That nearly “scandalous” scene in the racecourse box was like a depth charge dropped into the lake of Arthur’s heart, the aftershocks leaving him unable to compose himself for several days.
Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw Shen Yanzi’s deep, dangerous gaze as he licked the wine stain from his fingertip, and felt the scorching touch of that calloused thumb against his Adam’s apple.
It was too much…
It was truly far too much…
Arthur felt like a cat being held by the scruff of its neck by a predator numb all over, unable to move, both terrified of the unknown danger and strangely sinking into the intense thrill of being completely controlled.
He avoided Shen Yanzi for two days. Using other Royal duties as an excuse, he even had his assistant relay messages for project meetings. He needed time to digest everything, time to rebuild his mental defenses.
Whatever happened to the plan for slow, subtle flirting?
How did we suddenly board a rocket ship straight toward the “Restricted” category?!
Shen Yanzi, for his part, didn’t pressure him. However, the daily “breakfast of love” continued to appear punctually at Arthur’s seat in the conference room. Occasional work emails arrived in a tone as calm and professional as ever, as if the person who had lost control at the racecourse wasn’t him. This “calm after the storm” only made Arthur more flustered.
What on earth is this “closet” flirt thinking?!
Just as Arthur was so conflicted he was nearly scratching himself bald, another unavoidable occasion arrived: the annual Royal Charity Auction Gala. As a core member of the Royal Family, he was required to attend in full dress and play his role as a charity ambassador.
The gala was, as always, the height of luxury. Crystal chandeliers, elegant figures, and clinking glasses filled the room. Arthur, dressed in white velvet formal wear with his golden-brown hair styled meticulously, wore an impeccable smile as he moved among the generous philanthropists and celebrities. Yet, his heart felt somewhat empty.
His eyes instinctively searched the crowd. Despite telling himself not to look, his gaze was uncontrollable.
Then, he saw him.
Shen Yanzi had also come. He stood in a somewhat inconspicuous corner, still in his perennial black suit. With his tall stature and cold aura, he held a drink while engaging in a low-voiced conversation with an elderly banker. He seemed to sense Arthur’s gaze, as his eyes swept over indifferently.
Their gazes met briefly in the air. Like someone who had been burned, Arthur snapped his head back, his heart thumping wildly and his cheeks heating up uncontrollably. He could feel that gaze lingering on his back for several seconds before it slowly moved away.
Bastard… Arthur cursed inwardly, yet he felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
He came.
The auction proceeded smoothly. Various jewels, artworks, and even luxury experience opportunities were generously bid upon by the wealthy. As the host representative, Arthur was busy playing the role of a mascot smiling, applauding, and offering words of thanks at the appropriate times.
Finally, the auctioneer presented a necklace.
It was an antique sapphire necklace. The center stone was a massive royal blue sapphire, its color as rich as a midnight sky, surrounded by brilliant diamonds. The chain was delicate platinum, and the design was classically elegant, emitting an understated yet luxurious glow under the lights.
“Distinguished guests, our next item comes from the late nineteenth century…”
Arthur’s gaze was instantly captivated by the piece. It wasn’t because of its value, but because the style and color were strikingly similar to a lost heirloom his late mother had once dearly loved. As a child, he would often lean against her dressing table, watching her wear it for important occasions.
An indescribable sense of nostalgia and yearning surged in his heart. He stared at the necklace, his eyes focused and full of… desire.
However, he quickly restrained his emotions. This was a charity auction; the price would surely be driven very high. Though he was a Prince, his private accounts weren’t so deep that he could recklessly squander money on such things. He simply watched in silence, feeling a small sense of regret.
The bidding began. The starting price was already high, and several magnates and socialites raised their paddles in quick succession, the price climbing steadily. Arthur let out a soft sigh and withdrew his gaze, taking a sip of wine as he prepared for the next item.
Just as the price reached a staggering figure and the pace of bidding slowed while the auctioneer began repeating the call a low, calm, yet unmistakably clear voice rang out from a quiet corner of the hall.
“Double.”
The voice wasn’t loud, yet it was like a boulder crashing into a calm lake, instantly drawing the attention of the entire room! Everyone looked in shock toward the source.
It was Shen Yanzi.
He had put down his glass at some point and was holding his bidding paddle, his expression detached, as if the person who had just thrown out such a shocking price wasn’t him.
The auctioneer froze for a moment before reacting, his voice trembling with excitement: “This gentleman bids… double the previous high! Are there any higher bids?”
The crowd erupted in an uproar!
Double?!
That was an astronomical sum! Just for a sapphire necklace?! While it was for charity, the scale of this move was far too grand!
Arthur was completely stunned. The hand holding his wine glass froze in mid-air, his eyes wide and round as he stared at Shen Yanzi in disbelief.
