"Natalia, you're here early. The people here are still gathering. Why not take a rest for a while?" 4th Rock Leader Remek spoke while meeting Natalia at front entrance, his expression welcoming as he approached.
"Okay, Uncle." Natalia simply nodded as her friends followed behind her, with Maid Emmy and Big Guy at the very back of their group.
"Hmm… where are those expert guards, and Little Princess? And that brat Alfie?" Leader Remek asked, nodding toward Big Guy and Emmy. Both bowed respectfully in response to his acknowledgment.
"Ah! I sent those guards away, and I don't know where the two of them went." Princess Natalia said as she turned and began walking inside, her tone dismissive and unconcerned to his question. "Let them be. They're not useful to me anyway."
Leader Remek didn't say anything in response. He just looked at her back for a while, his expression thoughtful, then turned and said to Big Guy quietly, "It seems something happened... I'll give you some of my people and some to Queen Guard Leader. Include them in your ranks for today. And Blake, take care of her."
PAT! PAT!
He patted Big Guy's shoulder firmly with his trust, then patted Emmy's head gently with affection. "Keep up the good work!"
He smiled at them warmly before walking away, his footsteps echoing down the corridor as he disappeared around the corner.
.
.
"KKKYAAAA!! Seeing Leader Remek up close makes my heart flutter! He's so handsome!" The 3rd female friend of Princess Natalia spoke in delight as they entered a prepared room, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"EEWW! He's already an old man! You're his granddaughter's age! Have some shame!" The 2nd male friend spoke, making a disgusted face and sticking out his tongue in exaggerated revulsion.
"True." The 2nd female friend just nodded in agreement with a knowing look.
"Shut up, you guys! I'm just saying!" The 3rd female friend countered back defensively, crossing her arms. "Better than seeing your stupid face every day!"
"Sighhh."
"I'm going to freshen up." The 2nd female friend said as she started walking toward the door.
"Me too."
"Me three."
Everyone left the room except Little Man and Princess Natalia.
.
.
"Haahaa, maybe I should also go." Princess Natalia said with embarrassment coloring her voice, standing up quickly from her seat.
But…..TAP!... Little Man held her hand gently and said, "Don't run away. I'm not going to eat you. Just relax. If you run away, it will make me feel bad."
Little Man gently pulled her back and made her sit beside him, close enough that their arms almost touched, the proximity sending awareness through her nerves.
"Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean to!" Princess Natalia said, flustered, fidgeting with her fingers nervously. "Sorry, it's just so much has been happening, and you even proposed to me in front of everyone. My mind isn't being able to keep up with everything. Listen, Little Man, as a friend, I…."
THP!
Little Man didn't let her finish speaking. He put his hand gently over her lips as he got closer to her, leaning in. He looked into her eyes with intensity burning in his gaze.
Princess Natalia, surprised by the sudden movement, turned to her left and looked at him. Their faces were now only inches apart, close enough to share breath.
"A long time ago, I decided I would propose to you once your dream came true." Little Man began, his voice soft yet steady with conviction. "I know you have feelings for that Zack guy…... Do you think I'm blind? Whenever you see him at school, your eyes shine brighter than anything else in the world."
He exhaled slowly, the breath washing over her face. "I was always jealous of that, but I don't want to give up on you."
He paused, his gaze never leaving hers, unwavering with every hint Natalia gave to him to stay away.
"One thing I was happy about was that he couldn't spend as much time with you as I have. We were together for so many years in school, every single day for a long time. We laughed together, worked together, learned together, shared everything together." His voice dropped lower. "Natalia, I fell for you so long ago that I don't even remember when it started. Please respect my feelings and at least don't say those things that push me away."
Little Man spoke softly with warmth radiating from his eyes, pouring into her. He gently put his hand aside but let his fingers graze her cheek as he moved away, the touch feather-light and lingering on her skin.
Natalia, listening to the heartfelt confession, felt her face grow hot and red with rushing blood.
"What?!" Natalia exclaimed, her voice rising before she could stop herself. "You already knew about Zack, and you still did this? And you've loved me for that long?!"
She turned away quickly, cheeks burning with heat, trying to mask her embarrassment with indignation. "That's ridiculous… reckless, even." Her hands clenched at her sides before slowly relaxing as reality sank in.
"But…" she hesitated, her voice lowering to something more vulnerable. "I can understand what it's like to love someone for so long without being able to say it." She took a steady breath and faced him again, meeting his eyes.
"Fine." Natalia said, her tone firmer, more controlled now. "I won't laugh at you, and I won't trample on your feelings. I'll respect them."
Princess Natalia turned to face straight ahead, trying to calm herself down, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. Little Man touched her hair gently, running his fingers through a free strand with reverence, then brought his hand away slowly.
For a while, both sat in silence beside each other, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions that pressed against the space.
.
"So, are you together with Zack?" Little Man asked, breaking the heavy silence.
"Ah, yes. I'm sorry I lied before." Princess Natalia said as she bowed slightly in apology, her voice sincere with regret.
"Ah, don't worry. I understand your position." Little Man said with a gentle smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You don't want rumors spreading that you're already taken. For now, you have more support than before. You did great at building that image." His smile softened, though a faint sadness lingered beneath the surface. "I'm proud of you."
