Prologue

Prologue

THE KISS RISHE SHARED with Arnold on the roof of the opera house lasted several seconds, but felt like it was over in an instant.

“Mmn…”

Arnold’s lips slowly pulled away from hers. Rishe let out a heated sigh, already missing his touch.

“Your Highness…” she murmured.

Instead of answering her with words, Arnold entwined their fingers once more. The gesture seemed to say, I’m here. I won’t let you go. Rishe nearly burst into tears.

I love him. I love Prince Arnold. Rishe confirmed the feelings she’d only just become aware of. I think I fell in love with him a long time ago, but it happened so naturally that I didn’t even notice it…

She gasped. Arnold tilted her chin and kissed her again.

“Mm!”

He pulled back just as quickly, their lips parting with a soft smack. But then he kissed her again, just another quick peck. He kissed her again and again, and Rishe’s eyes widened.

“Ee—mmh!”

She was about to yelp, so he sealed her lips—but only for a moment. He loomed over her, lips crashing onto hers over and over again from every angle imaginable, eliciting a cute little sound from Rishe each time they separated.

“Mmm…”

Arnold had kissed her senseless. Rishe had no idea what was going on anymore—he’d planted so many of them on her mouth. She wanted to push him away, afraid he could hear the thundering of her heart—but Arnold wouldn’t let her.

“Ngh…”

He had to know how flustered she was, yet he showed no signs of stopping. She’d been short of breath for some time now, and she got the feeling her poor lungs were at their limit. It didn’t help that her neck had been craned back this whole time.

“Mm, mmph…!”

Though she slapped at Arnold’s chest, he didn’t budge. He just kept on brushing his lips against hers. She’d only just realized how she felt about him, so how could he torture her like this?

My heart’s going to explode!

Rishe gripped Arnold’s shirt and somehow managed to look up at him in the split second their lips were apart. She quickly regretted it. When their eyes locked, a sharp glint set his blue irises alight. The sight was so beautiful that tears welled in her eyes once more.

Still, her wordless plea seemed to have had an effect. Arnold finally loosened his grip on Rishe. As he let her go, he dropped one last kiss on her forehead.

“Prince Arnold…” Rishe whined, wondering just why he had kissed her so many times. She gulped when he fixed her with a gentle, protective gaze.

“Have you memorized it?”

“Huh?”

Arnold pressed his thumb to Rishe’s lips. “I promised I would kiss you as many times as you wished.”

Rishe finally remembered. She’d asked him to kiss her so that she could learn how to do it for their wedding, and that was what he’d said in response. The torrent of kisses just now had been him granting her request.

She squealed at the outrageousness of what she’d asked for, her cheeks reddening more every second. “I-I-I have!” she replied, bobbing her head emphatically.

Arnold chuckled, then reached out to stroke her hair. “Good, then.”

How could a voice this soft pluck her heartstrings like a harp?

He cupped her cheek and murmured, “It doesn’t matter whether it’s your birthday. I want to do everything in my power to grant your wishes. Don’t ever forget that.”

His words were unmistakably ones of celebration.

I’ve always hated my own birthday, but… She couldn’t believe how happy she was right now.

“Thank you, Prince Arnold.”

“Mm-hmm.” He pulled his hand away and guided her back to the bench on the roof. “I’ll get our carriage ready. Wait here.”

Rishe nodded, and Arnold headed downstairs. When she couldn’t see him any longer, Rishe sank onto the bench, exhausted.

I can’t believe he kissed me so many times…

Everywhere he’d touched her was feverishly hot. She wanted to cherish the memory of her name on his lips and those lips ­kissing hers, but her heart twinged each time she thought back to it.

“Rishe…”

“What am I going to do?” She held her scarlet cheeks, completely at a loss. “I didn’t figure out how to kiss him at all…”