Villain, Let Me Touch You! - Chapter 40
It was uncharacteristic of him to hide his presence until he’s this close.
“Oh, Your Highness!”
Since he touched the area where the imprint was yesterday, I felt awkward around him. I jumped, startled, and reflexively pushed him away. He gripped the workbench to keep from being pushed.
I was sandwiched between the workbench and Helios. Jamie gave me and Helios a strange look, then jerked her head away—like she saw something she shouldn’t have.
“What’s the matter? You look like you’re making my medicine, did you put something weird in it?”
“No!”
“That’s suspicious.”
Helios narrowed his eyes. I could tell by the way his lips curved that he was teasing me.
“If you’re worried, don’t drink it.”
“I’ll drink it. You know I would drink even poison if you’re the one who gave it.”
Helios’s eyes were serious. I would never offer him poison, but if it came to that, I really thought he would drink it, so I gave him a stern look.
“Don’t drink anything like that. Even if I offer.”
Helios shrugged instead of answering.
“Um, excuse me… Have you forgotten about me?” It was Jamie.
I briskly pushed Helios away, and he gracefully stepped back.
“I haven’t forgotten, Jamie,” I replied, clearing my throat.
Jamie seemed to acknowledge my words but also carried on with her task, pouring water into the vessel I had prepared for the medicinal concoction.
“I’ll take care of the medicine,” I offered, apologizing to Jaime for involving her in an awkward situation.
Jamie glanced at Helios. He nodded in response, and Jamie rolled up her sleeves.
Glancing between the two, I chuckled.
Why should she seek Helios’s permission when I’m the one working? I wondered, but I didn’t ask. Somehow, I felt like I already knew the answer.
The relationship between Helios and Jamie seemed to mirror the past dynamic between Vincenzo and me.
I guess this is just karma at work.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Jamie quickly cleared the workbench and hurried out, not wanting anyone to catch her.
Now, only Helios and I remained in the room. Despite spending time together for days, an inexplicable awkwardness lingered.
“How are you feeling?” Helios asked in a lighthearted tone.
“I’m fine, I’m in great shape,” I explained, flexing my arm to show him.
Pressing my visibly toned arm, Helios wrinkled his nose and remarked, “Are you really showing this off as muscle?”
“That’s right. Impressive, isn’t it? It’s rare for a woman to have such well-defined muscles.”
“Is that your definition of ‘well-defined’? Not according to me.”
“Are you seriously dismissing this? It’s pretty firm, you know. Feel it.”
I nudged my bicep in front of Helios’s face. He recoiled slightly, asking me to move away.
My pride was bruised. My toned arms were a source of professional pride! Proud professional muscles that lugged heavy medicinal materials, that carried—or rather, dragged—Helios whenever he collapsed.
I wanted him to acknowledge it. I chased after Helios, waving my toned arm, trying to impress him. But he wasn’t easy to catch. The way he gracefully evaded my grasp was unparalleled, almost like the movement of a water strider. He really did seem like a master swordsman.
“Your Highness, that’s too much!” I said as I chased after him, gasping for breath.
Lying down for several days had taken a toll on my strength. I gingerly placed my hand on my stinging belly and rubbed it gently. Was it too much to ask for a little sympathy, especially for a patient?
My cheeks puffed up, as did my heart. He noticed my changed expression and abruptly stopped in his tracks. The playful glint that filled his face had subtly vanished.
“Are you upset?” Helios closed in on me, narrowing the distance between us. Before I knew it, he was standing right within my reach.
His towering shadow loomed over me. He’d blocked the window, giving the illusion of a halo. His steady gaze lingered on me, as piercing as a spear.
Was I too pushy? I should have just kept quiet. That’s when the thought crossed my mind.
“Do you want me to touch you so badly that you’ll chase after me?”
His question was subtle. While it was true that I had been chasing him to make him feel my muscles, the intention behind it seemed somewhat different.
“I didn’t realize you were so eager for my touch.”
Surprised by his question, I staggered back a bit, and for a moment, Helios’s eyes widened. But soon after, he used his hand to brush my face. With each stroke, an indescribable desire that seemed to hover around him dissipated.
Then, with a bright and refreshing smile – something you might see in a youthful summer movie – he wrapped his arms around my shoulders. I found myself comfortably enveloped in his large embrace.
“Hang in there.”
He said, but somehow it didn’t sound like he was talking to me.
