The Crown's Fire - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Prefer Being Intimate
Ezme beamed widely as she rode beside Atlas on her own horse, a rose-colored mount. He had kept his promise, allowing her to serve as his personal assistant for a hundred days. She was convinced that this duration would suffice for her to win him over.

Her strategy was simple: she aimed to acclimate him to her presence and demonstrate her sincerity. Though she harbored genuine feelings for him, she couldn’t help but wonder if he reciprocated her sentiments, or if he merely tolerated her due to her status as the Princess of Valcrez.

“This weather is my favorite,” she ventured, breaking the oppressive silence that hung between them before it drove her to madness.

“Your kind typically despises the sun, but having an exordium blood in you, you’re unaffected by its heat. I detest winter and much prefer the sun’s warmth,” Atlas remarked candidly, causing Ezme to purse her lips in thought.

“So I guess, we’re nearing?” Ezme commented since she could already see the castle walls from their position.

“We’re nearing Ebodia Castle,” Atlas replied plainly.

“Aren’t we heading to your family’s residence?” she asked curiously, hopeful for the chance to meet the rest of his family. She had already met his sister, Dani, who served as one of the ladies-in-waiting for their Queen. It seemed that their kind, especially their Chancellor Abel, had arranged for Dani’s capture, as she and Abel were soon to be married.

Ezme turned dreamily to gaze at Atlas directly. She wondered if she would succeed in her endeavor as well. Despite Atlas’s cold demeanor, she sensed an attraction from him, a promising start that she intended to leverage.

“Stop staring,” he murmured, his face flushing red, which she found rather appealing.

“But I can’t help it. You’re too handsome in my eyes. I want to eat you alive!” she declared exaggeratedly, unconcerned with the nearby soldiers who likely overheard. She was confident they were accustomed to her lack of tact by now.

Atlas took a deep breath before turning his back to her, shooting his men a deadly glare. The soldiers, who had been silently chuckling, quickly pressed their lips together in silence. Ezme had been enjoying herself, but her amusement swiftly faded as they passed through roads lined with cheering Ebodians, celebrating their victory.

The cheers were tolerable, but what grated on Ezme’s nerves were the women who began to swarm around and ogle her man. Call her possessive, but she felt the need to assert her claim. With determination, Ezme made her move, allowing her elongated nails to appear as she used them to prod her horse, causing it to jolt and throw her into the air.

“Ezme!”

Her lips curled up at the sound of Atlas calling her name for the first time. She had often requested it, but he had always addressed her formally. She closed her eyes, anticipating the impact of hitting the ground. She could have avoided it, but she wanted to sustain some injury.

However, that scenario didn’t unfold as expected. Instead, she felt strong arms catch her. Smiling widely, Ezme slowly opened her eyes, only to wriggle out from the man who had caught her. She quickly regained her footing, wearing a gloomy expression.

“What the hell!” she hissed at Marlo, one of her brother’s shadow knights.

“Your Highness,” he greeted her formally.

“What are you doing here?!” she seethed.

Marlo scratched his head, then glanced at Atlas, who now stood beside her.

“Are you alright, Your Highness?” Atlas asked with concern, instantly brightening Ezme’s gloomy expression. “Ah, I think I hurt my leg…” she murmured, feigning pain.

“But I caught you just in ti—” Marlo began, but quickly sealed his lips tight at the sight of her deadly glare. If he uttered another word, Ezme swore she would make Marlo suffer!

“You should ride inside a carriage,” Atlas suggested.

“No, we’re almost there. How about you just carry me and let me ride on your horse?” she said, her eyes brimming with excitement. In an instant, she wrapped her arms around Atlas’s neck and pleaded, “Please carry me. Don’t worry, I’m as light as a feather.”

With a winning smile, Ezme watched as Atlas obeyed and lifted her into his arms. He settled her sideways on his horse before positioning himself behind her. She could practically hear the erratic beating of Atlas’s heart whenever they were close together, and once again, Ezme took it as a good sign.

“Lord Atlas,” Marlo called out before they resumed their journey. Ezme raised her eyebrows as Marlo handed Atlas a familiar letter, engraved with his brother’s insignia.

“It’s from His Majesty, King Nikolai. I’m heading towards the castle as well since I need to deliver his letter to King Stephan,” Marlo informed them. Ezme observed as Atlas gave Marlo a curt nod before tucking the letter into his coat pocket.

“Your Highness, I must excuse myself,” Marlo said with a bow, to which Ezme simply nodded in acknowledgment.

They continued their journey, and Ezme purposefully shifted her body, resting the side of her head on Atlas’s sturdy chest. Ah, that was much better; she could perfectly hear his heartbeat. Not to mention the curious looks of the women they passed by. Unsatisfied, Ezme moved her arms and hugged Atlas, mumbling, “I may fall, so let me hold on to you.”

She felt his body stiffen, which only made her smile like a lunatic.

“Atlas, I heard you call me Ezme a while ago. Can you please continue calling me that way?” she said with a pout. Atlas didn’t answer, so she tilted her head to look at his face.

“Such a nice jaw,” she murmured as she gently trailed her fingers along his jawline.

Atlas gulped, then firmly said, “Stop being too close and engaging in so much skin-to-skin contact with me, then I will call you Ezme from now on.”

Ezme blinked at him in disbelief, then firmly responded, “No way! Fine, call me formally, because I prefer being intimate with you in every possible way rather than just hearing you call me by my name!”