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Chapter 11 — This Is Inappropriate
“Ah, Arsen?”
“I’ll stay like this until you change.”
Rose was suddenly wrapped in a warm embrace. Arsen held her close, sharing his body heat to calm her down.
“You mustn’t catch a cold. I know this may be uncomfortable, but please bear with it a little longer.”
There was nothing uncomfortable about it. The warmth of another person, something she hadn’t felt in a long time, instantly chased away her fear. His gentle pats helped her regain her composure. But before long, she began to tremble again—for an entirely different reason. Rose swallowed dryly, her fingers twitching aimlessly in the air.
‘What kind of torture is this?’
To sit still and do nothing while a tanned, muscular body was right in front of her—it felt like some kind of spiritual trial. She inhaled deeply. The fresh scent of his skin filled her lungs. Her fear had vanished, replaced by an intense thirst.
‘Just a little more…’
Unable to resist, Rose shamelessly reached out.
“…!”
Arsen’s body flinched at the fumbling touch. But she didn’t stop—her hand moved over his hardened form. She traced his rugged torso once, then ran her hand along his broad back again. Just as her desire-fueled hand was exploring with satisfaction, Arsen grabbed it firmly.
No matter how much she tried to pull free, she couldn’t escape his solid grip.
“Haa.”
A hot breath blew above her head. The air around them grew thick with heat—not just from the fireplace. Her heart pounded wildly. Rose looked up with narrowed eyes and parted her lips.
“Sleep with me.”
She took her chance, letting the words tumble out suggestively. Arsen’s brows twitched. He quickly pulled away from her. The sudden cold in the space between them made Rose let out a disappointed sigh. Arsen growled with a flushed face, his nose scrunching in frustration.
“…You should mind what you say, Your Highness. You’ll cause misunderstandings.”
“It’s not a misunderstanding.”
His dark eyes—like the deep sea at night—wavered in confusion.
“It’s exactly what you think it is, Arsen.”
Rose pointed toward the plush bed. Arsen followed her finger with a dazed expression, like a boy in a dream. That’s when she suddenly stood up and sauntered over to the bed, lying down seductively. She was clearly trying to tempt him. Patting the empty space beside her, she spoke again—slow and clear.
“It’s cold, Arsen. Hold me like before.”
“…”
Then she opened her arms wide as if inviting him into an embrace. Arsen stiffened and furrowed his brows.
“What are you saying all of a sudden? Do you really think this is appropriate?”
“I like you.”
“…”
Now he really did look like the dumbest man alive. Completely stunned by her barrage of confessions, he couldn’t recover. Rose, either unaware or pretending not to know, continued speaking, her playful tone dancing in the air.
“Hm? Come on now.”
“…What the hell…”
As the looming shadow slowly crept toward her, Rose smiled victoriously.
‘I’ve got him! I’ve been waiting for this moment!’
But what fell over her wasn’t Arsen’s broad chest—it was a musty old blanket. Arsen threw the covers over her head, tucking her in so tightly not even a single strand of hair could peek out. Rose flailed inside the sudden darkness.
“Kyah! What is this? Arsen! Take it off right now!”
“Haa. Please stay still.”
He effortlessly subdued her struggling limbs, binding her like a captured prisoner. Overwhelmed by his strength, she couldn’t move an inch. Shouting at the vague outline beyond the blanket, she cried out:
“Seriously? Is this how you treat someone who just confessed to you?”
“Please stop teasing me.”
“I’m not joking! I really mean it!”
Her protests eventually quieted as she ran out of steam. After the scuffle ended, a soft sigh came from the other side of the worn cloth.
“This is absurd. If your intention was to fluster me… congratulations.”
“I’m serious! I really do like you!”
Still unconvinced, Arsen remained silent. Rose began listing all the things that made her fall for him.
“Do you even know how amazing you are? Especially those gorgeous muscles—I can’t take my eyes off them.”
Maybe because her face was hidden, she found courage in confessing everything without a shred of embarrassment.
“Every time the empire mocked you, I never understood it. How could they insult someone so perfect?”
“…”
“I like how different your body is. I like your dark skin, even the monstrous strength you have. I love it all.”
The bed tilted slightly as weight shifted toward her. Arsen was leaning in close.
“When have you ever seen me?”
Her heart began to pound. She couldn’t see him, but she could tell he was looking at her with disapproval. She knew everything about Arsen—his thoughts, his behavior, even how kind he was.
