"Your Highness, the night wind is cold."
I was still preoccupied with figuring out why Dylan's favorability score suddenly increased when a cloak was gently draped over my shoulders. I turned around to meet Xavier's concerned gaze.
"I'm fine."
My dress was fairly modest and I didn't feel cold, but I didn't reject his kindness either. I glanced one last time at the dark end of the corridor where Dylan had disappeared, then turned and headed back toward the bedchamber.
"Let's go inside."
The joy in Xavier's eyes was unhidden, melting into a bright smile.
I couldn't help but wonder, what was he so happy about?
It was just one night of warming the bed of a wicked princess. Davina probably didn't even remember his name.
Once the door closed behind us, I slumped onto the couch.
It had only been a single day, but it felt like an eternity. Playing Davina's role and sparring with the male leads had completely drained me.
"Would Your Highness like a little wine?" Xavier stood by the wine counter in the room, a bottle in hand.
A bit of alcohol to take the edge off didn't sound like a bad idea. I nodded.
He poured the wine and brought it to me. I accepted it gratefully and took a sip, letting the sharp taste slide down my throat and calm the storm brewing inside.
Rich people really did drink ridiculously good wine.
In my past life, I'd shared fine wine with my superiors on occasion, but never had I truly savored its flavor. My nerves had always been taut, constantly scanning my surroundings, because that was my job.
"Did I pick one that suits your taste, Princess?"
Xavier asked carefully, watching my expression. He didn't sit down next to me. Or rather, he didn't dare.
I patted the empty seat beside me and smiled faintly. "I like it. Sit here."
Xavier hesitated, scrutinizing me, then suddenly sank to his knees at my feet. He looked up at me, and the sea-blue calm in his eyes was gone, replaced by pure yearning.
"My place is here, Your Highness."
My heart thudded wildly at the sight.
"What are you doing?" My voice came out hoarse, perhaps because of the wine.
Xavier leaned in, resting one hand on my thigh and laying his head in my lap.
"You haven't called for me in a long time…" His other hand slipped under my dress, trailing along my leg.
This man… is not as simple as he looks.
"Wait." I grabbed his wrist to stop him.
Please. Just give me a second to breathe.
"I'm a little tired today." I forced a smile.
"But I missed you…"
Xavier pouted, an arrow piercing straight through my defenses.
My face burned. I quickly pulled his hands away and sat him down beside me. My weakness wasn't for muscle-bound types, it was this. Puppy-eyed boys with soft voices.
"Alright, I'll make it up to you another time, okay?"
I gave his hand a light pat, trying to comfort him. The roles… seemed a little reversed somehow.
Xavier's face drooped. If he had ears, they'd definitely be flopped down right now, pitifully.
Damn it. I can't resist this.
Calm down. You're a soldier, not some thirsty wench. Breathe.
I tried to suppress the rush of heat rising inside me.
"Then…"
Xavier looked up at me, weaponizing those puppy eyes again. He knew exactly what his strength was and kept using it.
"Can I kiss you?"
I swallowed. Just a kiss, right? That should be fine… right? His lips were slightly parted, a soft invitation.
"…Fine."
The moment I nodded, Xavier lunged in and claimed my lips. He kissed me gently at first, teasing and coaxing, one arm wrapping around my waist, the other tangling in my hair to pull me closer. His tongue slipped inside, searching for mine.
My breath grew ragged as the kiss turned urgent, almost desperate, as if Xavier wanted to drink the very life out of me.
His hand slid down my waist, lifting the hem of my dress. I tried to pull away, but he held the back of my neck. The wine in my hand sloshed, spilling over.
"Careful, Princess." Xavier murmured between kisses. "If you spill it, you'll have to take off your dress."
Through hazy eyes, I caught a glint of mischief in his gaze. His lips curled in a sly smile.
That's when it hit me, this man isn't a puppy.
He was a wolf in disguise. A freaky!
Are there no normal men in this world?
"Wait—"
Before I could finish, his lips crashed onto mine again, even more fiercely this time.
