If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 43

“…”

 

“…”

 

A heavy silence fell.

 

“…Ah.”

 

Only then did I realize exactly what I had so confidently asserted, and I was stuck with an overwhelming sense of shame. Was I out of my mind? In the end, it meant I wanted to take him, so why did I have to act all confident and even raise my voice about it?

 

The one remaining option was something that fulfilled my own selfish desires, and that left me feeling deeply unsettled. Whether it was intentional or subconscious, could I truly say I had no ulterior motives in making this choice? I couldn’t. I wasn’t that innocent after all.

 

I buried my face in my hands and wanted to disappear somewhere, anywhere.

 

✦

On the other hand, Regen wasn’t exactly innocent either. This situation made him realize that he wasn’t as morally upright as he thought.

 

Whether it was taming him like a dog or desiring him like a lover, honestly, he felt no great aversion to either. Regen himself was almost surprised at how calm he was about it.

 

In fact, the only thing that had really stirred a strong sense of resistance was when Sasha had spoken Dominic’s name. She acted like she wouldn’t give him even the slightest chance. Apparently, her defenses weren’t as impenetrable as they seemed. If the right justification arose, it seemed there was room for her to accept Dominic’s loyalty and admiration. But as long as Regen was her personal knight, there was no chance for that.

 

Once his emotions surged, Regen found himself being honest with his true feelings. It had been quite some time since he started imagining the princess’s lips. Every time he touched her lips with his fingers under the pretense of healing her core, there were moments when he wished he could feel that sensation somewhere other than his hand.

 

The last time he drank the strong liquor she had bestowed upon him, Regen had almost made a mistake while intoxicated. In truth, even now, it was hard for him to tear his gaze away from Sasha’s lips. Every time she spoke in that melodious voice, like the chime of a glass bell, the subtle movement of her lips tempted him.

 

At this point, he couldn’t deny that a part of him had secretly hoped for things to turn out this way. He had to suppress the urge to take advantage of the situation under the guise of an excuse. Would it be easier if the princess simply commanded him?

 

As if piercing through that irresponsible thought, Sasha handed the choice over to him. “If you don’t feel any aversion to me, Regen…”

 

Aversion? What was that again? It was as if he were hearing the word for the first time in his life, struggling to grasp its meaning.

 

“Do it.”

 

“…”

 

That one sentence made his heart start pounding uncontrollably. It didn’t take long for Regen to remember what aversion meant. He could say for certain that he felt none of it. Instead, he tried to calculate whether it existed within the princess.

 

Regen was a knight. Squeezing out the last bit of chivalry, he created an escape route for her. “Are you okay with this, Sasha?”

 

“…What?”

 

“I have a face that resembles your brother.”

 

“…”

 

Regen regretted it the moment he said it. Sasha would now come to her senses and step back. After all, there couldn’t possibly be a sister who would kiss her own brother. He thought it was a truly knightly manner of conduct. Yet, for some reason, the self-mockery outweighed the pride.

 

Regen waited. Waited for the moment his excited heart would sink into disappointment. But the response he got was unexpected.

 

“If I close my eyes, it’s fine.”

 

Sasha accepted it.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Now his heart was pounding as if it would break through his ribs. Regen barely swallowed the words he wanted to ask—if she was serious. Now, he didn’t want to give the princess anymore chances to back out. And amidst it all, Sasha even added words that worked in Regen’s favor.

 

“Uh, well, to avoid getting pulled into your mental realm, I have to close my eyes anyway.”

 

“Yes. That would be… for the best.”

 

The two of them realized: at some point, the consent had already been given.

 

Sasha and Regen, who had both been glancing away or staring at the floor, now lifted their eyes and looked straight at each other. Their hesitant eyes met and became deeply intertwined.

 

The atmosphere was already set. It was nighttime, quiet, and the moonlight flowed through the room like a nocturne, gently draping over their silhouettes.

