I looked at my husband lying in bed. He's wearing a black robe which shows his bare chest, and a golden mask which covers half of his face.

The surroundings are dim, but there are fragrant candle lights around which give subtle warm light and sweet scent. It is obvious that the set-up was made for us to enjoy the night activity together. Thinking this, my face feels hot.

I haven't prepared my heart to this extent yet.

"You're late," Mingyu said while on lying on the huge bed.

I looked at him with my heart pounding.

"I almost fell asleep while waiting."

I clenched my hands and felt grateful that he only complained about me being late. Just a moment ago, he caught me asking question to the maid about another man. I thought he'll interrogate me once we came inside the room. But it seems, he already forgot everything.

'I cannot tell anything about Wonwoo. His life will be in danger if Mingyu finds that I am interested at him.'

Gathering my strength, I detached my lips and answered, "I am s-sorry. I have something to think."

"Think?"

He tilted his head, as if wondering what else should I think besides coming to his room and spending our night together. So, I quickly explained.

"Y-You know. This is my first time to get married to someone."

Mingyu quickly retorted, "Of course. It will be weird if I get a wife who was already married before."

Hearing his answer made me realize how stupid I was to come up with a lame excuse. So, within a short period of time, I put my brain to work and soon opened my mouth again.

"What I was saying is I am nervous."

Mingyu suddenly became silent.

Under the golden mask, I could feel his gaze touched me. It has intensity which made me broke into sweat. I couldn't deny the overwhelming imbalance of power between us.

'Did I offend him?'

Just him being with me alone in the room was making me want to go run and bury my head in a pillow. As my heart threatened to burst forth from my ribcage, I caressed the goosebumps on my arm.

'What to do? As seconds pass by, this damn silent war is choking me to death.'

All of a sudden, I remembered what he said to me before we walked inside the room. Mingyu said that I shall be punished for making him wait. Perhaps, I can use that reason.

Feeling the throb on my throat, I peered into him and spoke carefully.

"You told me before that you'll punish me for making you wait. So, I felt apologetic."

I didn't mean to blame him that's why I got so freaking nervous. But, I hope it'll help.

"Come here."

When he asked me to come towards his side, I felt the rising tide from my head to toe. My mouth went dried, I found myself swallowing nothing but air.

Mingyu reached his hand and with a languid smile, he repeated, "I say come here."

His invitation is like a fire that will burn me any moment. Deep in the pit of my stomach, I felt the churn which made my knees wobbly.

'Once I went to his side, it's over.'

Mingyu will find out that I am not virgin anymore. What will come next?

He'll kill me.

I was so ready to die before but now, I have no reason to give up my life.

I had to see Wonwoo again. I cannot die like this.

As my vision went woozy, I approached the bed. I don't know if sweat is dripping into my eyes or it was my tears falling down.

My body trembles as I hopped on the bed. Every little creaks sounds a thousand times louder, and the pace around me crawls slowly.

'Shall I beg for my life once this over?'

I doubt the ruthless Mingyu will hear me out.

There's no way. No way.

"Ahhh!" I gasped when I felt his hand pulled me down.

My cheek fell on the soft pillow and my body bounced back. For a moment, my mind went blank. I thought what will come next is receiving his harsh touch and kiss. But...

"Your punishment," Mingyu whispered on my ear. "It is to sleep beside me all night."

With my mouth slightly parted, I watched him moved a bit away. His face was only inches away from me, and behind his mask, I saw his dark red eyes close to blood which gave me a chilling thrill. Even though he's wearing a mask, it didn't hide his sharp jawline that boasted a rough masculine beauty.

"How hellish it would be to sleep beside a man behind the many rumors? It would be a torture to fall asleep while worrying about your pretty neck, darling."

I felt the cold in my neck even though no wind came inside the room.

Gulps. I swallowed dry saliva.

"This is your punishment. So, good luck on falling asleep."

The bed shook. For a moment I thought there was an earthquake. But no. It was only from Mingyu who moved away from me. Soon, his grip on my wrist disappeared.

Prince Mingyu turned around.

All I could see right now is his wide back, his black smooth hair and the tie of the mask around his head.

'Don't tell me, this is it?'

The punishment he's talking about is not having a rough s*x with me or killing me?

My brain stopped processing when the shock registered in my mind. Never did I imagine that the maniac in the rumor would only ask me to sleep beside him. LITERALLY JUST SLEEP.

He called this a torture. I can agree.

It is true that it will be hard to sleep with a man who can kill me any time he wants.

But, against the rumors, this is too light.

It is as if someone told me that I can meet a dinosaur if I go inside the room, but when I stepped in, I only saw a lizard instead.

Not that I am saying that prince Knox looks like a lizard. In fact, when I saw his face up close, I doubt that someone like him has a monstrous face. It's the opposite.

'He looks very pretty. I guess.'

Having these weird thoughts, I quickly turned my back and faced the opposite side.

'Are you crazy? Why did you think that he's pretty?! You must be really insane,' I told to myself while pressing my beating chest.

I had to value my life more than a fleeting pleasure. Besides, this is Prince Mingyu.

Even if he showed me mercy for the first night, I cannot guarantee that he'll be kind to the next days ahead.

'Wait a minute. Did I call him "kind" just now?'

Sigh escaped from my lips.

I didn't know why he's being so indifferent from the rumors. But I should be grateful.

'Tonight, my life was saved. But tomorrow, I need to come up with a plan on how to meet Wonwoo and escape.'

-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------

Just like what Mingyu said, it was a torture night.

