CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: JEALOUSY

The man’s eyes brewed with storm-like intense emotions, suppressed in his heart and unable to be expressed.

Ruan Li was secretly surprised by Xu Mo’s acting and cooperated, saying, "How could it be? You know, the only one I like is you."

She lifted the knight’s chin, watching him obediently raise his head, eyes full of complexity.

The man stared steadily at Ruan Li, "I feel the same way, Your Highness. I love you, Your Highness."

He spoke in a low voice, his body rising to cling to Ruan Li, his large hands supporting her waist, almost enveloping her in his breath, his eyes downcast, gazing at her brows.

Ruan Li instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her body back, only feeling that Xu Mo’s posture was overly aggressive.

Her lashes trembled slightly as she lifted her eyes momentarily to meet his gaze.

Affectionate as if looking at the only true love of this life, but mingled with pain and struggle.

And a flash of hatred.

Ruan Li didn’t have time to ponder the deep meaning behind this, as Xu Mo’s actions interrupted her.

He grasped her waist, flipped them over, and the two inverted positions.

Ruan Li sat on him, her hand resting perfectly on his chest, Xu Mo’s gaze fell on her hand, raising his eyes with enticing temptation, and the lighter mole tear added a few touches of vulnerability.

Ruan Li’s throat moved slightly, feeling dry mouthed.

She heard Xu Mo whisper, "Your Highness, you should enjoy me properly now."

Though she was in a higher position, with his hand hooked on her waist, she was half-pressed onto Xu Mo’s chest.

"Your Highness, let me see how much you like me..."

The young knight feared the princess only deceived him, so nervously offered his body, luring the princess into the abyss of desire.

Ruan Li refused to show weakness, she grasped Xu Mo’s chin, and leaned down slowly.

She could feel Xu Mo’s burning gaze watching her.

As if wagering on whether she would go on.

The princess bestowed upon the knight a light touch at the corner of her lips like an award.

This was not a kiss, just a soothing sweet fruit.

Yet her cool fingertips traced the lips and slid down to the neck.

The rounded nails gliding over the skin didn’t cause pain but instead provoked an indescribable discomfort, especially as her movements slowed, her gaze beguiling like moonlight.

Xu Mo heard his own breathing grow heavier.

The cool fingertips brushed over the collar, then gradually peeled open the clothes, until the second button was undone.

He grasped her hand, stopping the further action.

"Your Highness, such matters are better done in bed."

Ruan Li smiled slightly, "Xu Mo, I feel that here seems more thrilling."

She withdrew her hand intending to continue, but was tightly held by the man.

The man supported himself, leaning close to Ruan Li’s ear to whisper a sentence.

"..."

Ruan Li’s ears instantly turned red as she looked at him with wet eyes, her gaze quickly shifting then flitting elsewhere.

She pushed Xu Mo away, standing up, "I think tonight’s moonlight might be nice, I’ll go out and enjoy the moon."

Watching her hurriedly leaving silhouette, Xu Mo touched his lips, laughing quietly.

At dawn, maids saw the knight leaving the princess’s room without surprise, instead instructing him to study more diligently and please the princess even more.

At afternoon tea, Ruan Li held a coffee cup, stirring the rod, while Xu Mo stood in front of her.

At this moment, only they were in the little garden, the afternoon sunlight filtering through the pergola shedding patterns on her exquisite garments.

She took a small sip, her gaze moving from Xu Mo to the flower beds beside her, her mind involuntarily recalling last night.

She wandered outside for a while and returned to the room, not seeing Xu Mo’s figure, thinking he had already left; after washing up and getting into bed, she accidentally touched something soft.

She calmly lifted the covers, unsurprisingly, finding Xu Mo sleepy-eyed, hair slightly tousled, teasingly saying, "Warming Your Highness’s bed is a duty of a qualified knight."

Perhaps due to the influence of the game, Ruan Li did not dwell too much on the matter, feeling extremely tired, she pulled Xu Mo into her arms, "Hurry and sleep, sweet dreams, Mr. Knight."

Hearing the stable breathing inside, Xu Mo slowly opened his eyes, his red eyes shining with unusual light in the darkness.

Ruan Li pulled her thoughts back, comforting herself that since it was in the game, it was all fake.

"Your Highness, the neighboring prince is visiting," a maid announced at the door.

Ruan Li brought Xu Mo along to the drawing room.

Upon arrival, Ruan Li saw the queen chatting happily with the prince, the prince with golden hair and blue eyes, somewhat resembling Shi Jue.

"Dear child, come quickly, this is His Highness Wenxi, who is also your fiancé."

Her Highness the Princess pinched her skirt, walking forward gracefully, and saluted Prince Wenxi, "Good day, Prince Wenxi."

Prince Wenxi returned the salute, "Good day, Your Highness the Princess."

The poor knight could only stand aside, watching his beloved converse cheerfully with another man before him.

Just after the meeting ended, the knight saw the princess intending to continue accompanying the prince, and while passing a corner, he pulled the princess inside.

He pinched Ruan Li’s waist, eyes red, voice hoarse and low, "Your Highness, is this what you mean by liking me?"

Ruan Li wrapped his neck, affectionately reassuring, "Don’t worry, the only one I like is you, he’s merely for appearances, for Her Majesty the Queen to see."

Such a simple reassurance could not completely erase a man’s jealousy, so she pressed close to his face, warm breath blowing on his sensitive ear, raising her toe to slowly move from his ankle upwards, fingertip sliding from neck down two inches below the collarbone.

"You know, my heart and body belong to you alone."

She lifted her eyes, her dark brown eyes moist and alluring, gaze settling on his lips, seeming both a warning and an invitation, "You should calm down, Xu Mo."

In the dark corner, the knight was pinned against the wall by the princess, enticing with sweet comfort.

Despite no kiss occurring, yet the feeling of uncertainty, chasing elusive dreams became even more addictive.

"Stay here and calm down for a bit before you leave, come find me tonight."

The woman tapped his chest, her fingertips rolling across the corner of his lips as if sealing it, then left lightly.

Xu Mo watched her departing direction, raising his hand to touch the corner of his mouth.

Had he been treated with his own tactics?

Laughter and merry sounds drifted from the garden, seemingly enjoying the conversation.

The knight stood outside the door, his expression hidden, preventing others from seeing through him.

Passing maids saw the unusually lonely knight and sympathetically said, "Her Highness will continue to favor you, don’t lose heart."

The knight raised his head, his sinister gaze frightening the maid into silence, and she scrambled away.

The princess returned to her chamber in high spirits, but found the sullen knight at the door.

Ruan Li patted his shoulder, "Are you angry?"

Xu Mo smiled, lips curling; how could he be angry over a mere game?

Ruan Li noticed his silence, "Good that you’re not angry, then tonight go sleep alone in your room."

She pushed open the door unsuspectingly, only to be suddenly grabbed by the man and pinned against the door.

"Does Your Highness no longer need me to warm your bed? Have you found the next one to warm it for you?"

His brows furrowed, eyes narrowed, his gaze dangerously and aggressively unrestrained.

And of course, overflowing with jealousy.