 

“May I come closer?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Regen moved slowly. There was a cautiousness in his movements, as if afraid that any sudden action might scare her away.

 

On the wide couch, spacious enough for someone to lie down, Sasha and Regen sat side by side. When Regen turned his upper body toward Sasha, she also turned her head to face him. A tension so sharp it felt like it could dry her throat filled the air.

 

“Sasha.”

 

Regen reached out his right hand, hoping every movement of his would appear natural. His warm palm cupped her porcelain-like cheek. Sliding his hand down, he gently and respectfully supported her chin, tilting it upward as he closed the distance between their faces.

 

As promised, Sasha slowly lowered her eyelids. The moment she took a deep breath through her nose, their lips pressed firmly together. Sasha’s platinum lashes quivered slightly, and Regen’s prominent Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Their soft, plump lips melded together gently. As he adjusted the angle, the tender sensation of their lips brushing against each other became vividly clear. It felt as if all his senses were focused on his lips.

 

Regen’s movements as he nibbled on Sasha’s lower lip were unhurried, gentle, and unbearably soft. However, as if to reveal the effort it took to maintain such restraint, his brows furrowed like someone enduring pain. Not that his patience was going to last long anyway.

 

“Ah, mm.”

 

Sasha let out a small sound, startled as her lower lip was swallowed by him. In that instant, Regen’s self-control crumbled. His tongue parted her lips and slipped inside. Twisting the angle, he pressed their lips together tightly, leaving no space, and entwined her tongue with his.

 

“Mmm.”

 

As the kiss suddenly grew more intense, Sasha, seemingly overwhelmed, raised her hands to cling to his chest. Though unintentional, it only served to provoke Regen further. He tore off his eyepatch as if ripping it apart and flung it away. With his eyes wide open, he took in the sight of Sasha’s flushed, heated face as he devoured her lips.

 

The purpose of offering himself had long been forgotten. It was no longer Sasha taking Regen, but Regen desiring Sasha, as if he were claiming her. His instincts, seized by a shudder of desire, drove him to go deeper into Sasha.

 

His mind, consumed by excitement, thought only one thing. He wanted her to see him. He really wanted her to see clearly who she was kissing right now.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

As if in response, Sasha lifted her eyelids. Regen realized for the first time today just how electrifying it could be to lock eyes with someone. But that fleeting thrill came with a price.

 

The same glowing pattern appeared in both of Sasha’s eyes and Regen’s left eye. Their consciousness was sucked into a distant place.

 

✦

I opened my eyes groggily. The soft feeling wrapped around my body made me think I was in a bed, but there wasn’t even a ceiling in sight. Instead, fragments of a cloudy sky peeked through the gaps between tree branches. It was only then that I realized this place was Regen’s mental realm.

 

“Ah…”

 

I touched my lips and then buried my face in my palms. Even without looking in a mirror, my neck and even the rims of my ears were probably bright red right now.

 

We kissed for real. As our lips met and our tongues intertwined, I couldn’t believe that intoxicating sensation was actually happening. Unable to overcome my doubt, I opened my eyes as if breaking a taboo, and as a result, I was sucked into this mental realm.

 

Come to think of it, maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing after all. I was lucky to have an escape. No matter how composed I tried to be, there was no way I could act nonchalant in front of my first love right after sharing a kiss. I might as well take this chance to fully calm myself down before going back. And I should check the state of the oak tree too.

 

As I brushed myself off and got up, I was startled. The place I had been lying on until now was peculiar. It was like a large male bird’s meticulously crafted nest for courtship, with fresh leaves spread out softly. It was more than just a bed—it felt as cozy as a cradle.

 

I plucked a leaf that had stuck to my chemise dress and held it in my hand. The large, deep green leaves have edges rippling like lace. They were undoubtedly fully grown oak leaves. But then, where did all these leaves come from?

 

I immediately turned around to check the oak tree. What awaited me was a breathtaking sight.