Chapter 74 - Stay
Chapter 74 – Stay
"Your Highness, the bath is ready."
Hugo glanced at the maidservant, who returned to inform him after several long minutes. He didn't speak as he marched towards the bath with Rinnie in his arms.
"We can…"
"I'll do it." His voice was commanding that instantly drew a line between him and the servants inside. "You may go."
"Yes, Your Highness."
With a bow, the servants who were supposed to clean Rinnie left at his command. It was Hugo, after all. The only prince in the royal family one wouldn't want to offend in this lifetime. Although the members of the royal family were strong and terrifying in their own way — cruel, even if necessary — Hugo was the most unreasonable one. So serving him was akin to treading on eggshells.
When they all left, Hugo let out a shallow breath as he gazed down at her. Rinnie wasn't completely asleep as she was grunting and moving weakly.
'Am I going to torture myself?' he wondered, staring at the steam ascending from the tub. 'But I don't want others to see her body anymore…' — even though he was aware that servants would still service her from bathing to dressing up on the following days.
There was just something inside him that didn't want others to touch her tonight. It wasn't lust or his possessiveness. It was more like… he wanted to personally take care of her. She would be very embarrassed if others had to touch her vomit.
"Rinnie," he called while shaking her a bit, hearing her protesting grunt. "My Bambi, stay with me for a while, alright? We need to wash off the dirt on you before we get you to the tub."
"Mhm…" Rinnie frowned, eyes partially closed.
"It'll be quick." He planted a peck on top of her head to soothe her. Hugo then hooked his foot in the stood and dragged it closer, sitting her down as he squatted down in front of her. Rinnie was still frowning, blinking ever so slowly while looking down.
"I feel sick…" came out a weak complaint as she shifted her partially drooping eyes at him. She then raised her heavy arms as if they weight ton over his shoulder and leaned closer to him.
"Bad…" she whispered while closing her eyes. "… Hugo smells bad."
"Mhm. I do," he agreed while rubbing her back. "Rinnie, don't sleep yet. I will clean you first, alright?"
Rinnie slurred her words like a child, making him chuckle. His large palm on her back tapped it gently before he held her shoulders and pushed her lightly. A frown dominated her face, displeased that he wasn't letting her sleep. Her eyes fell on him as he gazed up while squatting down.
"Bear with me for a while, hmm?" he sported a smile, and she nodded after several seconds. "Uhh…"
As she stayed still with deep breaths, Hugo's eyes slid down to her dirty nightdress. He could rip it off in one go, but his heart was drumming against his chest to the point it was painful. He did shoot his own foot for volunteering for this.
"Rinnie." Hugo looked up while resting his arm on his thigh. "I… can't. I'll ask the servants to help you."
He made a mistake. He couldn't do this and he just realized it just now. Also, Rinnie would surely feel like he was taking advantage of her vulnerability to see what she kept hidden from him. Meanwhile, her eyelashes fluttered ever so slowly. Although her eyes were barely open, she could see the conflicted look in his eyes.
In her subconscious mind, she was wondering why he had such a look in his eyes as if he was in a life and death situation. She disliked it. Although not sober, she naturally didn't like to see him in distress. Her intention was good and pure, but the thing was… she was the reason he was in distress.
Rinnie clipped her hand on the drawstrings of his blouse. "Hugo stays with me." Her frown remained before she wrapped her arms around him once again, embracing him securely so he wouldn't leave her side.
"Bambi…"
Her eyes opened as she rested the side of her head on her arm where she was hugging him. "Don't leave me too, Hugo." Came out a muffled voice along with a deep breath.
"Today was fun… but for some reason, I was also upset," she confessed under her breath. "I don't know why I was upset, though. But I am… terrified."
Was it something to do with the werewolves' instincts? That, once Hugo also met his destined mate tomorrow or in any day they all wouldn't expect, she would be… her existence to him, the trust they built from scraps, the memories they had together, would be… meaningless? Rinnie was unsure since she already tucked away that worry to where it couldn't touch her for now.
But… it still left a lingering bitter taste in her mouth. Thus, she didn't want to let him go unconsciously. Even in this 'dream,' she didn't want him to go, afraid it would be an instant nightmare. Just like what happened in Everfell, where she lived a dream life of a princess loved by the king and queen, only to end as a nightmare that had haunted her every time she would close her eyes.
Her arms around his neck tightened as she shut her eyes. "Stay. I will bark for you if that will make you stay… woof."
"Pfft –! Alright, I get it. I won't go." Hugo chuckled helplessly before he sighed, holding her shoulder to create a distance to look at her. "Is this your punishment? I must admit it's actually… cruel."
Rinnie didn't respond and just blinked, staring into his golden eyes and his incomprehensible smile. Without thinking, she bent over and leaned her face closer, planting her lips on his. His eyes dilated for a second as he froze, but it soon softened and his body relaxed.
It was better this way, he thought.. Closing his eyes as he pressed his lips against hers while undressing her ever so slowly.