Elena swallowed the lump in her throat at Carlisle’s penetrating gaze. She wasn’t sure exactly what he was saying, but she had an idea that something irreversible could happen. Elena shook her head as she answered.
“No thanks.”
“…I see.”
Carlisle’s expression fell, and he moistened his dry lips with his tongue. The sight of it was so erotic that it made Elena’s heart beat faster.
Kung kung kung.
As she listened to the thrumming in her head, she realized that she was quite drunk. The Carlisle sitting before her seemed more handsome than usual. His black hair was a striking contrast against his pale skin, and his long nose and firmly closed lips drew Elena’s gaze like a magnet.
‘Does he look better now because of my heart?’
She knew he had a handsome face since the start, but now she felt excited whenever she looked at him. Perhaps the danger was not Carlisle, but a drunken Elena. To Carlisle, she may be just a woman, but to her, he was the only man that caused her to shiver.
‘Sober up before you make a mistake, Elena.’
Suddenly, she was alarmed at what she might do under the influence of alcohol. The effects of it made anyone less inhibited, and she did not want to be honest about her feelings without any countermeasures. She was afraid of how Carlisle would take it, and her shoulders were already heavy with burden.
Fortunately, her depression from the day had eased off a little, and she rose from her chair to recover her senses.
“I’ll take a short walk to sober up and come back.”
Elena stood up and started walking away from the terrace, then stopped when Carlisle captured her wrist.
“You took the bandage off your ankle.”
“Ah…”
She hadn’t wanted to reveal any signs of weakness at the party, and so she removed the bandages. She had been so busy that she had forgotten about it—until Carlisle pointed it out now. It hadn’t been a serious injury from the start, but wearing high heels all day did make it feel worse. Elena quickly made an excuse for fear that Carlisle would worry over her if she told the truth.
“I feel well enough that I don’t need the bandages.”
“Really? Your ankle looks more swollen today.”
The physical change was so small that Elena couldn’t even tell by sight, only by the feeling of pain. Carlisle’s ability to detect subtle differences was incredible.
Elena hesitated for a moment, and Carlisle noiselessly entered the bedroom. He was back out in a hurry with a bandage, and he approached Elena again.
“Sit down. Don’t overdo yourself until you’re better.”
Carlisle pulled a chair and placed it behind Elena, and she seated herself in it. Carlisle knelt before her and held her slender ankle, then gently began to wind the bandage around it.
“Car—Caril….”
Startled by his posture, Elena made to rise in a hurry.
“Hold still.”
Carlisle’s firm voice blocked her movement, and Elena flushed in embarrassment.
“What if someone sees you kneeling?”
“Kneeling to hold my wife’s ankle?”
“You’e the Crown Prince of the Rupert Empire. This behavior…
“It doesn’t matter if I’m the crown prince. It’s my decision no matter what position I touch my wife’s ankle.”
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Carlisle’s arrogant remarks were enough to set fire to Elena’s confused mind. His alcohol-blurred image seemed to sharpen with her emotions, and she became so dizzy she couldn’t help it.
Kung kung kung kung kung kung.
Her heart pounded in her ears even louder than before, and her blood boiled from his searing touch.
A few moment later, Carlisle finished wrapping the bandage, and he lifted his head to smile softly at Elena. His eyes were focused on her, and the affectionate curve of his lips made her covet them at that moment.
Elena unthinkingly placed her hands against Carlisle’s cheek. He looked at her questioningly as she firmly held his face.
Was it because of the alcohol? The feeling in her chest was exploding like fireworks. Elena whispered to him with reddened cheeks.
“I…want to kiss you.”
Carlisle’s eyes widened momentarily. The world seemed to be spinning more around Elena as her emotions peaked, but she did not intend to stop there. Little by little…
The moment when their lips were about to reach—
Teolsseog!
Her face went straight past his lips and landed on Carlisle’s shoulders, and he reflexively caught her limp body so she would not fall over. He had no choice but to tighten his hold on her. He could feel Elena’s breathing on his shoulder.
Not long after, a sigh escaped from Carlisle’s mouth.
“…Ha.”
Elena’s body felt so fragile that she could break, and she was so pleasantly warm that he didn’t want to drop her for a second. Despite her drunken state, her scent made him dizzy.
Carlisle held on to Elena as she slumbered on like a stone statue.
“You’re playing dirty, wife.”
*
*
*
The incident at the party kept the Freegrand delegation up until late at night. Today Log was wearing a uniform that men usually wore, rather than a dress, and her hair was tied to one side. Her eyes were bright with interest.
“Today’s incident made one thing clear. The Crown Princess’ relationship with the Crown Prince is not an act, but of genuine support.”
The man sitting right in front of her replied brusquely.
“I believe so as well. Judging by her hostility towards the Empress, she must have plans to place the Crown Prince on the thrones.”
The man who spoke was Isaac, another one of the Freegrand ambassadors. He had a rough appearance about him, but Log kept him close for his exceptional abilities.
“From the very first moment I sense that the Crown Princess could be a match, but looking back there isn’t anyone else more suitable than her.”
“Think carefully before you decide. What I saw today didn’t work on the Empress.”
Isaac had a point. It was true that Elena was weaker than Empress Ophelia, nevertheless, a deep smile broadened on her face.
“That’s why I’m needed by the Crown Princess. If there’s no shortage, she won’t accept our terms.”
Isaac didn’t reply, but he had a strange look in his eye. He had some agreement with Log’s words. She went on with a look of excitement.
“I can’t wait to meet her. We’re sure to be on the same side.”