"I missed you so much…"
His hot, broken breaths fell against my ear like sparks, igniting a fire deep inside me.
My dress was already hiked up past my thighs. Xavier didn't stop, his hand was inching toward my most sensitive place.
This wolf was getting out of hand.
I grabbed his ear and yanked him off me.
"I said just a kiss."
"Ah… Your Highness, please be gentle…"
Xavier winced and backed off, not daring to resist. He looked up at me, utterly pitiful. Trying to sway me with that look again? It's working. Damn it, it's working.
I let go, grumbling as he rubbed his reddened ear with a wounded expression.
"I'm sorry… I just missed you too much…" Xavier mumbled, eyes full of regret.
I couldn't stay mad. I reached out and gently rubbed his ear.
"Not tonight. I really am tired."
"I'm sorry…"
He leaned into my hand, nuzzling like an abandoned puppy. As if I didn't know the beast behind that mask.
"Alright, alright."
Even so, I couldn't help but comfort him. I'm a soft-hearted woman. I admit it.
"Tell me about yourself." I brushed his cheek as I asked.
Xavier was an intriguing character. He wasn't part of the main plotline, but he had a unique name and even sat beside Davina at dinner. There had to be more to him than met the eye.
He blinked in surprise. The sorrow I'd seen earlier during dinner flickered back into his eyes.
I couldn't read his thoughts, but I could guess.
Imagine falling for someone… only for them not to remember you at all, not even your name. That kind of pain must be unbearable.
So I wanted to know. To understand this man.
"I was a slave sold at the black market. I thought I'd end up in the hands of some old noblewoman… or worse, some lecherous old man."
His voice was calm, as if he were telling someone else's story, not recounting his own trauma.
"But you saved me from that hell. You gave me good food, fine clothes."
"Oh? So you feel lucky that you're serving a spoiled young princess instead of a horny crone or a dirty old man?"
I couldn't help the teasing. Xavier blushed and nodded.
"To be honest… I did think that."
Point for honesty. In a life where I'd have to wear masks and play mind games every day, having someone around who could be that honest, it was… nice.
"Do you hate me?" I asked, brushing his ear again.
He looked up at me, confused. "You saved my life. How could I ever hate you?"
"But I trampled your pride as a man." I said with a smirk. "I made you serve me like a brothel boy. Doesn't that disgust you?"
Xavier shook his head, took my hand, and pressed a soft kiss to it.
"No. Serving Your Higness is my honor."
As he spoke, he leaned in closer.
I used the same hand to push his face away.
"Xavier."
He pouted, looking heartbreakingly dejected again.
I refused to let it work on me a second time. I set my wine down and stood, heading to the bed.
"I'm going to sleep. Help me change."
Not because I needed Xavier to take care of me, but because the clothes in this era were a nightmare, and I hadn't figured them out yet. Drake helped me dress earlier. Now I needed someone to take it off.
"Yes, Your Highness."
I stood still as Xavier helped me change into my nightgown. Once he was done, we both lay on the bed.
"Can I… hold you while we sleep, Your Highness?" Xavier murmured, his hand hovering hesitantly at my waist.
I didn't have the heart to refuse such a small request. I nodded.
Xavier immediately pulled me into his firm chest, his arms wrapping around me, not too tight, not too loose. As if afraid I might vanish like a dream.
At this point, I was certain Xavier truly cared for Davina.
But for Davina.
Not for me.
I bit back a bitter smile in his embrace.
Even Davina had someone who loved her.
And me… I'm just someone who gave up her name, her family, her everything.
I no longer have the right to be loved.
Not in my past life, nor this one.
*
As Davina's breathing gradually evened out, Xavier suddenly opened his eyes. His arms tightened around the body nestled in his embrace.
His hand gently stroked her hair, with a tenderness that spoke of a possessiveness far too soft to be safe.
Under the moonlight, his sapphire eyes gleamed, burning with something repressed and unfathomably deep.
"Sleep well… my princess."
Above his head, the affection level flickered erratically, glitching between 20% and -50%.
***