Chapter 9
1009 Words
Phoenix stood frozen, staring at the empty stairs where Princess had just disappeared.
Her words echoed in his head, sharp and painful. You can’t do it forever, Phoenix. You can’t always be there.
His chest tightened, and frustration boiled inside him. Before he could stop himself, he slammed his fist against the wall. The dull thud echoed through the quiet house.
“Damn it, Princess…” he muttered under his breath, his voice breaking.
He ran a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth. Why does she have to be so stubborn? Why does she always think she has to face the world alone?
Phoenix stopped, staring at the staircase again. His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened with resolve.
Fine. If she won’t let me protect her, then I’ll just do it anyway — even if she doesn’t notice. Even if she hates me for it.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside him. But deep down, he knew one thing for sure:
He wasn’t going to let Princess slip away from his life. Not now. Not ever.
It was past midnight when Princess heard it — a soft knock on her door.
Her heart skipped. For a moment, she thought about pretending to be asleep, but the knock came again, gentler this time.
“Princess…” Phoenix’s voice was low, almost hesitant. “Are you awake?”
She swallowed hard, debating if she should answer. Before she could decide, he spoke again, his voice carrying a mix of frustration and something softer — almost pleading.
“I’m not here to fight,” he said. “I just… I can’t sleep knowing you’re upset.”
Princess’s chest tightened. Slowly, she got up and opened the door just enough to see him standing there in the dim hallway light.
His hair was messy, his jaw tense, but his eyes… his eyes looked tired.
“What do you want, Phoenix?” she asked quietly, trying to sound calm.
“I just wanted to say…” He took a deep breath, his voice steady but full of emotion. “I’m not trying to control you. I just hate seeing you hurt. I can’t stand the thought of you going through everything alone when I’m right here.”
Princess bit her lip, her throat tightening.
“You don’t have to let me protect you forever,” he continued, softer now. “Just… let me be here for you right now. Tonight. That’s all I’m asking.”
There was a long silence. Princess looked at him, at the way his shoulders were tense like he was holding back too much.
Something inside her cracked.
Without saying a word, she stepped aside and opened the door wider.
Phoenix blinked in surprise, then gave a faint smile and stepped in quietly.
They didn’t talk much after that. She sat on the edge of the bed, and he sat on the floor near her, leaning against the wall.
The silence wasn’t awkward this time — it was warm, calming.
For the first time since arriving, Princess felt like maybe… just maybe… she wasn’t alone anymore.
The room was quiet, just the soft hum of the night air filling the space.
Phoenix stood in front of Princess, his eyes locked on hers, his expression serious.
“Princess,” he said quietly, “I can’t keep pretending I don’t care. I can’t stand seeing you hurt and acting like it doesn’t bother me.”
Princess’s breath hitched. “Phoenix…”
He hesitated for a moment, then slowly leaned in.
Before Princess could react, Phoenix kissed her.
It was quick, sudden — not rough, but enough to make her heart leap to her throat.
Her eyes widened in shock, and the second he pulled back, she stood up so fast the bed creaked.
“W-what was that?!” she shouted, her hand flying to her lips.
Phoenix blinked, caught completely off guard. “I… I kissed you.”
Princess’s face turned red — with embarrassment or anger, even she didn’t know — and before she could stop herself, she smacked him right across the cheek.
The sharp sound echoed in the room.
Phoenix froze, his head turning slightly from the impact. Then, very slowly, he looked back at her, his cheek already flushed from where she hit him.
Princess’s heart pounded. She didn’t even know why she slapped him — all she knew was her face was burning and her thoughts were a mess.
“You—You can’t just do that!” she stammered.
Phoenix rubbed the side of his face and gave a small, crooked smile. “Yeah… I probably deserved that.”
Silence filled the room. Both of them avoided each other’s eyes, the air so thick with awkwardness you could cut it with a knife.
“I’m… going to sleep,” Princess muttered quickly, climbing onto the bed and pulling the blanket over her head.
Phoenix stood there for a moment, unsure what to say, then sighed and sat back down on the floor, leaning against the wall.
Neither of them spoke another word that night, but both lay awake — Princess staring at the darkness under her blanket, her heart racing, and Phoenix quietly touching his cheek, a strange, bittersweet smile on his face.
The morning sunlight peeked through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm glow.
Princess sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, her face still hot as she remembered what happened last night.
Why did he do that? she thought, clutching the blanket in her hands. And why am I still thinking about it?!
The door creaked open, and Phoenix stepped inside, holding two cups of coffee.
“Morning,” he said casually, as if nothing had happened.
Princess avoided his eyes. “Morning…” she muttered.
He placed one cup on the nightstand near her and sat on the chair by the desk, watching her silently for a moment.
“About last night…” he started, his tone softer now.
- Writer
