Chapter 76
"Tenjoyed having breakfast with you, kitten, Titus said after we finished eating.
"I couldn't say the same, Your Majesty," I replied with a fake smile plastered on my lips.
He just chuckled in response. "I have to go now. I'll see you then, he said before planting a quick kiss on my lips. was still I used Still not I to him kissing me whenever he wanted. However, that's the least of my concerns at the moment.
"What
t do you mean by that?" I asked, frowning. "I didn't agree to warming your bed in exchange for the favor I asked for."
He smirked, "That's true. However, it seems like you have forgotten the fact that you're still my wife, and sharing my bed is one of your primary responsibilities." "I'm not to do it," I firmly responded. Titus's chuckle was deep, almost casual, as though the weight of his words meant nothing to him. "It's fine," he said, his tone rich with arfmusement. "It doesn't matter whether you sleep with me or not. As long as we share the same room every night. that's enough for me." His nonchalance irked me, twisting something inside me that I couldn't quite name. I narrowed my eyes, muttering under my breath. I don't believe you."This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
I didn't expect him to hear it, but of course he did. His laughter erupted, loud and unapologetic, like I'd just told the most amusing joke. Before I could react, he stepped closer, his hand landing on my head with a light, almost teasing tap-like I was some wayward child who had wandered into his realm of control. "Such a kitten," he murmured, his voice low and velvety. He leaned in, his lips grazing the shell of my ear, so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. Tl see you tonight, kitten and the way he said them sent a shiver racing down my spine, leaving my skin tingling with unwanted awareness. I hated the way his mere presence could do this to me, unraveling the edges of my resolve without him even trying. Before I could muster a response, he was already walking past me, continuing his day as if nothing had happened. He didn't glance back and didn't give me the satisfaction of seeing my reaction. It was just another game to him, another move in this dangerous dance we'd tin since the day I returned to the palace.
His words were a promise, and the
been caught
But the
t of his words lingered, like a shadow that refused to leave. Whether I wanted to or not, the unspoken. agreement of sharing a room with him, night after night, both terrified and intrigued me. And the worst part? Titus knew exactly how it affected me. As he disappeared down the corridor, I s I stood there, my pulse racing, my mind tangled in thoughts I didn't want to have. Yet, deep down, I wondered-was I strong enough to resist him?
took countless deep breaths before I finally decided to leave the dining room. I found Elara waiting outside the door.
"How was your breakfast with His Majesty, my lady?" she asked eagerly the moment I stepped through the door, her eyes practically glowing with curiosity.
I could already sense the direction this conversation was taking, causing me to groan inwardly. She seemed to thrive on the drama that surrounded Titus and me. Still, her enthusiasm was relentless, and right now, I wasn't in the mood for it. "Horrible!" I replied with an exaggerated roll of my eyes, hoping the sharpness of my tone would be enough to deter her from pressing further
Chapter 76 But of course, didn't
it
"Are you sure?" she asked, her brows raising with playful skeptician as she folded her arms. Her lips curled into a teasing smile, and the way she was looking at me made it clear she was buying my dramatic declaration. It was as if she could see straight through the walls 1 so carefully built around myself.
I narrowed my eyes at her, knowing exactly where this was going "What are you implying?" I shot back, my voice carrying an edge of warning as I opened my eyes wide in mock indignation.
She didn't flinch, not even a little. If anything, her smirk widened. "Oh, nothing" Her tone was casual, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. "It's just... for a 'horrible' breakfast; you sure don't look too upset about it. In fact, you look... flushed." My jaw dropped. "Flushed?!" arly sputtered, trying to suppress the heat creeping up my neck. "I most certainly am not!" raised
She
I her hands in mock surrender, but the knowing look in her eyes didn't fade. "If you say so, my lady."
I wanted to throw something. Not because she was right-because she wasn't, of course-but because I hated how easily she could get under my skin, especially when it came to Titus. The mere mention of him sent my emotions spiraling in directions I wasn't prepared to deal with, and she knew it
Whatever you're t
thinking, stop it right now," I said sharply, pointing a linger at her. "There's nothing to tell. His Majesty is just... insufferable as usual. End of story."
She tilted her head, pretending to think for a moment "Insufferable, huh? Is that what we're calling it these days?"
I let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes! Absolutely unbearable. I mean, who does he think he is, ordering
Tet
e owns the place?"
me around, acting like
twinkled even more. "Well, he does kind of own the place, my lady" she said. "He is the king"
Her eyes twin "That's
Hmm,"
not the point," I shot back quickly, my frustration mounting. The point is, he's... he's... impossible! Always smug. always thinking he's in control." she mused, her smile not fading in the slightest. "And yet... here you are, talking about him a lot."
I froze, her words hitting me like a bucket of cold water. "What? No, I'm not
"You are," she interrupted with a grin, her tone far too amused for my liking. "And, if I may be so bold, you were doing the same thing yesterday. And the day before. And... well, you get the idea."
I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks, and it only made me more irritated. That's because he's always doing something infuriating! If he wasn't so so...
So w
what?" she prodded, her eyes dancing with delight at my frustration
"So.. Titus!" I blurted, throwing my hands up in exasperation "He's just... him. Always looming, always getting under my skin. He knows exactly what to say and do to drive me insane, and he enjoys it!" She chuckled sofily, shaking her head. "Oh, my lady. You sound Eke someone who's a little more than frustrated."
My glare could've set fire to the entire room. "You're impossible.
"And you're in denial, she shot back with a wink.
I scowled at her, crossing my arms over my chest. "There is nothing going on between us. I have no more feelings for him!"
She gave me a long, knowing look. "Sure, my lady. If that's what you need to tell yourself. Then, with a sigh, she added, "But just so you know, the more you try to convince yourself of that, the less convincing it becomes
@ G
Her words hit me like shaps, and I hated that part of me knew she was right.
Because no matter how much I tried to deny it, no matter how much I pushed back, there was a part of me that couldn't stop thinking about him. I couldn't stop feeling something-whigher it was hate or something else, I wasn't sure. And that terrified me "Enough." I said firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument. "We're not discussing this anymore."
But as I turned away, her quiet laughter followed me, and I knew this wasn't the last time she'd bring it up. And worse, I knew that deep down, I would be thinking about Titus long after this conversation was over, no matter how much I didn't want to
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