I know the chapter title is suggestive but I have yet to translate a smut chapter so until/if there is one then I will change the status of the novel to be 18+ both on here and on novelupdates. Until then, please read to your heart’s content.
“…Yes?”
Pristin stared at Jerald, her expression seemingly questioning if she had misheard him.
However, Jerald’s expression remained nonchalant, as if there was no misunderstanding.
“Who else can treat me like that?”
He continued, shaking his head.
“No one but you. Not in the past, and not in the future.”
“…”
“Just continue to treat me comfortably. I should have at least space where I can breathe too.”
“…Do you not think someone else will come looking for that breathing space?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
Jerald said firmly.
“That’s something you gave up on.”
Somehow, that was the answer she expected, Pristin thought, sensing it from the unwavering gaze directed at her. She remained silent for a moment before subtly changing the subject.
“So, should I do it or not?”
“Do you mean working in the herbal garden?”
“Yes.”
“If I don’t like it, you wouldn’t consider that, would you?”
“That…”
Rather than ‘I won’t do it,’ it’s more like ‘I can’t’ if the emperor was against it.
Pristin narrowed her eyes slightly and asked.
“Do you dislike it?”
“I’m kidding.”
After a smug smile, Jerald spoke to Pristin.
“You should do it if you want to. What right do I have to stop you?”
“…”
“But there are conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“You must maintain a distance of at least one meter from Young Lord Bachell in the herbal garden.”
“…”
It was an absurd condition. The expression on Pristin’s face revealed such thoughts. But Jerald was serious.
“Can you abide by it?”
Only then did Pristin realize that Jerald wasn’t just casually throwing out the condition.
“No… Realistically, one meter is too far. Even our own distance right now is less than thirty centimeters.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If it’s one meter…”
Pristin took a step back with wide strides.
“I think it’s about this distance.”
“It’s desirable.”
“…We won’t even be able to hear each other speaking.”
“You can hear me perfectly fine right now.”
Jerald retorted nonchalantly.
“That’s enough. One meter.”
“…”
Pristin, bewildered, lost her words and stayed silent. After a while, she said in a displeased voice.
“I’ll consider it. Anyway, there won’t be any direct contact between Young Lord Bachell and me, so you don’t need to worry.”
“How can you be so sure of that?”
“It’s simple.”
Pristin shrugged and replied.
“I’ve never had any contact with Your Majesty, who apparently adores me.”
“…”
“Not once after entering the palace.”
Pristin added without much thought. She had no idea that her words could provoke Jerald.
Upon hearing Pristin’s words, Jerald stared at her intently.
When he suddenly fell silent and continued to gaze at her, Pristin felt slightly flustered and returned his gaze.
Why was he suddenly like this?
“That’s what you’ve been thinking…”
Jerald’s voice resonated oddly in the air. His words suggested that one meter, as long as the surroundings were quiet, was enough distance to have a conversation. Maybe it was due to the distance, but his voice sounded like a whisper, yet it somehow felt clearer and lodged itself in her ears.
Pristin flinched unconsciously at the strange atmosphere that was suddenly created. At the same time, Jerald took big strides towards Pristin. The initial one-meter distance between them gradually narrowed.
Eighty centimeters, fifty centimeters, thirty centimeters…
“It’s my fault.”
And finally, twenty centimeters.
Without realizing it, Pristin flinched and instinctively pulled her shoulders back at the much closer distance. But disregarding that, Jerald continued to approach her even closer.
The distance, now about fifteen centimeters, was enough to feel each other’s breath. In a situation that seemed to be the first time after the reunion, an inexplicable force seemed to pull Pristin’s chin forward. Tension and ambiguity simultaneously tortured her.
Unwittingly, Pristin clenched the hem of her dress tightly, unable to bear the unknown emotions stabbing at her. The oppressive atmosphere made it difficult to breathe properly, pressing heavily onto her body.
Pristin became aware that her heart was beating much louder than before. But it was simply because the distance had drastically narrowed. Whether it was Jerald or anyone else, the heart would naturally beat faster with someone coming this close.
It wasn’t an emotional reaction, it was just a reflex. Perhaps the sudden change in the situation made her nervous heart beat even stronger than usual.
As Pristin tirelessly tried to stop her complex emotions with countless thoughts in her mind, Jerald suddenly spoke in a very low voice.
“What are you thinking about?”
Was Jerald’s voice originally this low? Pristin looked up without swallowing the dry saliva properly.
