After wandering through the boutique and brushing her fingers over every one of the most expensive gowns, Seraphina returned with a look of satisfaction. Lucian was still seated exactly where she'd left him, watching her with the same amused smile.
"You enjoyed that, didn't you?" he asked, the corners of his mouth lifting higher without even trying.
Leisurely sitting down, slowly sipping her tea, Seraphina indifferently shrugged.
"Are you really going to buy everything I touched, Your Highness?"
Lucian leaned back into his chair, as relaxed as ever, and nodded.
"I never joke."
A victorious smile played at Seraphina's lips.
"Then I may do whatever I want with them, correct?"
In the still surface of Seraphina's eyes, Lucian sensed a hidden current stirring beneath. Although his instincts warned him this was a trap, he couldn't resist. He couldn't refuse her.
"Yes."
Lucian nodded again, his mind conjuring endless scenarios. Would she burn them all? Donate them to charity? He was genuinely curious what kind of counterattack she had in mind.
Seraphina calmly took another sip of tea before turning to Victoria, who still stood by in a daze.
"Lady Victoria, the gowns I touched, please pack them into separate boxes for me."
Victoria hadn't yet recovered from Seraphina's earlier performance, and now her words only added to the confusion.
"I beg your pardon, my lady?"
Seraphina set her teacup down, a smile curving her lips. She herself wasn't fully aware of the gleam of mischief rising in her eyes. Perhaps she, too, was beginning to enjoy this game.
"Do as I say and send them to the noble ladies of the capital. Be sure to include a note that they were handpicked by the Crown Prince himself."
She paused, letting her voice settle before delivering the final blow.
"As for the ones I didn't touch, send those to the Duke's estate."
At that, Victoria broke into a cold sweat. She darted a nervous glance toward Lucian. His contemplative expression only deepened her anxiety. Would he erupt in fury and destroy her entire shop?
If she followed Seraphina's instructions, trouble would surely rain down on the prince. But refusing would be akin to defying an order. The more she thought, the more her head ached. Oh dear heavens, this insane couple, why must they turn her boutique into a battlefield?
Seraphina also turned her gaze on Lucian, awaiting his reaction. She wanted him to erupt in rage, to reveal his Alpha instincts. She wanted him humiliated, enough to abandon this ridiculous pursuit.
The entire first floor of the boutique held its breath, as Lucian's silence lingered like a blade held high.
And then—against all expectations—Lucian laughed.
The sound echoed through the space like thunder, shaking the very walls. His pheromones burst out, no longer restrained.
Seraphina gripped the armrest, taking deep breaths to shield herself from his scent. Her brows furrowed, not sure whether in frustration from things slipping out of her control, or from the overwhelming influence of Lucian's pheromones.
"What's so funny, Your Highness?" she asked in a low voice.
Lucian spread his legs wide and rested his elbows on his knees, interlacing his hands loosely before his mischievous smile.
"I'm laughing… because I lost to you. Again."
Seraphina truly couldn't comprehend this man. He was arrogant, proud, always saw himself as above others, he should be furious after being bested, not amused. For the first time, she began to question herself. Was she even going the right way?
She sighed wearily, exhaustion creeping in from this endless war of wills.
"Your Highness, I have no interest in playing games with you."
"Neither do I."
Lucian replied instantly, without hesitation. He stood and slowly walked toward her, his voice dipping into a low register, firm, resolute.
"I've never been playing with you, Seraphina."
He stopped just in front of her, bracing both hands on the back of her chair, caging her in. His stormy gray-blue gaze bore into her, overflowing with unfiltered longing.
Seraphina's entire body sank into the cushions under the weight of his pheromones. She tried to limit her breathing to keep them from seeping in, yet the defiant fire in her emerald eyes never wavered.
"Yes," Lucian breathed, his words warm with pheromones, dancing like flames across her skin. "The more you resist… the more I want to make you mine."
Seraphina knew that if this continued, Lucian would have full control. She pressed her hands firmly to his chest and shoved him back.
"Have some decency, Your Highness."
Lucian allowed himself to be pushed back a few steps, his smile never fading.
"Decency? I lost that the moment I met you, Seraphina."
Seraphina rose to her feet, placing her hands properly in front of her.
"Then go pick it back up, before you humiliate yourself any further."
Lucian chuckled, making no move to stop her as she turned to leave. This time, there was no rage in his eyes, only intrigue. He watched her go, licking his lips, voice dropping to a whisper meant only for himself.
"Oh, I'll pick it back up… across every inch of your skin."
A promise? Or a threat?
No one knew for certain, except Lucian himself.
Once back inside the carriage, Seraphina collapsed into the cushioned seat. Her body reacted again to Lucian's pheromones, trembling uncontrollably, entirely drained. She had no strength left to fight. Lucian had reawakened her heat.
Face down on the cushions, Seraphina panted heavily, cheeks flushed with rising fever.
She had to get away from here.
She had to stay out of Lucian's reach—before things spiraled out of control.
***