Master of Minds, Master of Me

Etiquette lessons were extremely easy now, since I have already learned everything. And this time, I’m not going to fake my results the same way, not taking the risk of catching Felix’s attention by doing that. It’s Friday, and I’m heading toward the greenhouse again, like I have done every day after dinner.

“Hans! I’m ready to pester you once again.”

He turns to greet me, smiling.

“You could never pester me, Lady Lorelia. I’m pretty sure you are my blessing from God, since I would have probably killed half of the flowers without you.”

“I don't know about the blessing part, but I might agree on the killing the flowers part.”

“So, ready to continue planting the roses?”

I nod, and we move the roses into a big box, and Hans carries them toward the garden. When we step outside, I look around. Last time I stumbled upon a squirrel, and Felix saved me from falling. I know that I’m not going to fall this time since Hans is carrying the box. But I can't help but wonder if Felix is going to pass by. I don't know why he was here the first time.

“Lady Lorelia? Did you forget something?”

I glance back at Hans, who is waiting for me in the distance. I shake the disappointment away from not seeing him and continue walking. I guess he came to the greenhouse to see me that time. But now he is not interested, so he is not coming.

Which is a good thing. I know this is what I wanted. He was only attracted to me because I was cold toward him, at least in the beginning.

We settle down and start planting the roses.

“So how was your first week here, Lady Lorelia?”

“Please just call me Lorelia already. I think we are way past the formalities.”

“I apologize, it’s just a habit.”

“The first week was pretty easy. Etiquette classes don’t require much. I think all the harder lessons are ahead.”

“Were you already familiar with Palace etiquette?”

“Partly, yes. How about you? Are you starting to feel comfortable around flowers?”

He chuckles. “I guess you could say so, thanks to you. And having your company always brightens my day. So I’m more than happy that you decided not to send that letter.”

“Me too. At least for now. I’m not sure I would have had enough courage to come if I didn’t know you would be here.”

“So, has that person noticed you? The one you wanted to avoid?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Why do you sound like it’s a bad thing? I thought that’s what you wanted.”

“I do want that. I really do. It’s not about that.”

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Hold on. You said that you wanted to see someone here at the Palace. Is that someone the same person you need to avoid?”

Crap. I knew I told him too much.

I just nod.

“You really are very confusing sometimes. You want to see someone, but want to avoid him as well?”

“I know it sounds stupid. But my presence only causes harm to him. So I just wanted to see him from a distance.”

He chuckles again.

“I really can’t keep up with youngsters' love life.”

“It’s not about—” I was going to argue that it was not about love. But it is. “I can’t even keep up with my own thoughts, so I don’t blame you.”

“Well, I hope everything sorts itself out between the two of you. Love is not always easy. It’s filled with tears and pain sometimes. You just have to decide whether the happy moments are worth all that.”

I fall silent for a while. Should love really be filled with tears and pain? Is it like that for all people? I thought it should be smooth and happy all the time.

“Was your love with your wife like that too?”

He smiles warmly. “It sure was. She was a very stubborn woman, you know. It was extremely hard to win her over. But I did. And all that hard work and painful days were totally worth it. And I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”

I focus on planting the last rose. I’m happy for them. But I don’t know if our love could be like that. Not when our destiny is just to die all over again. If I could just break my curse and Felix wouldn’t have that third mana affinity, I would go to him in a heartbeat. But that’s not going to happen.

We finish planting the roses and carry the empty box back to the greenhouse. I walk to wash my hands under the faucet. I look at the spot where he pinned me against the glass wall that one time. My body instantly reacts to the memory of it.

I close my eyes and focus on that memory. His touch travelling along my body. His lips brushing against my neck. Me clinging to his shirt, melting against him. His hands slowly sliding under my dress. The heat gathering in my core. The need to feel his touch.

“Lorelia? Are you ready?”

I snap my eyes open as embarrassment floods me. I can’t believe I just sank into dirty thoughts here. Please forgive me, God.

I head out with Hans and go straight back to my room. I lean against the door and close my eyes. I go back to thinking about him. I lift the hem of my dress as I slowly slide my hand under it, imagining it’s him. I try to think of his electrifying touch tingling on my skin. I press my hand against my panties, just like he did, teasing me with the pressure. I slowly slide down against the door to sit on the floor. I rub myself for a while until I feel my panties getting wet.

I think of the time in the Underground as I slide my fingers under my panties, rubbing my aching clit. My lips part as I let out a heavy exhale. I think about all the people watching me as Felix made me moan. When he made me arch my back with pleasure, making me unable to resist him and his touch. I sink two fingers inside me, making them soaking wet before going back to touching my clit.

I wonder what he would think of me now. If he knew that I was in my room, thinking about him while touching myself. Knowing that I’m still his needy slut, aching for his touch, aching for him to fuck me. Would he be pleased? Would he tell me how obedient pretty flower I am?

I feel the orgasm rising slowly when I focus on that thought. I imagine him next to me, watching me with a pleased smirk, telling me how dirty I am, how weak I am for him. Would he taste me when he saw how wet I am for him?

Oh God, how good his mouth felt between my legs. I lift my other hand to my throat, letting my fingers wrap around it, squeezing it. It nudges me closer to the edge. I imagine him choking me, watching me with his intense purple gaze, telling me how divine I look when I’m so needy for him. Ordering me to come for him like a good little slut.

And I do. I come for him. My pussy pulses and my chest heaves as my body slowly calms down. I slump my head against the door.

I don’t know how many times I have come for him like this. I have gotten a little better at masturbating, but it’s never anything remotely close to how he felt. I will never feel it again, so masturbating is all I have. All I will ever get.

