At first it was cautious. Like unfolding a petal, Malyn gently bit Layla’s lips and slowly parted them. She had kissed men dozens of times, but none of them had ever felt so gentle. Layla’s lips were rough and dry, but surprisingly moist inside. Their tongues entwined gently and then loosened.

“Mm…”

The corner of her mouth, bruised by the force of King Veldam’s blow, reopened. The metallic taste of blood lingered on her tongue for a moment, but she didn’t care. Layla flinched, but Malyn reached out and pulled Layla’s head closer. Layla hesitated for a moment, then resumed her exploration of Malyn’s tongue. The heated atmosphere seemed to envelop them, and it felt as if her mind was beginning to lose clarity.

Layla’s fingertips ran down her back. Malyn was wearing a thin muslin dress, something she only wore for sleep, light and rustling with every movement. The rough fingers moved slowly along the fabric, each touch sending a shiver down her spine. As Layla continued to explore her tongue, Malyn leaned back. The firm arm around her waist kept her still.

Malyn slowly ran her fingers down the sleeve of Layla’s dress, an outfit she had always found dull and cumbersome. Who would have known that the reason the once precious princess always wore long, wide sleeves was to hide these arms? No one could have imagined that someone who had once looked so pale and frail would now touch her so intensely.

Pulling away from the hot, panting kiss, Malyn looked cautiously up at Layla’s face. Her long, dishevelled hair cast shadows that gave her an intense, dark expression. Layla’s face was slightly flushed.

“…What should I call you…?”

Should she call her princess or prince? It sounded like a ridiculous question, but Layla whispered quietly, her expression unchanged.

“Whatever you wish.”

And then Layla pressed her lips against hers once more. Their soft lips slid against each other, tongues mingling amidst soft moans. As Layla sucked repeatedly on her upper lip, she kissed the corner of her mouth, then her chin, then lowered her lips to kiss and lick just below. Malyn felt her head spin.

Malyn stared at the man’s face as if captivated. The usual paleness was nowhere to be seen, and his flushed lips beneath his prominent nose stirred something in her. As he looked at her with those unfocused blue eyes, she wondered if she looked the same.

One of the hands that had been running down her back slid to the nape of her neck and pulled her closer. They lost themselves in a passionate kiss, their tongues intertwining, and before she knew it, Malyn was lying on the bed. The calloused hand hesitated for a moment before moving down to her waist. The side of her waist tingled at the touch and Malyn tilted her head to the side. The man immediately took advantage of her exposed neck, kissing and sucking the skin.

“No,”

Even in her excitement, Malyn quickly pushed his chest away. Layla flinched and drew back.

“Sorry…”

“The king doesn’t leave marks on me like this.”

Malyn lifted her upper body slightly and loosened her top in front of Layla. She could feel Layla straddling her, hesitating in surprise at her bold move. But Malyn was relentless, lifting her br*ast above the neckline of her dress. A bright red handprint was clearly visible on her br*ast, along with scars here and there.

“…Unless you squeeze like this.”

“…I know.”

Layla spat out the words almost bitterly.

“I saw that when I washed you.”

“…Did you really look?”

Malyn turned her head away and bit her lip. She had assumed that someone like Layla would find it shameful to even look at the n*ked br*ast of a lowly woman like herself. When Malyn whispered the question, Layla frowned.

“I never thought of it like that.”

“Then, why were you always so angry?”

“…I was angry?”

“You always seemed so furious, your ears turning bright red.”

Layla listened to Malyn’s words and seemed to lose all energy, throwing her hair back with a tired expression. Her long hair tumbled behind her, only to fall forward again. Now that she looked closer, he looked delicate and beautiful as a man, but rather plain as a woman. No wonder he often lowered his gaze. As Malyn silently admired his face, Layla finally spoke.

“…I was never angry.”

“Then…”

Malyn covered her mouth, her eyes widening before she broke into a smile. She hadn’t realised it before, but there seemed to be a sweet side to him. Layla sighed softly.

“I just… have trouble controlling my emotions.”

But Malyn knew that was just a roundabout way of saying something else. She reached out and touched Layla’s thigh. Layla flinched in shock.

“Is this what you mean by not being able to control it?”

Her hand cupped something thick and firm. Even though he was wearing heavy underwear, she could feel its familiar texture. She was also a little surprised – it was a bit much to grasp with just one hand. Was this what he was hiding in that dress?

“You’re good at it…….”

Malyn murmured in amazement. Layla spoke, sounding slightly annoyed.

“Your hand…”

“Oh.”

Only then did Malyn realise that she was unconsciously fiddling with Layla’s p*nis. And when she looked up at Layla’s face, she fully understood. Layla’s face was flushed and she seemed to be forcing a grimace that made it look like she was furiously angry.

So this person wasn’t really angry, after all.

Suddenly, all of Layla’s past expressions made sense. Malyn let go, smiling mischievously.

“If you weren’t angry, what were you thinking?”

“Are you curious?”

Layla asked in a soft, deep voice. Malyn narrowed her eyes and smiled, but was soon pushed back by Layla’s hand. Layla wrapped her large hand around Malyn’s neck, pinning her to the bed. He leaned over her, almost devouring her, and captured her br*ast in his lips.

“Ah!”

Malyn moaned, but the greedy movements of his tongue didn’t stop. A ticklish, thrilling sensation rose from beneath her abdomen. Malyn shivered, letting out soft sounds from her throat. Layla stroked her other br*ast gently, then reached out, grasped it completely and kneaded it. Then she sucked on her n*pple and whispered.

“I’m going to lick your br*ast, I’m going to bite you and …….”

“Please lick me.”

Malyn replied immediately, not letting his words go unanswered. Instead of answering, Layla gently bit the tip of her n*pple.

“Ah, ah.”

Malyn let out a high-pitched moan before quickly covering her mouth. What if Anessa, Nadia and the others were still outside and could hear everything going on in the room?

“…From my room, I can’t really hear much of what’s going on inside yours.”

“How do you know that?”

“How do you think I know?”

Layla licked her br*ast with his tongue. It was a cautious yet greedy movement, as if savouring a sweet confection. Despite the pleasure that clouded her mind, Malyn let out a nasal laugh.

“Have you been eavesdropping on my room from yours?”

“I used to lean against the door and if I heard you move, I’d use it as an excuse to come in and cover you with a blanket… hoping that maybe my fingertips would brush against your bare skin…”

How obedient and devoted. When Malyn raised her eyebrows, Layla smiled faintly – a smile she’d never seen before.

“…and then I’d touch myself alone, imagining it.”

Malyn found herself momentarily captivated, unable to look away. It was the first time she had ever seen Layla smile like that. It wasn’t a smile of mockery or resignation. It was alive, and as Malyn stared at that expression, Layla pressed her groin against her thigh. The firm, large mass of flesh twitched against her thigh, separated by only a few layers of thin fabric. The familiar yet strange, utterly primal sensation made Malyn swallow hard.