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Chapter 49
Agility, quick reflexes, and an instinctive sense of timing when to strike.
The head of the action school had said that even if she didn’t make it big as an actress, she would definitely succeed as a stunt performer, so she shouldn’t worry.
Back then, it had sounded like nothing more than a harsh remark to an aspiring actress—but now, it was encouraging.
Deep within her soul, the spirit of her past life stirred.
Alexei Werner fighting with his bare hands? Does that make any sense?
What if Franz, the painter, gets his wrist injured?
So of course I have to step in.
As Angelina took her stance, any awareness of being the Crown Princess vanished.
Her outfit was a bit of a shame, but she had practiced fighting in party dresses before.
Ready.
She picked her target.
One, two—jab.
The wall trembled, and a framed picture dropped with a thud.
Angelina swiftly shot out her leg and caught the falling frame midair.
Good. Safe.
Next—a left hook.
The table flipped over, sending papers flying everywhere.
Front kick. Side kick. Right hook.
The papers floating in the air were shredded like rags.
Finally—a straight.
Angelina threw a punch toward the door.
Bang.
It thundered.
Oh, perfect!
Angelina Agert—still got it!
She raised both shoulders proudly, smiling in triumph—
When suddenly, the door burst open as if it would shatter, and Alexei rushed in.
With a sword in his hand.
“Angel, are you okay?!”
There wasn’t even time to answer. Alexei grabbed her shoulders, turning her this way and that, scanning her from head to toe.
“I’m fine.”
After confirming she didn’t even have a scratch, Alexei finally looked around.
“Where is it? Where did it go?”
Seeing him search frantically, Angelina grew more bewildered.
He opened the window to look outside, even ducked his head under the bed.
What on earth is going on this early in the morning? Sleepwalking, maybe?
“What are you looking for?”
“Did someone break in?”
“No one came in.”
“Then who did this?”
The table was overturned, random objects scattered everywhere, and torn papers lay like landmines.
Angelina curled her finger inward, pointing at herself.
“Me.”
“…You?”
Nod, nod.
His expression looked even more dazed than a sleepwalker’s.
“Why?”
“I just warmed up a bit—for the greater good. There’s going to be a key-grabbing competition soon.”
“You don’t need to step in.”
Alexei lowered his sword.
“We’ll handle it.”
“You saw how people fought yesterday. It’s not some elegant sword duel.”
“So?”
“Alex, you’ve probably never even fought hand-to-hand, and Franz… he doesn’t look like he can fight.”
“So you’re saying you’ll do it?”
Alexei looked utterly dumbfounded by her logic.
“Say something that makes sense. You’re going to fight men with your bare hands?”
“Why? Think I can’t?”
“I know you’re good with a gun, but Angel—”
“If you don’t believe me, want to spar?”
Angelina winked.
“Like I’d do that with you.”
Alexei scoffed.
“What about this?”
Her clenched fist lightly tapped his shoulder.
“I said no, Angel.”
“What about this?”
This time, her other fist came flying. Alexei blocked it with his palm.
“Fighting men barehanded? That’s ridiculous.”
“Then…!”
Angelina stepped back—then suddenly launched a kick.
Her right foot struck Alexei’s side perfectly. He bent his knees, clutching his ribs.
“How about that?”
“……”
“You surrender, right?”
“Stop.”
“I said surrender.”
“No.”
Angelina swung her other leg toward his uninjured side. Alexei twisted his body slightly, and the moment her foot missed—
He grabbed her ankle.
“Let go.”
“I told you to stop.”
Her leg dangled awkwardly in the air, and embarrassed, she thrashed her body.
A bad move.
“Whoa—”
Losing his balance, Alexei pulled her toward him.
Their shoulders collided. Their faces came dangerously close.
Both of them drew in sharp breaths. Whether from exertion or something else—it wasn’t clear.
“I told you to stop.”
They had clearly started with a fight—so why had it turned into a tango?
Angelina felt flustered at the solid grip of his hands between her back and knee.
It’s just an accident.
Look—his expression hasn’t changed at all.
But the more she tried not to think about it, the more aware she became of his touch.
Her heart began racing rapidly.
She shoved Alexei hard in the chest, then started hitting his shoulders and torso.
“Wait—Angel, hold on—”
Even as he waved his arms, she didn’t stop.
Her punches were soft, not painful—but disorienting.
If he covered his face, she hit his stomach. If he shielded his stomach, she struck his shoulder.
When she finally paused to catch her breath, Alexei wrapped both arms around her, restraining her.
“Let go.”
“Do you surrender?”
“I said let go.”
“If you surrender.”
Still struggling, Angelina suddenly threw her weight backward.
Alexei lost his balance and staggered back.
His legs caught on the edge of the bed, and his upper body tipped backward.
“Wait—”
I’m going to hit the wall!
Angelina quickly twisted her body.
She managed to change the direction of her head—but her upper body slipped under the bed.
With a loud crash, she fell and rolled across the floor.
“Ahh…”
Her back throbbed as she curled up, groaning. Even Alexei’s smooth face crumpled with pain.
Bang bang bang.
Someone knocked on the wall from the next room.
Then a clear voice shouted:
“Hey—keep it down in there!”
That didn’t sound like “stop fighting”—it sounded more like “stop enjoying yourselves.”
Angelina’s eyes rolled, then met Alexei’s.
Judging by his gaze, he seemed to have thought the same thing.
“Haha… hahaha.”
“……”
“They’re telling us to keep it down. Thinking we’re… doing something…”
“……”
“…knowing.”
There was a reason Alexei wasn’t laughing along.
How had they ended up in a position even more suggestive than a tango?
The realization that the man pinning her down was her husband—and that technically, anything between them was permissible—shook Angelina’s awareness.
“There’s something missing in our marriage.”
“……”
“Do you know what it is?”
The hand resting over her chemise felt unbearably hot.
If it wasn’t actually burning, then her senses had to be malfunctioning.
Angelina stammered,
“No. I—don’t think I want to know.”
“…Why?”
Earlier, he had been serious—but now, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
This Crown Prince… is he teasing me?
Surprised that Alexei of all people would joke, Angelina also began to feel irritated.
“I’m not interested.”
Her tone came out colder than intended.
“……”
The playful glint vanished.
Alexei sat up.
It felt like she had made a mistake.
“We really… should keep it down.”
Whether it was reflection or appeasement, his expression was just as ambiguous.
Feeling oddly anxious, Angelina grabbed him as he stood up.
“What about what we were talking about earlier? It feels like it got brushed aside.”
“If it’s that, my answer’s the same. Stay out of it.”
“No. I’ll do as I please.”
“Angelina.”
Had she been the only one who thought that moment felt close?
Seeing him call her name so firmly made her deeply dissatisfied.
As if I’ll just do what you say.
“You lost to me.”
“I went easy on you.”
“Really?”
Neither fast nor slow, Angelina pushed him back against the wall.
“……”
Alexei lowered his chin, staring at her from beneath his brows.
Her expression was clearly provocative.
Don’t get swayed.
But her breath was too close.
Her flushed cheeks and red lips were too beautiful.
Whether she knew it or not, Angelina slowly raised her hand as Alexei’s reason began to waver.
