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Chapter 21: Little Strawberry

“Why didn’t you wait for me? You’re already my sworn knight…”

The girl’s tone grew more and more sour, a bit sulky too. Instead of an angry accusation, it felt like a little kitten scratching gently at his heart.

Roy couldn’t help but avert his gaze. “Sorry, I just went with Alice to look at some houses.”

To Roy, Alice was like a little sister, and Charlotte understood that.

But she pressed on, “But Alice isn’t here now, is she?”

Charlotte released the arm she’d been clinging to but tightened her grip on his hand, stepping forward and leaning into the boy without a shred of shame.

A hint of a hunting glint flashed in her crimson eyes.

The fragrance of gardenias enveloped Roy; he never expected the usually proud and reserved princess would make a move, throwing him into a panic as he instinctively stepped back until he found himself cornered against the wall.

“Wait…”

“What are we waiting for? It’s just you and me here now. Isn’t the non-punctual knight supposed to make up for your princess?” Charlotte squeezed Roy’s hand, a smirk on her face. With the height difference, she looked up at him but emanated the arrogance and dominance of someone in power.

Since the royal ceremony, neither had mentioned that scorching kiss, yet it lingered in their minds like a stubborn stain.

That kiss had ignited a restless spark in Charlotte’s heart that burned incessantly even on days when she didn’t see Roy, making her unbearably anxious.

And now, she couldn’t hold back any longer.

Rising on her toes, she whispered sweetly in the boy’s ear, “Make it up to me, quickly.”

That soft murmur sent a shiver through Roy’s heart.

He was almost completely at the mercy of that proud huntress, unable to escape.

Wait, was this really that shy little princess who got flustered at a few words?!

Just as he was doubting himself, Roy suddenly noticed the faint blush rising on the girl’s face.

The boy finally understood.

Charlotte was only struggling to suppress her embarrassment, trying her hand at something she wasn’t skilled at.

Dressing up as the hunter might just be her unique way of being cute.

Thinking this, Roy felt a sudden itch of impatience.

Just then, the lights dimmed.

“Next up, please welcome the Drama Club to the stage…”

The sudden darkness startled Charlotte, and just like that, as she got distracted, Roy spun around as gracefully as a dancer.

“Huh?!”

A tiny gasp escaped her lips.

In the next moment, they switched places, and it was Charlotte who was now cornered by Roy against the wall.

To be honest, the auditorium was too crowded; even Roy felt awkward about bullying Charlotte in front of so many eyes.

But now, everyone was engrossed in the performance on stage, unaware of the darkened corner.

Roy couldn’t help but smirk mischievously. “Charlotte’s right; I really should make it up to you.”

“Hmph, since you know, hurry up!” The girl feigned strength, but the fire in her eyes had noticeably weakened.

“Hurry, you say? But as a knight, how could I be rude to a respected princess?” The boy, while pretending to be modest, boldly caressed her luxurious red hair, relishing the smoothness beneath his fingertips.

Just by not looking, he could tell Charlotte’s face had gotten even redder.

Roy sighed dramatically, “May I ask, Your Highness, how should I make it up to you?”

As he spoke, he boldly cupped her cheek. Her soft skin was even hotter than he’d imagined.

In the dark, Charlotte’s voice carried a hint of a whimper. “D-Don’t ask me about this!”

“But if you don’t say anything, how will I know?”

“I…”

Joyful music and brilliant performances intertwined; applause and gasps rippled through the crowd.

Yet Charlotte couldn’t tolerate any extra noise.

Because the boy leaned down, brushing her hair aside, and gently whispered in her ear.

“As long as you want, Charlotte, I can make it up to you however you like.”

“!”

The little lion’s defenses crumbled, transforming back into the familiar, endearing kitten.

At Roy’s teasing, Charlotte lifted her glistening eyes, parted her dewy lips, stood on her toes, and finally released her burning affections.

“Roy, I want to…”

“Alright, alright, I won’t bully you anymore.”

Charlotte froze.

“Oh come on, I wouldn’t go that far in public,” Roy pinched her cheek, exasperated.

Despite his calm exterior, Roy was also nervously sweating inside. After all, he had no romantic experience from his past life to draw upon, and he was just groping in the dark.

He already felt embarrassed about being so intimate in public, and now seeing her on the verge of tears made him panic.

Had he gone too far?

“Okay, I’ll go grab some drinks. What do you want?” Roy turned to leave, but to his surprise, his hand was tightly grasped.

That roaring fire wasn’t so easy to extinguish!

“You idiot knight, we’ve come this far; you should take responsibility!”

“Charlotte… ah!”

Before he could react, he felt a tight grip around his neck, and he was yanked forward with an irresistible force!

An unapologetic, passionate kiss, filled with the girl’s fervor, was deeply etched onto Roy’s face!

The sudden turn of events left Roy shouting in shock.

But Charlotte hadn’t anticipated that just then, the performance on stage reached its climax.

The lights blazed bright!

The boy’s shout and girl’s passionate kiss were fully exposed to the audience, becoming a spectacle more captivating than what was happening on stage!

Roy was frozen.

Charlotte was frozen.

The entire crowd was stunned.

For all of them, this scene had unfolded way too suddenly.

Charlotte jumped back, shocked, but a bright red mark had already appeared on Roy’s face.

That was the lipstick she had specially applied that day.

“I’ll be going now.”

Charlotte nonchalantly said, as if nothing had happened, then dashed away like her feet were on fire.

Only after escaping the auditorium did the red-haired girl cover her blushing face and wail skyward.

“What on earth did I just do!!”

Meanwhile, the chatter in the auditorium erupted.

“Did he really just win over the Lionheart princess that quickly? That guy sure is fast!”

“No, I heard he’s a noble of Lionheart, and he’s already become her sworn knight before!”

“I remember the name was…”

Seeing the increasingly hostile gazes from the boys, Roy didn’t dare stick around any longer and ran off.

Seriously, why did that girl run away right after kissing? So irresponsible!

While grumbling in his mind, Roy also felt a sweet-sour flavor linger in his heart.

Maybe next time, he should be bolder.

Unlike Charlotte, Roy didn’t directly flee the auditorium; instead, after the commotion died down, he sneaked back in.

After all, he still had to take care of Alice.

Honestly, he was quite worried whether Alice could make friends.

 

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