“W-Wait, what’s happening…?”
Despite Aselin’s mix of shock and confusion, Claude’s expression remained unchanged, his lips twisting subtly.
“Didn’t you ask for my help before?”
At that moment, Aselin felt as though his intense gaze was unraveling her, strand by strand.
Why is he staring like that? Is he actually going to kiss me?
Her mind flashed back to Claude’s words from days ago.
[It would twist his guts to see his bride touched by another man on their wedding day, wouldn’t it? Just say you need my help, and I’ll make sure he can never hover around you again.]
That day, Claude had been unusually prickly, and she’d nodded absentmindedly to appease him, never expecting him to take it seriously.
As regret sank in, Claude’s heated gaze settled on her lips, his eyes half-glazed, as if he might do something reckless.
Aselin’s body stiffened like a lightning-struck tree.
Her eyes darted, and words shot out like bullets. “Your Highness, I’m sorry, but what I said before wasn’t serious.”
“Not serious?”
“No, I just… I was trying to humor you. I’m sorry.”
Lowering her eyes with a contrite expression, she saw Claude’s lips tilt toward her ear.
“Then I’ll have to punish you for daring to lie to me.”
What’s this?
His voice, despite talk of punishment, was so sweet and honeyed it seemed to melt her eardrums.
And why was he staring at her lips like he was about to devour them?
Is the punishment… what I think it is?
Her face flushed with sudden realization.
Even in her embarrassment, his beauty was maddeningly unreal—neatly combed black hair, deep red eyes, every strand and feature meticulously perfect.
The warmth of his large hand, his sculpted face, this surreal moment—it felt like a dream.
The murmuring crowd and Alex’s stunned glare faded into the background, reduced to mere squids in Claude’s radiant presence.
His lips drew closer, his warm breath grazing her skin.
“I… really shouldn’t let this happen…” Aselin muttered, entranced, squeezing her eyes shut.
Defying a prince’s punishment could mean losing her head.
Besides, she partly agreed with his notion that true revenge meant paying back in kind.
And honestly… if a man this beautiful was doling out punishment, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
Lost in her thoughts, eyes tightly closed, she braced for his lips.
But instead, her body lifted off the ground.
Startled, she opened her eyes to find Claude carrying her down the aisle.
“Your Highness, where are you taking me?”
Clinging to his chest, she looked up as he glanced down.
His gemlike red eyes were framed by lashes as delicate as comb teeth.
“To the bedroom, to punish you.”
“Punish me? In the bedroom?”
Her face burned, heat spreading to her ears.
“What exactly do you think this punishment is, Lady Aselin?”
“N-No, I just thought you might…”
“You closed your eyes so tightly, like you were expecting something.”
Claude smirked, his eyes gleaming like a cat toying with a mouse.
“No, it’s not like that! Anyway, people are watching—can you put me down?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Don’t you see that zombie chasing us?”
Glancing back, she saw Alex, face red, stomping after them.
“I’m going to finish your revenge perfectly.”
Claude’s lips curled slyly.
Though she couldn’t guess his full intent, having someone on her side felt reassuring.
Flash! Cameras erupted as reporters swarmed, snapping photos.
“Damn it, stop those reporters!” Alex shouted, cursing.
“Aselin! Get back here! You’re my wife, no matter what! You think it’ll look good if photos of you in another man’s arms hit the papers?”
Claude stopped at Alex’s distant yell, frowning lazily.
“Another man? Are you talking about me?”
“Yes! Even Your Highness should put my wife down! If not, I’ll appeal to His Majesty and expose your actions to reclaim her!”
“Go ahead and expose me.”
Alex’s jaw dropped at Claude’s curt, low reply.
“You think I won’t? I’ll go to His Majesty right now!”
“If you want your head chopped off for treason, be my guest.”
Alex froze, his bravado crumbling under Claude’s chilling words.
“Treason? Beheaded? What are you talking about?”
“Your engagement to Lady Aselin is already nullified. She’s been my fiancée for some time, with His Majesty’s blessing. Defying that is treason.”
“What?!” Alex’s ashen face couldn’t close his mouth.
His bloodshot eyes glared at Aselin.
“The pot calling the kettle black! Digging into my affairs while secretly getting engaged to another man? Since when? How long have you two been like this?!”
Furious, Alex lunged to grab Aselin’s dress.
Claude swiftly turned, shielding her.
His icy voice crashed down on Alex. “If you want to keep that filthy hand, get out of my sight.”
Claude’s blazing red eyes and suffocating aura were like a black panther growling at prey.
Alex averted his gaze, shrinking back.
He glared at Claude’s retreating figure, holding Aselin, as if he could tear him apart.
Claude Viar de Verta.
You think I backed off because I’m scared?
No! I, the bigger man, am biding my time!
A washed-up prince with days numbered, daring to steal my woman?
Swallowing his humiliation, Alex breathed heavily.
Without Aselin, his pharmaceutical business and marquisate dreams would collapse.
Recalling past mistakes fueled by anger, he gritted his teeth.
To calm himself, he imagined crafting models, a childhood hobby.
The thrill of perfectly meshing gears was his solace.
But now, it felt like losing the final gear—utterly infuriating.
He’d make the First Prince pay double for this humiliation.
And he’d reclaim Aselin, no matter what it took.
A cunning glint flashed in Alex’s eyes as he grinned viciously.
He’d never abandon his most meticulously crafted prize.
Camera flashes didn’t stop until Claude carried Aselin out of the venue.
“This is a scoop. A real scoop,” reporters muttered.
Blinded by the lights, Aselin struggled to keep her eyes open.
Surrounded by reporters, she felt like a monkey in a zoo—not a pleasant sensation.
And though unharmed, being cradled in Claude’s arms was embarrassing.
Looking at his strong arms around her waist and legs, she spoke.
“Your Highness, can you put me down now? The zombie’s not chasing anymore.”
“I told you, I’m taking you to be punished. I can’t let a criminal escape, can I?”
“…Escape? I’m not going anywhere. But these photos in the papers won’t look good for you either.”
“Don’t worry about that. I called the reporters.”
“What?”
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and Claude’s lips quirked upward.
