WILD SEDUCTION

●⁠♡ THREE ●⁠♡

- ARTHAILIA -

I grunted, arching my torso forward as I swung my sword.

"Doing good princess. But you're too open." My instructor said, tapping my stomach with his wooden sword after dodging my attack. I back flipped, getting far from him then bent lower, aiming to kick his legs. It is just a fake for what I actually plan to do. I lunged my fist upward, taking deep breaths. I've trained past my limit but I've not landed a kick nor a punch. I'm exhausted. My instructor held my fist and crushed me. I shrieked, backing off. My hand hurts. "Let's take a break. You've improved. Doing better than yesterday. At this rate, you'd be stronger than me." He said, fanning his face with a hand fan. I rolled my eyes. Yet I couldn't make a hit.

Moving to the bench in the norman tent where my stuff is, I drowned a bottle of water down my throat, watching everyone else train. I'm royalty, yet I feel like I'm lacking. I'm tensed. What if the heads don't find me suitable enough to rule? What if they choose my brother? Feeling defeated, I brushed my arm over my mouth, wiping it dry and moved forward toward the sunlight. One of the reasons Artiganda is so great is the equality. Before my father, was a queen. She married and was promiscuous of course, but was also a great ruler, a powerful one at that. No one dared to cross our city walls without sending a message to the queen and having direct approval from her, peace reigned in her time, despite every nation wanting her dead. I gulped and wiped my forehead with a cloth. I want to be just like her or greater. To think I'd just be a damsel in distress if not for my meeting with that boy years ago is scary. He promised to take me hill-hunting and on adventures yet I couldn't cut my own meals. I'm thankful for meeting him that day, if only I could express my gratitude in person. I sighed, life sucks when one's living up to the expectations of someone she doesn't know if he exists or if the encounter was also a dream. Today's just no good for me, the scorching sun is burning my skin and I can't think straight. Plus I haven't seen Rina since last night. I really need to talk to someone that's not my maid or guard or trainer. I really want to connect with someone on a deeper level. I cursed under my breath, using my hand as a sun screen, blocking sun rays from reflecting on my face.

I need a bath. A very long one. I took another gulp while fixing my gaze on everyone else. Seeing them makes me feel worse and incompetent. I'm a princess, they're warriors. We're complete opposites. I gulped down a mouthful of water when a little girl broke a bench in half. My face flattened, Why do I bother? I'm leaving. I turned to go when my body clashed into someone's. That left me breathless and I gasped, locking eyes with Rohan. He has this smile that makes me want to punch him. "Hello Princess. All tired and sweaty today." He said, raising a hand to touch my hair. I shifted my head back, returning his gaze with an icy one.

I should be nice, especially when my place on the throne depends on him as well but he makes my body crawl and in a bad way. "Try being nice on the first night." I said and pouted barely able to avoid his charms. The elve twins have always surpassed beauty standards. Resisting one has once been a problem of mine.

Rohan moved closer to me. "Come on now Thalia, I know you." He brought his face to the side of mine, our bodies aren't touching but I feel so choked. Like I can barely breathe and he still has an effect on me. "I know how you love the scare. The thrill of being dominated yet alive. Don't you miss it?" Rohan whispered in my ears and his hand stroked my cheek. "Don't you miss me?"

My eyes widened and I backed off, giving him a punch on the cheek. I grinned and I can't deny, seeing his nose bleed gave me satisfaction. At least I had a hit today and I'm glad he's the one who took it. "Guess you don't know me well enough." I said stepping back. I really need to have my bath. Just soak my worries and frustration in the water while enjoying the scent of my favourite flower petals.

I placed a hand on the cheek Rohan touched. My heart fluttered for a second. A very dangerous second. Rohan is bad news, being in a relationship with him once was enough to teach me that. Although I love his silky white hair. I shoved the thought off.

**

I packed my hair backward and dipped a pin in to hold it together. A golden mirror is in front of my bathroom. With a smile on my face, I adored my skin, posing in front of the mirror and adoring all angles. I am beautiful.

"Stand like that more often in front of me and I'll lose myself." A deep voice said and I flinched. Rushing to cover myself with my robe, Rohan interrupted, stepping into my bath water naked. "What's the use princess? I've seen you like this. Countless times."

