Chapter 07

A/N: Please note that there is NO forced or non-consensual act here.

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ELENA's POV

His towering figure made his weight feel like a heavy stone pressing down on my small frame. Being pinned on the cold ground by a beastly instinct emanating from the elf king made me shiver from head to toe, bathing in a foreign tingling sensation that I couldn't comprehend.

"W-what are you doing?" I asked again, hating the fact that my voice was coming out in a quaver. I wondered if it was driven by fear or the struggle with an unknown emotion.

"You defy me, so you deserve a punishment," he replied with a croaky voice.

My eyes widened upon hearing his words. I tilted my head up to glance at my wrists and silently cursed, realizing they were immobilized by his firm grip. Looking at it now, the chance of escaping was slim. Even so, I decided to give it a try in case luck was on my side. Unfortunately, my hopes were thrown out the window because I just couldn't break free from his grasp, even after several attempts.

"Ugh," I groaned, my head slumped back to the floor in disappointment. "Osw—I mean, Your Majesty, please forgive this servant for whatever she had done and said. Okay?" I looked at him and said in a small voice, trying to be as cute as I could, hoping to have the elf king grant me mercy.

"Are you sure that you are sorry?" He asked, his eyes squinting at me as if to test my genuity.

"Of course I am," I answered, batting my eyelashes, hoping it would enhance my cuteness.

"What's wrong with your eyes? Did something get in there?" he asked.

The question made me second-guess my flirting skill, wondering if I was really that terrible. But again, I wouldn't have been surprised if I were, given that I had never flirted with anyone before.

Or perhaps elven women had a different way of being coquettish?

"Let's see what gets stuck in there," he said, lowering his body to get a better view of my eyes.

Now is the chance, Elena! Said an inner voice in my head.

Seeing that he was distracted, I plotted my escape again. I wriggled my hands once more, but this time, I also used my knee, hoping to strike him between the legs.

Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side. His reflexes were sharp. He easily deflected my attack with his own knee and pinned my leg down while tightening his grip on my wrists.

"Ow!" I yelled in pain.

"Looks like someone isn't as sorry as she claimed to be." He narrowed his gaze at me. "You really deserve a punishment, mortal," he said, his face already next to my ear.

My breath hitched upon sensing the warm breath caressing my skin, making the hairs on my arms stand up. The sound of his thick, sonorous voice and the intensity of his piercing gaze made me shiver as if I were drenched by a bucket of ice water.

Despite the chill in the air, a wave of heat surged through every inch of my body after I was aware of the compromising position we were in. Oswin was still looming over me, but the gap between our bodies grew smaller. If I were to exhale a deep breath, surely our bodies would have brushed against each other. That was how close we were.

"What do you plan on doi—!" My question was cut off by my own breathy moan when I felt a wet sensation behind my ear.

What was that sound? Did I make that? Oh Gosh! This was so embarrassing! I chastised myself, finding it hard to believe the sinful sound that escaped my lips. But more importantly, did he just lick my earlobe? What's wrong with this guy? Is he a dog? Who sniffed and licked another person like that? Complaints formed at the back of my head once I recovered from shock.

"What a beautiful yet sultry sound you have made, mortal." He remarked as if relishing the fact that he had drawn out a luscious sound from me.

"I...I...did...not," I stuttered, trying my best to deny it despite knowing it was no use in lying.

"Your body is quite sensitive. Is this your first time being this intimate with someone?" He asked before tracing his lips down my neck, leaving a trail of wet kisses.

What's this feeling I feel? I thought to myself as his lips roamed over my neck, wondering why I didn't feel disgusted at his action.

On the contrary, I liked it.

So, instead of wriggling free, I closed my eyes and tilted my head to the side, giving him more access. I couldn't register the strange feeling that crept up to every inch of my body at every touch he made. I couldn't understand why I didn't want him to stop. All I knew was that I loved the way his lips grazed my skin and how his breath sent warmth spreading across it.

"Os-Oswin, M-my b-body f-feels w-weird," I stuttered. Each word competed with my breath and came out as a struggle from my parted lips.

"Do you want me to stop?" He asked, pausing his movement.

I opened my eyes and turned back in his direction to see he kept his head in the same position, making his warm breath continue to caress the side of my neck. However, his lips were no longer in contact with my skin. And for unknown reasons, I felt...disappointed?

"Or do you want to go all the way?" He asked, this time shifting his position so that we were looking directly into each other's eyes.

I knew clearly what he meant. Even though I was a virgin, I wasn't ignorant. I had read books, even erotica, which meant I was fully aware of what typically happened between a man and woman behind a closed door, especially when they were in this position. I was already eighteen, so I would be lying if I said I didn't want to experience those euphoric feelings the female lead described in the book. However, I just wasn't sure if this was the right time. I wasn't a fan of a one-night stand. I wanted my first time to be with someone I loved and who also loved me.

Although it was an undeniable fact that Oswin was handsome, I harbored no romantic feelings toward him. So, we shouldn't be doing that.

I should tell him no. I should tell him to stop. Then why couldn't I say it right away? What was with the hesitancy?

"You are forgiven." His voice and the sudden relief of weight from my body snapped me out of my thoughts.

"W-what?" I blinked my eyes in bewilderment, looking up at the elf king, who was now standing on his feet.

"You are forgiven," he repeated in a casual tone before walking away as if he wasn't the one who stirred up all the conflicted emotions within me moments ago.

I pushed myself up from the floor and settled into a reclining position, using my hands to support my leaning-back body. My eyes followed the broad back that swayed subtly with each stride he took, contemplating the extent of muscle and strength it must conceal under the silver robe. However, when he turned around, I quickly shifted my gaze to his feet, not wanting to be caught staring.

"You know what?" he paused as if waiting for me to look at him.

So, I did. I slowly lifted my head to meet his gaze.

"For someone who insisted on not wanting my attention, she sure did take her time to say no." With a smirk, he turned back toward the direction of the bathroom, probably to go and help relieve the little guy between his legs from misery.

"Did he just…" I trailed off, my eyes fixated on the closed door of my bathroom. Clenching my fists, I took a deep breath to suppress my anger and prevented a loud scream from escaping my lips. Instead, I allowed my inner voice to voice the outburst.

OSWIN ALVINGHAM! JUST YOU WAIT! I'LL GET BACK TO YOU ONE DAY! I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE! MARK MY WORD, YOU PERVERTED ELF KING!

I made a silent vow to myself in the depths of my mind.

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