Chapter 12
Sleep With Me
Daphne pressed her lips together, trying to hold back a laugh. Given the situation, her face flushed with heat.
—Sleep with me. You want to as well, don’t you?
It was true…
‘So, I’m being seduced right now, right?’
And by her favorite person, no less.
He was skilled at it—the way he held her hair, used his tall frame to cage her in, and gazed down at her with a lazy, low voice, completely focused on her.
With a face that naturally drew attention even when he was just breathing, using it at one hundred and twenty percent like this was almost overwhelming. Daphne couldn’t help but feel both honored and flustered.
‘Why is he doing this? There’s no need to think deeply about it.’
Although born into a wealthy noble family, Daphne didn’t care about other backgrounds when making friends, and contrary to the rumors circulating about her in high society, she was very generous to her own people.
The saying “If you’re Daphne’s friend, she’ll always have your back” was a popular one among nouveau riche circles.
As a result, people approaching Daphne in this way weren’t limited to a specific gender, and their objectives usually fell into three categories:
Money, power, or love.
It made sense now why Celestian, who could leave whenever he wanted, chose to stay by her side instead of fleeing to Terios.
‘It must be Psyche.’
She imagined that dazzlingly beautiful girl with golden hair, someone who naturally captured everyone’s gaze. Daphne didn’t respond further and reached behind her to grasp the doorknob.
“Good night.”
She turned to leave, but Celestian stopped her again. This time, he only managed to grab the sleeve of her wrist.
His fingers, especially his thumb and forefinger, clutched her sleeve with a strange sense of desperation. Sighing softly, Daphne couldn’t help but be charmed by his cuteness.
“Alright, what is it you want?”
She crossed her arms and asked, willing to at least hear him out.
“What I want?”
“You’re doing this because you want something from me, right?”
Her voice carried a hint of laughter, making his grip falter and loosen. Daphne straightened her crumpled sleeve with a quick brush of her hand.
“Why would it be like that?”
“You’re asking me to sleep with you. If you want me, it’s only fair that I’d expect some kind of compensation.”
Celestian’s right eyebrow shot up.
“How does it make sense to twist it like that?”
His tone and expression were full of displeasure.
“I have the power to give you what you want, and I even love you. That basically gives you a card to use me. Even if that’s how you—”
“Liar.”
Before Daphne could finish suggesting he didn’t need to seduce her to get closer to Psyche, Celestian cut her off.
“When have I lied?”
“You lie every time you open your mouth.”
“When have I ever!”
The irritation on his face made her heart race, but being accused of being a liar herself put Daphne in a foul mood.
‘I’ve been called crazy before, but a liar? When have I lied? Alright, maybe earlier, but I admitted to it. I always keep my word once I say it!’
Despite his displeased expression, which made her heart race, Daphne felt very bad about being treated as a ‘liar’ by him.
Was he suggesting her feelings for him were lies? That thought made her palms itch. Daphne was caught debating whether or not to slap his delicate cheek.
“My Lady”
A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see Kisha, who had been wandering around after not finding the employer who’d supposedly returned home.
“Why are you here?”
“This is my room.”
“That’s true, but why at this hour?”
Approaching Daphne, Kisha peeked inside and froze upon noticing the man. Celestian, with his reddened eyes, glared back at him, clearly upset.
“…He’s here?”
Kisha awkwardly stammered, caught between embarrassment and unease.
“What are you thinking? Perfect timing. Take me with you.”
Kisha glanced at Celestian, hesitant to confirm if leaving with Daphne was truly okay, but he had no choice.
“Your Highness, enjoy your nightmares.”
Daphne didn’t even turn back to look as she spoke.
“Yes.”
When she held out her hand, Kisha instinctively offered his arm. He made an effort to ignore Celestian altogether.
As Daphne’s slippers softly scraped against the carpet on their way downstairs, she dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve.
“Lady, were you crying?”
Daphne hesitated for a moment before letting out a deflated sigh.
“Celestian was spouting nonsense, so I was suppressing laughter.”
“Yes?
“He told me to sleep with him. Said I’d want to.”
Kisha blushed, unable to meet Daphne’s gaze. Her expression, now calm and collected, suggested the heat of the moment had passed.
“Wasn’t he wrong?”
“Hmm.”
She paused, then made an unexpected comment.
“Let’s say there’s a girl you like.”
“Is this relationship advice? If there’s an issue, I’d just recommend meeting someone else.”
Kisha chuckled playfully. Daphne jabbed him in the side with her elbow.
“Let me finish. Let’s say there’s a girl you like more than anyone—”
“There are too many.”
“Shut up and listen. So much that you’d want to bring the emperor of this country, no, the entire empire, to their knees and offer them up. But somehow, you end up living with her.”
“Yes.”
“So, imagine one of those girls likes Misha.”
Kisha briefly pictured his brother and an ambitious, mysterious woman with a sharp gaze.
“Now think about this: a girl who could run away anytime she wants, keeps approaching and trying to seduce you—but it’s all just to get closer to Misha.”
The fantasy shattered like glass. Kisha made a face like he’d bitten into something bitter.
“That’s a bit of a terrible example, but I get it. Though honestly, I’d just—”
“If you’re going to say ‘just meet someone else,’ you can leave.”
“So, you’re saying this ‘girl’ is our dear Duke?”
Kisha smoothly adjusted his tone, completely unruffled.
“More or less. Honestly, it annoyed me so much I almost hit him, but he’s too handsome for that.”
Next time, she’d just hit him anyway, Daphne added with a sinister smile.
“He looked pretty upset, though.”
