Chapter 3

I had to win Felix over, no matter what.

After a few pleasantries, I cut straight to the chase. "Felix, how about you be with me? I can grant you status and wealth."

I studied his expression. He was rather surprised, but at least not the kind that meant I was getting hauled off to jail. I sighed in relief and continued, "I'm the eldest princess born of the empress and the sibling of the crown prince. My maternal grandfather is Philip Gray, the chancellor."

Felix didn't answer for a long while, and I didn't press him. Honestly, he'd be a bit boring if he had no backbone or pride.

After a long silence, he asked, "Are you asking me to marry into the imperial family as a prince consort, Your Highness?"

Huh?

"Not exactly," I said. Having a husband made it inconvenient to have a reverse harem. "You just need to occasionally do some… wicked things with me."

Felix looked like he understood what I meant… and also like he was completely baffled.

His face flushed crimson, and he parted his lips to speak, but a cool voice interrupted our conversation, "You sure are enjoying yourself, Your Highness."

It was Rowan. He stood about ten paces away. A light breeze passed, making the flower petals beside him rustle and fall to his feet.

A scene like that would usually make me drool a little, but in that moment, all I felt was my scalp prickling. He hadn't heard what I'd just said, had he?

Damn it! I felt like I'd be given a minimum sentence of ten years. I was done for.

…

Felix looked like he'd just spotted a savior when Rowan joined us. He bowed in a quick farewell and hurried off, like a ghost was chasing him.

Only Rowan and I remained by the pond.

He stood a few steps away, his face unreadable. "Your Highness, I sought you out to apologize for the misunderstanding the other day. I didn't expect to interrupt your delightful pastime."

Misunderstanding? No, there was no misunderstanding.

But he said he wanted to apologize.

I snapped into seriousness at once. "Yeah, you really got the wrong idea about me that day. Go on, then. Apologize. I'm listening."

Rowan fixed his gaze on me. After a while, he suddenly laughed softly. "Your Highness, is today also a misunderstanding? I suppose it is. Otherwise, you wouldn't flirt with me and then turn around and flirt with Mr. Lodge. You are of royal blood and have an exalted status, but please, don't toy with me anymore."

Maybe he'd been drinking—there was a faint flush to his cheeks, and a vivid red petal rested on his shoulder.

Honestly, with a face like his, how could he think I was just toying with him? Why didn't he think I'd genuinely been asking for a kiss?

Still, toying with him wasn't a crime that was supposed to land me in prison. So, yeah—I'd let him continue thinking I'd been toying with him.

I dipped my head solemnly. "Alright."

…

When I returned to the banquet, I found that Felix had already left.

I was a princess with power, status, and looks, yet I'd still scared him off. I couldn't understand it, but I figured he would come back. I couldn't think of a reason for him not to.

Well, given his good looks, I was willing to wait a few days.

At least, that was the plan. I didn't expect my body to get impatient before my mind did. All I could say was that I was a female protagonist in a spicy romance novel—everyone knew what our bodies were like.

Christopher had recently sent me a batch of guards and subtly hinted that I could have my pick of them to enjoy myself. He wanted me to leave his court officials alone.

Rude.

I hadn't planned on humoring him, but one of the young guards was right up my alley.

He had tanned skin, and his features were bold and defined. He was only 20 years old, yet he already had broad shoulders and a figure as solid as a wall. His face was sharp and stern, and he was always in black armor as he silently stood watch at my manor's gates.

Sometimes, when I called on him to answer a question or two, the faintest blush would spread across his square, striking face. It was irresistibly tempting to tease him.

I lounged in my seat and summoned him to help me put on my shoes and socks.

The guard, Derrick Stone, looked flustered as he waved his hands, saying he didn't dare offend me.

I arched a brow at him.

He pressed his lips together, looking like he was making a momentous decision. Then, he said, "Yes, Your Highness."

How adorable.

He dropped to one knee at my feet and supported my ankle with his fingers. However, his cool and distant gaze was fixed somewhere off to the side.

I smiled and tipped his chin up with my toe. "Focus when you're working, Mr. Guard."