The savage prince

"Bambi." Hugo looked at me dead in the eye, batting his eyes lazily. "If I'm the one who changed you, I will sin. Although I do not mind committing one, the least I want is you hating me."

I blinked as his words repeated in my head. What did he mean by that? Hugo let out a deep sigh, raising both his index fingers.

"This is you naked, and this is me naked," he said, wiggling his finger and then the other. "If I see you naked, you and I will mate... for sure."

I felt the heat in my face increase while staring at those index fingers bumping against each other. Did he say we would mate? Like spending the night? Also, did he have to emphasize the word naked each time?!

"The next thing you know, you will have cute little pups like magic." Hugo smacked his lips and forced a smile that didn't reach his eye. "You understand?"

"I... was just asking if you are sure." I breathed out while averting my face away, covering my lips with the back of my fist. Can he be a little less blunt? How could he say such things so lightheartedly? Wasn't he embarrassed? Well, considering he was running all night bare like a pervert, what else could I expect?

"I know, but I don't like you doubting me." He intoned nonchalantly. "You don't have to worry, Bambi. I won't touch you."

I slowly set my eyes on him and cautiously studied him. He smiled at me with his head tilting.

"For now, at least," he affirmed. I didn't know if he intend to ease my worry, but it didn't! It terrified me!

'But then again, you owe him your life,' my subconscious mind commented sarcastically. 'Weren't you determined to sell your body and soul to survive? He is a far better option than becoming a slave, right?'

My breathing grew slower as I nodded. "Then, thank you."

"Huh? Why do you look so sad?" he asked, but I shook my head and answered, "nothing." While clasping my skirt.

"Bambi, look here," he instructed, which I did. Hugo already had his arm over the backrest of the chair while gazing at me.

"What I mean by that is, I won't touch you unless you want me to. I won't lie about desiring you and making you mine, but I won't do anything unless you give me consent. That is my hundred percent honesty. I want you to be honest with me as well."

I studied his solemn expression and noticed how the carefreeness in his aura disappeared. His eyes just reflected the sincerity of his claims and that... felt reassuring.

"Thank you," I repeated, but with a weak smile on my face this time. "But... why do you like me?"

"I wonder... was it ten years ago?" Hugo titled his head with a misplaced innocence on his charming face. "Do I need reasons to like someone? My heart is not mine anymore the first time I laid my eyes on you and I can't even explain that."

Such romantic words... but my heart was not moved in the slightest. Or rather, my heart was still processing all the emotions circling in it that I didn't how to react or feel.

"Is that so?"

Hugo didn't speak anymore after telling me to eat and then excused himself. I blankly stared at the shut door where he left.

"His heart is not his anymore, huh?" I smiled bitterly, recalling how romantic those words should sound.

During my time in the palace, I used to read romance novels to kill time. Just like everybody else, I also wanted to experience such a beautiful romance; hear sincere words that could move even the mountains, and feel that ardent love. But now... I don't think my heart was prepared for it.

Hugo was kind, albeit a little strange. He could be vicious and then back to his carefree self. He confused me and made me wonder what was his actual face.

Was he that man who would squash down a person's head without batting an eye? Or was he the person who would smile generously?

"You can't fall for it," I whispered, convincing myself that I shouldn't concern myself with the matters of the heart right now. I just lost my family, my friends, and the servants I considered as my family as well.

"I shouldn't foolishly fall for words... even if he saved me, right?"

I shook my head once again to shrug everything Hugo spouted just now. Instead, I continued eating to regain my strength. But the more I eat, the more tears rolled down my cheek. I didn't stop, though. There was no need to sulk for a long time for the things I couldn't do anything anymore.

Although it hurt as if my heart was being stabbed, I should move on.

Just like the town of Clayburn here in Althea, the world continued to revolve. I should also force myself to carry on or else... I would just continue to fall in this paralyzing agony and get left behind.

'Survive... Mother, that is what I will do.' I gobbled up everything, shoveling the food in my mouth, while constantly wiping my tears with my arm.

*******

Meanwhile, outside her room, Hugo stood outside for a long time. His face was blank, thinking of everything he had told her just now.

'Damn...' he winced in irritation while ruffling his head. 'Stupid fucking mouth!'

Apparently, he didn't mean to confess the feelings he carried for years. But he just went on and on out of habit, and now, he believed he scared her!

"Oh! Alpha..." Kieran and Cyran, who were heading to their room, caught sight of him in the corridor. The former raised his hand but stopped midway upon noticing that the Alpha was in a terrible mood.

"What's wrong with him? Did he accidentally kill that human girl?" Kieran wondered as they stared at Hugo curiously. "But there's no blood in him... did he lick it clean?"

They stared at Hugo until the latter slowly raised his head. The twins froze as soon as they caught how Hugo's eyes glinted in red while storming away from Rinnie's room.

"Uh... Alpha?" Cyran called, but Hugo passed by them as if he didn't hear him. The two could only watch his broad back and looked at each other.

"Bet," Kieran told his brother. "I'm betting he accidentally killed her."

"I think it's the opposite. He didn't kill her, but left her paralyzed."

The two brothers nodded, as they didn't bother telling the stakes. Instead, they cautiously walked towards the room where Rinnie was staying at.

"Should we knock?" asked Cyran to his brother. "But what if she's dead?"

"We'll just peek," Kieran suggested and both of them nodded in unison. With his lead, they slowly opened the door and peeked through the small gap. To their surprise, she was neither dead nor paralyze. The woman inside was crying while stuffing her mouth with food.

The two of them looked at each other and discreetly closed the door before she could notice. Once it shut closed, they remained silent and scrunched their nose up.

"Alpha Hugo is so heartless... how can he make such a little girl cry?" Kieran uttered in dismay, finding fault in making her cry but not killing her.

Cyran nodded in agreement. "Alpha Hugo is indeed cruel. He never forgets to live up to his reputation as the savage prince. Although it baffles me, why will he make enemies of those damn bats for her?"