1


    already had breakfast with Her Majesty. You can eat by yourself," I uttered as I pulled my hand back, but he just held my


    hand tighter.


    "It''s fine. You can just watch me eat, he replied casually,


    What''s going on with him! It hadn''t been long since he was gawking at me like he was about to kill me at any moment. But right now, he was smiling as if something good happened to him.


    "I don''t want to," I resisted, pulling my hand back slightly. Every fiber of my being screamed not to give in to him, not after everything he had just put me through.


    But in truth, my stomach growled softly. I hadn''t managed to eat properly earlier while dining with Her Majesty and the other concubines. The atmosphere had been unbearable, their judging eyes watching my every move, silently condemning me with every bite. I could barely chew under the weight of their disdain. None of them were pleased with the news of my return. In fact, it felt like everyone in that room had wished I''d nevere back.


    "I don''t think you have a choice. Titus said proudly, his voiceced with arrogance as he continued to lead me forward, his hand still firmly wrapped around mine.


    I scoffed, ring at him. "ver seem to have much of a choice when I''m around you, do I?" The words slipped out before I could stop them, my frustration boiling over.


    He nced down at me, that maddeningly calm smile ying on his lips. "You can always choose to follow what I say," he replied smoothly, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.


    My eyes narrowed into slits, and I shot him a murderous look, anger simmering just beneath the surface. "And give you whar you want? In your dreams," I muttered under my breath, the words barely audible but faced with defiance.


    Titus halted, turning to face me, his expression unreadable. "You said something?" His voice was calm, but I could sense the challenge in his tone, daring me to repeat myself.


    I rolled my eyes, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer. "Nothing. I snapped, jerking my hand free from his. grasp with more force than necessary. This time, I seeded. The sudden freedom felt like a small victory, even though I knew he had let me go on purpose.


    "Let''s just get this over with," I added coldly, stepping past him without waiting for a response. I didn''t care that I had no idea where we were going-1 just needed to be the one leading to reim even the smallest piece of control. My heart raced as I took determined steps forward, my shoulders squared, the defiance in my stride as clear as the anger in my eyes.


    Titus''s footsteps echoed softly behind me, steady and deliberate, as though he was allowing me this small illusion of control. I could feel his eyes on my back, that oppressive weight of his presence making my skin tingle with awareness. I hated it the way he loomed over everything, like a shadow I couldn''t shake.


    As I marched ahead, my steps quickened, a subtle attempt to widen the distance between us, even though I knew it was futile. The corridor stretched out before me, dimly lit, unfamiliar. I had no idea where I was going, but the satisfaction of walking away from Titus propelled me forward.


    I could hear the soft echo of his boots behind me, steady and unhurried. He was following, of course, and the knowledge of it made my skin prickle. He wasn''t rushing, wasn''t trying to catch up-he didn''t need to. Titus never chased; he waited for people toe to him, like gravity pulling everything into his orbit. And right now, I was painfully aware that no matter how far I walked, he was always just a step behind, always within reach.


    I hated it. I hated him for it.


    III


    "You''re going the wrong way, his voice broke the silence, low and amused.


    I stopped in my tracks, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. Of course I was going the wrong way, I had no idea where he was leading me. Slowly, I turned to face him, trying to keep my frustration in check, but I knew the irritation was written all over my face. "Then why don''t you tell me where we''re supposed to go?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.


    Titus stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine, and for a moment I felt the heat of his presence, the undeniable pull of him. His lips curled into that infuriating sunile again, the one that made my blood boil. "I was enjoying the view," he said, his voiceced with teasing arrogance. "But since you asked so nicely... follow me."


    Without waiting for my response, he brushed past me, his arm grazing mine ever so slightly, enough to send a jolt of awareness through me. I gritted my teeth and followed, hating the way he always seemed to hold all the power, even in the simplest of moments. As we walked. I couldn''t help but wonder what his game was this time. He had granted my request, but there was something else brewing beneath the surface-there always was with Titus. His motives were a mystery, and though I tried to tell myself I didn''t care, the truth was, I did. I cared too much


    After a few more steps, he led me into a private dining room, grand andvish, just like everything else in his pce. The table was already set, a decadent spread of foodid out before us, and my stomach gave a traitorous growl at the sight of it.


    "Sit." he ordered, pulling out a chair for me as if this were some normal, polite affair. I hesitated for a moment, but I reluctantly took the seat.


    Titus settled into the chair across from me, his eyes still glinting with that mischievous edge. "You know," he began, reaching for a piece of fruit. "you''re the only one who talks to me like that


    I shot him a re as I picked at the food in front of me. "Maybe because everyone else is too afraid of you."


