Chapter 31
“The hunt is off.”
Killian turned toward the direction they had entered from on horseback. Since it was a forest managed by the royal family, the security was bound to be strict. Still, it wasn’t advisable to wander around the forest without an accompanying knight.
“Let’s go back.”
“Ah, yes…”
“Is that the direction we came from?”
“Yes. If we go straight for about fifteen minutes, we’ll reach the entrance.”
Without replying, Killian kicked the horse’s flank. The horse neighed and began to walk. As their bodies moved with the horse’s gait, they occasionally brushed against each other. The warmth that passed between them made Rachel uncomfortable.
‘Ahh, my body keeps swaying.’
It was a different kind of discomfort than before. When they entered the forest, it had been due to excitement. Now, she was simply too drained of energy to support herself.
She needed something to hold onto. Rachel rolled her eyes to look around the horse, then gave Killian a gentle tap.
“Your Majesty.”
“Is your posture uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s not that… I was wondering if I could maybe hold onto the horse’s mane?”
“The mane?”
“Yes. It’s so full and thick, it reminds me of Your Majesty’s hair.”
Killian raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t understand the logic of this woman who was suddenly comparing a mane to his hair. He wanted to just tell her to do whatever she wanted with that damned mane instead of asking, but since they were in the middle of riding, a sudden movement could be dangerous.
“The horse might get startled, so no.”
“Ah.”
After a short pause, Rachel cautiously asked another question.
“Then… can I hold your sleeve?”
“My sleeve?”
“Yes.”
Only then did Killian begin to understand Rachel a little. She simply needed something to hold on to.
“If you need something to hold on to, lean on me.”
“Uh, is that really okay?”
“I won’t say it more than twice.”
“…Thank you.”
Rachel hesitated for a moment before leaning her upper body forward. As the warmth of his back touched her, all the tension seemed to drain from her body.
Rachel’s head lolled back, coming to rest against Killian’s chest. The crown of her skull nestled just beneath his jaw, and with each of his breaths, warm air swirled across her forehead.
‘So sleepy…’
Exhaustion crashed over her. She’d been up since dawn preparing for the hunt, and now her eyelids grew impossibly heavy. Before she knew it, she’d slipped into a light doze.
Killian tightened his arms around her to keep her from sliding off. The warmth of her body against his stirred a memory—a suspicion he’d had earlier.
‘Seems I was right.’
Given her reputation for wild promiscuity, he’d wondered. But today’s encounter and her behavior afterward suggested his theory held weight.
The princess had masochistic tendencies.
Subtle, perhaps unconscious, but undeniably present in her words and reactions.
No need to point it out to her.
Killian filed the observation away. She was the only woman who could rouse his long-dormant desire—there had to be a reason for that singular compatibility. But until he understood why, there was no need to enlighten her.
If she knew, her restless nature would send her chasing new thrills with other men.
And that… wouldn’t do.
She should save that energy for him.
Wait.
Why wouldn’t it do?
Why should she reserve herself for me?
Killian stiffened, startled by his own thoughts. “Wouldn’t do”? Since when did he care? No matter how long it had been since he’d last been with a woman, this kind of possessiveness was unacceptable. If anything, his growing attachment was the real problem here.
“Tch…”
Suddenly irritated, he exhaled sharply and pulled his arms away from Rachel entirely. The abrupt movement jolted her awake.
“Huh? Wha—? Did I… fall asleep?”
Silence.
“…My apologies, Your Majesty.”
When Killian didn’t respond, Rachel’s eyes darted nervously. Had she been too familiar with the Emperor? Her fingers fidgeted before cautiously grasping the edge of his coat again—only for Killian to sharply smack her hand away.
“Don’t touch me without permission. You’re nothing but a hole.”
“Eek! …Yes, of course.”
His words were deliberately harsh, a boundary drawn between them. What Killian didn’t realize was that this very cruelty only stoked the flames of Rachel’s desire further.
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