PTB Chapter 9

He was a man who could become incredibly cruel for the sake of his territory.

Her once excited heart cooled down instantly.

Right now, she had no power to hold on to Arsen. She was still nothing more than a useless, foolish youngest princess. Anyone could see that Tanasis, a more powerful heir to the throne, was far more advantageous than her.

She felt as if something was tightly constricting her body. Feeling gloomy, Rose turned her head. She no longer felt the urge to enjoy the sea.

Swallowing a sigh, she lowered her gaze. The deep sea she had casually looked into was so deep, its end was unknowable.

“I can’t breathe.”

Maybe she was seasick after all. Her throat tightened. At that moment, her heart pounded, and she was short of breath. Her tongue tasted bitter. The surging waves felt like they would crash down on her.

Yet, she couldn’t take her eyes off it. Her body, beginning to tremble, no longer obeyed her. She felt as if she had lost all control. Her vision spun, and her body tilted forward.

She fell into the sea before the man could even catch her.

“Your Highness!”

Splash!

She was sucked into the deep abyss.

“Ah… Falling into the sea again.”

With the chilling cold as her last memory, she lost consciousness. When she came to, she was in a room that seemed to be an inn.

“Gawain, fetch some clothes suitable for Her Highness to change into. And don’t speak a word of what you’ve seen.”

The red-haired knight cast a brief glance at the pale-faced princess before firmly shutting the door.

Arsen had apparently jumped in after her—he was soaked through.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t even notice that Your Highness was feeling seasick.”

“No… It wasn’t seasickness.”

It wasn’t until she stirred up the deep sea that she realized the true nature of the headaches and discomfort she had long thought were just seasickness.

“Aquaphobia.”

Water trickled down between her fingers. She was still trembling.

She had said she liked the sea, yet this had happened—she hadn’t even imagined it.

She could guess the cause of these symptoms. It must have been since she experienced death.

The suffocating car.

The rising water.

The freezing sensations creeping into her body.

Remembering it all, she shuddered.

Arsen lit the fireplace and began drying her with the blanket. He seemed unaware that his own body was dripping wet.

“This won’t do. I’ll go get some warm tea.”

“Don’t go! Stay with me!”

Rose clung to the man rising from his seat, her voice pleading. Arsen hesitated, an awkward expression on his face. Carefully, he took her cold, pale hand in his and held it.

Thankfully, he didn’t ask any questions. She wouldn’t have known what to say if he had.

He sat down in front of her and peeled off a layer of his wet clothes.

Unfastening the belt attached over it, he tossed it to the floor.

The knight’s sword landed heavily with a thud.

The fire blazing in the cozy room painted his skin in a glowing amber.

His broad shoulders and wide chest were like a finely trained steed—magnificent.

His smooth, masculine neck, firm chest, and lean waist exuded strength.

As she stared, mesmerized, a deep voice spoke.

“Your Highness. Please pardon me for a moment.”

Before she could understand what he meant, his bare, broad chest embraced her.

“Ah, Arsen?”

“I’ll stay like this only until you change clothes.”

Rose was instantly wrapped in his warm embrace.

Arsen comforted her, sharing his body heat.

“You mustn’t catch a cold. Please endure it, even if it’s uncomfortable.”

There was nothing uncomfortable about it.

The human warmth she hadn’t felt in so long quickly melted her fear.

His gentle pats helped her regain her composure.

But soon, she trembled again—this time for another reason.

Rose swallowed dryly.

Her small, restless fingers fidgeted in the air.

‘What kind of torture is this…’

To just sit and stare at that bronzed skin in front of her—it was like spiritual training.
She inhaled deeply.

His refreshing scent, lingering on his skin, filled her lungs.

Before she knew it, her fear had vanished and was replaced by a fierce thirst.

‘Just a little more…’

Unable to resist, Rose reached out her shameful hand.

“…!”

Startled by the groping touch, his body stiffened.

But she didn’t care and continued to caress his now-tense body.

Once down the rugged dip of his muscles, and again over his thick back, too broad to hug fully.

Her touch, soaked in desire, lingered freely.

Then, just as her mischievous hand grew bolder, the man grabbed it firmly.

