The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 34: Take Her Away

Chapter 34: Take Her Away

Eve woke up at the feeling of a warm hand gently brushing her skin. She rubbed her eyes and turned around only to meet Alaric’s gorgeous face. Her heart skipped a beat under his penetrating gaze.

"Good morning, Princess," he greeted her, his finger tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear to have a clearer view of her face.

Eve was at a loss for words. She blinked several times, wondering if she was still dreaming.

Subconsciously, she reached out, her forefinger poking Alaric’s right cheek. She flinched when she touched his flesh.

’I’m not dreaming! He is real.’ Eve’s eyes widened, swallowing hard.

Meanwhile, Alaric cocked his eyebrow, capturing her hand. Without hesitation, he planted a gentle kiss on the back of her palm.

Eve’s heart raced even faster when Alaric made that sweet gesture.

She was still in her trance when she felt his hot palm sliding on her back, caressing her delicate skin.

Without saying a word, he flipped her around so that her naked back was exposed to him. A cold glint flashed through Alaric’s eyes as he watched her scars.

He leaned in closer, his lips planting soft kisses along their path– on her nape, her shoulders, and her spine.

Eve’s body stiffened at the feel of his warm lips nibbling and touching her skin. The tingling sensation spread throughout her body.

Alaric’s fingers traced her scars, followed by his moist tongue. He began licking and kissing her scars.

’What is he doing?’ Eve swallowed hard. His gentleness stirred something within her.

’Don’t look at my ugly scars.’ She complained in her mind, slamming her eyes shut. She felt embarrassed.

She wanted to struggle and cover her scars from his view but Alaric’s firm grip held her in place.

"Don’t move. Let me kiss you," he said in his commanding voice yet in his tender tone.

Eve stopped struggling. She held her breath as Alaric continued kissing and licking her scars. He dragged his tongue along the lines of her old scars.

"I won’t force you to talk about these scars. But if you feel ready to confide with me, I’m just here to listen."

His words touched her heart. She tried her best to hold back her tears. ’I don’t want to cry anymore. I don’t want him to see my vulnerable side.’

When he was done, he pulled her into a hug, cuddling her in his strong arms. He covered their bodies with a blanket.

Her cheeks turned scarlet red when she realized that both of them were still naked under the blanket. Her bare back was now pressed against his sturdy chest. She could feel his hard muscles behind her.

"I’m going to take you away from this palace," Alaric declared, whispering in her ear. He nuzzled his nose against her hair, smelling her sweet scent.

Meanwhile, Eve’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing his last remarks.

’Is he serious?’ She asked inwardly.

Her heart pounded so hard against her chest. She wiggled her body under his strong grip as she wanted to turn to face him. She gazed up, giving him a questioning look.

Alaric maintained his neutral expression. "I’ll bring you to my estate. Though the place is not as big as the palace, it’s a good place for a married couple like us. I’m your husband. I want to take you home. In my own house."

Hearing those words from Alaric, she felt like it was a dream come true. Ever since she married him, she had been dreaming of leaving the palace and staying with him.

Eve bobbed her head frantically. She immediately reached for her quill pen and pad from the side table and wrote something to express her thoughts with Alaric.

[ Yes. I’m coming with you. I don’t mind even if the house is small. I want to leave the palace and be with you. ]

Alaric was dumbfounded for a moment after reading her message. He could even see the excitement and anticipation in her innocent eyes.

’She really wants to leave the palace. The royal family is not treating her well.’ Alaric thought to himself.

"I’ll inform the King and the Queen about my plan. We will go to my estate today," he reassured her. He had already asked his men to help him prepare the manor for their arrival. He only had a few servants.

Eve smiled, her emerald eyes sparkling with joy. Because of her intense happiness, Eve suddenly hugged Alaric, burying her face on his chest.

Alaric’s body froze. He didn’t expect to see this kind of reaction from Eve. He thought she would hesitate to leave the palace. But she seemed more excited to come with him to his own estate.

This thought brought a faint smile to his face.

After a while, Eve broke the hug and scribbled another message.

[ I want to visit Annie’s tombstone today. Can you accompany me? ]

Eve didn’t hesitate to make a request from Alaric since he was not in his grumpy mood today. He was surprisingly thoughtful toward her.

"I have no duties today. I can accompany you to her tombstone."

At that certain moment, Eve gave Alaric another chance to prove his sincerity toward her. She would try to make this marriage work out. She hoped Alaric was telling the truth that he wasn’t involved with those bandits.

"Princess, I’ve just remembered. I have some news that may be of interest to you."

Alaric’s voice snapped her out of her deep thoughts. She stared at him expectantly, waiting for his next words.

"The hunter who saved you has escaped the prison fortress," Alaric informed her.

’Cough! Oh right. He came to visit me as soon as he escaped.’ Eve smiled awkwardly. She just feigned ignorance.

Meanwhile, Alaric cocked his eyebrow as he watched her reaction. ’She doesn’t look surprised.’

Before Alaric could start suspecting her, Eve wrote in her pad once more.

[ Don’t chase after the hunter. Consider this as our reward for him for saving my life. Besides, he is not a criminal. ]

Alaric knitted his eyebrows into a frown. Though he could understand that Eve was grateful to the hunter, he was somehow displeased and annoyed by Eve’s protectiveness toward the stranger. He was jealous because he had never seen Eve worrying about him.

[ Don’t worry. I can vouch for him. He is a good man. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have saved me from those bandits. ]

Her next words triggered Alaric further, making his mood turn sour. Eve just failed to read the atmosphere and now she ended up upsetting her jealous husband without her knowledge.

With a dark expression on his face, Alaric got off the bed and put his clothes on.

’Wait. Where is he going?’ Eve mused as she silently watched him move across their chamber.

Alaric stepped out of the room without saying a word, slamming the door behind him.

Bam!

Eve was left in the bed, puzzled by his sudden mood swing.

"Eh? What’s wrong with him? Did I say something to upset him? Why did he just leave like that?" She murmured to herself, utterly clueless as her innocent eyes still lingered on the door where Alaric had disappeared.