Only Ask, Leila, Monica, and Anya remained in the vast side hall.
Ask walked over to Anya, who sat slumped on the floor, gently peeled the tape from her mouth, and reached out to pinch her delicate cheek.
"How adorable."
"..."
Anya tried hard to turn her head away, her face filled with defiance mingled with confusion.
She did not understand why this exalted prince had suddenly attacked her.
Could it be...
Rebellion? At a time like this?
Or perhaps...
He had some peculiar tastes?
The latter seemed more likely.
She was only fifteen, still innocent, and had never encountered anything like this. "Peculiar tastes" was the only way she could describe it.
Yet she still could not imagine what those so-called "peculiar tastes" would entail.
The unknown inspired fear, even as she tried to put on a brave face.
"Your Highness, what exactly are you going to..."
"Such a lovely fragrance."
Ask interrupted her, lifting the ends of her hair to his nose and sniffing.
It was the lingering scent of shampoo, mingled with the faint fragrance unique to a young girl wafting from her neck.
That gesture frightened Anya even more.
Surely it couldn't really be the latter!
But! But!
She was one of the Knights of the Round! She served directly under the emperor!
How could he do something like this to her, even if he was a prince!
And Monica and Leila were right there watching!
Under her trembling gaze, Ask drew closer and closer, his breath brushing her delicate shoulder.
She was getting goosebumps!
"Wait... Your Highness..."
She wanted to stop his outrageous behavior, but her hands and feet were bound tight. She could not move at all.
With her petite, fifteen-year-old body restrained by a grown man, even turning her head was difficult.
His