Chapter 3: The Little Tyrant
1058 Words
Leona lunged forward and wrapped Lucian in her arms, her eyes curving with delight as she squeezed his cheeks. She was so engrossed in pinching and patting his face that she completely missed his increasingly darkening expression.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked with a tight smile.
"Mmhmm! Very much!" Leona nodded obliviously. Truthfully, his skin was the softest she'd ever touched—smooth as silk and delicate as jade. The texture was absolutely perfect; she couldn't bring herself to stop.
Lucian's small face twitched, his obsidian eyes taking on a dangerous red tinge. With a sharp smack, he finally knocked away the offending hands that were making his blood boil.
Leona winced and pulled back her stinging hands. Finally noticing Lucian's expression, she realized this little boy was radiating enough cold fury to make the air conditioning unnecessary.
Hmph! Fine, if he doesn't want to be touched, whatever! What's the big deal?
Pouting slightly, Leona swung her legs off the bed, ready to head home.
Lucian's eyes flickered as he turned his head, the flames in his gaze banking down as he declared: "Woman, I will take responsibility for you!"
Thud!
Leona's ankle twisted as she stumbled spectacularly. Her hearing was perfect—she definitely hadn't misheard. This tiny child had just said he would take responsibility for her!
Take responsibility for what? They'd just slept in the same room, fully clothed!
What kind of bizarre child was this?
Ha! This had to be the most ridiculous joke she'd heard all year. Simply hilarious!
Leona picked herself up, fighting back laughter as she said, "Sweetie, lots of people pursue big sister. You should just give up!"
"Lots of people pursue you?" Lucian's dark eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Of course!" Leona smiled brightly, her beautiful eyes twinkling with mischief. It was true, after all—she was quite pretty! (Our dear protagonist is quite vain! Hehe!)
Lucian fell silent, his small face staring intently at Leona as the temperature around him plummeted steadily.
A shiver ran through her body as Leona glanced at him. She didn't bother saying more, figuring the kid must have gotten the message by now.
But suddenly—
"I'll make them all disappear!" Lucian's expression turned grave, murderous intent rolling off him in waves.
As Leona gaped in shock, he continued coldly, his exquisite little face dead serious: "From now on, you are this Crown Prince's woman. Remember your position and don't go flirting around outside!"
Flirting around? Her position? His woman?
Leona's entire face twitched. Suddenly, her eyes crinkled as peals of laughter burst from her lips, shaking the very foundations of the palace.
Seriously, ladies and gentlemen, can you believe this?
A tiny child declaring she was his woman! Haha! Oh, her stomach—she couldn't take it!
Sprawled across the bed, Leona howled with laughter, convinced the Crown Prince must be desperately lonely to come seeking entertainment like this. It was just too funny.
"You find this amusing?" Lucian watched her steadily, arms crossed over his bare chest, which gleamed like pearl under the lights.
No doubt he'd grow up to be devastatingly handsome, absolutely gorgeous, without question.
But right now...
Leona controlled her laughter, pressing her lips together as she cast an amused glance at Lucian's small frame. "Sweetie, are you some kind of supernatural creature?"
Lucian narrowed his eyes. "This Crown Prince is a demon!"
Together they make a demon spirit! Hehe!
What a strange child!
Leona poked his exquisite little cheek, smiling elegantly. "What does a child like you know about flirting? Little one, you're still so young. Big sister doesn't do cradle-robbing. Go play with someone else! Be good now!"
She patted his head and turned to leave, but a small hand suddenly grabbed her with shocking strength. With one pull, she found herself yanked off balance.
Before Leona's startled eyes, Lucian pounced on her like a little wolf, his cold face radiating an intense dominance that seemed impossible for his size.
"This Crown Prince likes when young grass eats old cows! You have no right to refuse!" His lips curved as he suddenly yanked down her tank top strap, pressing his rosy lips to her chest and leaving a deep mark.
The strawberry-like bruise bore clear teeth marks as Lucian ground down deliberately, drawing blood. The pain made Leona want to hit him, but before she could raise her hand, he moved even faster.
In one motion, he had her hands pinned. As tears of frustration welled in her eyes—
"You've been marked by this Crown Prince!" he declared imperiously, his tongue lightly licking the blood from the corner of his mouth. His obsidian eyes flickered with mischief, seduction, and wild abandon.
Leona froze, her whole body seizing up as she finally realized he wasn't joking—this was deadly serious.
But... this kawaii child couldn't be more than eight! What kind of monster had appeared? Such a domineering demon was rare in this world!
Which deity dared to play with her like this?
A whole six-year age gap! Six years!
She had to emphasize again: Big sister doesn't do cradle-robbing!
Staring helplessly at the ceiling, Leona could only despair in silence.
"From today forward," Lucian's childish voice carried an edge of steel, "anyone who dares pursue you will face the consequences. You belong to me now, Leona."
"I don't belong to anyone!" she protested, trying to ignore the throbbing mark on her chest. "And you—you're just a child! This is ridiculous!"
His eyes flashed dangerously. "A child who runs three multinational companies and holds multiple patents. A child who can have anyone who displeases him disappear without a trace. Is that the kind of child you think I am?"
Despite his cherubic face, there was something genuinely threatening in his tone that made Leona shiver.
"You're scared now?" His expression softened slightly as he released her hands. "Good. Remember this feeling. It will keep you safe."
"Safe from what?"
"From making decisions that would force me to demonstrate exactly how un-childlike I can be." He smiled sweetly, but his eyes remained cold. "Now then, shall we discuss the wedding plans?"
Leona could only stare at the ceiling, wondering how her life had turned into this bizarre fairy tale where the prince was more demon than charming, and she was less Cinderella and more unwitting prey.
- Writer
