Volume 1 Сhарtеr 12: Whу Is She… Alwaуs Sо Uniquely Diffеrent
“Bеаr with it а littlе lоngеr.” Thе vоiсе at her shоulder was hoarsе аnd gritty.
Не trulу did nоt wаnt her tо sее him in this state.
Sinсе childhоod, he had bеen diffеrent from othеrs. Thе roуаl family, with his рair of ambеr еуеs, regardеd him аs а sаcrificiаl offеring to the hеavens tо praу for a prоsреrous еrа, while everуonе еlse saw him аs an anоmalу.
Еsрeсially аfter theу disсоvered that in moments of intense рlеasure, his eyеs wоuld uncontrollаblу flush red, people avoided him like the plague.
From then on, ordinary things could no longer stir his interest, until he tasted the thrill of killing. Watching those wide-eyed expressions, a hundred times uglier, the wickedness deep in his bones began to surface.
Nothing pleased him more than killing, except for Yun Jiao.
After waves of physical excitement surged through him, came an exhilaration that was difficult to suppress.
He wanted to die right there on her.
Or perhaps he wanted her to die with him, their bones, blood, and even souls mingling and merging, staying with him forever.
Yan Shi’s arms tightened around her, and just as Yun Jiao thought she might be crushed to death, he finally loosened his grip.
Yun Jiao looked up and met his eyes, her heartbeat skipping a beat.
The narrow corners of his eyes were misted with a damp redness, his gaze appearing both affectionate and alluring, as if holding a handful of indescribable emotion.
To put it more bluntly, it looked as though he had just endured a ravaging.
Yun Jiao stared at his eyes, slightly dazed.
In that moment of eye contact, Yan Shi’s heart trembled.
This look was exactly the same as when the princes and princesses first saw him as a child.
First, a dazed stare, followed by astonishment, then turning into strangeness and fear, ultimately transforming into cries of terror and curses.
Yan Shi narrowed his eyes, imperceptibly slowing his breathing. The emotions that had been stirred up moments ago were suddenly doused with cold water; after the pleasure faded, a wave of irritation surged forth.
His fingertips trembled slightly as he suppressed the urge to turn his head and hide his eyes.
Had the redness in his eyes not yet faded?
Or… had she seen it after all?
What would she say? Would she call him an anomaly or a Monster? Or perhaps say he was disgusting?
But he was exactly this Monster-like appearance, born a Monster.
His thumb rubbed slowly, his irritation growing.
So annoying. He didn’t want to guess anymore.
Nor did he want to see these eyes anymore, nor hear those hateful words come from her mouth.
Just gouge her eyes out. Then she would only have to say the things he wanted to hear.
It was just losing her eyes, nothing serious. He would still like her.
As Yan Shi’s hand moved, before it could touch her eyes, Yun Jiao took his hand and placed it on her shoulder.
“My shoulder is so sore. Rub it for me.” Her voice was soft, coquettish, and lazy.
Yan Shi stiffened, his whole body freezing, confusion flashing in his eyes.
She didn’t say she was afraid?
Nor did she show disgust. She was just acting spoiled, asking him to rub her shoulder.
Why is she… always so uniquely different.
As Yan Shi lowered his gaze, Yun Jiao’s heart leaped into her throat. Just moments ago, his eyes had held unmistakable killing intent.
Secretly clenching her palm, she wasn’t very confident she could placate him.
Time passed slowly, agonizingly.
Finally, the hand on her shoulder began to knead gently.
Yun Jiao instinctively shivered for a moment, and Yan Shi resumed his unhurried, leisurely tone.
“Afraid?”
Yun Jiao deliberately relaxed her back, shook her head, and lifted a pair of innocent eyes to look at him. “Not afraid at all. Yun Jiao likes the Prince too much to be afraid. What are you talking about, Your Highness?”
Yan Shi looked at her for a moment, then let out a soft laugh.
Little liar.Clearly afraid, yet stubbornly refusing to admit it.
But strangely, he couldn’t muster even a hint of anger toward her.
Yet from the moment she decided to stay by his side, she should have known—even if she was afraid, she would remain with him.
Yan Shi gently tucked the stray strands of hair from her forehead behind her ear, then slowly crouched before her, gazing into her eyes. “How much do you like me?”
Yun Jiao met his gaze, her mind gradually replaying the moments since they first met.
Rumors painted him as unpredictable, his moods shifting like the wind. Yet, with just a little coquetry from her, his anger would dissipate.
The most outrageous thing he ever did was ask for a kiss, and even then, his reaction made it clear he enjoyed it—though he tried hard to conceal it.
