Chapter 397
After Evander finally coughed up that mouthful of blood, Natasha clapped her hands gleefully. “There it is! You finally got it out!” she cheered. Natasha wiped Evander’s mouth with a handkerchief, then patted his shoulder and said, “You get some sleep. I’ll keep watching.”
Evander stared at her in a daze, then it suddenly dawned on him. “Wait… So you were deliberately messing with me?”
“Duh! You got hit by a freaking giant wolf. You thought it was just scratches? We had to get that blood out or you’d be screwed,” Natasha replied.
Natasha straightened up, and her expression turned serious. “You’re such an idiot, actually believing that ‘I want your body’ crap.”
With that, she leaned in slightly, putting on a serious face as she asked, “Don’t tell me you’ve never been with a woman before?”
She suddenly leaned in, closing the distance between them until they were mere inches apart. Natasha’s clear eyes were mere inches away, and Evander could see each lash of her eyelashes, and in her pupils, his flustered reflection. Beneath her delicate nose, her cherry-red lips resembled perfectly ripe fruit, exuding an intoxicating sweetness. Evander involuntarily gulped, his heart pounding so wildly he felt it might leap right out of his throat. A fine sheen of sweat quickly broke out across his skin.
“I… I haven’t…” Evander struggled for a long moment, finally managing to choke out those few words. Flustered, he averted his gaze, not daring to look into Natasha’s eyes again. He even pressed himself further back against the tree trunk, instinctively trying to put more space between himself and Natasha.
However, his innocent look only fueled Natasha’s mischievous desires. She teased, “Well, well, sweetheart, you’re blushing like crazy!” She reached out to touch Evander’s face, but he sharply cut her off, his voice urgent and flustered. “Don’t come any closer!”
Natasha burst out laughing. Pointing at Evander’s face, she teased, “Don’t tell me you’re still a virgin? I thought royals got some hands-on training when they came of age. How come you’re the exception?”
“Natasha!” Evander gritted out, his face turning pale with rage. He ground out the words between clenched teeth, thinking, ‘How could there be such a devilish woman in this world? How could she joke about something as serious as others‘ virginity?’
Natasha could tell he wasn’t amused, so she dropped it. “Okay, okay, it’s not like there’s anything wrong with being a virgin. My bad, my bad. Don’t be mad.”
Evander’s chest heaved violently with rage. He wished he could kick Natasha right off this tree. Only after hearing her apology did the fury in his chest ease slightly. But Natasha, utterly shameless and incorrigible, edged closer once more, as if she wouldn’t be satisfied until he was truly fuming.
Natasha tapped Evander’s shoulder lightly and said with a smirk, “Don’t worry, your secret about being a virgin is safe with me. I won’t tell a soul…” Evander felt his patience wear thin as he watched her lips move incessantly. He fumed inwardly, ‘How could anyone be this damn talkative?!’ Without a second thought, he silenced Natasha with a kiss.
The noise stopped, and the world fell silent. But Natasha’s eyes flew wide open. ‘Damn, this face is unfairly gorgeous up close!’ she thought, stunned. Before she could process what was happening, Evander’s large hand cupped the back of her head. With a gentle pull, Evander drew Natasha close, and she tumbled right into his arms. He locked his arm around her slender waist, leaving her no chance to escape. Natasha had no choice but to tilt her head back, letting him have his way with her. Evander only released her when she was gasping for air.
They stared at each other in flustered silence, their breaths coming in short, ragged pants. ‘How the hell did we end up like this?’ they both wondered.
“Wh–what just happened? Did we get bewitched or something?” Natasha blurted out, her voice a hoarse croak.
Evander, feeling equally flustered, could only manage a low, hesitant “Yeah” from his throat.
Then, in unison, they both turned away, deliberately avoiding each other’s eyes. The moon rose above the treetops, casting a soft glow. Under the cover of night, Natasha saw that the wolves had left.
