Cactus: Lust

The next that was heard was footsteps patting the floor. Lily quickly ran out from the kitchen and walked towards Chen.

"You're back?" Her hair was a little messy, and sweat was forming on her smooth face.

Lily then shifted her body to go back after confirming his appearance. "You're earlier than I thought. Just wait a moment I'm almost—"

Suddenly, a tremendous amount of force surrounded her.

Chen had dashed from the door and scooped her into his embrace. He inhaled her scent.

It was a sweet fruity scent blended in with remnants of her cooking. Though he was familiar with this scent these past two weeks or so, it was still addicting.

It relaxed him.

"What's wrong?" She giggled and turned around to pat his back. "For a man, you're quite weak!"

"I just miss you, that's all." He said smoothly and further buried his face in the crevice of her neck.

"..."

Hearing her silence, he chuckled and felt a little daring.

Chen pulled her out of his arms and grabbed her face to shower her with kisses. From her forehead to her cheeks, to the tip of her nose, and finally pecked her lips multiple times.

Lily was taken off guard and squeezed her eyes closed with both of her hands gripped in a fighting stance, not knowing what to do.

"H-hey, enough! The food is going to be overcooked!" Lily lied to him.

He finally let her go after one more kiss on the cheek.

'She was too cute.' How did he resist up until now? He questioned himself.

It was two years of not pursuing her. He needed to make it up and chase after her!

Though she had agreed to be his, it was still early. He had to make her completely his and they had plenty of time.

"Okay." He replied gently and grabbed her hand.

She gave him a deep sigh and walked with Chen following her obediently to the kitchen.

After dinner, Chen washed the dishes while Lily stood up from the dining table and went to take a bath.

He abruptly grabbed her hand and curiously asked. "Where are you going?"

"To take a bath?"

"It's not that way."

Lily frowned at his words, "Then where?"

He led her to his room and said. "Here."

"W-What?" She looked at him, dumbfounded. What are you saying?!?

Chen chuckled. "Are you shy now? We already slept together this whole time."

"Rephrase that!" Lily covered his mouth. "The servants haven't even left yet!"

"..."

Her hands covered half of Chen's face. It accentuated his eyes that seemed to smile even more. 'They already shared a room, what was the point of sharing different rooms now?'

Chen took a step backward to free himself and reasoned, "But we're together."

She blushed and pouted. 'This was not how he was previously!' She needed to stand her ground!

After thinking over, Lily's lips curved upwards and finally agreed. "Okay, fine. It's not a big deal."

She walked confidently to Chen's room and slammed the door.

He stood in the hallway dazedly looking at his door.

"You better not go in here!" Lily shouted from inside.

"Yes, your highness."

She already reminded him this for the thousandth time.

He smiled like a fool to himself. She was the cutest person he had ever met.

—————

After Chen finished his bath, he was greeted with the sight of Lily reading on her side of the bed.

"What are you reading about?" He asked her cautiously.

"A Cactus's Temptation." She said casually.

"..."

Chen looked silently at her.

She quickly closed the book and put it to the side. "Now. It's time for bed!" Lily said schemingly. 'It must be done!'

Once Chen laid down on the bed. She quickly wrapped around him like an octopus again. Although embarrassed, she still gathered her courage and did it.

Despite sticking to each other early in the morning, it was a first that it was like this at night. She also deliberately loosened her sleepwear, hair swept to one side revealing her neck and collarbone. Her bosom peeked through.

'Hmph! Two can play this game! I know you're a shy creature too!'

Indeed she was right.

Chen was frozen stiff.

Blood quickly rushed to his face. He tried to compose himself, chanting inside his head that somehow the little animal below didn't catch wind of his emotions. Otherwise, it would really be trouble.

Seeing him not move, she laughed in her heart.

Chen lifted his hand and covered his face.

"..."

Although she wanted to see how he would retaliate, Lily was a fast sleeper next to him lately. She slowly drowsed off to dreamland, leaving Chen motionless.

After few minutes or so, he checked up on her. She was really asleep.

"..."

Chen let out a long sigh. It was most likely a wrong decision, sleeping together.

He was still for a moment, then gently removed her hands and legs to put them under the blanket. Chen lifted her head onto his chest and wrapped his arms around her waist, adjusting Lily to sleep more comfortably in his arms.

"Sweet dreams." Chen kissed her forehead and fixed her hair. He stayed awake for another 10 minutes to make sure she was still sleeping fine and dozed off.

————-

In two days, as promised, Chen took Lily with him to work. They walked hand in hand down the street.

Despite not showing a lot on his face, he was in an extremely amazing mood. Every step of the way felt like it was too fast for him.

"Look, Chen! We can see the bridge from here!" Lily sounded to him. Her voice was music to his ears.

"En." He replied, captivated.

"Heh heh. Where we first met! We should have tea here sometime! I saw a gazebo nearby!" Lily looked at him lovingly.

His eyes had only her.

He nodded, "En."

"No other reply again?" She giggled.

"...Yes."

She laughed again and looked ahead. His eyes still only looked at her, forgetting their surroundings.

A fool blinded by love.

————

When they arrived at the palace, Lily hid behind Chen's enormous stature that seemed to tower everyone. She wanted to surprise Anne in the most perfect way.

They quickly got through; the servants were all very respectful to him and always seem happy when they pass by to greet him.

The maids, especially, were trying to throw themselves at him. Everything from the way they tucked their hair behind their ears to attempting to touch him, made Lily feel a little ticked off.

How dull, trying to soften your voice and be bashful. She thought.

Forget about trying to be secretive!

She quickly held his arm.

They were still a young blooming couple. She can't let him be taken already!

The man next to her was the only one in few that can handle the king seamlessly.

The servants in the palace treated him like a great diety. Greeting him was like a prayer for the day to be good. Getting on his good side was the best thing to do in the palace. If the women hooked up with him, they would be set for life!

"You're not going to surprise her anymore?" Chen asked her.

"We're already at the door. Surprising her there should be enough!" Lily replied with a hmph. 'Does he not realize that the maids were like this?!?'

Oblivious to his surroundings, Chen just looked at Lily blankly.

Arriving at the front entrance of the designated room, he told Anne's personal maid that they were here.

"Your highness. Sir...Chen has arrived."

"Let him in." Anne voiced from inside, a hint of happiness appeared in her tone. I knew he wouldn't be distant for long!!

When they stepped in, Anne rushes towards the door. "Chen!"

"Your highness." Chen bowed gracefully.

Lily peeked from behind him and bowed. "Your highness."

She stopped mid way by an unexpected guest. Anne was conflicted at first.

"LI!!"

Anne quickly hugged Lily, and finally, tears slowly dropped down her eyes.