The man referred to as His Highness Maurice grew increasingly intrigued. He couldn't help but tease, "Humans are such strange creatures. Is this how you treat your savior?"
"Savior? Don't make me laugh. From what I can see, you're nothing but a scoundrel."
Anran suddenly remembered her awkward position, her cheeks flushing red. She quickly shouted, "Hey… if you don't let go right now, I won't hold back!"
The man's lips curved into a faint, almost mocking smile. Instead of answering her demand, he mused, "Has anyone ever told you that you're even more attractive when you're angry?"
That wasn't a question, but a statement. After saying it, he buried his face into Anran's neck, pressing against her skin and inhaling deeply. "Yes, so alluring. This is exactly the feeling I was looking for."
Anran felt a chill on her neck, her body trembling involuntarily as his lips brushed against her sensitive skin. Embarrassed and furious, she nervously snapped, "You scoundrel! What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Is there anything wrong with what I said?" the man lifted his head, his deep purple eyes showing a hint of confusion.
The bewilderment in his violet eyes made them even more captivating, nearly drawing Anran's entire focus into them.
At that moment, Anran felt the grip around her loosen slightly. Panicking, she quickly bent her right knee, her movement sudden and swift. Just as she was about to strike the man, the support holding her vanished entirely. Anran nearly toppled backward.
She stumbled back two or three steps before regaining her balance. The man who had just been so bold was now two meters away, as if everything that had just happened was merely her imagination. Yet, the rapid beating of her heart told her it had all been real.
"Such sharp claws, little kitten," the man teased, his smile tinged with mischief, making him look even more untamed. Most women would have been flustered just by his intense gaze, but she… she kept surprising him.
Thump… thump…
He could hear her heart beating strongly, a sound full of vitality. He could imagine the intoxicating sweetness of the blood flowing through her veins…
You're the cat! Everyone's a cat!
Anran thought furiously, though she didn't voice it aloud. Her expression, however, betrayed her thoughts.
The man's smile deepened. He mused that keeping a kitten might not be such a bad idea.
"Ah, the sun is about to set," the man suddenly remarked, his violet eyes gazing at the horizon, his words seemingly unrelated.
Anran glared at the inexplicable man, only to hear him add, "Little kitten with sharp claws… you should head home soon."
What on earth is he talking about?! Anran's face darkened. One moment he was acting like a scoundrel, and the next he was urging her to go home like a responsible caretaker.
Before she could retort, the man turned away. It was often said that dusk was the time when demons appeared. At the sound of her heartbeat, his usually impeccable self-control nearly faltered. As a member of the Maurice family, he had his own code of conduct. Though this woman was captivating… she wasn't a volunteer.
"Hey! Wait! Don't think you can just run off! How do I know you're not in cahoots with those guys earlier?" Anran shouted at his retreating back.
The man didn't stop. He seemed to be walking slowly, but when Anran jogged forward, she was startled to find the distance between them only growing. His tall, slender figure gradually disappeared into the sunset. Just then, a playful voice carried by the wind reached her ears.
"Don't worry, we'll meet again. Don't miss me too much, my little kitten…"
What?! Infuriating! She wouldn't miss him at all! And how dare he add "my" in front of "little kitten"? Who did he think he was, claiming her as his possession? Wait… no! She wasn't a kitten!
"What… happened to me…?"
A drowsy voice came from behind Anran.