Villainess Loves

Part 15

"Well, um, does it matter now? We aren't going to pretend to be lovers anymore.." I answer flustered.

"But I'm curious. It's not every day a young noble's daughter asks their knight to pretend to be their partner," Henry points out, smiling slightly. Ugh! He's too handsome to be smiling. Worlds would collapse if they saw even a glimpse of it! Does he know he's doing this??? On purpose???

"Uh, um, well, ah...you know... typical lover things!" I feel myself stammer. Wha, what do I say? Admit the truth? Sidestep it?

"And what would those 'typical lover things' be exactly?" He raises an eyebrow. This guy, he's definitely smirking. And with his drop-dead gorgeous face. Ooh, I can feel my face lighting up! Such handsomeness is too much for my weak heart! Oh! Right! I should answer! Uh, what do I say???

"Ah, ahh, you know, stuff like...um....holding hands?" I say. Henry seems a little taken aback.

What, is holding hands such a sacrilegious thing to do!?!? I'll have you know that this world does not abide by olden ideas and views. People are generally open about PDA (public displays of affection) and freely express their interests in others. This is why I'm confident that Prince Orion's romance is not a secret, well, not a secret in the royal castle, because the main couple openly expresses their attraction for one another. It's quite a refreshing story to read in this regard.

"-dy Annelise?" Henry's voice breaks my sudden monologue. Woops.

"Ah, yes?" I ask.

"....Did you hear my question?" He seems a little annoyed. Ahhh, what are you doing me! There's a smoking hot guy in front of you and all you're doing is monologing to the readers about something not that important!

"I'm sorry, I didn't," I hang my head in embarrassment. I should be paying attention to someone when I'm talking to them!

Henry sighs. I feel guilty about my behavior. I asked Henry to come over when he didn't need to and I've dragged him into such a convoluted plan too. The least I could do is properly hold a conversation with him!

"It's alright. I was just surprised that your requests were so.... Innocent. I just wanted to know if you've been in a relationship before... Besides your engagement with Prince Orion." He says, waving his hands slightly.

"Oh, um." I blush again.

"I didn't have anything planned besides simple things. I didn't want to offend you or do anything that might hinder your future relationships.... Um, I guess I haven't really been in a relationship before... Besides the thing with Prince Orion. So I haven't really done anything yet, so I don't really know what to do...." I fiddled with my fingers.

"Oh." Henry suddenly stands up and bows before me.

"I apologize for my rude questioning. Your relationship status is not something I should be intruding on. It was purely my own curiosity with no regard for your privacy." He says, lowering his head in front of me.

"Oh, um it's okay! I don't mind!" I stand up and quickly reach over to pull Henry up. I feel bad that he feels the need to apologize, even full-on bow, about something like my relationship experience, when I'm the one trying to pretend lovers with him.

"It's a perfectly reasonable thing to ask since I was the one to initiate the pretend relationship stuff," I say as I try to pull him up. His broad shoulders and perfectly toned body felt extremely sturdy in my hands like I was pushing against an immovable wall.

"It is still not appropriate for me to have done so..." Henry looks up from my touch and we meet eyes. His enchanting dark black eyes seem to sparkle in the moonlight peaking from my window. I thought Mary pulled in the curtains for my sleep, but she must not have done it tight enough.

"....."

"....."

Oh My God. We are SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER RIGHT NOW!

The sudden realization of our intimacy makes my face heat up. My hands suddenly feel extremely sweaty and I felt my breath catch against my chest. I stiffen, my eyes intently staring at Henry's, who is no less intensely staring at me as well.

Are we in a staring contest or something?!?!