CH 9 : Duke Rhys

When Emilia and Alistair arrived, they were greeted by Duke Rhys, who was standing with Lady Seraphine in front of his grand and spacious mansion. But, of course, the royal couple received a different reception from the other guests, including gestures and titles used to address them. Between the two people in front of her, Emilia's gaze was more focused on the man in his fifties, dressed in a tidy black suit with a small round pair of glasses perched on his nose like a jewelry specialist, and sporting a perfectly curved mustache.

"It is an absolute honor to finally meet the woman who has captivated not only our Crown Prince but the entire kingdom." Duke Rhys Hawthorne bowed and gently took Emilia's hand to lightly brush his lips against it without actually making contact.

"I must say, Your Highness reputation precedes. Grace, beauty, and… an undeniable charm. Velaris has been buzzing with anticipation for your arrival." The man added these words to further impress Emilia.

As the host of the event, Duke Rhys was expected to be more talkative than Lady Seraphine, who was simply his companion for the day. This made it easier for the man to approach Emilia rather than Alistair. Therefore, every word that came out of his mouth was a sweet compliment directed towards the girl. 

However, Emilia saw through the man's smile, it was merely a facade, just like hers was. "Thank you for the invitation, Duke Rhys," she said softly. "I'm not sure if it's appropriate for the Crown Prince and myself to attend this event, because it seems to be private and meant for close friends only."

The Duke quickly shook his head, the expression confirming that the rules did not apply to Emilia and Alistair. "It would be an honor for Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Alistair, and Crown Princess Emilia to attend. The pleasure is all mine."

Emilia responded to his words with a smile, eager to see the Duke's face turn pale when he realized his most valuable possession had suddenly disappeared after this event.

"Well then, let me escort you inside, my lady," said Duke Rhys while he placed Emilia hand on his arm. They ascended the stairs at the front of the mansion and entered through the grand front doors into the inner chambers.

The grand hall was bustling with nobles, diplomats, and important figures, all engrossed in conversations that filled the space with an air of formality. Duke Rhys led Emilia and Alistair through the mansion, from room to room, where the glass display podiums scattered throughout each room, showcasing pieces of his jewelry collection. The constant voice of the man talking and explaining the origin of each piece only solidified his obsession with luxury items.

"If any of these pieces catch your eye, Your Highness, please don't hesitate to let me know," said the Duke politely. "I would be honored to offer them to you. Though I must say, the most radiant and precious one is standing before me."

Emilia couldn't help but cringe when Duke joked around, because she found them to be quite awkward. "I think it would be best if you spent more time with your other guests, rather than us, Duke." 

Predicting that the man would either deny or object, Emilia released her arm from Duke Rhys's grasp and took a step back, immediately grabbing onto Alistair. Her actions made it clear that her time with the man was over, and now she belonged to her rightful owner, the Crown Prince. Seeing Alistair place his hand on Emilia's, it was evident that he wouldn't give her to anyone else.

"In that case, please Your Highness, take a look around my humble abode." Duke Rhys said with a fake cough, then turned to Lady Seraphine, gesturing for her to hold onto his arm once again as they had done earlier.

Emilia and Alistair stood frozen behind them, watching the two figures walk away through the brightly lit hallway. They whispered to each other, their words undoubtedly about Emilia and Alistair.

"It's time for a treasure hunt." Emilia turned with Alistair, walking in the opposite direction of the couple.

They reach the second floor, a peaceful and quiet ambience greets them. No one seems to be there, except for closed doors leading to various rooms. Following her mind-reading instincts towards Duke Rhys, Emilia leads them to the back of the area, where she slows her steps. 

This is what they were searching for. The room that holds the Duke's infamous 'private collection' with the entrance is guarded by armed soldiers. But just as they are about to approach, she hears footsteps coming from behind, making Emilia quickly open the nearest door and pushes Alistair inside, revealing it to be a restroom. 

Emilia stood with her back against the door, trying to listen closely to the voices on the other side. When they slowly faded away, she knew that it was the changing of shifts for the guards.

"Are you sure we can go there?" Alistair asked, bringing Emilia's attention back to their surroundings.

She looked at him with a serious expression and replied, "It's impossible." Then she added, "Let's wait here for a bit, they're all still talking over there."

As time goes on, the guards seem to be taking longer breaks to chat and laugh together, causing Emilia and Alistair to remain trapped in their hiding spot. To make matters worse, the familiar warmth in her chest returns, reminding the girl of the tender moments she shared with Alistair in the carriage. Her breasts start to throb, a sensation that cannot be ignored.

She leaned slightly toward Alistair, her voice barely audible when she whispered, "It's happening again… I need your help." She said softly, her eyes pleading. "I can't bear it."

Alistair glanced down at her, concerned in his eyes. He recognized that tone. It made the man's protective instincts instantly kick in.

He walked over to her and carefully lifted Emilia to the marble sink. His hands moved with practiced care, unfastening the delicate clasps of her gown until the fabric fell off her shoulders. The soft material exposed the girl's skin to reveal her bare breasts, swollen, heavy and aching.

Alistair breathed warmly against Emilia's skin when he placed a tender kiss on her collarbone while his hands slid to her waist. The man's touch was deliberate and soothing, as he gently eased the pressure that had built up. When his mouth finally reached her breasts, the girl gasped faintly, her body instinctively arching toward him, while his focus entirely on her comfort.

