"Your Highness," Mariposa purred, her voice dripping with seduction as her hands traced slow and deliberate circles over Cristiano's tense shoulders.
He didn't resist. He didn't complain.
Encouraged, she leaned closer. "Shall I massage your head as well?"
When he didn't object, she took the liberty to run her fingers through his hair as her touch was testing boundaries.
"Such a perfect body," she murmured, letting her hands wander. "I wonder why the Crown Princess doesn't value what she has."
Her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Your Highness, would you like me to ease your stress?"
She lowered her voice, her fingers ghosting over his skin. "Would you like to give me the place of the Crown Princess? Not in the world, but inside this little world of ours? I will treat you like my king. My everything. I will give you pleasure beyond imagination… unlike your cold wife, who cannot give you what you desire. Let me be your woman."
She reached for him again.
And in an instant, she was shoved aside.
"Your Highness?" she gasped in shock.
Cristiano shot her a glare filled with nothing but disgust. "Scram!"
Without another word, he stormed out of the courtesan's house. Moments later, Mama Scarlet, the woman who ruled over the courtesans with an iron hand, strode inside with dark expression.
"What did you do?" she hissed.
Mariposa who was still recovering from the humiliation, looked up with her eyes wide. "I… I did nothing! I only did what you told me to do!"
Mama Scarlet's gaze narrowed. "Then why did you anger him?"
Mariposa stammered. "I was just trying to please him—"
Realization flickered in Mama Scarlet's eyes. Her voice turned sharp. "Did you try to touch him inappropriately?"
Mariposa scoffed, throwing her hands up. "What? We are courtesans! What else are we supposed to do if not get naked for royals and nobles?"
A sharp slap echoed through the room.
Mariposa stumbled back, stunned as Mama Scarlet glared at her with nothing but fury.
"You foolish, greedy woman!" Mama Scarlet spat. "I gave you clear instructions! You were meant to be his friend like Isabella was! Nothing more!"
Mariposa's lips trembled in outrage. "If all he wanted was Isabella, why did you send me?"
Mama Scarlet exhaled, calming herself. "Because I was wrong. I should have told you the truth."
She looked at Mariposa with something almost like pity. "Isabella never had any kind of sexual relationship with the Crown Prince. They were friends. He came here when he needed someone to talk to when he was struggling. I told you to be his friend. What part of 'friend' did you not understand?"
Mariposa stood there as the consequence of her mistake settled over her.
And Mama Scarlet? She only shook her head.
"Now, you will face the consequences."
Cristiano spent the night in the dormitory where his army usually rested. He did not even go to his residence where Portia was residing.
Morning arrived, marking the beginning of their journey to Silverfall. As Cristiano stepped outside, he saw Portia, elegantly dressed, with her maids trailing behind her and carrying her luggage. When the car pulled up in front of them, she looked at him in surprise.
Cristiano raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"
Portia hesitated before speaking. "Your Highness, we are traveling in this car?" She couldn't entirely mask her disdain.
Cristiano's expression remained neutral. "Is that an issue?"
She shook her head but couldn't hide her disappointment.