Chapter XXX - Stop Behaving Properly
The storm outside suddenly felt very far away.
Shen Li sat half within Prince Rui’s arms beneath warm blankets while his voice lingered low near her ear.
“This prince truly may stop behaving properly.”
Her heartbeat became impossible to control.
Dangerous man.
Very dangerous man.
And worst of all—
Prince Rui sounded less teasing now.
More honest.
The warmth surrounding her tightened slightly as another roll of thunder echoed through the chamber.
Prince Rui’s hand remained against the back of her head protectively, fingers tangled lightly within her hair.
Neither moved.
Neither seemed willing to break the moment.
Then Shen Li finally managed softly:
“…Your Highness already behaves improperly sometimes.”
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Silence followed instantly.
Prince Rui lowered his gaze toward her slowly.
Then— very unexpectedly—
he smiled.
Not the faint restrained softness she occasionally saw before.
A real smile.
Warm enough to steal breath completely.
“Is that so?”
Shen Li instantly regretted speaking.
Because Prince Rui suddenly looked far too handsome while smiling down at her inside dim candlelight.
Dangerous. Unfairly dangerous.
She tried moving slightly away.
Prince Rui noticed immediately.
And tightened his arm around her waist before she escaped fully.
Not forceful.
Just enough.
Shen Li froze.
Prince Rui looked entirely calm despite trapping her closer against him now.
Then softly:
“What improper things has this prince done?”
The atmosphere exploded instantly.
How could he ask that so calmly?!
Shen Li looked away quickly. “Your Highness knows perfectly well.”
“No.” Prince Rui’s voice lowered slightly. “Teach this prince properly.”
Her composure genuinely began collapsing now.
Because:
his arm remained around her waist,
their faces were too close,
and Prince Rui looked at her like this while saying such shameless things.
Outside, thunder rolled softly again.
Inside, Shen Li forgot how breathing worked.
Then Prince Rui’s expression shifted subtly.
The teasing faded.
Something darker remained instead.
His gaze lowered briefly toward her lips once more.
This time he did not hide it.
Shen Li noticed immediately.
Her breath softened faintly.
Prince Rui’s fingers moved slowly against her waist beneath the blankets.
Careful. Restrained.
As though holding himself back consciously.
Then quietly— dangerously honestly—
he admitted:
“This prince has been behaving very properly already.”
The room became unbearably warm.
Because somehow— that sounded less like reassurance…
and more like warning.
Shen Li looked up at him instinctively.
Wrong decision.
Prince Rui’s eyes darkened immediately seeing her expression.
Then slowly—
very slowly—
he leaned closer.
Close enough that their breaths mingled softly between them.
Close enough that Shen Li could feel his restraint trembling faintly beneath calm composure.
Prince Rui paused only inches away.
Still giving her space to stop him.
Always giving her choice.
The realization touched her chest painfully.
Then Shen Li whispered softly:
“Your Highness.”
Prince Rui’s voice sounded rough now. “…Mm?”
Shen Li’s fingers tightened lightly against his robes.
Then quietly:
“Maybe this daughter doesn’t mind.”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Prince Rui stopped breathing entirely for one dangerous second.
Then suddenly—
his forehead lowered against hers roughly enough to reveal exactly how much control he nearly lost.
His eyes closed briefly.
As though restraining himself physically hurt.
When he finally spoke again, his voice had deepened completely.
“You cannot say things like that casually.”
Shen Li’s pulse raced wildly.
“…Why?”
Prince Rui opened his eyes slowly.
The restraint inside them looked terrifying now.
Beautifully terrifying.
Then he answered honestly:
“Because this prince already wants too much from you.”
The confession shattered the remaining distance between them completely.
Shen Li’s chest softened painfully.
Because Prince Rui— the man feared across the empire— looked at her now like someone starving while trying desperately not to frighten what he desired.
No one had ever wanted her so carefully before.
The realization made her heart ache.
Then Shen Li did something reckless.
Very reckless.
She lifted one hand slowly toward his face.
Prince Rui froze instantly.
Her fingers brushed softly along the scar near his jaw.
Gentle. Curious. Tender.
The scar everyone else feared touching.
Prince Rui’s breathing roughened immediately.
Shen Li looked at him quietly beneath dim stormlight.
Then softly:
“Your Highness treats me as though I’m fragile.”
“But perhaps…”
“I can want things too.”
The atmosphere snapped.
Prince Rui kissed her immediately afterward.
Not like the wedding night.
Not slow. Not hesitant.
This kiss carried weeks of restraint finally breaking apart.
His hand tightened against her waist while the other cupped her face carefully despite the intensity behind the movement.
Warm. Deep. Dangerously hungry.
Yet even now—
even while losing control—
Prince Rui still kissed her like someone terrified of hurting her.
Shen Li’s fingers tightened instinctively against his robes as warmth spread through her entire body.
The storm outside vanished completely.
Only Prince Rui remained:
his warmth,
his roughened breathing,
the impossible gentleness hidden beneath intensity.
When he finally pulled back slightly, both were breathing unevenly.
Prince Rui rested his forehead against hers again.
Eyes closed.
Still holding her tightly.
Then very quietly— almost like surrender—
he admitted:
“This marriage is becoming difficult for this prince.”