"Shh," he whispered, brushing his thumb over her lips. "They could hear us."

Emilia nodded, her breath shaky when she raised a hand to cover her mouth. Alistair took her breast into his mouth, his tongue moving in slow, languid circles that sent waves of both relief and desire coursing through her. The man's touch was smooth but intense like he was savoring every second, every taste.

The girl's body tensed, and she pressed her other hand to the cool marble, needing something to ground her in the storm of sensations flooding her senses.

The room seemed to close in around them, the air thick with the heat of their closeness. Alistair continued his ministrations, his tongue and lips working in rhythm, each movement precise and controlled, yet driven by something more primal. The man's free hand gently kneaded her other breast, and she could feel herself unraveling beneath his touch.

"We shouldn't…" she murmured, but her voice trembled, betraying her need. "But you feel so.."

Alistair's lips parted for a moment, his breath warm on Emilia's skin while he stared at her, his eyes smoldering. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked, though they both knew the answer.

Emilia shook her head, her fingers brushing the man's cheek as she pulled him closer again, urging Alistair back to her. "No," she breathed. "Don't stop."

The soft hum of voices outside the restroom reminded them of where they were, but at that moment, the world seemed so far away. When he continued, Emilia bit her knuckles to keep from crying out, her mind swimming between the rapidly fading pain and the overwhelming pleasure his touch brought.

Between soft touches and lingering glances, they exchanged whispers. "The Duke's vault… What do you think?" Emilia asked, trying to distract herself from the sensations. The girl's words were low but filled with curiosity.

Alistair chuckled mildly against her skin, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "I'm not sure, but it must be something yang valuable," he replied between kisses. "We have to find it."

Just as they started to regain a sliver of composure, Emilia's mind-reading honed the voices behind the door. Her heart tightened at the sound. The girl's could hear sharp and venomous words coming from some of the men outside.

"They say the Crown Prince is weak," one voice said.

"And undeserving of the throne," another chimed in.

"I don't trust the man," someone murmurs dismissively.

"He'll never be fit to rule. It's a mistake," another agreed.

The words pierced through her like daggers, and without thinking, Emilia placed her hands over Alistair's ears to shield him from the cruelty. He paused, surprised by her sudden movement. She didn't want the man to hear the cruel things his enemies were saying about him behind his back.

In her flustered state, Emilia leaned down and kissed Alistair, her lips meeting his with desperate intensity. A way to keep him in the moment, away from the hurtful things she knew would wound him. He blinked in surprise but didn't pull away, instead, he responded with equal passion, the man's hands steady while he continued to comfort her.

The kiss deepened, their connection unspoken but raw. Emilia poured everything into that kiss, an unspoken desire to protect him from the world that judged him so harshly. Her hands remained on Alistair's ears, and the tension grew when his hands continued to roam her body, sending sparks of sensation through her.

Finally, when the voices died away, Emilia pulled back, her breathing heavy while their foreheads pressed together. Alistair looked up at her, his eyes burning with both confusion and desire. "What was that for?" the man asked, his voice husky.

She smiled delicately, her fingers tangling in his hair. "To protect you," she whispered.

Alistair gazed at her for a moment, understanding dawning in his expression. But before either of them could say more, he pulled Emilia back into another kiss, this one deeper and more consuming than before. The man's hands returned to her breasts, caressing them firmly and insistently, their passion reigniting as they found solace in each other's embrace.

Time seemed to stop in the silent room, the outside world momentarily forgotten when they shared this secret, intimate moment.

***

"Do you think we're being too harsh talking about the Crown Prince like this?" asked the young man dressed in green.

"As long as no one can hear us, I think we'll be fine." He looked left and right, making sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation.

"There are no listeners, I believe we'll be safe." Responded the other young man confidently.

Another young man in a red shirt, around seventeen years old, took a deep breath. "What are you all so afraid of? Even though he holds the position of Crown Prince, my father still holds the highest power here."

His words were filled with excessive pride and rudeness, matching his arrogant and evil face. This further reinforced that no one in the world could defeat him, since his father was Duke Rhys. This also gave him the freedom to go anywhere he pleased in the mansion, including the second floor which is the owner's private area and prohibited to the public.

While they were talking near the lake, a sudden gust of wind came in during the afternoon. The leaves on the trees were swept up and flew around in disarray, causing small chaos there. Within seconds, it turned into a larger chaos that caught the attention of everyone at the residence, including Duke Rhys who was the busiest person at the time.

Somehow, all four individuals ended up falling into the dirty and deep lake. Along with the wind, the once calm water had turned treacherous as if trying to consume them all and drag them down to the bottom. What was even more tragic was that no one was aware of this happening in that area, especially since it was quite far from the mansion where everyone else was busy inside.

Emilia stood on the balcony of the second floor, watching with an expressionless face while the four wretched children below struggled for their lives. Only she and her maid stood by, able to intervene but choosing to simply observe. After five minutes, when the children were clearly exhausted and weak, Emilia finally instructed her maid to run to the nearby room where the army was stationed and inform them of the incident that had taken place.

"It looks like it will be a fun show."

***