CH39
Tsuneo
She tasted amazing. A whimper escaped.her lips, a sound of surprise that quickly melted into desire. Morgan melted into the kiss, her arms wrapping around my neck, her response as passionate as mine. The world around us faded away, the weight of the kingdom, the political turmoil, all forgotten in the heat of the moment.
When we finally broke apart, breathless and slightly dazed, her eyes met mine, a question lingering in their depths. Without a word, I reached out, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
“Morgan,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. “There’s so much to tell you.”
A ghost of a smile played on her lips. “Later,” she whispered, her voice husky. “For now…” She trailed off, her gaze flickering back to my lips. The unspoken desire hung heavy in the air, a silent promise for later. “I’d rather not… I’d rather not think about it.”
I can do that….”
I kissed her again. My heart felt full and light. The kiss went on and on, slow and reluctant to end. She was shy but willing. My own desire burned fiercely, a counterpoint to the tenderness I felt for her. But then, a faint sound reached my ears – the rhythmic tread of approaching footsteps. The palace itself seemed to hum a warning, and I knew time was up.
Pulling away gently, I brushed my thumb across her cheek.
“Someone’s coming…”
“Yeah…” Her voice trailed off, a flicker of yearning dancing in her gaze.
A ghost of a smile played on my lips, mirroring hers. The unspoken promise in the air hung heavy, a delicious weight. “The coming days will be busy, I warned her, the weight of responsibility settling back on my shoulders. “I need to resume my duties as heir apparent.”
Disappointment flickered across her features, quickly replaced by understanding. “Of course,” she said, her voice soft. “The kingdom needs you.”
“And I need you, I countered, a playful edge creeping into my voice. “But before all that…”
A playful glint lit up her eyes. “Promise me you’ll talk about… this later?” she asked, gesturing vaguely between the two of us.
10:09 Wed, Oct 16
CH39
“There’s much to talk about,” I replied, my smile widening. “But first, a proper courtship tradition – dinner in the palace gardens. Under the stars, perhaps?”
A blush crept up her cheeks, but her eyes sparkled with acceptance. “Sounds lovely,” she whispered.
We lay in comfortable silence for a moment, the unspoken intimacy hanging between us. Then, with a sigh, I knew it was time to get up. As I began to rise, Morgan’s hand shot out, gripping my
arm.
“Wait,” she mumbled, a playfully flustered look on her face.
I raised an eyebrow, amusement tugging at the corners of my lips. “Is something wrong?”
“Maybe,” she stammered, her gaze flicking down to my bare chest. She bit her lip and turned a bit more red. “I mean… Well, I…”
I couldn’t help but puff out my chest a little, a touch of pride warming my insides.
“Are you going to finish that, or are you distracted? I teased.
Her cheeks flushed a beautiful crimson, and she swatted playfully at my arm. My amusement bubbled over into a laugh. The playful banter, the shared vulnerability it was a welcome change from the darkness of the night before.
“Let me get dressed… Perhaps I’ll let you undress me later.”
She scowled at me. I chuckled, heading towards the wardrobe. There was much to be done, but
right now, the sight of her flustered smile was a reward in itself.
Morgan
With a sigh, I watched Tsuneo disappear into the adjoining chamber to dress. The playful moment we shared sent a shiver down my spine, a delicious reminder of the fierce connection that had ignited between us. My lips tingles. Left alone, I stretched languidly in the bed, a newfound sense of peace settling over me. The ordeal still loomed large in my mind, but for the first time since I’d arrive, I felt a flicker of hope that this marriage might be more than what it started as.
A knock on the door startled me from my reverie. “Come in,” I called out, my voice still a little hoarse.
The door creaked open, revealing the familiar face of Maya, her face was full of concern.
“Your Highness, Maya greeted me with a bow, her eyes flitting towards the empty space beside
2/4
CH39
- me. “Is His Highness well?”
“He is,” I replied, a small smile gracing my lips. “He’s just… getting ready to leave for the day and… indisposed at the moment.”
“Excellent news indeed!” Maya exclaimed, a touch too enthusiastically in my opinion. “It’s all over the palace that he woke up to rescue you from Prince Keiji…”
“There’s much to tell,” I admitted, a shiver running down my spine at the memory. “But for now, I think a little rest is in order.”
“Of course,” Maya agreed readily. “Could you eat at all?”
A bit of bread. But you can leave it. I’ll try to finish it.”
She chuckled and came to get the dishes
nyway.
“It looks like your husband finished it all on his own. I’ll bring you something lighter.”
“Thank you.”
Then, her expression hardened slightly. “Things with Lady Ari will be more difficult now… and there is Prince Keiji’s mother to think of. Please… Look after yourself? I’ll lock the chamber if I can’t find someone to stand guard.”
“Thank you.”
Maya left and I lay back down, but I couldn’t go back to sleep. The palace was poking at my mind. I could hear other footsteps. I could see Tsuneo leaving the chamber. Then, Maya standing guard outside while another guard walked up.
Then, I saw Ari walking down a hallway, headed toward Tsuneo’s chambers with one of her maids.
“Lady Ari, it’s so admirable that you make yourself available to tend to the crown prinee.”
“It’s my duty,” she said. “He has been out for a very long time. And that wench has made him exert himself for nothing. Stupid human getting herself into trouble. I wouldn’t be surprised if she seduced Keiji. I’ll be sure to tell my brother about i
The maid nodded. “That would be the most noble thing, Lady Ari.”
i rolled my eyes, listening.
“It’s so clear that you care for the crown prince much more than his wife. You should have been