That reaction seemed more like a defense, a fear, as if he were shielding himself with thorns.
Could it be that he was afraid of being rejected, of being abandoned?!
Yun Jiao leaned forward, cupping his face in her hands, and pressed her lips lightly against his—a fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
“Very much.”
For a moment, Yan Shi’s heart fluttered. His eyelashes trembled slightly as he whispered softly, “Very much… why?”
He wasn’t as likable as others. His temperament was unstable, and he was born under a curse. Even his own father and mother saw him as a stain. Why would anyone like him?
Yun Jiao smiled brightly, answering candidly, “Because the Prince is very handsome.”
Yan Shi was taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected such an answer. He raised a hand to touch his face. “Is that so?”
Liking his face… well, that was still a form of liking, wasn’t it?
But if she lost her eyes, how would she look at him? And if she couldn’t look at him, how could she continue to like him?
Plucking out eyeballs was something he had no interest in doing.
What he wanted was for her to like him—only him.
Smack.
Yun Jiao, her face flushed, kissed him again, silently answering his question.
Yan Shi lazily lifted his gaze.
For the first time ever, a gentleness he had never shown before appeared in his eyes. His tone was soft and lingering as he asked, “Why are you stealing a kiss from This Prince?”
As he spoke, he stood up and took her hand, leading her out of the dining hall.
Yun Jiao let out a sigh of relief. It seemed she had managed to soothe him.
He was so difficult to placate!
She pouted and huffed, “I am the Prince’s Princess Consort. What’s wrong with giving you a kiss?”
Her tone was bold and unapologetic.
“Mm.” Yan Shi acknowledged with a hum. “Jiao Jiao is This Prince’s Princess Consort. Of course, a kiss is allowed.”
The way he said “Jiao Jiao” was especially tender and alluring.
Yun Jiao felt her face grow warm, a wave of shyness washing over her.
The corners of Yan Shi’s lips curled into a faint smile, his mood clearly lifted. “Jiao Jiao is also This Prince’s treasure. Two kisses would be perfectly reasonable.”
“Huh??” Is that how the word “treasure” is supposed to be used? Yun Jiao glanced at him sideways.
Yan Shi chuckled softly and continued in a gentle tone, “Since Jiao Jiao likes This Prince so much, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for her to kiss This Prince until his lips are worn out.”
“?!!!” When did she ever say she wanted to kiss him until his lips were worn out?!
Yan Shi’s smile deepened. “Not just This Prince’s face—even if you wanted to kiss This Prince from head to toe, top to bottom, This Prince would agree.”
“As long as my treasured Princess Consort is happy.”
“Jiao Jiao still owes This Prince three hundred and twenty-five kisses. Would you like to pay them now?”
“!!!”
Yun Jiao’s face burned with embarrassment at his words. From the look of it, wasn’t he the one who wanted to kiss her more?!
He was the one who looked utterly pleased and satisfied!
Yan Shi was tall and long-limbed, while she was petite, only reaching his chest. She had to stand on her tiptoes with all her might just to reach him.
“Your Highness, stop talking!”
Yan Shi loosely wrapped an arm around her waist, gently pulling her hands down. Her slender hands were so small that he could easily envelop them.
Before Yun Jiao could break free, Yan Shi suddenly pressed a kiss to her wrist.The tip of his nose brushed against her skin, and a faint scent of magnolia drifted into his nostrils, utterly intoxicating.
Where he had kissed her felt tingly and itchy. Yun Jiao tried to pull her hand back but couldn’t free it. Yan Shi’s long, upturned eyelashes brushed faintly against her skin with each blink, making the sensation even more unbearable.
Once.
Twice.
Holding her wrist, Yan Shi trailed upward toward her palm, gently licking every inch of her skin.
Yun Jiao’s mind exploded with a thunderous realization—when had he learned to do such things?!
Only when he reached her palm did Yan Shi reluctantly straighten up, taking out a handkerchief to wipe his lips.
Yun Jiao’s face flushed crimson, her heart pounding wildly. A familiar warmth crept up her earlobes as she shot him a coquettish glare.
With affection in his eyes, Yan Shi chuckled, “Yes, yes, This Prince is a scoundrel.”
“You…” Yun Jiao choked back her anger, huffed, and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
Her angry expression was simply adorable.
He loved it.
In the future, he would have to think of more ways to make her angry.
When Chu Yi hurried in, his steps faltered for a moment, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Was this man with such a doting expression really his master, whose moods were usually impossible to read?
Quickly suppressing his shock, he lowered his gaze and bowed, reporting, “Master, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace.”