Under the sunlit breeze, Jerald’s shaded face appeared more dangerous and sensual than usual.
“I’m here.”
Pristin couldn’t say anything, her lips just quivered. It felt as if her body had stiffened in that state.
“Why I’ve been avoiding this situation so far.”
“…”
“Aren’t you curious, Pristin?”
…Well, to be honest, she was curious.
There was an easier way for him. It would be easier for him to approach her physically rather than constantly circling around her, waiting for a chance that may or may not come. He could embrace her anytime if he desired, given his position as the emperor. If the roles were reversed, Pristin would have done just that because there wouldn’t be a quicker or easier way for her to have someone.
“But if we get too close, I won’t be able to stop myself.”
“…”
“I don’t even know how to control it, nor do I want to.”
His voice, which had been low, now sounded dangerously different for the first time since their reunion. Pristin struggled to swallow her dry saliva once again.
“But it would be troublesome if I gave in now.”
He slowly raised his hand and gently grasped Pristin’s hair, which was slightly sticking out to the side of her ear. Naturally, his slender fingers touched her cheek. The contact, which would normally have been considered nothing, felt strange in this strange atmosphere.
Unconsciously, Pristin tensed her lower abdomen. She couldn’t say a word and continued to gaze at Jerald, who was still piercingly focused on her.
The gaze felt as if they were just a moment away from kissing, making the situation more exhilarating for Pristin.
“I’ll continue to endure this, Pristin.”
“…”
“Until you allow it.”
“Any kind of permission.”
Pristin responded with a slightly weakened voice.
“Don’t look forward to it.”
“You know that I have no patience.”
The thumb among the fingers that held the strand of hair softly brushed against the side of Pristin’s ear.
It was just the side of her ear, not even her ear, but he deliberately moved his touch as if searching for the spot she felt the most.
The touch, which could be described as invasive, made Pristin bite her lip in an attempt to control herself.
“I’m barely holding it in now.”
That fact was painfully evident with just that recent contact. Pristin gazed at Jerald while slightly furrowing her brow. He whispered to Pristin, with a smile that was almost expressionless.
“I’ll wait a little longer, and if I don’t get a response, I will personally come to seduce you.”
“…”
“I want you to f*ck me.”
…Pristin never expected to hear such words from the sun of the empire. Her mind became hazy in an instant.
Feeling her strength leaving her body, Pristin unconsciously staggered. However, as if he couldn’t stand even the slightest bit of instability, he immediately firmly grabbed her waist.
“You have to be careful.”
Still, only fifteen centimeters apart.
But with his upper body leaning slightly forward, it felt even more dangerous than before. In that moment, Pristin’s mind flashed with the realization that they were in an open outdoor space, not an enclosed area where their presence would be hidden.
In this situation, she would have preferred if they were in his chambers instead. At least there would be no prying eyes. Quickly regaining her senses, Pristin distanced herself from him and retreated.
“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“…”
“I understand that you have allowed it, regarding the story of the herbal garden.”
She needed to get out of here quickly. Before someone saw this situation. No, more importantly, before she was swept away by this atmosphere. It didn’t matter if it was her or Jerald. Once someone crossed that line, everything would be over.
“I will take my leave. I hope you have a good day.”
Pristin quickly bowed, bending her waist. Then she walked past Jerald in fast strides, heading towards her original direction. Her heart was still irregularly beating like a malfunctioning machine.
Whether it was a physiological reaction or an emotional one, she didn’t know. But one thing was certain – she was feeling incredibly confused right now.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“Are you here, Your Ladyship?”
Aruvina welcomed Pristin entering Camer Palace.
“The books you chose are stacked on the table.”
“…Thank you, Madame Korsol.”
“It’s nothing. It’s my duty, after all.”
Aruvina, who answered in a gentle voice, immediately asked carefully.
“By the way, Your Ladyship, is something wrong?”
“…Yes?”
“Well, you seem a bit off.”
“…”
Aruvina was right. Pristin’s condition wasn’t very good right now. While her heart had somewhat calmed down during her walk, the uneasiness in her chest still remained unresolved. Additionally, a strange feeling hadn’t dissipated and had been lingering all this time.
Pristin looked a little embarrassed, but quickly composed herself.
“…I walked a little fast, so it’s hot.”
That was a blatant lie.
Aaaaaaa, this is the kind of tension I live for >∆<
Thanks for your hard work <3