Two-Faced Princess

Shoot! The rain was getting thicker.

“I left first. He left the carriage for you to use.”

Uriel, who returned after watching Knox leave, said. His whole body was wet, not just his head.

“Uriel.”

Apollonia, who was lost in thought, raised her head. She opened her lips as if she wanted to say something but then closed them again, avoiding his gaze. It wasn’t like Apollonia. Uriel found her eye movements and gestures strange. She wasn’t the type to avoid eye contact or stop whatever she wanted to say. Apollonia was always relaxed.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?” Uriel asked but Apollonia still didn’t make eye contact with him. “We have to go back. Everyone is looking for you.” He said anxiously. “I’ll tie the horse I rode to the carriage——”

“Wait a minute!” Apollonia held Uriel’s hand reaching toward the door again. “I had something to say,” Apollonia murmured strangely. Though haggard by what happened a while ago, she was still fresh and beautiful in his eyes with her slightly messy golden hair and flushed cheeks. Apollonia seemed to shine gracefully in that little old hut. However, her hand seemed strained as she held Uriel. Uriel could feel her temperature and his breathing became faster.

“Your Highness?”

“Uriel.” Apollonia turned her head and looked up at him with determination. The golden eyes staring at him were glittering more than usual. Clearer. Lovelier.

“I——-” She pursed her lips once more. Uriel couldn’t control his gaze toward her lips. The next moment, a word came out of Apollonia’s mouth that stopped all his thoughts. “I like you.”

Silence ensued for seconds or minutes… He had no idea. Uriel froze on the spot without blinking. He thought it was a dream but Apollonia was there, holding his hand with an innocent yet seductive expression. “I like you.” She certainly said so without any misconception. There was no sound of rain. No sound of firewood burning on the stove. Uriel’s whole body went numb. His nerves were focused only on his right hand in contact with Apollonia. Her hands were small, soft, and warm. It was a hand that gently grasped him enough to shake it off as if she was a child but for Uriel, the light contact felt enormous as if he had been bound by a steel chain.

“Uriel,” Apollonia spoke once more as golden light shone in her deep red eyes. Her gaze, which was always cold and unreachable, was carefully examining his countenance as if worried about his reaction. She was so pretty it drove him insane.

“Uri–”

“Please say that again.” He whispered and Apollonia’s cheeks turned red. The look made him feel even crazier. Uriel turned toward the door and stood in front of Apollonia. She looked small and weak, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking up at him nervously. It was completely different from her previous look where she had her eyes open even though she was threatened with a blade on her neck. “Say it one more time.” He leaned down and whispered once more. Apollonia shivered.

“I like you, Uriel.” Her sweet words rang in his mind, making his heart and whole body tremble. He could see nothing but Apollonia. Her beautiful golden-red eyes shook but at the same time, they were alluring enough to devour him. Uriel’s gaze went past Apollonia’s eyes to her red cheeks, and then further down again. He noticed she was paler than usual before her red lips caught his sight again. Uriel slowly rested one knee right next to Apollonia’s seat and leaned more. He could see Apollonia shivering slightly but she didn’t tell him to stop. The last reason holding him snapped.

“I like you, too.” In a low whisper, Uriel’s face leaned towards her and kissed her lips. Apollonia’s eyes were seen slowly closing. ‘No, actually, I love you.’

He didn’t remember not loving her in this life. His Mistress. His Princess. His Goddess. His Apollonia. A sweet scent came when Uriel’s lips touched her. Their tongues intertwined in their mouths, paralyzing their minds. Uriel wrapped an arm around Apollonia’s back and held her head with the other to keep her in place. Each of their warmth was felt over their wet shirts including their pounding hearts. Apollonia accepted him with her eyes closed. Their lips withdrew from each other after a few minutes of ecstatic stimulation that left both of them breathless. Uriel let her go for a while and then kissed her briefly again in regret.