    He smirked. "And you''re not?"


    I met his gaze, unwavering. I have nothing else to be afraid of anymore. Even death don''t scare me, Your Majesty."


    Titus leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked on me with a curious intensity that sent shivers down my spine. He studied. me like a puzzle he couldn''t quite figure out, but that only seemed to intrigue him more. There was no anger in his gaze, no frustration-just a quiet, unsettling amusement,


    "You hate me that much, huh?" He asked, his voice low and almost teasing, as if my hatred was nothing more than an amusing detail in this twisted game we yed.


    I red at him, the words spilling from my mouth before I could stop them. "You have no idea how much I hate you, Your Majesty


    Titus didn''t flinch, didn''t even blink. Instead, a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "On the contrary, kitten," he said smoothly, leaning forward ever so slightly. Tm perfectly aware of how much you despise me."


    His answer caught me off guard. I had expected him to shrug it off or maybe evenugh at what I said, like it didn''t matter at all. But knowing that he was aware of my hatred and still carried on as if it didn''t bother him made me feel uneasy. He knew exactly how much I despised him, how much I pushed back against him, and yet it didn''t stop him. He kept doing whatever he wanted.


    I frowned, my thoughts racing. If he knew how much I hated him, why did he keep pushing? Why did he always hover around me, making my life harder? His calm confidence drove me crazy, like nothing I said or did affected him. He thrived on control, always testing how far he could go without breaking me-and knowing that unsettled me in ways I didn''t want to


    admitContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    III


    "You were aware," I said, my poice sofer now, almost incredulou "And you still insisted on bringing me back here. I''m not sure if this is all part of your n, or you just didn''t care at all."


    Titus''s eyes darkened slightly, a flicker of something dangerous passing through them before his smile widened. He leaned in just a fraction, closing the distance between us. "Oh, I care, Kiben," he whispered, his voice sending a chill through me. "I care more than you think."


    "Funny. You have very odd ways of showing it," I said sarcastically


    He just chuckled in response. "The food is getting cold. Let''s eat, shall we?" he said, deliberately changing the topic.


    "I''m not hungry," I lied.


    "I''m not hungry, I lied, trying to sound as convincing as possible


    Titus''s eyes flicked to me, his expression unreadable, but there was something dangerous simmering beneath the surface. "Eat, sweetheart," he said, his voice low andmanding "Don''t make mee over there and feed you myself." It was more a threat than a suggestion, his tone leaving little room for argument.


    "I said I just had breakfast," I insisted, irritation creeping into my voice. "Are you deaf?" I was pushing my fuck, but I didn''t care. The tension between us was suffocating, and eded to break it in some way, even if it meant challenging him once again.


    But that was it. That was hisst straw, I saw the change in his eyes even before he moved. Titus stood up suddenly, the legs of his chair screeching against the floor as he pushed it back. The loud noise startled me, and before I could react, he was already reaching for a strawberry from the table.


    His movements were quick and sure. Before I could say anything, his hand was at the back of my neck, firm but not hurting. and with one pull, he brought me closer to him. My eyes went wide in shock, my breath catching as his lips met mine, and suddenly, the sweet taste of the strawberry filled my mouth


    In one smooth move, he passed the strawberry from his mouth into mine, its juices bursting on my tongue. But I couldn''t focus on the fruit. His lips-soft, warm, andpletelymanding-pressed against mine with such intensity that it left me breathless. My heart raced, pounding in my chest as I tried to understand what had just happened.


    For a moment, I was frozen, caught between the surprise of his boldness and the undeniable pull I felt toward him. The sweetness of the strawberry lingered, but all I could think about was his lips, their warmth far more captivating than the fruit. I felt his breath on my skin, the steady rise and fall of his chest as he held me close, his hand still firmly gripping the back of my neck


    Titus pulled back just slightly, his lips brushing against mine as he murmured. "I''m a man of my word, kitten #tis voice was low, rough, and entirely too confident, as if he knew exactly the effect he had on me.


    I blink, my mind spuning, trying to regain myposure. But it was impossible to ignore the way my body had reacted- the way my heart raced and my skin tingled in the aftermath of his kiss. My lips still tingled from the contact, and I hated how much I wanted more. As he stepped back, a smug smile tugging at his lips, I could only stare at him, trying to process what had just happened. Every ounce of my defiance seemed to have melted away, leaving me vulnerable and confused.


    I don''t like this.