If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 50

The two bickered affectionately. I waited for them to settle down before steering the conversation back to the original topic.

 

“Sister Gwendellin is the type who can’t maintain relationships for long. She moves from one group to another, forming new connections wherever she goes. This time, it seems she attached herself to a group of naive young ladies who’ve just arrived in the capital.”

 

“Aah, so that’s the new nest? Like a migratory bird’s nest.” Nanaen nodded, then frowned delicately. “I don’t really care what she does, but it bothers me that she’s spreading bad rumors about Sister Sasha.”

 

“She wasn’t like that before. The competition is really messing people up.”

 

Sister Orlette, who had been resting her chin and deep in thought, suddenly lifted her gaze with a resolute look. “This won’t do. I need to step up as the eldest sister of the imperial family.”

 

“What are you planning? That sounds ominous.”

 

“You’ll see.”

 

Even when Nanaen prettily pouted and begged, Sister Orlette wouldn’t say what she was up to. I wasn’t too worried. Sister Orlette isn’t the type to cause unnecessary trouble.

 

I asked Regen to check the time on his pocket watch, then spoke to Sister Orlette, half-seeking her permission. “I think I’ll stay about half an hour more and then head back to the detached palace.”

 

“Go ahead. It seems like Sister Vivi and Lilli have already left.”

 

“Sister Vivi seemed unwell. But what about Sister Lilliana?”

 

It was unusual for her to pass up a chance like today to surround herself with her followers.

 

Nanaen answered. “She’s probably still in shock from being ‘mirror-treated’ by seeing Sister Gwendellin.”

 

“Mirror-treated?”

 

“Sister Lilli likes men, but she doesn’t worship them as much as Sister Gwen does.”

 

“Aah.”

 

Sister Orlette, who seemed convinced, suddenly asked Nanaen with curiosity. “You really understand Lilliana’s mindset, don’t you?”

 

“Because I’ve been through it too.”

 

“Ah, I see.”

 

“But Sister Lette, you act like you don’t know how she feels, even though you have a whole line of men at your beck and call every night.”

 

“Ahem.”

 

It was an interesting conversation. But our personal knights were present as well.

 

I quietly told Regen, “Not all princesses are like that.”

 

“I know.”

 

Nanaen interrupted, wearing the same expression she had when she heard the call ‘Silver Bird’ from Orlette’s lips earlier. “I always think this, but what’s with that sweet way of speaking? I can’t get used to it.”

 

“…”

 

I couldn’t quite figure out what the problem was myself. So, even if I wanted to fix it, I couldn’t.

 

Just then, Sister Orlette studied Regen with narrow, keen eyes. I flinched unnecessarily, and she made an offhand comment.

 

“Your knight’s mana has increased a lot, hasn’t it?”

 

“…”

 

“How did you do it?”

 

“Well… I did something.”

 

“No, I’m asking how you did it. Tell me your method.”

 

“…I’ll tell Sister when your dominion authority reaches level 4.”

 

“Why? You could just tell me now.”

 

“I’m going to get some fresh air. Goodbye.” Pretending not to hear her call my name in surprise, I turned away, grabbing Regen’s arm and quickening my pace as if to drag him along.

 

“Sasha, that’s enough.”

 

“Oh.”

 

It wasn’t until we were in the middle of a secluded garden that I slowed down. As I breathed a sigh of relief, I was startled to realize I’d been walking arm-in-arm with Regen the whole way.

 

“Sorry.”

 

“Sasha, nothing you do could ever be an imposition to me.”

 

“…”

 

I was rather proud of myself for keeping a straight face even after hearing such a provocative remark from my first love. Of course, it was probably fundamentally wrong to interpret Regen’s words, said out of knightly devotion, as something provocative. Then Regen snapped me back to reality with a surprising comment.

 

“From now on, I’ll try to hide my mana a bit better.”

 

“A bit better…? You mean you’re hiding it now, too?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…”

 

I was once again astonished by his strength. Apparently, even this man has a mischievous side.

 

Seeing my stunned face, Regen smiled as if he was enjoying himself. “I’m stronger than you think, Sasha. I’ll be very useful as your knight.”

 

“Why say something so obvious?”

 

“Didn’t you choose me as your knight because of my looks?”

 

“What are you talking about—oh.” I’d forgotten that I’d once used my ‘brother’ as an excuse to lower his suspicions.

 

“I hope Sasha needs me as a knight, too.”

 

“Of course. I’ll be relying heavily on your strength in the upcoming competition.”

 

“I’m glad to hear that.” His lips and eyes curved in a smooth arc.

 

Just then, a spring breeze rustled the leaves in the garden and tousled his hair. For a moment, I felt the urge to press my lips against his smooth, exposed forehead.

 

Still meeting my gaze, Regen spoke. “By the way, Sasha.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Did you come this way on purpose?”

 

“…”

 

Only then did I notice my surroundings.

 

The imperial palace is tolerant of decadent and promiscuous behavior. Even this supposedly wholesome picnic, meant to foster healthy relationships among young men and women, was no exception.

 

This secluded garden was practically a forest—dark, shaded, with many hidden corners. In every one of those spaces, couples were engaged in physical rendezvous, and for some reason, they always left the tips of their dresses or abandoned coats trailing out, as if hoping to be noticed. Even though I couldn’t hear any indecent sounds, the scattered, disheveled clothing was embarrassing enough. If we stayed too long, we might be swept up in the atmosphere ourselves.

 

“No.”

 

“I thought maybe you had an ulterior motive.” A small smile tugged at the corner of his handsome mouth. He was teasing me.

 

My competitive nature sparked a bit of resistance. There was no reason I had to be the only one embarrassed.

 

“What if I did have an ulterior motive?”

 

“…”

 

I just wanted to see his flustered face. But the result was bigger than I’d expected. Regen’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down noticeably. I could sense his tension, and it spread to me as well.

 

Without a word, Regen grabbed my wrist. The moment his warm palm touched my bare skin, I realized there was no retreat from this impulsive provocation. He pulled me along, leading me to a quiet, isolated part of the garden that hardly felt like part of the imperial palace. We stopped in a spot walled in by thick trees and tall shrubs.

 

Regen gently pressed me into a corner and finally spoke. “There’s no one here.”

 

His voice, lower than usual, seemed to echo not in my ears but in my heart. I dropped my gaze. “But we’re still outside…”

 

“Do you dislike it?”

 

“That’s not it,” I answered too quickly, and regretted it, but Regen, rather than finding it strange, actually looked relieved. Lowering my eyes again, I finished my sentence. “Hide me.”

 

That meant he would have to hold me.

 

“As you command.”

 

His tall frame moved in close, and Regen embraced me as if to conceal me in his arms. With no resistance, I let him lift my chin and closed my eyes. I parted my lips to welcome his tongue. As he explored every corner of my mouth with his, I heard nothing but wet sounds in my ear. My chest rose and fell more harshly. Maybe it was because we were outside, or maybe it was the mood, but with every breath I took, I could feel that we were both more excited than usual.

 

His hand, which had been lingering on my earlobe and the nape of my neck, now slid down along the line of my throat. His hot palm caressed the exposed side of my neck and shoulder, then gripped the round part of my shoulder where the dress had slipped down.

 

Ah.

 

If his lips hadn’t been covering mine, I might have let out an unrestrained moan. This really did feel like foreplay. When I reflexively shrank away, my dress slipped a bit lower off my shoulder. Even that sensation felt strangely thrilling.

 

Was this really okay? Was it really okay to enjoy it this much?