverted maniac, what should I call you? You’re so shady.”
Feeling like he might do something weird again, she quickly moved away.
“What are you doing?”
“Don’t come closer. You’re more dangerous than a nuclear bomb.”
Decarus snorted, then slowly cornered her like trapping prey.
“I said don’t come.”
“I’m drawn to you too.”
“……”
“Like a bee searching for a flower. My body instinctively seeks you.”
Climbing over her slender body, he slowly pressed his lips against hers.
Her struggling hands were already restrained and useless.
His face moved between her neck and collarbone.
The red marks that had barely faded bloomed again.
“Then from now on, let’s enjoy ourselves leisurely, Your Highness.”