I gulped and my stomach crunched. Everyone expects royals to be virgin goddesses but I am no saint. I am also not ashamed of what I have done, just who I did it with.

"How dare you follow me here? Have you no dignity? Maidens!" I yelled but no one answered.

"Don't bother, I sent everyone away. Or rather, you did."

I looked away, my cheeks burned. I'm stark naked in front of my ex lover. The only thing barely hiding my skin is my robe.

"Get in Thalia. Let's talk."

There's no point in resisting now. I sighed. There's nothing he hasn't seen. I stepped in, staying at the other end while avoiding eye contact. Rohan has a wicked smirk on his face. He poured himself a glass of wine. "Here. Take it."

My gaze softened and I swam forward to take it. I expected him to pull me and trap me between the edge of my bath and himself but he didn't. Instead he poured himself another glass and drank. Like he wanted to wash his problems away, like me. Maybe he needed an escape of reality.

"I'm not as bad as you think." Rohan muttered. And sipped his wine.

"Stop getting into my head for a change." I said and he smirked. I held my cup in both hands and sipped timidly.

"Stop being hard on yourself Thalia. You're perfect, nothing less."

I breath a sigh and smiled. "Thanks. But I'm waiting for the heads decision." I said staying by his side. I'm meant to wash up but I can't. I feel uncomfortable yet I'm relaxed at the same time.

"I'll let you in on a little secret." Rohan said and tickled my ear. I laughed. "The heads chose you, long ago. We're just here for a meeting the King summoned. And to protect you of course."

My eyes widened. "If you're pulling my legs, I'll kill you." I said, punching a shoulder.

"Even if I wanted to, not when you're like this." He emptied the liquid in his cup in his mouth. I know he meant my being naked. "Never like this." Rohan whispered. I forced my wine down my throat and stared at him.

"Thanks." I said and noticed the spill at the end of his mouth. "Don't stain my bath water. I love it's scent." I leaned forward to wipe his jaw when my feet slipped and I fell on him. My bossom was directly pressed on his chest and I think I grazed my knee. Typical Rohan would've taken advantage of that but he didn't.

"Your blood is way ahead of you, princess." He said. "Stay still." He got out of the water. I don't know what he wants to do, but I listened. I don't have much of a choice anyway. Rohan squatted by the bath top, leaning a hand forward. "Shall I wash you up first or you want this stitched up?"

"Wash me up please. We know that never ends well." I giggled.

"Charming, princess." He said and jumped in.

"You're different. Rohan, what changed?"

"Everything."

I want to ask what 'everything' means but I can't. If he wanted to tell me, he would. Plus I'm sure he's sneaking into my thoughts already.

Rohan groaned and pulled his arms out. I leaned on him. "Let me stay here for a bit. Please." He didn't say anything and I sighed, staring at nothing. I almost expected he would make a pass on me. I almost want to blame someone for my bad behaviour. I guess it's not happening.

"If you want something princess, ask." He said and I glared at him. Rohan put a hand on my chin. "Don't be shy. I'm definitely not one to brag about my endeavours."

I grinned. That's not it. "I just really need to let loose of what's bothering me. But Rohan, I don't want to sin." Plus I don't think my father's request to protect me is your only reason for being here. I don't trust you.

"If you don't want me to, I won't touch you. But voice your desires. What do you want, princess?" I gasped, moving in front of him. Rohan didn't touch me and I placed his hand on my thighs, raising it to his abdomen.

"Touch me one more time. Make me forget." I'm making a mistake and I know it. Maybe it's my frustration, or maybe it's because I can't wrap my head around who I'm seeing in my dreams. Who do I want to be with when I'm queen? I don't want to be alone.

"As tempting as this is, I won't let you make a mistake. I want to let you know princess, if you give in to me, I'm never letting you go." He said, cupping my neck. I squealed. I don't know what to say. "But I'll help you forget." Rohan muttered into my ears and gripped my inner thighs. Pulling my form to him. I felt a gentle stroke that made me gasp. I'm so sensitive, and he knows my spot just right.