Master of Minds, Master of Me

I promise, I promise. I really was only going to make her see things yesterday by the lake. I was going to be a gentleman and not touch her for real. But damn, she was just way too irresistible lying there. Just way too easy prey. I’m just a man, after all.

And goddammit, she felt like heaven. Her scent, her warmth, her beating heart just drove me insane. For a moment, I was so lost in her that I wasn't going to stop. I was so ready to make her crumble under my touch. So I ended up making it rain, only that it would help me stop. But it turned out to be a pretty good idea after all, since her white dress clung to her like a second skin once again. It’s a shame women wear corsets. I would love to see just her underwear through the soaked fabric.

When she confessed to me about her little naughty dream previously in the church, it surely gave me ideas. And I decided to put them into action last night. Just wanted to make sure she would understand how much she enjoyed our time together. And watching her squirm in her bed really was a sight to behold.

I thought she wouldn't visit the church in the mornings during weekends, so I was working when Milna came to tell me she was planning to go pray once again. I made a little deal with Milna you see. She is reporting to me anything my pretty flower does, which is rather convenient for me. Because of her, I also knew what my pretty flower usually likes to eat. I wanted to make sure my picnic would be perfect with her.

I ran immediately to the church when Milna left. At first, I thought I was late since it was empty. But soon I sensed her mind in there somewhere and found her sitting in the confession booth. I wanted to see her there. So I used my magic to make her see the closed, empty booth, but I opened the door and watched her.

Her eyes were closed. She was furrowing her brows, clearly focused on her little confession session. She was probably confessing her naughty actions from yesterday. And since I’m such a gentleman, I decided to help her. Wanted to make sure she didn't miss telling about a single touch or feeling she experienced. She sank into my vision way more deeply than I would have guessed. And her low sigh really was messing with my head again.

But the thing that surprised me the most?

Her hand sliding between her thighs. I was super jealous once again. I want my hand in there, or my head. Or basically anything. When she snapped out of it, she burst out of the booth looking shocked. She stared at the booth and her hand like she had just killed someone inside the booth or something.

So that got me thinking. Has she never even touched herself? Is she really that innocent? Hasn’t she experienced anything sexual before?

That surely explains why she is so stubborn. So hard to win over. So hard to tempt. I know I should probably be a good person and listen to her pleas to leave her alone. Just fooling around with a girl like her for a couple of weeks is not something she deserves. She really is someone who would deserve the whole package. For me to just lure her out of her devoted shell to have fun with her? Not a very ethical thing to do.

So what will I do?

Definitely going to have fun with her. Screw ethics.

I step inside her room and lay on the couch. I’m pretty sure she will come inside any minute now. I thought she would just stay inside and pretend to be sick or something. I surely didn't expect her to be having tea time outside like that. But I bet my illusion will make her leave. All I need to do is wait here.

And it doesn't take long for the door to open and my pretty flower comes in. Face like a statue, as always. She closes the door and leans against it, closing her eyes. Is my presence that invisible? I'm a little hurt over here.

“Oh, is your little teatime over already? I thought you would make me wait longer,” I say teasingly.

Her eyes dart open, and her button eyes focus on me.

“What are you doing here, Your Highness? You can't just come inside my room like this.”

“Since you didn't come when I called you, you gave me no other options.”

“How about the option of leaving me alone?”

There is no option like that, but I ignore her question.

“Soo… want to go outside and get some fresh air with me? Since you just took my breath away.”

“No. Go away. I don't want to see you. Leave me alone.”

I get up to sit on the couch.

“Woah, I didn't know my pretty flower was a poisonous one. I kind of like it.”

She lets out a heavy exhale.

“Why do you even like me, Your Highness? It makes no sense.”

“Why?” I get up and start walking toward her. She glues herself even tighter against the door, but her face doesn't change. “Because you are fascinating. You are like a treasure tightly locked. You might hide yourself inside a plain wooden box, thinking no one would notice the true you inside it. But it’s pretty clear to me that you are nothing but plain.”

“How can you know that? You don't know me.”

“That’s true, I don't. Call it instinct. But I will open every lock in you, dig out the secret behind your actions.”

“What actions? There are no secrets.”