Even as she tried to pull her captured hand away, she couldn’t escape his strong grip.

“Haah…”

A hot breath brushed above her head.

The air around them grew heavy with heat—and it wasn’t just the fire.
Her heart pounded violently.

Rose raised her barely opened eyes and whispered:

“Sleep with me.”

Her deliberately suggestive words made the man’s brows twitch.

Then, he abruptly pushed her away.

The cold that filled the space between them made Rose sigh in regret.

Growling, his face now flushed red, Arsen scowled.

“…Your Highness should watch what you say. People might misunderstand.”

“It’s not a misunderstanding.”

His jet-black eyes, like the night sea, wavered with confusion.

“It’s exactly what you think it means.”

Rose pointed at the fluffy bed.

Following her finger, Arsen turned his head and stared in a daze like a boy lost in a dream.

Then, Rose stood up, strode over, and laid down seductively on the bed.

She was determined to seduce him.

Patting the empty spot beside her, she spoke again, clearly and slowly:

“It’s cold, Arsen. Hug me like before.”

“….”

She even spread her arms wide in invitation.

Arsen stiffened and then frowned deeply.

“What on earth are you saying? Do you really think this situation makes any sense?”

“I like you.”

“….”

Now Arsen looked like the dumbest man in the world, his mouth hanging open.

Hit by the princess’s bold confession, he was too stunned to think.

Whether she knew it or not, her flirtatious lips kept moving.

“Hmm? Come here already.”

“For heaven’s sake…”

As his dark shadow slowly approached, Rose smiled triumphantly.

‘He’s finally giving in! I’ve waited for this moment!’

But what fell upon her wasn’t his broad chest—it was a musty old blanket.

Arsen wrapped Rose up tightly, covering her completely, not even letting a strand of hair peek out.

Suddenly plunged into darkness, Rose kicked her feet in protest.

“Eek! What is this? Arsen! Take this off right now!”

“Sigh… Please stay still.”

He easily pinned down the squirming princess like a captured prisoner.

With his overwhelming strength, she was completely trapped.

Shouting toward the blurry shadow beyond the blanket, she cried:

“Are you really going to act like this? How could you treat someone who just confessed like this?”

“Don’t tease me.”

“I’m not joking! Have I been fooled all this time?!”

Rose huffed by herself, then eventually wore herself out and lost her energy. After one round of squabbling, a low sigh came from beyond the worn-out curtain.

“This doesn’t make any sense. If your plan was to fluster me, then congratulations—you succeeded.”

“It’s true! I really like you, I swear!”

The man still looked skeptical, so she began listing all the reasons why she had fallen for her favorite character.

“Do you even know how cool Arsen is? Especially your solid muscles—I can’t take my eyes off them. They’re just mesmerizing!”

Maybe it was because she couldn’t see his face, but she wasn’t the least bit embarrassed to say those words right in front of him. Some unknown courage surged within her.

“I never understood why the empire’s people belittled you. I mean, where else in the world would you find such a perfect man?”

“……”

“I love your unique build, Arsen. I love the black skin they find fault with. I even like your monstrous strength.”

At that moment, the bed tilted slightly as his weight shifted toward her. Arsen leaned in close.

“When have you ever seen me to say all that?”

Her heart began to race. She couldn’t see his expression, but she could tell he was staring at her with displeasure. She knew all about Arsen—his mindset, his behavior, his heart. But she couldn’t say it.

‘How could I say I saw you in a book?’

She couldn’t just tell him she had read about him in a novel and was his devoted fan. The shadows thickened. His breath was so close she could feel it. Unconsciously tense, she bit her lip. He paused.

“Your Highness, this is inappropriate.”

Her eyes flew open. The weight that had been pressing on her lifted quickly. Arsen was suddenly at the door, turning the handle.

“I’ll go arrange for a carriage.”

With those words, he left.

“……”

The door closed, and Rose stared blankly like an abandoned puppy. At that moment, snap—the last thread of her sanity broke. She threw the blanket aside with a thud.

‘He just left?!’

She had half-expected a kiss, but that hope crashed instantly.

“You’re really leaving, just like that?!”

