Chapter 6.
The Lip Thief
After riding for two days without proper rest, I was utterly exhausted in both body and mind.
Even though my stomach was growling with hunger, I maintained my composure and dined with dignity, befitting the second daughter of the Marquis of Uzkhal. Because of that, I failed to notice the mischievous glint in King Miklok’s eyes.
“You might not know this, but our little midnight escape was so spontaneous that I forgot—my tent’s only for one person. Will that be alright?”
I froze mid-bite with a piece of bread still in my mouth. Of course it’s not alright!
I quickly averted my gaze from his playful smile and internally listed all the reasons why this was a terrible idea.
We had been riding for two straight days—my body was filthy with dust, my hair matted in greasy strands. How could I possibly share a tent with him like this… Wait, no! That’s not even the issue!
Even if I were clean from head to toe, sharing a tent in the middle of the woods was still… No, not even that!
Even in a pristine bedroom, it would still be wrong to sleep together—we weren’t married yet! Yes, that was the reason. That was the answer!
Regaining my senses, I replied firmly.
“We haven’t even had the wedding yet. I don’t think it’s appropriate to sleep together. If the tent’s for one person, I’d rather sleep outside.”
“Oh?”
He looked around lazily.
“Well, do as you wish. If you’re going to sleep outside, I’d recommend that tree branch up there.”
He casually gathered the dishes and then emerged from the tent carrying a blanket—proceeding to actually set up a sleeping space in the tree he’d pointed to.
“Care to climb up and try it? I hope it suits your taste.”
I was so dumbfounded, I couldn’t even come up with a retort. If I fell from up there, I’d probably break an arm—or my tailbone!
“I’m afraid of heights. I’ll just sleep by the fire.”
“Pwahahaha!”
I huffed and turned my head in a haughty pose—and he suddenly burst into laughter. I had no idea what part of what I said had made him laugh so hard.
But I was so caught off guard by his uncharacteristic reaction—he always kept a straight face—that I momentarily forgot I was supposed to be annoyed.
“So you do know how to laugh?”
His laughter cut off instantly. He lifted a long finger and lightly touched the corner of his mouth.
To my astonishment, he looked surprised—like he hadn’t even realized he’d just laughed out loud.
Miklok climbed down from the tree and silently finished setting up the tent. Then, with his back to me, he said,
“You can use this tent. I like the view from the tree anyway.”
He turned to walk off again. But being left alone in the forest gave me a creeping sense of unease, so I quickly called out to stop him.
“Where are you going?”
“To wash up. From up in the tree, I spotted a nice little stream nearby.”
“I’m coming too!”
I jumped to my feet. The water might be a bit cold, but I didn’t want to pass up the chance to properly soak in a cool stream.
“How curious,” he said, tilting his handsome head.
“You refuse to share a tent with me, but you’re fine with bathing together?”
“Who said we were bathing together?”
I exploded in response to the sudden and ridiculous assumption.
Oh no! Don’t start picturing him naked, brain!
His firm chest that I had felt against my back while riding, the strong arms that wrapped around me protectively, those muscular thighs that brushed against mine during fast gallops…
Ack!! Brain, I told you not to imagine that!
Blushing fiercely, I turned my head away.
“It’s not like the stream is a bathhouse or anything… You can wash way over there, and I’ll wash way over here, so don’t worry.”
“You sure about that?”
“About what?”
“I’m planning to strip completely…”
Completely…?
A brief silence fell between us as one of his eyebrows arched upward.
“What’s this? I expected you to blush or yell.”
Ack! I’d missed my chance to react because I was busy wondering just how much “completely” meant. Damn it!
“We won’t be able to see each other anyway, so it doesn’t matter whether you’re dressed or not.”
I said coolly, turning my head away. I heard him chuckle softly beside me.
“Alright then.”
He didn’t press the issue and led the way ahead. I quickly gathered what I needed and hurried after him.
If it meant I could bathe in a real stream, I could endure a little embarrassment.
✧ ✧ ✧
By the time we reached the stream, twilight had fallen around us.
A small waterfall poured into a fairly large pool—perfect for bathing or even swimming.
I glanced around and spotted a large rock I could hide behind while changing. If I stripped there and dove straight into the water, I wouldn’t be exposed at all.
After mentally mapping out the route, I turned—but Miklok had already vanished.
I heard a splash from farther downstream around a bend. He must have jumped into the water already.
Relieved he wasn’t lurking nearby, I slipped into my undergarments.
The water was a bit chilly, but in the height of summer, it felt refreshing.