Worst lie ever. I sense it in her mind. I finally reach her and stand against her. I feel my body already getting excited about being this close to her.

“Like why it’s so hard for you to speak anything about yourself. Why you don't show a single expression on your face? Why you feel the need to live only for God? What lies behind your captivating eyes. There are so many things I want to know about you.”

I lean against her neck, whispering in her ear.

“Or how you would sound when I sank my fingers inside you and made you come.”

Her hands violently push me away. Pretty expected reaction. But her face is totally worth it. There is a faint blush on her cheek, shock and shame in her eyes.

“Your Highness, you need to go.”

“Sure, we can go. Where do you want to go? To our secret garden? Outside the Palace? Just walking down the street talking? To the church?” I suggest, smiling at her.

“I said you need to go. Not we.”

“Would you mind giving me a pinch? You're so cute being defiant like that, so I must be dreaming.”

She gives me a glare. Goddammit, I’m so good at teasing people. Her first glare. I just hope I could paint this moment and have a scrapbook of our firsts.

“I’m not going outside with you, Your Highness.”

“That’s totally fine. Well, how about we go play some chess?”

“I didn't mean that I would go somewhere with you inside either.”

I place my hands around her and lean in again.

“Two options. Come with me to play chess. Or we can do something in your room. Something more…” I brush my lips against her neck again.

“Okay, okay! Let's go play chess.” I can hear a slight panic in her voice.

I straighten myself and smile at her. Unbeatable Felix strikes again.

“Perfect! Let's go.”

I grab her hand and pull her away from the door so I can open it. Then I start walking, still keeping her hand in mine.

“Your Highness! Is it okay for us to just walk like this? What if someone sees?”

No one will. I will detect any minds nearing us and make them believe they are seeing just an empty hallway.

“Don't worry, Lo. No one is going to care,” I assure her.

“Don’t call me Lo.”

“What? Not a fan of nicknames?” I smile at her.

“No.”

I stop and pull her closer to me, wrapping my other arm around her waist. Her pupils widen slightly from my sudden action.

“If you don’t want me to call you Lo, can I call you mine then?” I wink at her.

Her face remains unchanged, but I definitely sense her body tense.

“Of course not, Your Highness.”

I let her waist go and keep walking, still holding her by the hand.

“Lo it is then,” I say to her, teasingly.

I lead us into my own drawer room and close the door.

“Want some wine?”

“I don't drink.”

I chuckle a little, since that was pretty expected. I go by the table and start setting the chess pieces.

“Are we really going to play chess, Your Highness?”

“Why not? Have you played before?”

“Only with children.”

“Want to make a bet?”

“What kind of bet?”

“Hmm… If you win, I won’t come to see you in a week.”

“And if you win?”

“You will go out on a date with me every weekend while staying here, voluntarily.”

She eyes me suspiciously.

“What difference does that make if you are going to force me into seeing you anyway like you have done now?”

The table is set, and I pull the chair for her, waiting for her to sit.

“Of course I will like it more if I don't have to force you. But I will if it’s necessary.”

She slowly walks to sit down, and I go sit on the other side of the table. Her face is still, but I can sense the confusion in her, the hesitation. She stays silent for too long, so I keep talking.

“Okay, how about two weeks of freedom from me against voluntary dates?”

“Four weeks.” She says bluntly.

Why do I have a sense of déjà vu here? I seriously am starting to doubt that I have some kind of kink toward people who are cold and mean to me. This is just like bargaining with Theodore.

“Two and a half weeks,” I suggest.

“Four.”

Yep, definitely déjà vu. But I guess this time I can be more giving, since I’m not going to lose.

“Fine, four weeks.” I give in. “You start.”

She lets out a huge sigh. “Why do I have a feeling that the game is in vain? Like there is no chance for me to even win.”

But she makes her first move anyway.

“Why would you think that?”

“You gave in to four weeks way too easily. And I would presume that as a Crown Prince, you are pretty tactical, so playing chess is something you are good at. And since I have only played against children, I’m not very skillful at it.”

Pretty observant of her. It’s so weird to look at her talk. Her face, her voice, her whole being is so calm and stiff. But I can sense her mind going wild inside her pretty head. Why is she hiding all her feelings so much? Is that just a learned habit or something?

