So Damn Much

As I made my way towards the desk, a sudden movement caught my eye—a figure standing by the wall. My initial instinct was to scream, assuming it was just one of the guards stationed outside my door. However, as the figure shifted in the dim light of nearby flames, I recognized him, and my body froze in astonishment.

He was devilishly handsome, yet the exhaustion etched on his face was unmistakable. Dark circles under his eyes spoke of sleepless nights and tireless efforts. It was evident that he hadn't been resting or taking breaks.

I immediately scanned his entire being with my analytical eyes, searching for any signs of battle wounds or injuries. A wave of relief washed over me as I found none—at least, none that were visible. It could be that they had already healed, but I was grateful nonetheless that he appeared unharmed.

As I redirected my gaze to his face, I realized he had moved closer, almost uncomfortably so. I could smell his sweat mingled with a hint of minty breath, and I sensed a palpable tension in the air—a swirling desire that seemed to envelop us both. His eyes held a certain intoxication, not from alcohol but something else entirely.

"What..." I began, my voice catching in my throat as I took a step back. "What are you doing here, Ludwig?" My thoughts were a jumble of possibilities, making it difficult to think or speak clearly. He was so close that our skin almost touched, sending a shiver down my spine.

In a sudden, unexpected blur of motion, Ludwig's warm hand found my waist, pulling me close to his chest with a soft thump. His long arms enveloped me in a tender embrace, and I stood there, utterly still, as he pressed his gleaming face against my exposed neck. The sensation of his hair brushing against my sensitive skin sent tingles down my spine, and I couldn't help but call out his name in a near gasp, "Ludwig..."

My breath caught in my throat as he inhaled sharply, as if drawing in my very essence, infusing him with life. He held me close, not moving a muscle, as if he had found something precious he thought he had lost. His rugged breathing resonated in the silence, heightening my senses.

Time seemed to stand still as we stood there, locked in an embrace, neither of us daring to speak. The creak of the door momentarily broke the silence before it settled again, leaving only the sound of our shared breaths to fill the space.

"It's been ten agonizing days," Ludwig whispered slowly against my neck, his voice filled with longing and frustration. "Ten days, Louise," he continued, his words punctuated by a deep sigh. "And it's driving me insane..."

I swallowed hard, acutely aware of the faint throbbing of Ludwig's cheeks against my neck. Despite our closeness, his words seemed distant, failing to register in my ears.

Searching for something to say, I finally managed, "Is there a problem?" My hands rested on Ludwig's curved back, attempting to offer reassurance. "How is the kingdom faring? Why are you here instead of at the castle? Have you found Alexa? Who is searching for her? And how are Liam and Hiyasmin?" The questions poured out in a desperate attempt to break the silence, but all I received in return was more quietude.

"Ludwig..." I began again, my nervousness palpable as I rambled on, but I stopped abruptly when his lips brushed softly against my neck.

A moan escaped Ludwig's lips, followed by incomprehensible murmurs. My senses became solely focused on the sensation of his lips tracing my jawline.

"What..." I managed to say as his teeth grazed my jaw, sending a shiver down my spine. "What are you doing here? You should leave now... the kingdom…"

The words I was about to utter died on my lips as Ludwig's hungry mouth claimed mine in a possessive kiss. His lips were soft, like the finest fabric, sending a rush of sensations that left me gasping and breathless. His kiss felt like a warm breeze, gentle yet intensely overwhelming, causing my muscles to tremble in ecstasy.

But as the kiss lingered, a realization dawned upon me. This was wrong. It wasn't the right time or place, and we were not right for each other.

"Ludwig," I pleaded in a whisper against his lips, my voice barely audible amidst the rush of emotions. "Stop..." I managed to utter, my words feeble yet filled with urgency. He paused, but his lips remained dangerously close, anchoring in the charged space between us. One wrong move, and I would be lost in another kiss with him.

"We... we should not be doing this. It's wrong," I gasped, feeling his intense gaze locked onto me. "You're soon to be married to Princess Amethyst-"

Before I could finish my sentence, Ludwig silenced me with another kiss. This time, there was a sense of urgency and deeper emotions intertwined, leaving me unable to unravel them. His lips parted mine slightly, sending an electric shock through me. His arms around my waist tightened, eliciting a yelp from me as I involuntarily opened my lips, allowing him to deepen the kiss further. I felt a wave of weakness as his slick tongue explored my mouth, leaving me stunned and my knees feeling weak.

I nearly stumbled, but Ludwig held me firmly, his movements graceful and swift. He guided my arms to wrap around his neck, pulling me closer as he continued to kiss me with a fervor that left me breathless.

"Ludwig, you're about to be married, damn it," I managed to murmur between kisses, but he trailed feathery kisses along my jawline, causing me to arch my body in surrender. His lips then moved to my throat, leaving a trail of kisses that sent shivers down my spine.

"Ludwig..." I whispered his name, torn between desire and guilt, unsure of what to do next.

"There's no damn wedding," Ludwig groaned hoarsely against my jaw, his breath hot against my skin. "I'll take care of it," he added in a hushed tone, his words laced with determination. "I promise you that."

My body was ablaze with overwhelming pleasure, making it difficult to catch my breath amidst the rapid thudding of my heart. "What do you mean... no wedding..." I started to ask, but I bit my lip to stifle a moan as Ludwig's lips claimed mine once again, devouring any words I had left.

"I..." Ludwig breathed heavily, his breath brushing against my lips, igniting a deep desire within me. "Miss you," he whispered gently, nibbling on my lower lip. His expert tongue soothed the slight sting before delving inside my mouth, exploring and igniting every inch of my being.

"So damn much," Ludwig concluded with a fervent passion as our tongues danced in a desperate search for each other. The intensity of our kiss left me completely lost in a whirlwind of desire and longing.

His grip on my waist tightened, his palm pressing me closer against him, and I could feel the heat and strength of his body against mine. A surge of curiosity mingled with desire overwhelmed me, driving me to brush myself against him, seeking more of his touch. However, I quickly realized it might not be a wise move as Ludwig's whole body shuddered, followed by a groan. "Shit," he cursed softly, then gently guided me against the nearby wall with his own body.

His kisses grew fiercer, rougher, and more intense, blurring the lines of my own identity. It felt as though he was searching for something deep within me, grinding his body against mine, causing me to squirm with pleasure. "Oh god, Ludwig..." I moaned, my voice unfamiliar to my own ears, filled with a desperate longing for more.

"I need to tell you something," he whispered huskily against my waiting ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine as he sucked on my earlobe.

"W-what is it?" I managed to ask, despite the overwhelming sensations coursing through my body, with our bodies barely clothed and so close together.

"It's important," he replied with a sharp exhale, the tension thick in the air. "Louise..." he hissed, reclaiming my lips with a possessiveness that shattered every bit of resolve I had left.