THE DESERT ROSE | ONGOING

Sudden Attack

This little minx of a princess would be the bane of his existence for sure. He could feel the thread of his self-control wearing thin by the day, and it was not even evident that her antics were intentional, or just him reading too much into it. It had been days since she revealed her true motive to him, like an agile cat who thinks is very smart on her part.

Immature and naïve, were the words that came into his mind when he heard her proposal, and just like that, his interest to know her mind faded away. He had anticipated and prepared himself for more coercion from her side, but strangely enough, she started acting like nothing ever happened that day.

No matter how hard he denied it, he felt frustrated by it. But her nonchalance wasn't the only reason the librarian had been agitated these days.

He couldn't help but admit the tension whenever she was present around him. The way he would catch her staring at him with those darndly gorgeous yet mysterious eyes, and watch her look away as soon as their eyes would meet; the way they would make the slightest contact by doing the most normal things, and yet flinch as if being touched by fire.... every little thing had been tickling his nerves these days.

He couldn't help but notice her more than before; her skin that seemed soft as the cream floating on milk, her thin, moist, and pinkish lips that would curve up as if mocking his vulnerable state, her faint yet feminine scent that would linger even after she'd depart following her lessons- just what did this girl do to him?

He remembered the day of the emperor's fiftieth birthday, the grand banquet that hosted royalties from the wealthiest kingdoms to the filthiest beggar on the streets, and how he could only feel his contempt and rage towards the host of the banquet. But amidst all his concocting plots to bring the downfall of the emperor, his eyes caught the sight of his daughters who stood bashfully on the balcony above their father's throne.

No, his eyes only caught the sight of one daughter of the emperor, the one who he concluded must be the one everyone kept talking about- the most beautiful princess of the kingdom. She had been adorned in luxurious jewels, crafted with sapphire that went so perfectly with her moon-colored dress, and yet her face could make every precious thing in that hall appear worthless.

Almost everyone in the hall was talking about her like she had sucked all the attention from the emperor without even knowing it. He had read tales about how beauties had led to the fall of the great kingdoms and the demise of the wisest men, but he never actually believed that a beauty like that could or could have existed. But now in her presence, he realized that anything could be possible.

Still, he foolishly believed then that he would not falter even in the face of such beauty. Little did he know that he would be facing her so soon...so close.

She had left him astounded when she had asked for a seduction manual that day, to which, he awkwardly brushed her off saying there was no such book in the library. He knew she asked for it purposely that day, and he knew all her provocations were a part of her plan, and yet he realized that he could not help but get roped in it.

"Nariman?" her voice broke his chain of thoughts. He had been so lost in reverie that he did not notice her sneaking a seat in front of him.

He swore under his breath.

"What?" she sounded a bit surprised.

"Greetings, Your Highness," he was glad his voice came collected and dignified despite the turmoil inside him.

"Are you alright? You look so..." She ran her gaze down his seated frame ever so keenly, before meeting eyes with him.

He felt a rush of hot blood rising in his face that traveled down as an unspeakable urge down his body.