“I knew you’d complain and look miserable if you slept on the cold floor, and I didn’t want to see that.”

Even saying such things, she looked so lovely – how could this not be love? Layla smiled.

“It just means you’re a kind person.”

“What are you talking about? I said I didn’t want to see you like that.”

That night, Layla couldn’t sleep next to Malyn, who lay there as if dead to the world. He wondered what kind of life Malyn must have had, muttering in her sleep about hating the cold. He remembered a princess once telling him that being thrown out of a warm bed was the cruelest thing of all – and then slapping him on the cheek. Layla thought that this girl who allowed him to sleep next to her was probably someone who had needed someone else’s warmth for a long time.

“No matter how hard the day has been, there should be a warm place to rest. I know how painful it is when even the bed is cold.”

The meaning of these words was clear. Not a single person had been kind to her. So she hadn’t learned how to give, but she still did – clumsily and roughly, but sincerely.

They spoke no words, but when it was time to sleep, Malyn would instinctively leave a space for Layla, lying on her side. When her restless breathing finally grew calm, Layla would gently wrap his arms around her back.

At some point, their lips met again. The kiss, cautious and avoiding her bruises, grew deeper. Malyn parted her legs, wrapping them around him, but Layla shook his head.

“You’re hurt.”

The king had been relentlessly bruising the inside of Malyn’s thigh, pinching and punching her. Even during their last encounter, Layla had quickly noticed her wincing in pain. Though he’d tried to finish as quickly as possible, it seemed that wasn’t enough to satisfy Malyn. There were even visible wounds. When Malyn protested, Layla shook her head.

“No more.”

With that, Layla moved between her legs. Seeing the bruised and scratched insides of her thighs made him feel a wave of nausea. He wanted to kill the king right then and there.

Kill him…

Layla almost lost herself in that thought, but Malyn seemed curious about the man who had paused between her legs. “what ar….?” Her voice snapped him back to reality. For now, there were more immediate matters to focus on. Layla sucked gently on his thumb before gently rubbing her v*gina, avoiding the reddened, tender areas. When he touched her gently, her juices began to flow, as if she had been waiting for his touch.

“Ah…”

Malyn let out a sweet sigh. Layla smiled and leaned forward, licking her v*gina thoroughly. The sound of his movements soon filled the bedroom. From outer lips to inner, his persistent tongue made Malyn’s hips begin to twist. He lightly bit her cl*t above her hole, then licked it again, causing her to gasp. After moistening his index and middle fingers, Layla gently inserted them back into her v*gina and stroked gently.

“Ah… more… more…”

“I told you you were hurt.”

With a gentle smile, Layla curled and uncurled his fingers and stroked her from inside. Moans came from her, and in no time the area around her hole became sticky as her juices oozed out. Layla brought his lips back to her small cl*t and sucked gently as his fingers continued to move inside her.

“Mmm… ah!”

As the wet sounds and her moans grew louder, her face turned bright red and her thighs began to tremble. Layla spread her legs wider with the other hand and whispered.

“I should get a nice toy for the princess.”

“You… are… my… favourite… toy…”

Even as they continued, Malyn responded to his teasing words with a smile. Layla smiled back, baring her teeth slightly. “Ah!” Malyn moaned, her hips bucking in response.

“Oaks from the mountains of Veldam are known to be the strongest. I’ll get you something big and strong.”

“Ah… and what are you planning to use it for…?”

Layla didn’t answer; instead he pressed down hard on her sensitive cl*t.

“Aah!”

Malyn’s body jerked as she let out a scream. Her hole twitched and Layla’s fingers plunged back in. He had planned to go slowly, but when he saw how much she was enjoying it, he sped up his movements. His right arm was starting to hurt a little but he couldn’t stop. The inner walls were already more than wet – they were overflowing.

“Ah… ah, oh!”

Exhausted from the climax, Malyn slumped back. Layla calmly kissed her thigh and then withdrew his fingers. Malyn lay there, unable to close her legs, arms and legs spread like a frog as her body continued to tremble with lingering pleasure. She let out a soft, mischievous laugh as Layla got up to fetch a towel.

“Yes, bring one. Since the king won’t fill me, if I walk up to him with my legs spread and say I used this instead, who knows? Maybe he’ll pour himself into me just once.”

Layla looked over her shoulder and laughed. Malyn’s half-closed eyes sparkled with humour.

And so they were unaware that one of the maids, preparing for the morning’s chores, had heard the sounds from her room and, shocked, had peeked in to witness the scene – only to flee in surprise.

***

“I’ve heard something.”

As usual, the king entered and glanced briefly at Malyn, who was lying on the bed facing the statue. But instead of joining her, he sat on the edge of the bed and spoke those words. A shiver ran down Malyn’s spine.

What… what had he heard?

“Clever little wench.”

Staying still would seem strange, so Malyn carefully sat up and crawled on her knees toward him.

“Oh, what could you have heard, Your Majesty? That I draw you every night?”

She tried to smile with a forced playfulness, but she couldn’t stop the slight tremor in her lips. The king’s mask was more elaborate than usual today, and though his mouth held a faint smile, it was not a good sign. When the king was pleased, he tended to be even harsher with her than when he was in a foul mood.

“Deceitful thing. I called you a streetwalker, but you’re dirtier than I thought.”

“I have no idea what you mean, Your Majesty.”

“I have heard of your maid. Or rather… she can hardly be called a maid.”

A thud. Her heart sank. Malyn tried to appear calm, but she couldn’t stop herself from going pale and her fingers trembled uncontrollably. She had once hitched a ride on a merchant’s cart as it passed through the fields, secretly stealing silver coins from his pouch while she did what he wanted. She hadn’t trembled then, but now she hadn’t realised that fear could feel so intense. Malyn’s voice shook as she asked.

“Wh-what are you talking about…?”

The king looked at her coldly. The cold gaze from behind his mask frightened her, but Malyn forced a smile and asked,

“Has my maid displeased Your Majesty? If so, summon her immediately and have her punished…….”

“Madwoman.”

The king cut her off, pressing his palm hard against her temple. It was a powerful push and Malyn tumbled straight off the bed, landing on the marble floor with a thud. She was wearing only a thin nightgown and the impact made her body ache and brought tears to her eyes. But this wasn’t the time to focus on her own pain. Malyn quickly prostrated herself.

“Your Majesty, I know nothing. I really don’t understand what you’re talking about…”

Had he discovered that she was actually a male? He must have. Malyn thought as she continued to insist that she knew nothing. Denying everything was always the safest bet. Even as she spoke, Malyn mentally calculated the last time she’d seen Layla that day.