15 Off-Guard

Percy didn't expect much, so he was busy staring at the maps on the ceiling as the Beggar stepped in, her hands and feet trembling as she stepped into a 'stranger's' chambers. She didn't look up and walked in. Her feet halted as the maid behind her closed the door shut once Tiara was completely inside.

"Your highness, here I am," Tiara meekly whispered, wondering what his plans were. She had heard from the maids that he was cold towards most people. Those kinds of people were the most dangerous ones. Her heart was beating fast. All she wanted to do now was run away.

Percy continued studying the maps as he spoke in his Prince Hao voice, deep and demanding, "Sit."

Tiara bowed slightly before she walked away and found a chair by the intricately designed wooden study table. Prince Hao's eyes shot up and frowned, "Beggar." His voice was scary now and Tiara straightened her back and stilled. Percy stilled too as he took in the girl standing before him. She was...stunning. Percy internally shook his head, 'It's the work of the maids anyway. Plus, this is just a game, Percy! Get your balls in order.'

"Anything wrong, your highness?" she asked.

Prince Hao sat up straight, gathering his robes around him and patted the wide white space next to him, "You're going the wrong way."

Tiara's eyes widened as she saw the space next to him. He wanted her to sit on his bed? She couldn't possibly…

"I don't have all night, Beggar."

"It's Tiara, your highness."

Prince Hao perked up an eyebrow, leaning forward, "Tiara?"

She nodded as she walked forward and slowly sat at the edge of the bed timidly.

Prince Hao started laughing as he saw this shy little lamb in front of him. He couldn't control it and laughed heartily. Tiara just watched, taking in every breath of his in fear.

"You're going to fall out of the bed even before your first night, Beggar! Scoot in closer," he called, lowering the Prince Hao mask for a while. That's when he realized his mistake. Shit. Which medieval Prince said 'Scoot in closer' ?

Tiara narrowed her eyes at that phrase and bent down a little to look at the Prince who had suddenly stopped laughing. "What did you just say?" Calling this man in front of her 'Your highness' might just have to wait.

Percy cleared his throat, "Um, my apologies. I have been reading quite the bizarre collection of books lately."

Tiara pointed at his chest and poked his skin tight, piercing her suspicion into him. Finally it dawned on her.

"You're a Player," she said, relief flooding through her for a while. But she did her best to conceal it. Which Player was this? Who was he or she in real life? Under which branch of the Project was he or she dreaming from?

Prince Hao raised his eyes, "What are you talking about? Player?" he laughed again, "Ah yes, you must have heard from the maids. Yes I'm a player. You're not the first girl to come into my room all dolled up. You look very pretty, I must admit. With the huge amount of girls I send their way, the maids surely have gotten better in their skills."

Tiara almost coughed on her own spit. What nonsense...She cleared her throat and retreated her hand, "That's not what I mean."

Prince Hao leaned closer, letting the black locks of his long hair fall across his face and gently touch Tiara's shoulders, "Mean what, Tiara? Your name doesn't sound like you're from here. Which realm are you from, oh pretty one?"

Tiara smirked at him, despite the close distance. "You didn't call me Beggar."

Prince Hao smirked with her, "Answer my question, Beggar."

Tiara assessed his face and tried to give it a shot. She touched her nose with his. She felt Percy tense under that touch.

"Wha-what are you doing?" Percy asked, his voice back to normal again. Not so high and mighty anymore. She was really successful in catching him off guard. And she didn't even know.

"Scoot over closer? Really, Percy? You think I wouldn't notice?" Tiara chuckled, confirming her suspicions now that he heard her real voice. But she didn't pull back. Her eyes lifted up and met his surprised ones.

He was caught. By a 12 year old. Well, not technically...still.

"You can move away now, Tiara," Percy whispered.

"Why don't you move away first, then?" she asked back, not really knowing what she was doing to him. Percy's heart was racing from this extreme close contact. He felt everything, and since it was a Dream, he felt everything more vividly than it was supposed to feel like. He saw her eyes glitter as she teased him playfully, nudging further into his nose.

His face tilted back slightly in surprise, "Tiara, stop." But he didn't want her to. He wanted her to continue whatever the hell she was doing.

Tiara smiled and caught a lock of his hair and tugged, "Oh Prince Hao, isn't this what you called me in for?" she whispered, trying her best to be seductive. She looked down at his lips and inhaled. Oh God, what was she going to do?

'This is just a Dream anyway, I can do whatever I want,' Tiara consoled herself before leaning back so that their noses weren't touching anymore. Instead, she dove down to kiss his lips.

Percy caught the movement before she even started moving and he screamed and scrambled on top of the bed, running away from her.

The next time Tiara looked up in innocent surprise, Percy was on the other side of the room, holding a fluffy pillow in front of him, "Don't come any closer!" he screamed like he was warding off a bull dog.

Tiara sat up straight and stood on the floor, "Percy, you bastard. How long had you known?"

He smiled sheepishly, dropping his defense, "Your avatar resembles you 100%. It was easy."

Tiara feigned surprise, "Oh is that so?" Then she narrowed her eyes again in anger, "Then why the hell did you order my EXECUTION?!"

Percy laughed, "Sorry, I thought it would be fun."

Oh, so he didn't know. He didn't know what would happen if you get hurt in the game. Tiara sighed and picked up a pillow unconsciously. She explained the whole thing to him and Percy froze.

"Oh…"

"Oh? Is that all you got to say for almost killing me?"

"What else am I supposed to say?" he replied cheekily. He was just glad that she was safe and under his eyesight anyway. He stumbled back as she threw her pillow at him, landing straight on his face.

She had caught him off guard yet again.

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