Chapter 16

Chapter 16

HENRIETTA

833% C

15:09

+5

I swallowed hard as I fanned myself the moment he turned his back on me. But then I realized it was my own stu pid ity that placed me in such a situation. I have never known Andreas to be the type to seduce women when we were younger due to his mysterious and quiet nature but since we have met again several days ago, he changed a lot. Does this have to do with most of his time spent with men in the war camps?

It was true that I used to sneak into his room because of the books he was collecting. I was banned in the library. and it wasn’t even my fault. I discovered his room when we were kids by accident and from then on, I kept sneaking, reading his books while he was studying or training.

He wasn’t supposed to know that and I just revealed it. I wanted to slap myself.

The grandfather clock showed it was almost midnight. I can’t stay here and do the Ritual when we’re not doing

this marriage for love. This is not necessary. I know he’d agree with me as I know he was forced in this setting as

well.

So we sat in silence. In my case, it was mainly because I was still embarrassed about the fact that he knows the

truth now and how he teased me earlier with the book, how he was so close, and how his eyes traveled down to my lips– Is he thinking about the same thing, perhaps?

I cleared my throat and shook the thought away. Impossible.

It was then that I looked in his direction. He was looking at me over the rim of his glasses. The piercing blue gaze pinned me on my seat, making my throat dry. I wanted to drink something but there was only liquor.

“I’ll get something for me to drink,” I announced before I stood. He placed the glass back on the table and tossed the book onto the table, making me remember what happened earlier once again.

“I’ll call the servers,” he offered but I shook my head.

“I’ll do it. I need some air, as well” I said and his brows rose slightly. Of course, he knew why I needed some air. Thankfully, there was none of that insufferable grin of his.

Without waiting for his response, I walked to the door. Before I could even step out, his hand held my wrist, making me stop.

1/5

Emergency calls only

Chapter 15

M.

*

033% 15:09

+5

then and there. To have my hands around her tiny waist and to pull her close to me, feel her skin– I shook the thought away. To counteract the impulse, I spoke abruptly.

“You can read this. So you don’t need to sneak in, anymore.”

Her hand took the book and she did,not even argue. She was too stunned that she did not try to defend herself that she did not sneak in. I turned my back and walked towards the table where the water was.

This Ritual thing might be the hardest challenge I have ever done in my whole life. And coming from a trained

warrior like me who has gone through several kinds of hell, that is saying something significant.

I downed a glass of water, attempting to calm my nerves. I was meant to be the one teasing her, yet why on earth was I the one feeling flustered?

Emergency calls onlyM…

Chapter 15

D33% 15:08

O

the room. It struck me then that they might have been removed when I transported all my books to the war

camp.

+5

Then I turned to look at her.

I turned to face her, a teasing glint in my eyes. “You’re right. Although, I wonder how you knew there were shelves here?” I arched an eyebrow, studying her reaction. Her emerald eyes widened, and she instinctively took a step back. The flush of embarrassment on her cheeks didn’t escape my notice. I was well aware that she was flustered by my discovery, but I couldn’t resist the temptation to tease her a bit more.

“Did you sneak into my room before?” I quipped, my tone laced with amusement. Her attempt to form a coherent response only deepened the shade of red on her cheeks.

“I…I was not– It was an accident– what are you doing?” she stammered, stepping back as I approached.

“What am I doing?”

“Why are you walking close to me?”

“Do you enjoy books, Henrietta?”I inquired, maintaining my proximity while she continued retreating. “I thought maybe you sneaked in here because you enjoyed reading. I recall you and Philip getting banned from the Palace library. Did you come here to read my books?”

She shook her head, her face growing redder by the second. Finally, as she attempted another step back, she bumped into a piece of furniture, forcing her to halt. Before she could escape, I braced both my hands beside her

and leaned in close.

In that moment, her beauty up close was undeniable, momentarily distracting me from the purpose of teasing

her.

Our eyes met, and I found myself captivated by the depth of her gaze. My gaze involuntarily dropped to her lips, and an urge surged within me, whispering things I knew I shouldn’t act upon. Gripping the table hard, I leaned even closer and reached for something behind her.

Dam n. The alcohol was starting to affect me.

I pulled back, raising the object I had retrieved: a book.

She blinked, utterly surprised. I wanted to slap myself for thinking even for just a second to claim her lips right

4/5