A sudden knock on the door right behind me scares the crap out of me. I immediately spring up and fix my dress. It’s not bath time yet, so I have no idea why Milna would come here now. I open the door and hide my right hand behind my back, since it’s still soaked from my arousal. Crap. This is so embarrassing.

I freeze in shock when I see Felix standing behind the door. Why the hell is he here? He never visited my room like this. He only sneaked in through the balcony. What happened? What changed? And why the hell is he here right now of all times? It’s the worst timing ever.

I just stare at him, with soaked panties and my hand behind my back. He just smiles warmly.

“Did I interrupt something? You look like I came at the wrong time.”

It takes a few seconds for me to snap out of my daze. I grab the hem of my dress with only my left hand, for obvious reasons, and bow to him.

“Good evening to the little sun of the Empire. How may I help you?”

He tilts his head in that familiar way, making my chest tighten.

“I’m sorry for interrupting your evening, but I came to deliver this to you.” He lifts a handkerchief. My handkerchief. “You dropped it in the greenhouse on Monday. I took it with me but forgot to deliver it to you. I was going to give it to you after class today, but you weren’t in your room then. Luckily, you are now.”

How did I manage to drop it in the greenhouse? I don't even remember when I last time used that anywhere. I didn't even realized I've lost it. This is so embarrassing. And he is probably sensing that from my mind, and probably enjoying it. I just hope he didn’t sense what I did just before he came knocking. Oh God, please let me bury myself underground if he did.

I reach out with my left hand, trying my best to smile naturally. “Thank you, Your Highness. I apologize that my clumsiness stole your precious time.”

“Are you left-handed?”

“What? No.”

“If you are right-handed, why are you giving me your left hand?”

Oh crap. Why didn’t I just say that I’m left-handed? How did he even notice something like that? I just stare at him, not sure what excuse to give.

“Did you hurt your right hand? Do you want me to call the physician?”

“No!” I burst out far too loudly. “My hand is fine. Please just give me the handkerchief. I’m sure Your Highness is very busy.”

“Hmm… Not at the moment, I’m not. If your hand is hurt, at least let me take a look at it.”

“My hand is fine, Your Highness. I just came from planting roses, so it’s dirty. I didn’t have time to wash it yet. Please, just give me the handkerchief.”

He narrows his eyes at me.

“Why do I have a feeling that you are lying?”

This annoying jerk really doesn’t know when to drop things.

“Your Highness. I don’t want to be rude, but it’s not your business whether my hand is dirty or not. So I ask you to give me the handkerchief and leave.”

Okay. That was way too rude. Crap.

“You are absolutely right. Here.” He moves the handkerchief closer, and I reach for it with my left hand. But then he grabs my wrist and suddenly yanks me toward him with force. I instinctively bring my right hand up to keep myself from slamming into his chest.

What a jerk. We don’t even know each other, or at least he doesn’t know me. How can he treat a stranger like this and still claim to be a gentleman?

“I guess you were right about your hand not being hurt. It looks like it’s working just fine.”

My eyes widen as I see my arousal-soaked fingers pressed against his chest.

Holy crap. This is bad. This is so, so bad. I immediately try to pull my hand back, but he grabs my wrist, smirking smugly as he inspects my fingers.

“And you were right that it’s dirty. Although it’s clearly not from planting roses. So let’s call it a half-truth, shall we?”

His eyes lift to meet mine. My whole body freezes. I’m so screwed. Maybe coming here was a mistake after all. I should have listened to my father.

“So, were you just embarrassed that I would find out one of my candidates is this dirty-minded?”

“I…” All the words get strangled in my throat. I don’t even know what to say. “It’s not what you think,” I finally manage, the weakest defense imaginable.

He leans closer and slips two of my fingers into his mouth. My pupils widen in shock, and my pussy pulses at the sight. What the hell is he doing?! Who the hell licks a stranger’s fingers like this?! He really is a madman.

His tongue slides over my fingers, heat and need rising instantly. He pulls back with a smug grin.

“It surely tasted exactly like I thought.”

I just stare at him, too stunned to speak.

“I do hope you were at least thinking of me. It would be pretty rude to come to the Selection dreaming about some other man, don’t you think?”

His gaze drops back to my fingers.

“Oh, how rude of me. I got your fingers all wet with my saliva. Let me fix that.”

He takes my handkerchief and wipes my fingers clean. When he’s done, he looks at me again, acting almost dramatic.

“Oh my. Now your handkerchief is dirty. I could never return it like this. I suppose I’ll keep it for now and return it once it’s properly washed.”

No. That means he’ll come see me again. I needed to avoid his attention. And this is definitely not avoiding it.

“Please, Your Highness, just give me the—”

“I’m afraid I need to go now. Have a lovely evening, Lady Lorelia.” He smiles far too innocently, closes the door, and leaves.

I stare at the closed door, heart pounding, and my pussy begging for another orgasm.

Did that really just happen? I don’t know what to think. It’s clear what my body thinks, but my mind is a tangled mess. I acted very differently toward him this time. Why is he still acting like this? Or is this just his nature? Is he simply a playboy who flirts with every woman he meets? Sucking people's arousal from their fingers?

Or is he attracted to me even when I’m not avoiding him? Is it possible that he could fall for me again without me being cold? I know I shouldn’t entangle myself with him anymore, but I can’t help feeling happy at the thought.

No. Remember why you jumped from the bell tower. If I get close to him again, history will repeat itself. His mana will spiral out of control too early, and he will be in pain. My plan was to protect him from that pain, not come back here to cause it again.

He really has the ability to mess with my mind. He is like some kind of sick master, and my mind is his puppet.

I’m his puppet.