101 Ways To Tame The Emperor

Chapter 30: Jealous

MALIK did not seem to care about the language at all. His expression hardened. Wait. Could it be that he doubted the imaginary guy and thought of him as a spy? I know that the Castle was a little sensitive nowadays because of the rumors about the possible invasion of Jibril and other kingdoms. I’m regretting carelessly saying those words more and more now.

Whenever I’m hungry or sick, my mind gets muddled and my mouth just gets the best of me sometimes.

“Well, sort of. I didn’t get to have his name but don’t worry. He is a good man.”

“And how would you know that? You only met him once. What does he look like?”

Of course, he’s a good man. I invented him, after all. I wish I could say that.

This was hard. This sudden confrontation was forcing me to use the creative side of my brain. And I can’t be creative with a roaring stomach. “He’s… He’s…” Why did I say that the imaginary person was a guy in the first place? I could have just said that it was a girl. It was easier to describe a girl.

“Why are you not saying anything? Don’t tell me that you find him attractive?”

“And why do you look so against it? For your information, you are not the only attractive man in the world, General.”

“Really? I didn’t know that.”

I stared at him with my eyes wide open. He looked really innocent right now and a bit astounded, too. Wow. What a very confident man. It must have been so nice to have that much confidence. He should share some of it to others, to me, especially.

On second thought, Malik had every reason to feel that way. With a face like that, who could ever oppose what he said? Even I silently agreed.

“So who do you think is more attractive? That guy or me?”

My God… This is embarrassing. I only mentioned just two words. And now, this was what I got. “Why does it even matter? I’m sure you’ve been told many times just how good-looking you are.”

He shrugged. “Your opinion is different, Catherine. Thank you for the compliment, by the way. I still need to hear your answer, though.”

I opted for the safest answer since he looked like he would not let me go if I refuse to answer. “Both of you are attractive, okay? I mean everyone is attractive in their own way.”

Malik looked more pissed than ever. But just as charming. How was it even possible?

“You make it sound like that guy and I are on the same level. Damn,” he pressed his forehead as if he was really disappointed. “I never imagined that there would be a time when I would compare myself to another man and feel this irritated. Why… why do you keep changing me, Catherine?”

So it was my fault now? All I did was blurt out how handsome he was. Should I have just confessed those words’ real meaning from the start? But that would be inappropriate, right? I am marrying His Majesty. I can’t just simply praise another man’s looks. Besides, what was he saying? I am not the one changing him. It was the other way around. But Malik was really acting weird. If only I did not know better, I would have thought he was jealous… which was really impossible.

A man like him? Jealous? No way.

Nevertheless, this conversation had to stop now. The longer I stay here, the longer I want to be with him. “I apologize. I didn’t want you to feel that way, Malik. Now that this is getting uncomfortable, I think it’s best if I leave.”

“What? Are you going to just leave after using me again?”

I gasped. “If people would hear you right now, they might think that I used your body or something!”

“Isn’t it true, though? You used my body heat the entire night. But I’m not complaining. Feel free to use me anytime. Just don’t leave me again afterwards. That’s rude. Learn to take responsibility, okay?”

Malik smirked like he had recovered from that ‘who’s more attractive thingy’ and I found myself sighing. He changed his clothes. The long sleeves of his white polo shirt were rolled up his elbows. And the first three buttons were open, making him appear very inviting. With his platinum hair spread on the pillow like that, he looked like he was shooting a very sexy video. And I wanted to watch more of that video. He looked so breathtaking with that disheveled look. He should not go out looking like this. Many women might rush to him and attack him.

His eyes glowed. “I feel better now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sweetheart, are you aware that you are looking at me like you found a snack in me? I mean I don’t mind. But this is a world of give and take. I can let you have your way with me but as a man, I would take something in return.” Malik’s hand fumbled with the hem of my dress. “How about that?”

Sweetheart. I normally dislike it when men call me that way but that sounded… really good coming from Malik’s lips. Plus that sexy voice, who could ever resist it? I may be a Captain, or used to be a Captain of the army in my country, but I’m still a woman. Though I know I should not be swayed over a measly endearment. Who knows how many women he called like that and had their hearts broken in the end?

I whacked his naughty hand and stood up as my cheeks burned out of embarrassment. He just laughed. Did I really look like I wanted to eat him? But I just… wanted to see more of him, nothing else. Like what happened at the carriage, this royal flirt was starting to contaminate my head again. If only he did not look like that, I would not have had these thoughts in the first place.

“I… really have to leave now. I’m not going to escape. It’s not as if I could escape from you anyway.” I pouted. “I’m just hungry. I will go grab some food somewhere and-“

“It’s past eleven. I will come with you. Let’s eat together. I also haven’t had dinner yet.”

“What? But why?”

 “You needed me. How could I leave you?”

 That was so… direct. Couldn’t he tone it down a little? My heart could not keep up. “Still, you shouldn’t have skipped your meal.”

“It’s all right. I’ve skipped meals so many times when I was in the battlefield. This is no big deal.”

“You spent the entire day with me. And now we are coming out of this room together. What would others think of us if they see us?”

“They would say nothing if they still wanted to live. Now, enough of this. Let’s go raid the kitchen.” He got up and took my hand.

“All right. But let’s do something with your hair first.” Before I knew it, I combed his hair using my fingers and fixed it as quickly as possible.

When it was over, I caught him grinning. “You are the first woman who touched me like that. I don’t normally allow myself to be touched by others.”

“I’m sorry-“

“No. It’s okay as long as it’s you. Actually, I could get used to this, you know. I like it when you touch me.” He stared at my lips and swallowed. “But I will like it more if you would kiss me instead.”