“Well, I’m not the best at chess. I do have one friend who annoyingly beats me every single time.”

“Has anyone else beaten you?”

She really knows how to ask the right questions. Since the answer is no, Theodore is the only one. And somehow I stand no chance against him, annoying bastard.

“It seems you are rather reluctant to answer, so I guess the answer is no,” she says, face unchanged.

I lean back in my chair, keeping my eyes on the chessboard.

“I guess my pretty flower is pretty smart too.”

“Why do you call me that?”

“You mean pretty flower?”

I raise my eyes to look at her. Her gaze is focused on the table, clearly thinking about her moves. She just nods. So she finally realized that I meant her by that, it took her long enough.

“It’s the truth, simple as that.”

“First you insist on calling me Lo, and now pretty flower. Please just call me Lorelia, Your Highness.”

“No chance. If you want, you can call me by a nickname too.”

“I respectfully decline, Your Highness.”

Oh, are we back to polite talk? What a shame.

“Why do you dislike the idea of me calling you nicknames, or you calling me by my name?” I probe, really hoping she would give me an honest answer.

“Because it usually indicates that you have some kind of connection with the other party, that you are close or something.”

I’m honestly surprised that she did give me an answer. Oh, my pretty flower is clearly softening to me.

“And why is that a bad thing?”

“I don’t want to get close to people.”

Well, that’s pretty intriguing. And surprising. I thought all the priests and priestesses were always ready to connect with anyone, wanting to talk with everyone. So her answer is really unexpected since she has been raised by that community.

“Is there a specific reason for that?”

“Yes.”

I’m not sure if it’s because she is clearly focused on the game that she answers me so easily. Usually she always thinks for a long time before saying anything. But not now. This chess was an even better idea than I thought.

“And what is that reason?”

“Not your concern.”

Okay, I thought asking that was pushing my luck. But that was still a better answer than ‘I respectfully decline from answering, Your Highness.’ So I take that as a win too.

“Okay. Well, are you close to anyone except your family?”

She shakes her head. And seeing that stings in my chest. Surely there must be someone else. Like friends or something? Some other devoted followers of God? I do know first-hand how it feels to be surrounded by people but still utterly alone. I’m not anymore though, well, at least not as much as before. But just knowing that she is makes my heart ache.

I move my bishop and capture her queen.

“Oh crap.”

I can’t help but smile at her reaction. She is so fucking adorable. My pretty flower, who never says a bad word. I kind of want to point it out, but I don’t want to risk her reason kicking in and making her turn into her usual statue-like behaviour.

“Do you like chess?” I ask.

“No.”

Immediate answer, not even a slight hesitation.

“Why not?”

“Because the outcome is different every time. You never know what to expect. Never know what is about to come.”

I think that’s the best part of this game. But when she says it like that, it makes her seem a little bit of a control freak, which actually kind of fits her character.

“So you don’t like surprises?”

“No.”

I have actually been able to win this game already, but I want to prolong it, since she is so open to my questions right now. Soon she captures my queen, just like I wished for.

“Oh no,” I say dramatically. “I lost my queen. I think I need a new one.” I lean against the table and smile at her. “You interested in becoming one?”

Her eyes snap to mine, a slight glare in them. My smile only widens.

“No. And you know it.”

“Well, I thought it was worth a shot.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you are pretty annoying?”

Woah, pretty bold of her. I lean back in my chair while making my move on the board. My smile is still wide.

“Maybe a couple of times.” More like a couple of thousand, actually. But I take pride in that.

She looks at me, her button eyes peering into mine. They really are way too captivating.

“Have you ever considered being less annoying?”

I can’t help but chuckle. “No, never. Teasing people is much too fun.”

“Do you like when people tease or annoy you?”

She really is getting quite talkative all of a sudden. I’m so glad I decided to prolong my victory.

“Well, I’m pretty hard to tease. If you want to give it a shot, be my guest.”

“I’m not going to tease you, Felix.”

My heart literally stops beating when I hear her use my name. Did I hear that right? Did she really just call me Felix?

