Chapter 10 Toy Lady
“I…I…”
Eloise was in a haze between pain and pleasure. So, she bit her tongue in sync with his question. If she fell for that sweet cajolery and talked in her present state.
“At that time, I thought… of course, I have to go… my job here is done.”
It has already been said countless times. She constantly repeats the same thing, even though she’s riding on her euphoria. Until when and for how long does he need to check it? He would always ask these questions when she couldn’t think straight and in raving ecstasy.
A mistake can happen when someone isn’t cognizant enough to realize what they’re saying. She had no idea he was merely waiting for her to slip.
“That’s it.”
Fortunately, she did not fall into his trap. Rishid’s eyes were narrowed as if he were trying to pierce through Eloise’s thoughts.
“So please…”
Eloise wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him closer. It’s been so many nights already. As much as he dug into her weaknesses and asked questions, Eloise was also adept at dealing with him.
“Hug me…”
She whispered into his ear with the deftness of a temptress unmatched in this world. It was as if he willingly stepped on a spider’s web, despite knowing he would get trapped in it. Still, Rishid was willing to hang on that thread. He swallowed Eloise’s lips that whispered nothing but danger.
The reaction of her clenching tighter under his gentle force was honest and sensual. Eloise clung to him more and wrapped her legs around him.
At times like this, it was as if he was starving for her like a toddler yearning for milk. A strange feeling in which something beyond simple sexual desire becomes an invisible thread that connects the two of them. However, no one knows for certain how long this night will last.
What is certain is that Rishid was the one with the scissors capable of cutting this thread, and this was the only unchanging reality.
Chapter 3 Engagement
It was well past noon when Eloise regained consciousness. Due to being exploited all night, she woke up much later than usual.
Fortunately, she was free to put on clothes again, and the order to keep her confined by nearly tying her to the bed and barring her from leaving the room was lifted. Eloise was finally able to almost breathe in relief when she woke up and confirmed all of this.
Today was the same day as usual. Except that she was unable to attend to him in the morning.
Rishid, who returned and embraced her roughly last night, left as soon as the sun rose at dawn.
After a quick bath and getting dressed, she picked up the teacup resting on the bedside table. Perhaps Mrs. Heston had brought it to her while she was asleep.
“…….”
Eloise took a good, long look at the liquid inside. After a short sigh, Eloise brought the teacup to her mouth and drank everything inside. Until it’s finished, without leaving a single drop.
It was like a religious ritual, something she was obligated to do every day unfailingly after spending the night with Rishid.
The bitter aftertaste lingered on the tip of her tongue. Eloise left the room after putting down the finished teacup.
Mrs. Heston was seen sitting in front of the table arranging flowers. It was originally Eloise’s responsibility to bring flowers from the greenhouse, but she couldn’t get up all morning, so someone else had to do it for her.
Eloise, who sat together in front of the table and began arranging flowers at the last minute, picked up the pruning shears.
“I suppose His Royal Highness hasn’t returned yet.”
“I’ve heard he’s been practicing swordsmanship since dawn and has now shifted to the horseback riding grounds.”
Mrs. Heston said as she cut off the stem of the rose.
“Swordsmanship… horseback riding?”
Engaging in strenuous activities early in the morning meant that Rishid’s head was in a mess. She remembered yesterday that he didn’t feel very well when she hugged him.
He would hold her rougher than usual if something was bothering him and would not heed her cries and pleads. That’s why she assumed that going outside the palace would be out of bounds today. However, unexpectedly, he showed generosity.
Wouldn’t Mrs. Heston know something? Since she is the Crown Prince’s nanny and the head maid of this palace, she is the first to receive any news from the imperial palace.
Rishid was in a terrible mood when he returned from a political meeting. What transpired in the bed yesterday would not have happened if they merely had a disagreement about state affairs.
Funnily enough, Eloise was the only person who could make him angry most of the time. But yesterday, there was definitely another reason besides that.
However, can she ask her such a question? She was unsure whether she would be the subject.
Eloise hesitated, her hand quivering as she held the rose stem. There’s nothing she can do to find out. Eloise chose silence. Mrs. Heston, who observed such spectacle, spoke in a calm tone.
“You must be wondering why His Royal Highness was in such a foul mood yesterday, right?”
“Did the head maid notice too?”
Eloise’s voice became a little louder as she realized she had been caught.
“It appears that we’ll be welcoming the Crown Princess soon.”
“…….”
Eloise’s hand, which was trimming the flowers, stopped.
“It must have been the subject of their discussion at yesterday’s political affairs meeting.”
She felt as if the scissors that sliced the flower stalk were severing her heart as well.
“Perhaps it will occur at the same time as the coronation, in which case she will be empress immediately.”
The voice that delivered the news was extremely calm. Therefore, Eloise had no choice but to respond calmly as well.
“He’s getting married.”
“Yes, they must have been hurrying it.”
Mrs. Heston’s words made sense.
“I see.”
Eloise didn’t go any further with her questions. That person—the words got stuck in her throat, but she managed to get them down. What does it matter who that person is?
It was time for the empire’s noble Crown Prince to receive a wife. Isn’t it determined that he’ll marry a lady of decent lineage and a prestigious background?
“I suppose they’re in search of a bride. The answer will be decided anyway…….”
Eloise bowed her head as if she was still listening and devoted all her attention to trimming the flowers. Pulling the withered petals with the scissors too hard….
The sound of Mrs. Heston’s voice seemed to be heard from afar.
“I’ll do it.”
Eloise suddenly came to her senses with the hand holding her back. Mrs. Heston’s eyes were fixed in her hands.
She lowered her gaze back to where Mrs. Heston’s stared. She saw petals scattered all over the place. All the leaves were cut off, the raw stems and petals had been ripped off, and only a small amount of buds remained in the center. In fact, nothing of its original form remains.
Eloise grabbed the flower bed and cast the scene with a faint look. On top of her dress was a pile of flawless flower petals that she had torn off.
“Stop it. You must be exhausted, so take a rest.”
It was when Mrs. Heston took the scissors from her hand.
“His Royal Highness has returned.”
A maid came in and announced the return of Rishid.
“Shall we go?”
Mrs. Heston once again informed her, when sat blankly even after hearing her words.
“Ah, yes.”
Eloise jumped up from her seat. The petals piled up on the skirt all fell to the floor at once. Mrs. Heston stopped her and beckoned the maid as she was about to pick it up with embarrassment.
While the maid immediately approached and cleaned up the scattered petals, Eloise took her step, which seemed to be glued to the spot and desiring to just stay in there.
* * * * *
“You’re here.”
Eloise was watching him from a distance.
“What’s wrong?”
He cast a questioning glance at Eloise, who was hesitant to approach him.
Eloise, as usual, would have rushed into him and asked about his horseback riding and swordsmanship training.
But today, as if she had forgotten all of those memories… He frowned at the sight of her standing so far away.
“Come here.”
“Yes.”
Eloise quickly approached him. The tips of his hair were slightly wet, and there was a faint scent of soap from after wash.
“I’ll dry your hair.”
Eloise ran and brought a towel and looked up at him. Eloise covered his head in a soft towel and patted him as Rishid, who had been watching her do what she was doing, gently bowed his head.
Even when they were young, she would frequently dry Rishid’s hair after a bath. Now that he was substantially taller than he had been in those days, it was impossible to dry his hair like this unless he lowered his head.
“… it’s all done.”
Eloise murmured softly, but instead of raising his body, Rishid slightly tilted his head to meet Eloise’s gaze.
