AROUND THE CASTLE

Annabelle's heart skipped a beat as the moist lips of the man who claimed to be Simon touched hers. Something Annabelle had never felt in her life, she felt tonight. Annabelle closed her eyes enjoying something new in her life.

Albert growled softly in Annabelle's mouth, Annabelle's lips were very sweet, like the forest honey he often tasted. Albert's tongue slid gently into Annabelle's mouth, teasing his there. Does Annabelle have a potion that can control hid mind? Or even a spell that made him want to continue tasting those sweet lips?

They smacked each other under the moonlight that formed a straight line, broke through the window glass and into the room. Like a white silk cloth that stretched from the sky against their bodies.

Albert's hand rubbed the nape of Annabelle's neck, her hand very itching to untie the golden hair from the tight and neat knot. Albert easily pulled and untied Annabelle's hair, making it fall over her open shoulders, contrasting with the white color of the shoulders. Albert's hand went through the hair and pulled gently, causing Annabelle's head to tilt upwards.

Annabelle's white skin was plastered before her eyes. The long neck tempted Albert to taste it. With his head lowered, Albert began to taste and leave a hot trail there. After being satisfied, Albert's eyes returned to Annabelle's. Annabelle bravely returned the gaze.

"Your eyes are very beautiful, My Lord. Every time I look into your eyes, I feel as if I am carried away in them. Your eyes are like the color of wood in the forest, clear like a river that cuts through the forest beside your castle."

"Thank you for your compliment, your eyes are also very beautiful, my lady. It was blue like the clear sky in spring, sparkling like pearls that drowned anyone who stared at it. I really admire your golden hair. It's very soft and smells good like Lily's mixed with weeds."

Hearing the man's words, Annabelle smiled happily and embarrassed. "Thank you for your compliment, My Lord."

"One more thing, forgive me if I am impolite for doing this," said Albert, who immediately pulled Annabelle's dress which was on her back.

"What are you doing, My Lord?" Annabelle asked in surprise, trying to escape from Albert's embrace.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to pollute you, I'm just excited about this corset that makes you suffer. Did you not realize that the corset ties are so tight?"

"But this is very disrespectful, My Lord."

"Looks like we've forgotten that politeness. Well now breathe, I hope this will make you much more comfortable," said Albert. And it was true, after the girdle was loose, Annabelle could breathe easy and her chest was no longer tight.

"Thank you, My Lord. It feels really relieved now. You have freed me from this torment. Unfortunately I can't go home like this. I feel like a woman who has just been contaminated. "

"Don't worry, this castle has several exits. You can use either one, without anyone knowing. Do you want to get around this castle first before going home? While waiting for the guests to leave this place. "

"It is an honor for me, to be able to tour this castle," said Annabelle who then walked with Albert to surround the castle.

"This castle has five towers. Four according to the direction of the wind and one facing the main gate. There are 50 large rooms in this castle, 20 on the right wing, 20 on the left wing and 10 more in the main castle. There are also several small rooms to the servants," Albert began to explain a little about the castle.

Annabelle stared in awe at the castle. "Are all the rooms fully occupied?" asked Annabelle.

"Not all of them are filled, when the hunting season arrives, then everything will be filled up and very crowded. Besides all the Duke of Louis gathered, we will invite other nobles to join the hunt."

"Looks like it's fun."

"Would you like to come hunting with us?"

"I can't be on the hunt, My Lord. Women won't be counted for the event."

"What if you get a special invitation from Lord Albert Louis? Will you refuse it?"

"How can Lord Albert Louis invite me when he doesn't know me?"

"I will recommend you to him."

"Did you have a big influence on Lord Albert Louis?"

"Albert is my best friend, so he will listen to what I say to him."

"I would be very happy and honored if I could be invited for the next hunting season."

Their feet stopped when Albert and Annabelle were under a spiral staircase leading to the tower. The end of the stairs was dark and there were only a few flames hanging on the cold black tower wall.

"Would you like to ride it? The view above is very beautiful."

"Is it still sturdy?" Annabelle asked doubtfully.

"Of course, we still take good care of it. It's just that the stairs are a little slippery because of the moss, so we have to be careful when climbing them."

"Looks like it's going to be a fun adventure. Rather than just being in the castle to party. I'm not used to the extravagant courtesy of Lord Albert Louis' guests. Don't know who to dance with and too embarrassed to eat too much. The corset is cramping me, I can't possibly eat all the delicious food down there. I have to thank you for helping to loosen this corset. "

Albert laughed at Annabelle's words. Her speech was very open without further ado and full of formality like the other noble daughters.

"Can we speak without using language that is too formal?" asked Albert.

"Like what I call you? That seems very disrespectful, My Lord."

"What if we start with a friendship?"

"That seems like a good idea."

They finally climbed the stairs, step by step. Unfortunately, Annabelle, unfamiliar with the slippery ladder, slipped while stepping on the smaller end of the ladder.

She had prepared himself to fall tumbling down, the ladder would likely break his neck. But Albert swiftly caught Annabelle's body with his strong arms. Holding the body until their eyes met again.

Annabelle immediately broke the gaze and stepped away from the man's hot body.

"Be careful, Princess, you can break your neck if you roll down the stairs."

"Thank you for your help, My Lord," said Annabelle, who then lifted her puffed gown to continue up the tower steps fearlessly.

"Looks like the beautiful dress you are wearing, is not suitable for this adventure?" said Albert commenting on the dress Annabelle was wearing. He started trying to use less formal language.

"Yes, of course. My dress was designed to dance not to climb the tower, but I will not miss this adventure just because the dress makes it difficult for me to walk," Annabelle replied in informal language as well.

Without realizing it, they reached the top of the tower. Albert was amazed by the woman with him, even Annabelle's breath was not panting at all after climbing the high stairs. It was obvious that he was moving around a lot and the stairs were not something that could drain his energy.

Albert is still curious, what does Annabelle want from him? Did she mean to join in the matchmaking hunt for Lord Albert Louis?

"If I may ask, why are you looking for Albert?" asked Albert who could not help but be curious.

"My estate is in trouble. My parents borrow money from Lord Falkner, and we have to pay for it in another month. Otherwise, we will lose our estate. Griselda thinks a Duke of Hamilton, will be able to help us get out of Lord Falkner's pressure."

"Is there any other way so you won't lose the Estate?"

"Yes, that means I must be the mistress of a noble, namely Lord Falkner's mistress."

Hearing Annabelle's words, Albert's jaw immediately tightened. He didn't want this woman he was with to become a mistress, a sly nobleman like Lord Falkner.

"Does that mean, there's no chance for me to get to you?" asked Albert.

"I'm sorry, My Lord. I have to look after my body for Lord Albert Louis, so I can help the family and people who depend on our estate," said Annabelle sadly.

"Yes, I can understand that. Then, for now, let's just enjoy the view at the top of this tower. We'll wait for the guests to come home, so that they won't be suspicious of your makeup now."

"Yes, of course. I'm sure Griselda will be furious at me because I didn't find the person I was supposed to be looking for but instead went on an adventure with you. I don't even know your real name. I know there isn't a noble named Simon here."

Albert also smiled, the woman in front of him was indeed smart. Annabelle is not gullible. There was an attitude of caution Annabelle showed him.

At first, it seemed as if Albert had caught the woman, even though Annabelle was not an easy woman to catch.