The Princess and The Criminal [ CAITVI ]

24 | A Most Indecent Encounter

Author's Note:
Hi everyone! I know it's been a long time since the last update (I basically vanished, oops). I'm so sorry for the wait. College completely took over my life these past few months, and I've barely had time to breathe, let alone write.
That said, I haven't forgotten about this story. I still fully intend to finish it, and I'm so grateful to everyone who's stuck around, re-read, commented, or just waited.

Thank you for your patience, and enjoy. <3

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Caitlyn's POV
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The alley stretched before us like a throat, narrow and damp, swallowing all but the faintest hum of Zaun's machinery. Every step we took seemed to deepen my misery, the ropes binding us an unrelenting reminder of my humiliating predicament.

Vi stopped abruptly, the tug on the rope nearly pulling me into her. "This'll do."

I looked at the corner she'd selected, aghast. A dingy alcove, little more than an indent in the crumbling wall, offered barely enough space to shield me from prying eyes. "This?" I questioned, my tone high and clipped. "Surely you cannot be serious."

"It's outta sight," she replied, her tone infuriatingly nonchalant, as if this abysmal excuse for privacy was a gift. She gestured vaguely toward the alcove—already tugging on the rope to guide me forward. "You'll manage, Princess."

"Manage?" I echoed incredulously, digging my heels into the ground. "Vi, this is hardly private. I cannot—this is simply—" I faltered, the words catching in my throat as my indignation battled with my embarrassment.

Her brow quirked. "What? Need me to hold your dress for you too?"

I jerked back against the rope, barely resisting the urge to stomp on her foot. "You are thoroughly unbearable."

"Yeah, yeah. Heard it before." She replied, pulling me another step closer. "Now come on. Sooner we do this, sooner it's over."

Her unbothered demeanor only made the mortification pool deeper in my chest. I bit back a sharp retort and instead let her lead me toward the alcove. The walls pressed close, their gritty surfaces streaked with grime. It was quieter here, the noise of the market muted but not absent, as if mocking me with its distant echo of life.

I let out a frustrated sigh, my eyes darting around the space before locking on Vi's infuriatingly calm expression. "Do you take pleasure in my discomfort?"

Vi paused, cocking her head as if giving the question serious thought. "A little," she admitted, the corner of her mouth slightly curling upward.

I huffed, my free hand balling into a fist. "If I ever have the misfortune of meeting someone as crude as you again, I shall consider it a personal failure."

"Relax. You're lucky I'm nice enough to give you a private corner. Most people in Zaun would just drop their pants wherever they're standing."

"That is hardly a comfort!" I shot back, my voice rising slightly in pitch.

"Well? What're you waitin' for? Do what you gotta do."

I hesitated, glaring at her. She was still facing me, her gaze steady, far too attentive for my liking. My jaw tightened as I stood rooted in place, unwilling to move under her scrutiny.

"Some privacy would be appreciated, Vi."

She leaned back slightly—before turning on her heel just as much as the rope would allow. "Fine," she said, tossing the words over her shoulder. "Better?"

The tension in my shoulders eased just slightly as she faced away, her frame blocking what little light reached the narrow space. But my embarrassment refused to abate.