I Tamed the Monstrous Prince - Chapter 31
Chapter 31
His rudeness fueled my anxiety. Most unbearable was his gaze, as if he were trying to dissect me. If the Empress’s gaze was a refined blade, Matthias’s was a hammer—a heavy bludgeon that only knew how to strike, crushing everything around it with a resounding clang.
“If you have no business with me, I’ll be taking my leave.”
“Wait.”
As I tried to step back, he grabbed my wrist. My knee, already strained from walking all day, buckled.
“Oh!” I cried out softly as I stumbled forward. Matthias’s arms caught me before I hit the ground.
“Careful.”
I was in his arms. As I struggled, his grip tightened. “Let me go.”
It was then that I felt his breath, a slow inhale as he buried his face in my hair. Chills ran down my spine.
“Excuse me.”
He released me quickly, his movements more gentlemanly than the initial contact—so brief that I couldn’t find fault with it. Yet, I felt disgusted, as if I’d been coated in something sticky and foul.
My breath caught in my throat. My cheeks flushed hot, and I glanced around. The attendants and knights, witnessing the scene, stared blankly ahead, their expressions impassive.
I hoped they hadn’t misinterpreted anything. Resolving to give him no further openings, I smoothed my dress.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
I didn’t want to be in the same space as him a moment longer. I tried to hurry away, but he grabbed my hand again.
He whispered something to me then, something so brazen that before I could react, he pulled away and instructed his attendant, “Sister-in-law’s leg is bothering her. Bring a litter.”
***
I don’t remember how I made it back to the Emerald Palace. Utterly exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed. It was a small comfort that, thanks to Mercedes, the palace interior was much improved.
Lying face down, I traced the soft bedding with my fingertips.
“Ugh…”
That strange groan? It was me.
I clenched the sheets, my knuckles white.
‘Just out of curiosity, does that idiot even know how to have s*x with a woman?’
The memory of Matthias’s whispered words made my blood boil. It was a vile question.
“That d*mn b*stard.”
Cursing under my breath, I angrily threw a cushion from the bed onto the floor. It landed without a sound. No one had ever made me feel so humiliated.
I wanted to scream, but this was the imperial palace. Such an outburst could cause gossip. Above all, I wanted to avoid anything reaching the Empress’s ears.
“Ren.”
Suddenly, I heard Cesar’s voice.
“Huh?”
I had entered the bedroom alone. Where had Cesar…?
The answer: under the bed. Our eyes met awkwardly. He was holding the cushion I had thrown.
“Good heavens, what are you doing?!” But I was more shocked by his dust-covered appearance. No wonder the cushion hadn’t made a sound.
No, that wasn’t the important thing.
“How did you get under there?”
“Hehe…”
He just smiled cheerfully. The sight made my head spin.
“Come out here.”
He obediently crawled out and snuggled up beside me on the bed.
Of all places, under the bed. How long had he been there? Was he waiting for me? Why did he even think to go under there?
It was dizzying. If I took my eyes off him for even a second, he would do something completely unexpected.