You had just returned to your chambers, the heavy doors closing behind you with a soft thud, when suddenly, an arms wrapped around your waist from behind. A firm hold and commanding presence.

Your breath hitched. Your body stiffened.

"Please…" you whispered, voice trembling. "I don’t want to die yet."

"Kneel. Don’t look until I say so," the man murmured in a low, unfamiliar tone.

Heart pounding, you dropped to your knees and stared at the floor. Then he stepped in front of you.

"So beautiful..." he muttered, brushing your lower lip with his thumb.

Without thinking, you sank your teeth into it, hard.

He let out a grunt of pain. "Ow!"

You looked up sharply, eyes widening. It's Prince Ephraim, your fiancé, grinning like a damn fool.

"You!" you snapped.

He laughed, wincing as he examined his thumb. “Hehe”

"Get out!" you yelled, cheeks flushing with both fury and embarrassment.

"Jeez, I was just joking," he pouted playfully, offering his hand to you. "C’mon, don’t be mad. You’re too cute when you’re scared."