She said to Evander, “Let’s go. Back to the city.”
Just as Evander was about to climb down, Natasha grabbed his arm and said, “You’re still injured. Jumping from this height would only make your wounds worse.”
Evander shrugged. “It’s okay.”
However, Natasha slung his arm over her shoulder and wrapped her arm firmly around his waist. Ignoring his protests, Natasha scooped him up and soared down from the tree. The moment their feet touched down, a sweet fragrance wafted through the air.
“That smells so good. What is it?” Natasha exclaimed. She craned her neck to sniff the air, only for Evander to say abruptly, “It’s the scent of nutmeg blossoms.”
Natasha asked, “What’s up with these flowers?”
Evander hesitated, avoiding a reply. “Hello?” Natasha pressed. “Speak up.”
Natasha’s relentless questioning was starting to give Evander a splitting headache. He frowned and reluctantly admitted, “These flowers have an aphrodisiac effect. We just fell under its influence.”
Natasha also grew embarrassed, then deliberately put on an air of nonchalance as she patted his shoulder. “An accident,” she said. “Just an accident. Don’t dwell on it.”
‘So what?’ Natasha thought. ‘It was just a couple of kisses. It’s not like we haven’t done that before. Think of it like getting nipped by the same dog twice.’
Evander was speechless. He thought to himself, ‘I knew it. Natasha’s utterly heartless. Not dwelling on it? How can she even say that so casually?’
Evander stalked off toward the edge of the woods, his face grim. Seeing him go without a word, Natasha hurried after him. Just as Natasha was about to speak, Evander’s low voice cut through the silence. “Don’t say anything.”
Natasha was about to retort. “You-”
“Keep quiet unless you want the wolves to come back,” Evander said.
Natasha could only shut her mouth, but she couldn’t help thinking, ‘Something about that just didn’t sound right.’
The two of them walked in awkward silence until they finally walked out of the forest. Evander swung onto the horse, but with his injured shoulder preventing him from controlling the reins, he had no choice but to let Natasha sit in front.
A long moment passed, and Natasha made no move. Evander couldn’t help but ask, “Why aren’t we moving?”
“If you don’t hold on to me, what if you fall off?” Natasha grumbled with feigned reluctance, then added pointedly, “Wasn’t it you who told me not to talk?”
Evander sighed in resignation as he cautiously wrapped his arms around Natasha’s waist. Only then did he notice that her waist was slender as a willow branch, yet surprisingly supple. Evander couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in surprise. ‘So this is how a woman’s waist feels, so slender and soft. Nothing like a man’s at all,‘ he thought.
Distracted and lost in thought, they stumbled out of the forest, only to find themselves face-to-face with an armed contingent. The soldiers spotted the two and immediately erupted in cheers. “Prince Evander! It’s Prince Evander!” they shouted excitedly.
The leader rushed up to Evander, on the verge of tears. “Your Highness! It is you. Thank goodness. I’ve finally found you.” Bob broke down in uncontrollable sobs. When he learned that Evander had gone missing, he felt like dying. Thankfully, his persistence finally paid off. He finally found Evander.
“Bob, help Prince Evander dismount,” Natasha said, frowning at his sniveling face. Natasha couldn’t help but think, ‘These two are such softies, blushing at the drop of a hat and crying over every little thing. After they take wives, I wonder which one will still be protecting the other. Anyway, let whoever wants to marry them go ahead. I sure as hell won’t!’
After Bob helped Evander down from the horse, Natasha swung herself into the saddle and rode off. Evander stared blankly at Natasha’s retreating figure and let out a soft sigh. “Just like that… She left without even saying goodbye.”
“Your Highness, you’re hurt!” Bob exclaimed, making a huge fuss. “Was it Miss Beren who did this to you? Tomorrow, I will go to the Minister’s manor and have it out with her.”
Evander said drily, “Be my guest, if you’re looking to get beaten to death by her.”
Chapter 398