“Your turn, don’t make me wait too long for my defeat,” she says, her eyes still focused on me.

I feel my heart rate quicken. I make the move.

“Say it again,” I urge her.

“Say what?” I can clearly spot a little teasing smile curving at the corner of her lips. She totally knows what I mean. You little sly pretty flower.

“My name.”

“Felix.”

My heart beats louder. I had no idea hearing my name from her lips would feel like this. Goddammit, she is making me crazy. I feel so freaking happy right now. The whole warm feeling spreads inside me.

“So are you finally softening up to me?” I ask teasingly.

“Maybe.”

Is she serious? This chess thing? Best idea ever. Oh, I can’t wait for our date next weekend. I should already start planning what to do. There are so many places I would like to take her. So many things I want to do with her. We only have six weeks left. Six weeks is a rather short time. So I have to make the most of it.

“Felix, keep playing.”

Oh. I was totally already on cloud nine. It’s hard to get my mind together anymore. Especially when she keeps using my name like that. This is definitely one of the best moments in my life.

“So are you already excited about our date next weekend?” I ask, the excitement clearly audible in my voice.

“Will you take me to your secret garden again?”

I don’t know what happened to her. What made her suddenly so open? But it surely gets me excited.

“Anything you want. You want to take a dip in the pond again?” I say still teasingly, focusing my eyes on hers. And she keeps her gaze on me.

“Maybe.”

I feel my cock twitching already from the thought of having her. Being able to touch her.

“What made you change your mind about me?” I’m rather curious. Was it my charm? My looks? My irresistible flirting?

“I realized that you sometimes act like children, you know.”

What? That makes zero sense.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you know why children are so easy to win with games?”

“'Cause they are not that smart?” I suggest.

“They are easily distracted.”

“And you are saying that I’m easily distracted too?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Your Highness? I already thought we moved past that. Her saying that now feels like a little stab in the guts. Just as I’m about to ask her, she knocks out my king.

“Checkmate, Your Highness.”

I drop my gaze to the board. Total shock goes through my body. What just happened? Did she just intentionally distract me by calling me by my name to make me believe that she really was softening up to me? Just so I would lose my focus from the game?

She just gets up and bows to me politely.

“Thank you for the game, Your Highness. I will excuse myself now.”

I still just stare at the chessboard in utter shock. I hear her open the door, and I snap out of it and dart up, slamming the door closed in front of her.

“Woah, woah, woah. I thought we were playing best out of three?” I suggest.

She turns to face me, her statue-like face in full display now. No sign of her teasing side, or any side.

“I hope you will stay true to our bet, Your Highness.”

Four weeks without seeing her? No way in hell I can do that. In four weeks, my meetings with all the candidates starts. So I don’t even have that much free time then because of those. And two weeks are so little to do everything I want to do with her.

“I’m pretty sure it was two weeks.” I try.

“Your Highness. It’s not very honorable to not stay true to your words. If you can’t handle the teasing, you shouldn’t tease others.”

Goddammit, my pretty flower is a sly one.

“Okay, okay, you win. I won’t come to see you in four weeks.” I start to slide my hand against her hips, slowly moving up. Her body is still immediately from my touch. I let a faint electricity flow to her body, making it react to my touch. “But you better not forget me.”

“Your Highness. Let me go.”

“I will, soon. I just want to make sure you won’t forget me.”

I let my hand slide slowly against her body while watching her eyes. I see the panic in them, but also the creeping lust behind it. I glide my hand all the way to her neck and let my fingers surround it. Her lips part, and the panic in her eyes intensifies. And seeing my hand around her neck is so fucking sexy. I just force her head to tilt and lean to her neck. I feel her hand against my chest, probably trying to push me away.

I kiss her gently at first, and then grip her skin between my teeth and suck it, making sure to leave a hickey on her. When I’m satisfied that I have succeeded, I pull out and let go of her.

“Enjoy your four weeks, pretty flower. Since after that, I’m coming for you.”

She stares at me in slight shock but soon recovers and opens the door, leaving without saying a word.

I slump in my chair. Four weeks? I mean, of course, I can still see her in other ways, like being a priest. But still… Four weeks?

This chess thing? Worst idea ever.