I hardly fell asleep in fear that Knox will kill me in the middle of the night. Every time he breathed loudly, he moved or even flinched, my body went on tremor.

The tension kept all night until my eyes got tired and I finally fell into sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt the ache all over my body.

"Ahhhh," I groaned while laying down on the bed.

This is all because I stayed in my position for a long time that I felt all numb. Even if I wanted to toss around, I couldn't in fear that I might catch a glimpse of his half-covered face.

Holding my throbbing waist, I sat up and looked around the spacious room.

The space beside me is empty, which means Mingyu left me while I was still asleep.

'Thank goodness. If he stays here, I'll get tired for being scared again.'

I brushed my eyes and blinked several times.

I need more sleep, but I cannot stay on bed forever. Chances might drift away.

As I stared at nothing, I began to think about the reason why Mingyu declined to touch me last night.

'Is he not in the mood?'

'Did he really get tired of waiting that's why he decided to sleep?'

'Or what if, he didn't find me attractive?'

I looked at my body. Besides my face, I am confident at my body too. I have old scars from the past when my family abused me, though.

Well, whatever that weird Knox's reason is, it gave me a chance to survive for another day. It would be better if he doesn't really find me attractive.

Agreeing on my own idea, I nodded my head. Then, I heard the door opened.

My heart fell down for a moment, but it went back when I saw the maid coming in.

'Phew. I thought Knox came back.'

"Good morning, Princess," the maid, who accompanied me last night, greeted. "The Prince came out because he has business to do. Do you want me to prepare for your bath or to bring your breakfast?"

"You will... bring me my breakfast?" I asked with my loosened eyes.

"Yes, I will if you prefer that."

That's weird.

As the illegitimate daughter in Esquar, no one has brought me breakfast on bed. I was prohibited eating with my family, and I can only eat once the servants finished their meals. That was my life as the rejected princess in the Esquar.

But here, they are treating me so special.

Is this normal?

Can I really enjoy this kind of treatment?

"T-Then, please bring me food," I shyly said to the maid.

The maid smiled at me, a beam that wasn't forced or has any intention behind it. Before she go out to prepare my food, she approached my side. She shoved her hand inside her pocket and then placed a small container above the table.

"This is a medicine," she said.

'Medicine for what?'

"The prince asked us to bring this to you. He said, you must be feeling so sore and painful after what happened last night. So, the Princess should apply this to lessen the pain."

What?

Pain from last night?

"But the two us d..."

I stopped in the middle of the sentence.

My memory is clear. The two of us didn't have s*x together. But for him to give me a medicine to ease the sore, it is probably because he wanted to make it seem like we did it.

If that so, I must act according to what he wants.

"Thank you," I said to the maid. "So glad you gave me this. I am feeling so sore."

Somehow, I felt embarrassed after lying about my condition.

"It is my pleasure, Princess. Then, I will bring you your food."

"S-Sure. I'll be waiting."

When the maid came out, my eyes tended to the medicine which Knox provided.

'He isn't just weird. He is also hard to read.'

After a while, the breakfast really came on my bed.

I have Asparagus soup, Espresso Waffles with Mocha Drizzle, Fried Egg with Hazelnuts, Chanterelles, Green Garlic, and Blackberries, Croissants, Arugula and Pistachio Pesto Quiche, Basque Potato and Pepper Tortilla with Ham and Cheese, Baked Egg Danish with Kimchi and Bacon, and an apple smoothie.

'Wow. Just looking at these made my mouth drool.'

These are all my favorites!

I wonder if this is just a pure coincidence. Today is my first morning in Renoir kingdom. I doubt they would figure out what I like.

"Did you like the dishes, Princess?" the maid asked.

"Y-Yes," I answered.

"If you like more, you can tell me,"

"No!" I answered, waving my hands mid-air. "This is enough. Actually, it will be difficult for me to finish all of these. Really, thank you so much."

Chuckling, the maid replied, "It is my pleasure. But, you don't need to thank me. It is my job to serve you to the fullest."

I know.

The servants' job is to serve their master.

But, what I am thankful for is the kindness she's showing to me.

'This is a kindness that I only received when I ran away from my title as a Princess.'

"I hope you enjoy your food. Please do call me if you have concern," the maid said and she turned around.

"Wait!" I called.

She looked back at me and waited for my words.

"Can you stay with me? I will be lonely to eat alone."

The maid just blinked her eyes.

"You can eat some if you want."

"No," she quickly declined. "I cannot dare share meals with the Princess. But if you want me to stay, I will."

She stood beside me and behaved politely at the side.

It was a lie that I'll get lonely eating alone. I am used of it. The reason why I kept her by my side is because I need to gather information.

I started filling my stomach and gathering strength I needed for today. Then, I turned my head to the quiet maid and began to inquire.

"How long have you been in this place?"

"4 years, Princess," she answered.

I nodded my head. I took a sip on the apple smoothie, then I asked again.

"Then, do you know if there's a man named Wonwo in this palace?"

When I brought Wonwoo, the maid stared at me with wide opened eyes.

'So, she knows him!'

"Well, I s-saw him during the wedding. So, I had a rough guess that there are some people who knows him in this place," I said.

"I know him, Princess," the maid confessed.

My eyes brightened at the good news I heard.

"Actually, he is living in this place."

The beam subsided on my lips. Why would Wonwoo live in the palace of Renoir?

Is he working here?

Or...

"Why would he?" I asked in slow pace.

"Because he is Prince Mingyu's brother. Prince Wonwoo lives in the West palace, Princess."

The spoon I was holding dropped on the floor.