Chapter 10 – Still Running Away

“Ah. So, you pretended last time to be not hungry just so you can avoid me?”

Eve shook her head fervently. Even though it’s the half-truth, she’d rather die than admit it. “It’s not like that, Your Majesty. When we arrived last time, I was really tired so I decided to take a rest already. I just woke up a few minutes ago because I was hungry. I apologize if you misunderstood.”

Arsene did not respond. Instead, he took the tray she was holding and placed it down on the table nearby where she originally wanted to enjoy her meal. However right now, she just wants to go back and forget that this happened.

“Sit down.”

Once she has already seated, that’s when he noticed that there is a bottle of brandy which is already half empty and a goblet on the table. She furtively looked around to check if he has anyone with him however there’s no one on sight.

“I see, you’ve been drinking. Your Majesty. Anyway, we deeply apologize for not giving you a warm welcome you deserve. It’s just we’re really surprised,” she said initiating a conversation and started munching on her beef stew.

“I don’t know why you’re all apologizing. I should be the one doing that since I did not inform beforehand that I will be coming. Though truth be told, I originally didn’t intend on coming here.”

Eve just watched Arsene carefully as he helped himself with another glass of brandy and drank it straightly. The sight made her throat tingled as she imagined the burning sensation of the liquor.

“Your Majesty, I think it’s best if after this you should retreat already to your room. There is no one to guard you here. My brother may have built tall walls around the castle but I can’t still guarantee you that it’s safe since occasionally we still catch thieves here.”

Arsene just looked at her as if silently asking her if she really thinks that he’s that weak. Eve has absolutely no intention of insulting him or even letting him think that way since she’s definitely aware of his skills however, she doesn’t really know what to talk with him about. She’s just thankful enough that so far, he hasn’t mentioned anything about the past yet, but she’s afraid that one wrong word from her would trigger either of them to talk about it.

“Aren’t you a knight yourself? I’m at ease with just you being here with me.”

She perfectly knows that he’s praising her as a knight. If the emperor said it to someone else surely that knight is already feeling the hang of it but she feels otherwise. His words have a different impact on her.

“I’m honored you feel that way.”

The emperor did not say anything more afterwards as he just let her eat peacefully. After all, it seems like she was really starving since she’s devouring large chunks of the meat. Once Eve has already took the last drop of the stew, she then reached for the apple and bit on it that she almost consumed the half of it.

She’s too focused on eating that she did not even notice that Arsene has stopped moving and is just now staring at her with his lips slightly parted.

When she looked back at him, she’s too late. Arsene is already just a few inches away from her and before she could even mutter any words, he has already pulled the back of her head to his and their lips landed on each other.

Eve is too stunned to even react as Arsene just resume kissing her. She wanted to push him but it seems like her mind and body are not in mutual decision. Part of her thinks that the situation is not sitting well with her but the other part also seems to like it that she just found herself responding to his kisses with equal fire, and no inhibitions.

He then stopped and gazed at her while wiping her lips with his thumb. Through the moonlight, Eve can see her red, jewel eyes burning with shifting emotions. She’s seen a lot. She’s seen eyes of those savages she slayed before. Eyes that show fear, anger, despair. But the one she’s looking at right now are way different. They are burning with desire, longing, and another one that she can’t name.

“Escort me back to my room, Lady Guinevere.”

She nodded at that then stood up quickly as if she’s been splashed with a cold water. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The walk to the main castle is quiet and there are no one in sight. Eve made sure that she’s at least five feet away from him just in case they’ll bump into anyone.

When they have reached their destination, they stopped moving. Arsene looked back at her then she quickly bowed her head.

“Please rest well, Your Majesty. I also want to thank you for accompanying me to a very late dinner,” she gave him a smile that doesn’t even reach her eyes. When she was about to retreat, he pulled her back to him until she just found herself inside his room.

“Your Majesty –” she was not able to continue as he pinned her down at the back of the door with both of his arms at her side and inched his face closer to hers.

At this rate, Eve’s heart is beating so fast that it hurts. She wanted to push him away. To run. But her knees felt like that they have already turned into jelly.

“After all these years, you’re still running away from me?” his voice is as cold as his eyes, it’s giving the chills down her spine.

She can’t bear to respond as the thing she’s been dreading all day was just confirmed.

“How more powerful do you want me to be to keep you from running away from me?” his tone is more on the edge of frustration this time.

“It’s not like that. I thought you wanted to rest..”

At that, Arsene inched closer to her until she can feel his breathing on her face.

“We were kissing. What do you think will happen next since I ask you to take me here? Do you really think I said that because I want to rest?”