“Cele? Of course he was. I treated him like that on purpose. Think about it—he’s from the high and mighty royal family. How could he not be offended?”
“Wow. Lady, you were awful today too. But I guess it’s for the best. I was about to go and punch him myself.”
“You’d die if you did.”
“Exactly, that’s why it’s a good thing I didn’t.”
Daphne smirked mischievously, her lips curling up at both corners. Kisha laughed brightly, like a carefree boy.
“Go to bed. You’ve worked hard today.”
“You too, Miss. Rest well.”
Waving him off, Daphne quietly slipped into Narid’s room. Bowing politely, Kisha glanced around the empty hallway before stretching and heading to his own quarters.
If it was a matter of pride, most men would lash out recklessly, even to the point of self-destruction… like last time.
The male ego, in Kisha’s experience, was like an explosive—ugly and prone to blow up at the slightest provocation, often leaving destruction in its wake.
He recalled one man who had trashed an entire room in his rage and another—Celestian—who had silently glared as if he wanted to kill him just moments ago.
It didn’t feel like a pride issue. No, this was something else entirely…
“Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
Kisha shook his head a few times, brushing off the unsettling thoughts. A shiver ran down his spine.
****
The sunlight glimmered on the surface of the Angel River that afternoon, almost as if the water could chime softly if you listened closely.
Seated in an open carriage, Daphne’s mood couldn’t have been better. She was practically glowing, thanks to the sight of Celestian dressed in the same color as her, waiting for her.
“Did you sleep well?”
“No.”
Celestian, leaning his arm on the windowsill, stared outside and didn’t even glance her way.
“Excuse me~ It’s polite to look at someone when you’re answering them.”
Daphne leaned toward him, balancing on the center seat. She grabbed his chin and turned his face toward her, only to be struck by his appearance all over again.
His pale skin contrasted starkly with the redness around his eyes, and his irises—under the natural light—were an extraordinary color, like three drops of green spilled into a frozen lake.
“I like it.”
Narid had outdone herself, styling Celestian’s hair to reveal half of his forehead, pairing a crisp white shirt with a wood-colored vest. He looked like a successful businessman.
“Let go.”
Despite his words, Celestian didn’t push her hand away, leaving her to hold his face while his lips barely moved.
“You seem grumpy this morning. If you act like this at the party, we’ll have a problem.”
Daphne sat back, pulling on one silk glove before realizing she’d lost the other. Sighing, she removed the glove and set it aside.
‘I liked that pair. Where did I put it?’
She had completely forgotten that she’d once given the glove to the man sitting next to her, dismissing it as useless.
Without overthinking, she snapped her fingers twice, and Misha approached with a polite bow.
“Yes?”
“We’re stopping by a shop later, right?”
Misha nodded. They had to go get Daphne’s dress for the evening.
“Would you like me to buy a few pairs of gloves as well? While we’re at it, you can also get what you want.”
“Pick up a few pairs of gloves for me while you’re at it. And get something you want, too.”
“Understood. By the way, Lady, your dress looks especially lovely today.”
Leaning against the window frame, Daphne flashed a charming smile. She was wearing a chocolate-colored halter-neck dress that reached her ankles, and as Misha noted, it matched perfectly with Celestian’s outfit.
“Isn’t it pretty? I’m matching with our Prince.”
“That’s obvious. I just hope I don’t have to worry about what’s under the dress… there isn’t anything hidden in there, right?”
“My heart’s in there. Want it?”
At that moment, Celestian glanced at Daphne’s back. Misha, unintentionally locking eyes with him, felt awkward and shifted his gaze.
“Anything that can’t be converted to cash is useless. And the way you’re dodging the question is making me more nervous.”
“And if you’re nervous, what will you do?”
“Not much, but I’ll pray my workload doesn’t increase.”
“Good. Pray hard. Amen~”
Daphne clasped her hands tightly and closed her eyes for a moment. Misha seemed to have something to say, but he pursed his lips as if to say it later and then tapped the back of the carriage a couple of times before leaving.
Daphne clasped her hands together in mock piety, shutting her eyes briefly. Misha pursed his lips as if to say something, then stopped himself and knocked on the carriage door before leaving with a polite farewell.
As they entered the Metasequoia tunnel, the summer greenery cast dappled light across the prince’s pale face.
‘That face… It doesn’t suit rebellion at all.’
Each time she saw him, she found herself having new thoughts.
“Is there a particular reason you can’t wear dresses?”
The “angel” seemed endlessly curious.
“My legs. When I was young, a carriage ran over me.”
“Your legs?”
His innocent green eyes drifted downward. Daphne slipped off her sandal and propped her right leg onto his knee.
“This is a prosthetic. Looks real, doesn’t it? See, it even moves.”
She wiggled her toes in her white stockings, grinning, but Celestian, without much reaction, carefully examined her shin and calf.
“What are you staring at so intently?”
Expecting him to push her leg away, Daphne was instead startled by his calm scrutiny and pulled her foot back quickly.
“You seem to enjoy teasing me.”
“Not with reactions like that—it’s no fun at all.”
“Oh. So it’s not a prosthetic, just scars.”
His feigned surprise was unnervingly composed. His clear gaze unsettled her, making her feel like she was the one being teased.
“I told you, that’s no fun.”
“When did it happen?”
Daphne, momentarily flustered, glanced at the scars running from her ankle to her shin. The jagged lines reminded some of branches, a description given by the beneficiaries of her support.
“When I was fifteen.”
She answered curtly and fell silent. Celestian didn’t press further.
Instead, he simply fixed his gaze on her ankle, hidden beneath the hem of her skirt, his hand clenched into a tight, trembling fist.
