The Prince Seduces Me with His Body

“Diana, stop.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Diana immediately halted at Kayden’s voice, tinged with a light chuckle. Instead of moving away, Kayden leaned more into her hand, his expression playful.

 

“Of course, I like it, but are you okay doing this with everyone watching?”

 

“Uaah.” Realizing they were in the middle of the training ground, Diana let out a small gasp and quickly withdrew her hand. Feeling uncharacteristically flustered, she hastily set the towel aside. “I’m sorry. Did I make Your Highness uncomfortable?”

 

“Not at all. In fact, I liked it…”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I-I mean, it didn’t bother me at all.” Kayden, realizing he was about to say something embarrassing, quickly changed his words, muttering to himself as he took a big gulp of ice water.

 

Diana, recovering from her embarrassment, handed him a sandwich and spoke in a lower voice.

 

“Actually, the weather was just an excuse. I came because I have something to tell Your Highness. Your Highness has been busy preparing for the mock battle.”

 

“An excuse…” Her words snapped him back to reality more effectively than the ice water. He sighed and took the sandwich. “But if you had something to say, I would definitely come to you later. Anyway, what’s going on?”

 

Diana glanced around. Luckily, the knights were chatting loudly among themselves, ensuring more privacy than inside the palace. Taking a deep breath, she asked cautiously, “Does Your Highness remember the two maids who were banished after my collapse?”

 

“Ah, the ones you graciously spared with a ban on entering the capital. How could I forget?” Kayden’s smile was cold, recalling that frightening time.

 

Diana took his empty cup, refilled it with ice, and handed it back with a small note. “They sent me this note through a messenger, expressing their gratitude and wanting to repay me.”

 

“Repay…”

 

“It contains information about the whereabouts of a mid-level earth elementalist.”

 

“…What?” Kayden’s face hardened instantly. With a glance for permission, he opened the note with trembling hands.

 

[Antar. He’s a mid-level elementalist with earth attributes. Currently affiliated with the illegal fighting arena ‘Vitas.’]

 

Kayden read the brief note, his brow furrowing. “A mid-level elementalist stuck in an illegal fighting arena? Sounds unbelievable.”

 

“Still, it’s worth verifying, isn’t it? Your Highness can take the note and ask Sir Remit to investigate…” Diana, hiding her anxiety, tried to sound calm.

 

Mizel has assured me that the contract with Antar is settled. Now, I just need Kayden to go to Vitas.

 

Kayden would surely be enraged upon discovering the unfairness of Vitas and its contracts, even without knowing about Antar. If he destroyed Vitas and Antar swore loyalty to him, they could strengthen their forces without arousing Rebecca’s suspicion.

 

Kayden scrutinized the note, still wary. Could this be another plot to harm Diana…?  The two maids had previously acted insolently towards Diana alongside Tania. Although they owed their lives to Diana, who’s to say they wouldn’t harbor malicious intent again? However, finding a mid-level elementalist was crucial for Kayden’s current needs.

 

“Your Highness will check it out… right?”

 

Diana’s small voice interrupted his thoughts. Sighing, Kayden folded the note and nodded reluctantly. “I suppose I have to. I’m sorry, Diana. These were the same people who mistreated you…”

 

“I’m the one who brought the note. Don’t worry about me.”

 

Perfect. Diana celebrated inwardly.

 

Securing Antar for the Fourth Order would ensure their victory in the mock battle.

 

I need to prepare for the next step. Recalling various memories, Diana felt an urgent need to act. As she stood up, Kayden followed suit.

 

“Are you leaving?”

 

“Yes. We’ve run out of ice… and it seems everyone has had enough rest.”

 

Her words made the lounging knights flinch. They exchanged silent looks, whispering among themselves.

 

“Hey, did we do something wrong to Her Highness?”

 

“I don’t know… Are we in trouble?”

 

“She seems stricter than she looks…”

 

Oblivious to their murmuring, Diana instructed her servants to prepare for departure.

 

Kayden, watching her, suddenly spoke up. “By the way, Diana.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Will you really not speak informally with me? It feels strange being the only one talking casually in this marriage.” Kayden scratched his cheek awkwardly.

 

Diana, wearing an awkward smile, shook her head.

 

“I couldn’t possibly.”

 

“We’re married. There’s no need to be so formal. What if I spoke formally to you instead?”

 

“I’d find that… uncomfortable.” Diana visibly cringed at the thought of Kayden addressing her with formal honorifics. The occasional playful formalities he used already made her uneasy, and hearing it regularly might make her faint from the overwhelming reverence.

 

Kayden, disappointed but understanding, nodded. Diana, relieved, patted his shoulder in encouragement before heading back to the palace.

 

“…Something’s strange.” Kayden watched Diana leave, a subtle sadness in his expression.

 

“I’d find that… uncomfortable.”

 

Diana was always so kind to Kayden, yet she drew a strict line whenever he tried to get closer. She readily did things for him but found it burdensome when he tried to do something for her. This felt unfair to Kayden. Diana had stepped into his world first, but she wouldn’t let him step into hers.

 

Why does this make me feel so upset? Kayden sighed heavily, shaking his head in exasperation before approaching Patrasche.

 

* * *

First Prince Elliot Lee Bluebell was currently the only idle prince. Lacking the ability to wield magic, he couldn’t lead a knighthood or participate in the mock battle. However, he didn’t regret this fact much.

 

“There’s no point in longing for something I wasn’t born with and can’t achieve through effort. I’m content with loving what I have.” He said this with a shrug, taking Fleur’s hand and making her blush.

 

They look good together. Diana watched them from across the table, smiling warmly. Both were upright and kind, bringing her peace just by sitting together.

 

With the mock battle a week away, Elliot and Fleur were the most leisurely imperial family members in the imperial palace. Diana, too, found herself with no company as Kayden was preoccupied with preparations. So, the first prince and his wife visited her daily for tea. Thanks to this, Diana grew more comfortable with them.

 

Fleur raised her iced tea, smiling. “It’s getting warmer as summer approaches, but this place is nice and quiet.”

 

“Indeed.” Diana agreed, looking around. They were in the glasshouse deep within the imperial palace, accessible only to the imperial family. They initially planned to have tea in the central garden, but it had become too crowded, with nobles wanting to talk to them.

 

The news that the first prince and his wife, along with the third princess consort, regularly appeared in the central garden had spread, attracting nobles who practically camped there to meet them. To avoid the commotion, they moved to the glasshouse, which was a wise decision. There were no imperial family members close to Rebecca in sight.

 

Spring is almost over. Diana squinted at the sunlight streaming through the glass. As she shaded her eyes with her hand and gazed at the blue sky, she noticed something unusual.

 

Belladova…?

 

Beyond the glass, she saw Belladova bowing her head with a distressed expression.

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