As I submerged myself up to my head, even my tangled thoughts began to clear.
I swished around for a while, then lathered my hair with the soap I’d brought. Yes—humans need to wash!
Ripples formed and faded in the moon’s reflection in the stream. With only the sound of insects and the waterfall, it was peacefully quiet. The moonlight shimmered beautifully.
Once I finished bathing, I attempted to float underwater. Curling up with my knees to my chest, I hovered silently in the water.
After sword lessons with Lord Palette in the summer, Robi and I used to play this game.
“Leah, let’s have a breath-holding contest.”
“If you throw a tantrum after losing again, I won’t play with you anymore.”
“That’s fine. I’ll win this time anyway!”
We took it seriously—even though there was no prize, no glory. Just childish competition.
I’m proud to say I never lost to Robi.
Floating underwater like this, curled up, made me feel like I was back in my mother’s womb.
My body slowly sank while my hair and undergarments floated around me with the current.
Looking from above, I’d probably look a bit creepy. That thought made me giggle.
The current gently rocked my body. I forgot my troubles and felt genuinely happy.
But then—suddenly—a strong force yanked me up out of the water.
I gasped, inhaling through my nose, and water shot up painfully.
“Cough—cough!!”
I sputtered violently, struggling to breathe. But the grip on my shoulder didn’t loosen.
Once I caught my breath, I looked up at the owner of that hand—King Miklok was glaring down at me with a furious expression.
“What were you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Was this your plan all along? Did you come here to die?”
What!? I was just holding my breath underwater! Why would he jump to that horrifying conclusion!?
✧ ✧ ✧
When Miklok first spotted the stream from the tree, he’d been in a good mood.
He loved water, and unexpectedly, Leah had agreed to come along. That made him feel oddly excited.
Watching her nervously scan for a place to undress made him smile. He considered teasing her by staying close but figured she probably wanted to bathe more than he did—so he respectfully gave her space.
He went downstream, out of sight, and dove into the cold water. The chill sent pleasant shivers down his spine.
Lying back with his arms behind his head, Miklok gazed at the moon.
He heard her splashing on the opposite end of the stream. He wanted to call out and play together, but knowing how bashful she really was, he resisted the urge.
Then suddenly—there was silence. No more splashing.
Only the sound of insects and the waterfall remained. But Leah’s sounds had vanished.
Panic jolted through him. He quickly swam toward where she’d been.
In the dark, lit only by moonlight, he scanned the waters frantically. His heart pounded so loudly, it blurred his vision. Fear consumed him.
Then—he saw her.
Floating in the moonlight were her platinum hair and the hem of her undergarments, limp and eerie in the water.
In that moment, Miklok felt what it truly meant for one’s heart to stop.
Instinct kicked in. He grabbed her by the nape and yanked her out of the water.
“Cough—cough!!”
She gasped and coughed violently from swallowing water, but he couldn’t feel sympathy—only blinding rage.
She had tried to leave him—abandon him. Or maybe he was angry at himself—for being fooled by her innocent act.
“Was this your plan from the start? To come here and die?”
“What are you talking about? I was just holding my breath underwater!”
“Holding your breath?”
“Yes! I always play like this. It’s normal for me!”
She glared at him with unwavering eyes. She didn’t seem to be lying.
But unlike before, he couldn’t relax.
The thought that she might leave him had triggered a terror he’d never known.
He, who had spent half the year on battlefields, who had taken thousands of lives beneath his sword, who had razed entire kingdoms—felt fear. All because of this strange girl.
Looking at her now, scowling up at him, his hammering heart began to slow. Through the soaked fabric, her warmth reached his palm.
Her drenched platinum hair tickled his wrist as it clung to her shoulders.
That silken hair, smooth pale skin, and those rare violet eyes glowed ethereally in the moonlight.
He stared into her eyes as if entranced. The panic from earlier transformed into a powerful, thudding heartbeat of a different kind.
Miklok leaned closer to her. The scent of fresh soap and her own sweet body made his head spin.
He lifted his hand, gently brushing the wet strands from her brow with his thumb.
Then, he tenderly wiped away the water trailing from her hairline down to her cheek. Cupping her face, he held her gently.
Startled by the sudden contact, her lips parted slightly. Their eyes locked.
Just as Miklok impulsively began leaning in, Leah suddenly placed both hands on his shoulders.
Using the water’s buoyancy, she pushed herself upward—and for a moment, her violet eyes met his dark blue ones at equal height.
Chup!
As Miklok flinched in surprise, Leah swiftly stole a kiss from his lips.