It felt like she had almost succeeded, but the man had suddenly pulled away. No—he had run away! Rose stared at the closed door in disbelief. She had no idea what had gone wrong.

“Was I too aggressive?”

Could it be that her forward approach didn’t suit the customs of this world? She had thought a little provocation would be enough to win him over—clearly a huge miscalculation. Her charm offensive had completely failed.

“Am I not attractive?”

In hindsight, her soft, wistful looks might have worked better with a strategy that invoked a protective instinct.

‘Still, isn’t it too much to run off even in a situation like that—alone in an inn room with a woman?!’

“Wow, I had no idea he had such a strong wall around him.”

She knew he was naturally serious, but bringing him down was proving harder than she had imagined. Like someone waking from a foolish fantasy, Rose stumbled and collapsed back onto the bed. Her body and heart felt utterly empty. Then she recalled how she had fawned over him, making a fool of herself. Her face flushed red, and she smacked the blanket in frustration.

‘So embarrassing!’

It was the worst date ever.

***

The carriage ride back to Bastia Castle was steeped in chilly silence. Rose pouted with a face full of dissatisfaction, clearly sulking. She was silently protesting to Arsen, who sat across from her.

“I’ll arrange another time to properly express my thanks for today. I apologize for not serving you well.”

Rose kept her gaze fixed out the window and didn’t even glance at Arsen.

‘Hmph, you ran away and now you want to reschedule? Are you kidding me?’

After what happened, it didn’t seem like spending more time together would bring them any closer. She still hadn’t gotten over the shock of being left behind at the inn.

“You said not to make things uncomfortable, right? There’s no need for a next time. Just consider today my repayment.”

Wounded pride made her voice sarcastic. Since she wasn’t making eye contact, Arsen leaned closer. Startled by the reduced distance, she turned—and their eyes met. The carriage was spacious, but Arsen’s large frame meant their knees touched.

“Yes, it was uncomfortable. That’s why I must repay you.”

He reached for her wrist and fastened something cold around it. It was a bracelet made of black obsidian, as dark as his eyes.

“At least allow me to offer this small token of thanks today.”

“What is it?”

“There are people on Dunstan Island who, like you, suffer from motion sickness. In those cases, they wear this bracelet to manage it.”

“Oh? Does it actually work?”

Curious about its possible effect, Rose examined the shimmering stone closely. Just as she was staring, Arsen chuckled from the front.

“It has no real effect. If anything, it might provide a bit of psychological comfort.”

“Ugh, really?”

She pouted, unable to hide her disappointment.

“This obsidian was quarried from the island. The native residents make these to remind travelers of home when they go out to sea.”

“Isn’t this important to you? Are you sure you want to give it to me?”

“Motion sickness usually comes from not being used to the sea. I’ve fully adapted by now, so I believe it’s more useful to you than to me.”

“Hmm… But I’m not even from Dunstan Island. This won’t give me psychological comfort.”

Besides, motion sickness wasn’t even her problem.

‘Does he really think something like this will win me over?’

Just as her interest started to fade, Arsen cleared his throat softly.

“Just think of me when you wear it.”

Rose’s eyes widened. Had she heard that right? His earlobes were slightly red.

‘So cute!’

“If you get nauseous, I hope this bracelet will help you feel even a little bit better. Just like today, I’ll take responsibility for your well-being. So please, don’t worry anymore.”

With his usual serious tone, Arsen spoke as the loyal knight devoted to serving royalty. Rose gave a faint smile.

‘Ugh, I’m such an idiot.’

Her sulking melted away the instant her favorite gave her a gift.

‘He stormed out like that, but I guess he was thinking about me.’

Rose lightly swung her arm. The black bracelet wrapped around her wrist made her feel connected to him, and that made her happy.

‘Alright then, I’ll just seduce him slowly from now on. Maybe I moved too fast. But he gave me a bracelet, so that means he likes me at least a little, right?’

The situation earlier may have ended awkwardly, but she decided to take a step back and try again.

‘Still, that was a golden opportunity I missed…’

As Rose licked her lips and replayed the memory in her head, she didn’t notice the man sitting across from her stealing glances. His gaze burned as hot as the sunset bathing the Bastia harbor.