But she couldn’t tell him the truth.
‘How am I supposed to say I read it in a book?’
That she’d seen him in a novel and was his devoted fan. She couldn’t admit that. The shadow grew darker, their breaths close enough to touch. Rose tensed and bit her lip.
Arsen froze.
“Your Highness, this is inappropriate.”
Her eyes flew open. The pressure that had loomed over her disappeared. Arsen was already at the door, turning the handle.
“I’ll go check on the carriage.”
With that, he left.
“….”
As the door closed, Rose stared blankly like a puppy that had been abandoned. Her last thread of reason snapped. She flung off the blanket with a thud.
‘He just left?’
She had expected at least a kiss. But her hopes came crashing down.
“You’re seriously just going to leave?”
She thought she had him in the palm of her hand—but he’d slipped away. No—he’d run away. Rose stared at the closed door in disbelief.
‘Was I too aggressive?’
Maybe her bold approach didn’t suit the culture of this place. She’d assumed a little provocation would work, but she’d clearly miscalculated. That her charms hadn’t worked at all—
“Am I not attractive?”
In hindsight, maybe she should have played up her delicate beauty to trigger his protective instincts instead.
‘Still, who bails when they’re alone in an inn with a woman?!’
“Oh my god. I didn’t expect him to be this iron-willed.”
She knew he was serious by nature, but capturing his heart was proving harder than she’d imagined. Staggering like someone waking from a daydream, she collapsed onto the bed, physically and emotionally drained. Then she recalled all the things she’d done and said—groaning, she pounded the blanket in embarrassment.
‘So humiliating!’
It was the worst date ever.
On the way back to Bastia Castle, a heavy silence filled the carriage. Rose sulked, her face full of pouty displeasure, as she glared at Arsen sitting across from her.
“I’ll reschedule the gratitude visit we missed today. I apologize for not serving you properly.”
Rose didn’t even glance at him, keeping her gaze firmly fixed on the window.
‘Hmph. After running away, now you want to reschedule? Are you messing with me?’
After what had happened at the inn, it felt like no amount of time together would ever close the gap between them. She still hadn’t recovered from being abandoned.
“You said not to make things awkward, right? Let’s skip the follow-up. Just consider this visit your thanks.”
She spoke coldly, pride stinging. When she avoided his eyes, Arsen leaned forward. Surprised by how close he was, she turned her head and met his gaze. The carriage wasn’t small, but Arsen’s large frame meant their knees brushed.
“Yes, it is inappropriate. Which is why I must repay you.”
He took her wrist and fastened something cold around it. It was a bracelet—jet black, like his eyes.
“Please allow me to give you at least this much in return.”
“What is this?”
“Even on Dunstane Island, there are people who suffer from motion sickness. We wear these bracelets to ease it.”
“Oh? Does it really work?”
Curious, Rose examined the glittering stone, wondering if it had magical properties.
A chuckle came from the front.
“It has no special effect. At most, it offers a bit of psychological comfort.”
“Huh?”
She pouted, unable to hide her disappointment.
“This obsidian was quarried on our island. The locals made them to help travelers remember home.”
“Isn’t it precious? Are you sure you want to give it to me?”
“Seasickness usually comes from not being used to the ocean. I’m well adjusted now. You need it more than I do.”
“But I’m not even from Dunstane. I doubt this thing will calm me.”
Besides, motion sickness wasn’t even her problem.
‘Does he really think this will make me feel better?’
Just as she was about to scoff, Arsen cleared his throat.
“You can think of me.”
Rose’s eyes widened in shock. His ears had turned slightly red.
‘Cute!’
“If you ever feel unwell, I hope this bracelet brings you some peace. Just like today, I’ll come protect you right away. So don’t worry anymore.”
Arsen’s tone had shifted to the calm, sincere voice of a loyal knight. Rose smiled softly.
‘I’m such a fool.’
All her resentment melted away the moment her favorite person gave her a gift.
‘He stormed out, but I guess he was thinking about me afterward.’
Rose gently shook her wrist, liking how the bracelet felt. It was as if she and Arsen were connected.
‘It’s okay. I’ll take it slow from now on. Maybe I moved too fast. But he gave me this—so that means he likes me, right?’
Though she regretted the missed opportunity, she decided to step back… just a little.
‘Still, that was the perfect moment!’
Lost in thought, Rose didn’t notice Arsen watching her. His gaze burned as hot as the sunset painting the harbor of Bastia.
