The Prince's Taste - Chapter 3.4
True to her fairy nature, she exuded a soft floral scent. Her body itself was like an elixir. He was becoming intoxicated by Judy Esther to the point where he wondered if it was he who had drunk the wine, not her.
“Could I take this as permission?”
“…I never disliked it in the first place.”
“R-really?”
“It’s the drunken truth. Words spoken while intoxicated are often sincere.”
So that’s what “drunken truth” means. Judy Esther often uttered phrases he couldn’t quite grasp. Her unique expressions soon became trends in Adrian. If Countess Ingrid was a “rumor mill,” then Judy Esther was a “neologism factory.” If one couldn’t comprehend her frequent phrases, they would be treated like an old fogey.
Among her coined phrases was “fish tank management,” the art of keeping multiple suitors around without fully committing, leading them to believe they’re special while keeping them in a sort of “fish tank.” Many of her catchphrases were recently added to the newly compiled Adrian dictionary. Her influence on Adrian is undeniable and cannot be overstated. In any case, he needed to remember the term “drunken truth” well.
Bang—bang— Fireworks exploded loudly in the sky. Richard’s instruction to make them last longer and be more dazzling than any other year had been worth it. He wore a satisfied expression as he watched the colorful fireworks decorating the sky.
“If you don’t dislike it, does that mean it’s good?”
“Like it or not, I’m drawn to it.”
The moment he heard Judy Esther’s true feelings, cracks began to form in his reason. He tried to restrain himself, but it seemed impossible. A gentle breeze blew.
A breeze that tickled his heart.
“Can I kiss you?”
“For something like that… there’s no need to even ask for permission.”
With her face flushed from the alcohol, Judy Esther shyly consented. Richard pressed his lips against hers, initially kissing lightly.
Then their bodies intertwined, leading the kiss to deepen in intensity and fervor. Strange sensations took over his entire body.
“Judy Esther, who are you really?”
With her plump lips and flushed cheeks, she looked anything but human.
“A transmigrator…?”
“What kind of neologism is that?”
“It’s a curse often encountered by heavy readers of romance fantasy. The moment you ignore a story thinking it’s not yours, life throws you a curveball. You have to keep a notebook, jotting down all the key families, events, and plot points, then memorize it all to be prepared for the future. Otherwise, you might end up like me.”
With her eyes slightly unfocused from the alcohol, Judy Esther pouted. He couldn’t tell what kind of romance novel she was referencing, but her adorable demeanor left him utterly captivated. It was serious. He chuckled softly and asked,
“What’s wrong with Judy?”
“I can’t even date!”
“That’s because Marquis Emers is overly protective.”
Richard looked at her with sympathetic eyes. It was better than living vicariously through a romance novel.
“From now on, you can date me.”
“Date you?”
“Let’s do everything we’ve never done before. We can go on dates, do everything others do. What do you say?”
He gently brushed her cheek with his hand. It felt like static electricity sparked at his fingertips. He took her hand and draped it over his arm, naturally linking their arms together.
“Playing with people’s hearts isn’t a good thing.”
“Don’t worry; I’m not a man who manages a ‘fish tank’.”
“Your water quality is so good. Even if you just stand still, the fish will come to you.”
“It’s a fish tank without an entrance. You’re the only one in it.”
That response so moved Judy Esther’s heart that she opened the terrace door with great force. As they entered the banquet hall arm in arm, the expressions of the despairing young nobles were quite a sight to behold. His father used to say that years of gridlock were lifted when he bullied the nobles; Richard finally grasped that sentiment now.
While Judy Esther staggered as she walked, he let her hand slip around his waist. Richard draped his arm over her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace for everyone to see—marking who Judy Esther belonged to.
“Why does it feel…. so far to get to my room?”
“The palace is unnecessarily large.”
“Oh right, this is the palace… The subtle fragrance is so nice.”
As Judy Esther whined, she burrowed deeper into his embrace. The scent of musk that seduced reason was said to be a rare perfume more precious than diamonds. Since she liked it, he thought he should use it more often.
When Judy Esther buried her face in his chest, the music in the hall stopped, leaving a sudden silence. Clank — the sound of a glass shattering, gasp — a pause in breathing, thud — the sound of someone collapsing. These small noises pierced through the quiet, vividly reaching Richard’s ears.
It was a deeply satisfying reaction. Richard held Judy Esther tightly in his embrace.
Once a man has set his mind on a goal, he must do everything in his power to achieve it, regardless of the means or methods. Richard had been observing Judy Esther for five years. He had noticed that she couldn’t take her eyes off well-built men, so he threw himself into the training grounds to build muscle with all his might. He poured all his efforts into becoming a worthy ruler just to win her over, yet it took him five years to finally hold her in his arms. Did the nobles really think they could win her over with a mere title? Tsk, he clicked his tongue while taking in the astonished and envious expressions of the nobles around him.
“The palace sure is …. spacious.”
“You’ll have to get used to it from now on.”