"Thank you, Little Man." Princess Natalia replied, smiling sincerely in return. Then she tilted her head, brows knitting together in confusion. "But why did you propose to me then? My mind went completely crazy, you know!"
She protested cutely, puffing her cheeks and pouting just a little in that way that made his heart skip.
"Haha, why not?" Little Man grinned with mischief dancing in his expression. "That was your dream coming true, right? I wanted to be part of it, and I wanted to make it memorable for you." He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Also… it was safer for me. If you slapped me outright in anger, at least I'd be protected by the crowd watching."
"Hehe." His laugh turned playful, his eyes glinting with teasing menace.
"You!!!! You're no good." Princess Natalia said while smirking. "Maybe you're playing a long game to get to me and bring your house to prosperity through marriage."
"Oh my, such accusations! Then at least praise me for being so patient all these years." Little Man sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Actually, I wanted to propose to you many times before, but seeing your determination to reach your goals, I stopped myself. I didn't want to be a roadblock for you. I only know how much you wanted to be a princess and serve this city. I don't think any other person can see your determination as clearly as I do."
He paused, his expression becoming more serious.
"And I'm sure many people must have told you to be content with what you've achieved and told you to be happy with whatever you have, right?"
Little Man's words made Princess Natalia's eyes shine with recognition. She nodded heavily, feeling understood for perhaps the first time in her life, because even though everyone supported her there was always a hint of that it was okay, don't worry too much, even Zack said that to her!! But she don't want to have any other path for herself, she want to be a Queen in future and for that she had worked hard a lot all these years... And hearing stuff like it's okay and all hurt her a little, but she didn't spoke out loud.
Seeing this reaction, Little Man smiled knowingly. "I know." He said softly with understanding. "People with high goals and ambition are rarely understood, no matter how close others are to them. Only those who carry similar ambitions can truly see it in each other."
He smirked, confidence flickering in his eyes.
"Then how can you see that in me?" Princess Natalia asked, curiosity burning warmly in her chest. "What is your ambition, Little Man?" Her heart beat a little faster, waiting for his answer.
"Hmm… do you really want to know?" Little Man smiled, his handsome features illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window. The light danced across his face as he leaned forward.
Natalia stared at him, momentarily dazed by the sight, then nodded slowly, unable to look away from him.
He stepped closer, his lips nearing her ear. His warm breath sent a shiver racing through her as he whispered, his voice smooth as silk.
"To see Natalia sitting upon that throne, guiding this city to greater heights, filling it with love, prosperity, and strength. To make its name echo far beyond these walls, known throughout the world."
He paused, his voice lowering, becoming more intimate.
"And beside her… a man who helped her rise. Someone who stands proudly at her side, smiling at her achievements, smiling at her as she rules over everything."
His breath lingered against her ear, making her skin tingle.
"This little man wants to be beside that princess."
He slowly pulled back, giving her space to breathe, his gaze sincere, each word he spoke was from bottom of his heart.
"Will you let me stand beside you, Natalia?"
Princess Natalia's eyes grew slightly watery hearing his words, she never in her dreamt thought her friend who stayed beside her all these years was having such huge ambition!! And also, he wants her to be????
GULP.....
Their breaths brushing against each other, mingling in the narrow space between them. The world seemed to shrink to that single moment suspended in time.
"Why are you so crazy about me?" She asked in a hushed voice that barely carried through the air. Her hand clenched the cushion beneath her, gripping it tightly until her knuckles turned white.
"Why not?" He replied, confidence ringing clearly in his voice. His gaze never wavered from hers. "Aren't you the finest woman in this city? Why shouldn't a man love you with everything he has?"
"But I… I…" Her voice faltered, breaking. "I can't. Zack….he… I already..."
"Shhhhhhsssssss."
Little Man gently placed his index finger over her lips again!! silencing her words before they could fully form. His thumb brushed lightly along her chin, tilting her face toward him just enough to meet his eyes. The touch was careful, asking rather than demanding.
He paused for a moment, letting the silence stretch before continuing.
"I heard those women were playing around with Zack, right?... If Zack can play around with other women while loving you, why not the princess, the future queen, the one who has everything at her fingertips???... Just choose a man who loves you dearly, who wants everything best for you, who has been beside her for so long that he knows everything about her? Why can't you accept the love of a man who can give everything away just to stay with you?"
He paused, making sure she was listening, his eyes searching for the recognition he wanted on her face.
"Please don't get me wrong. I know Zack loves you deeply, but he lacks many things you need." His voice dropped lower, more intimate. "He can be a savior of yours, but he can't stand beside you as an equal. He can't guide you through the politics. He can't help you bring this city to a more prosperous position. He didn't train in the things which you and I did together. I worked hard for you all these years just to be with you, just to stand beside you as your partner."
Little Man's voice grew more passionate, more intense, his breath warming the air between them.
