FLOWER OF OBSESSION [BL]

Chapter 10

Adonia's soft face turned uncharacteristically red, as Crown Prince Adelian gripped him tightly around the waist, staring at the distraught boy with cool, emotionless eyes. His heart pounded as the Adelian's fingers dug into his soft flesh, holding him just inches from the Prince's body. Adelian's grip was firm but not forceful, as if he was holding a mere possession rather than a person. 

Adonia opened his lips to say something, but no words came out, as he was utterly captivated by the Crown Prince Adelian's ruby stained gaze.

"I really didn't know that the Young Master Valdeen was such a clumsy little thing. Surely, your brain is as brilliant as your beauty." 

Adonia snapped out of his dazed thoughts about some useless details as he furrowed his lips into a frown.

He then swallowed dryly, looking up at the Crown Prince Adelian's expressionless face. "I'm sorry," Adonia managed to say, "I didn't mean to..." his voice trailed off as he realized Prince Adelian's strong arms were still around his waist, holding him captive. He tried to pull away, but Adelian's grip was as strong as iron, and he would not yield.

As if the contained and protected mana crystal hidden behind the gold and lavender colored and lined chained locket could sense the anguish seething within Adonia, making do to the absolute impossible and surged out a powerful wave of mana, that threatened to fully burst within the mana crystal, but before it could be released, Adelian's grip tightened and his own mana surged in like a tsunami. His own mana acted as an impenetrable barrier and shield, enveloping himself and overwhelming Adonia completely, causing the mana crystal's power to dissipate like a candle blown by the wind. 

Adonia gasped as he realized what had happened and struggled to break free from the prince's grip, but it was like trying to move a mountain.

The locket snapped free from the hold of its gold enclosure and fell loudly to the ground. 

The prince looked down at the fallen locket, his eyes flickering with a hint of curiosity at the subtle mana coming from within the piece.

"Such a dazzling piece of locket you have in your possession." He performed his words with a sense of ease and elegance that only made Adonia become pale and his palm sweat profusely without stopping.

"Such a shame for it to be broken, it was my favorite jewelry. Its design was personally chosen by me but I didn't have any idea it worked like that." Adonia was internally sweating and decided to play dumb.

He titled his head low, his eyelashes fluttering delicately, casting shadows over his sea-colored eyes. A shy, rueful smile curved the corners of his cherry-pink lips, exuding a guilty innocence like a painting of an enchanting mermaid floating in the azure depths of the sea. 

He hoped that his guileless expression of submission and charm would soften the prince's harsh attitude, that Adonia's gentle nature and soft spoken words would soothe the prince's smoldering anger.

"Hmm..." Adelian's hold became tighter to the point of making Adonia's eyes water in pain.

Adelian laughed slightly as he finally let him go.

Adonia breathed out in relief and instantly bowed to the Crown Prince.

"I apologize for my rude behavior. I would be extremely honored if the Crown Prince could forgive me," he said, blinking his long eyelashes.

Adelian gave him an icy gaze, so cold that it nearly froze him.

"Unauthorized magical items are not permitted in the Imperial Halls, but..."

Adelian suddenly changed his strict stare to be more gentle, surprising Adonia.

"As you know, I was tired of dealing with such esteemed noble guests, so I thought I would rest at my personal residence for a while, but I didn't expect to run into you." He wondered out loud.