Is… is he crazy?!
Does he know what he’s doing?!
No one else raised a paddle. This price far exceeded the intrinsic value of the necklace; it was purely a contribution to the charity’s figures. The auctioneer’s gavel fell with a speed that suggested he was afraid the man might retract the bid.
“Sold! Congratulations to this gentleman!”
The spotlight and every eye in the room instantly focused on Shen Yanzi. He maintained his expressionless facade, giving a slight nod as if he had merely bid on an ordinary document.
The emcee clearly didn’t want to miss this opportunity to create a buzz. Smiling as he picked up the brilliant necklace, he spoke into the microphone: “Mr. Shen is so generous, adding such a magnificent stroke to our charitable cause! Would I have the honor of inviting you to place this symbol of love and goodwill onto our beautiful Highness, so we may record this wonderful moment?”
The moment those words were spoken, every gaze in the room shifted back to Arthur!
Arthur’s face exploded into a brilliant red!
This… this was too sudden! In front of so many people?! He looked toward Shen Yanzi for help, hoping the man would refuse.
Shen Yanzi, however, merely gave him a flat glance. Then, amidst the expectant gazes and applause of the crowd, he composedly walked up onto the stage.
A waiter brought a velvet tray holding the necklace to him. Shen Yanzi picked up the priceless piece and walked toward Arthur. The spotlight followed him, and every eye was fixed on this impending, highly symbolic scene.
Arthur remained frozen on the spot, his hands and feet cold and his heart beating so fast it felt like it would leap from his chest. He watched Shen Yanzi approach step by step. Those bottomless black eyes appeared exceptionally deep under the intense lights, locking onto Arthur.
He moved behind Arthur. The distance between them was so small Arthur could feel the warmth of his body and that familiar scent of cedar. Shen Yanzi lifted his arms, draping the necklace around Arthur’s neck.
The cool sensation of the gems and metal touched his skin, making Arthur shiver slightly. Shen Yanzi’s fingers seemed practiced as they toyed with the clasp at the back of Arthur’s neck. Cool fingertips occasionally brushed against the sensitive skin of Arthur’s nape, sending waves of tiny tremors through him.
Arthur was stiff all over, his head bowed and his cheeks red enough to bleed. He didn’t dare look at the ambiguous and curious gazes from the audience. He could hear his own deafening heartbeat and the suppressed, excited whispers from below.
Shen Yanzi seemed to intentionally slow his movements. His warm breath fanned over Arthur’s ear and nape, bringing an indescribable itch and numbness.
Finally, the clasp seemed to be secured. Arthur was just about to breathe a sigh of relief and take a quiet step forward to create some distance
When Shen Yanzi suddenly leaned down, drawing even closer. His lips were practically pressed against Arthur’s earlobe as he spoke in a low, dangerous, raspy whisper that only the two of them could hear:
“If you can’t undo it…”
“…you’ll just have to follow me.”
Arthur’s entire body went rigid, blood rushing to his head instantly!
He… did he do something to the necklace?!
He instinctively reached up to touch the clasp at his nape. Shen Yanzi, as if anticipating the move, used one hand to seemingly naturally press down on Arthur’s shoulder, stopping the motion. His other hand gave a final adjustment to the sapphire at the front, his fingertips brushing almost-but-not-quite against the skin of Arthur’s collarbone.
Only then did he straighten up and pull away. His face returned to its usual detachment as he gave a slight nod to the audience, as if that earth-shattering whisper had never happened.
Spotlights flashed, and applause thundered.
Arthur, however, remained frozen as if a binding spell had been cast on him. His face was flushed through, his ears were buzzing, and nothing remained in his mind but the words “If you can’t undo it, you’ll just have to follow me” echoing wildly.
This madman!
Paranoid!
Control freak!
He actually… used this method… in front of everyone…
In the audience, Prince Juan of Spain didn’t look pleased. He spoke sourly to those beside him: “Tsk, what a grand gesture…”
As for Arthur, after the initial shock and shame passed feeling the heavy, cool sensation of the gems against his neck and the lingering warmth of Shen Yanzi’s fingertips on his skin…
An extremely complex mix of shock, embarrassment, and an uncontrollable surge of palpitation and sweetness coiled around his heart like a vine.
He suddenly lifted his head, looking at the back of Shen Yanzi as the man walked off the stage and rejoined the crowd. For some reason, the rims of his eyes felt a bit hot.
He bit his lower lip and suddenly raised his hand not to undo the necklace, but to gently grasp the cool sapphire at his chest, his fingertips applying a slight pressure.
Then, he turned toward Prince Juan, who had just been speaking sourly, and flashed an incredibly radiant, slightly smug smile. His voice was clear as he spoke:
“It suits me perfectly.”