NOVEL NEXT chapter 105
Time seemed to freeze. I stood there awkwardly, my head turned toward him, staring up. Asgail, a few steps away, shifted his gaze from the man crouched between my thighs up to my face. When our eyes met, he furrowed his brow and looked down again. He stared intently at the guard’s hand, still resting against the inside of my thigh.
“Y-Your Highness!”
The guard had frozen until that moment, but now he snapped out of it, shouting and stumbling backward. I hurriedly pulled up my pants and underwear and pressed myself flat against the wall. The guard who had gone to fetch confirmation from Asgail was nowhere to be seen—he must have taken a wrong turn.
In the hush, the remaining guard knelt before Asgail and bowed hurriedly, stammering, “Y-Your Highness, this—this situation….”
“Daiyv.”
Asgail interrupted the trembling plea with his usual indifferent tone, calling the captain of the guard. Daiyv, standing behind, bowed his head and replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Asgail looked down at the trembling guard and spoke. “Sever both his wrists and gouge out his eyes.”
“My… My Highness!” the guard wailed.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Daiyv answered crisply. At the signal, the other guards sprang into action. As they hauled the guard upright, his still-erect flesh peeked from beneath his tunic. Asgail scowled and exhaled a frustrated sigh.
“Cut off that disgusting thing as well.”
“Mercy, Your Highness! Please, Your Highness!” the guard ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) screamed, but his words were cut off as the guards seized him by the neck, choking him into silence. I pressed myself closer against the wall, watching in horror. Asgail’s eyes found mine—seeing me frozen with fear deepened the crease in his brow. He clearly disliked my reaction. My body shook uncontrollably.
A moment ago I had felt such joy—now it had vanished, leaving only terror of this prince. He had once casually cut off a servant’s wrists in front of me. Today, though he merely gave the order to Daiyv, it was even more cruel: he commanded the man who had touched me to be made blind and helpless.
I was afraid of this Crown Prince, a man who could strike my back with a whip or take my life without a second thought.
“Ah!”
With a short cry, my whole body lifted into the air. Asgail hoisted me effortlessly, draping me over one of his shoulders like a sack. Suspended, I struggled, glancing around in panic. Neither the guards nor the other servants reacted—no one dared question the Crown Prince.
Ignoring my confusion, Asgail walked forward. Carried backward, I passed through a doorway opened wide by the servants. The door closed behind me, and I saw the familiar bedroom ahead. Trying to turn, I caught only a brief glimpse of the bed, which rushed toward me in terrifying speed—even though Asgail’s stride was as calm as ever.
“…!”
He stopped abruptly and flung me onto the bed as if tossing aside a cloak. I collapsed onto the mattress, too startled to cry out. As I tried to scramble away, he reached out and caught my ankle. Dragged back, I ended up in the same spot.
Hah… hah…
Panting, I lay trembling on the bed as Asgail looked down at me in silence. His brow was still furrowed, but he did not appear angry. Even so, my body would not calm. I clenched my fists tightly. Noticing my trembling, Asgail released my ankle and leaned over me. He met my gaze, and I fluttered my eyelids in panic. Before a word, he sighed softly.
“Do you remember what I commanded you to do?”
His calm voice was utterly devoid of emotion. I nodded shakily. He propped himself above me on his hands, leaning over as he continued.
“Then why were you standing like that?”
“B-because,” I struggled to speak, my teeth clenching and catching my tongue until I nearly cried. Asgail waited silently, not pressing me. I summoned what courage remained.
“I—I was afraid you might harm me.”
His face twisted. He let out a short, disbelieving exhale.
“You… be afraid of me?”
He let his gaze sweep me once more before returning to my face. Mortified, I lowered my eyes.
“…I thought you might order an inspection of my body.”
I barely finished the sentence, peeking at him. He still looked as though he’d never heard a more foolish excuse. Embarrassed, I wanted to disappear. Asgail asked again.
“Was there only one servant guarding the door?”
I shook my head. “I did pass on your order… but they didn’t believe me, so they went to confirm with you.”
He fell silent. After several seconds of thought, he spoke again.
“Why did you strip?”
“I—I thought they needed to check if I was hiding anything… so I apologized and undressed.”
When I answered honestly, his violet eyes darkened, and I smelled the intensified pheromones in the air. Asgail asked, “You removed your clothes willingly?”
“…I—I thought it might be correct… I’m sorry…”
I apologized urgently, terrified. He raised a hand. I squeezed my eyes shut, expecting a slap—but no blow came. After a moment, I opened one eye to see him standing motionless, his hand suspended in midair. As I lifted my eyelids further, our eyes met and he moved. His large palm neared my face, and I tensed—then it brushed warmly against my cheek. Surprised by the gentle touch, I shivered, and Asgail spoke.
“So, did you receive the slap?”
His tone was still calm. I shook my head as if in a trance.
“No… he only threatened to strike my buttocks.”
When I answered in a tiny voice, he paused and then offered a bitter smile, surprising me. He said, “A butt I’d like to strike, admittedly.”
“I’m sorry…”
Tears welled in my eyes. Perhaps any butt might inspire him to strike—it was my fault. Guilt and shame flooded me as I sniffled. Then Asgail smiled and took my clenched fists, placing them palm-down on the mattress and pinning them there.
Trembling, I looked up. The Crown Prince gazed down at me. He tipped his head slightly, and I shut my eyes. The next thing I felt was his lips on mine.