"Natalia, you deserve more in this life. You're capable of great things that others can't even imagine. They'll just send you away if nothing works, but if you stay with me, then you can have a chance again if everything falls apart. I know it's hard to accept, but you do have to choose another man in the future. You do know that, right???..... This city is under a huge empire that can, with a snap of fingers, throw you away if you have no support backing you. I'm sure Zack also knows it. I've talked with him before, and he must have known about the people who are secretly trying to win you over. Despite all this, he still chose you. I respect him truly for that courage, but the reality remains, Natalia..... Your mother married your father who was a higher Crown under Empire, hence this city had breathing time for years, but the situation has somehow changed now. Everyone's trying to remove you from the queen candidate list. If you don't have support, then it's practically impossible to rule this city."
He took a breath, his intensity building with each word. "I'm not trying to scare you or blackmail you. I'm just trying to explain it to you honestly.... Natalia, we've known each other for many years, and you also know about me…. Well almost everything. I'll never hurt you or try to backstab you. We've been friends for so long, but I can't wait any longer for you. Zack and you are good together, I don't have any complaint about that but... but he can't let you fly to the heights you deserve. Only I can help you with that."
He leaned even closer, his started speaking in whispers, his breath ghosting across her lips.
"I can't let him take you away to mediocrity. I want you to be queen. I want you to be MY QUEEN!"
Little Man spoke all this as he got even closer and removed his index finger from her lips slowly, letting it trail down just slightly along her skin. Since his height was much taller, he bent down his neck and brought his lips dangerously close to Princess Natalia's, so close she could feel the heat radiating from him in waves.
She felt so shocked. Each and every word had hit her heart with force, making it race wildly. Her eyes glittered with some shine as she asked slowly, her voice barely audible, "You love me that much?"
Little Man smiled warmly and grabbed her hand gently, placing it above his heart area.
BA DUM BA DUM
Natalia felt his heart beating very fast, pounding against her palm as if it wanted to break free from his chest.
She couldn't resist. She saw a handsome man's face confessing his inner feelings so blatantly, so openly in front of her. She couldn't believe this was happening. Her eyes kept looking at his face as it got dangerously close, her breath catching in her throat, her chest tightening with emotion.
"But I can't suddenly look at you as a man, I... I..."
SHEESSHH.
Natalia's eyes darted around nervously as her whole body got very hot, a flush spreading from her cheeks down her neck. Little Man again put his fingers on her lips, but this time he gently grazed them with his fingers as his other hand gently placed behind on Natalia's lower back. He pushed her closer until their faces were very close, their nose tips touching each other softly.
"I didn't say you have to love me the way you love Zack. His place can't be taken, but I want a small room in your heart.... It can take its time, but I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. Natalia, can you just say you'll think about me as a man and your possible suitor after Zack? I know you also feel my love for you."
Little Man spoke very slowly, his voice pouring over her warm as honey, as his hand grazed the upper part of her ass, sending shivers through her body.
HUFF HUFF
Natalia breathed hard as she felt his fingers on her lips and his hands on her sensitive area, touching her in ways that made her entire body respond with heat.
After a long silence, Natalia's mind was running in full panic mode. What should I do? I know he's a good man, and somehow Zack and I knew that this day would come eventually. He has been good to me all these years, and now thinking about it, I never saw him with other women. He's so handsome and tall, many women fell for him, but I never saw him giving them a single glance.
AH!
Natalia's thinking made her face grow much redder as her hand on his chest tightened. She grabbed his right arm that was touching her lips tightly with her other hand, holding it. "Agh! I love Zack….I can never, will never be able to give you his position in my heart. Are you fine with that?" She asked, her lips moving, making her saliva touch his fingers.
"No problem." Little Man nodded as he smiled happily and let his other long fingers graze on her neck with gentle touches that made her shiver.
AH!
Natalia shivered at his touch as she gathered her breath. "I can't accept you before speaking to Zack....you have to wait. I'll try to talk to him, only if he agrees then I'll accept you." Natalia spoke meekly, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
Hearing this, Little Man smiled ear to ear, his handsome face shining under the sun's warm rays pouring through the window.
"Hehe, thank you, Natalia! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!!!!"
Little Man, overwhelmed with happiness, suddenly hugged her tighter, pulling her against him with emotion spilling over. Natalia, who was sitting facing him with both legs on the ground, felt the sudden tight hug and fell down behind on the sofa's back support. Due to her tilted position, Little Man was now above her as Natalia barely put her hand on the sofa cushion to save herself from falling completely onto the sofa. Her other hand tightly clenched on his shoulder, gripping him.
"AH! Don't hug me so suddenly! I said I'll think about it!" Natalia flushed and spoke in a hurry as she felt his weight on her body, her breasts squeezed against his big chest, the pressure making her acutely aware of every point of contact between them.
Little Man's left hand grabbed her whole waist and brought it forward as he put his face directly in front of hers. In the awkward position, Natalia's eyes kept looking at his eyes, unable to look away from the intensity. Little Man brought his hand forward, and his palm touched her whole right jawline, cupping her face gently as he brought her face even closer. Both their lips were only a few centimeters away now, the tension between them crackling through the air, thick with unspoken desire.
Little Man slowly brought his face closer as he felt Natalia's whole body pressing on his upper body, the softness of her curves molding against him. His hand reached down to grab her sides of ass while holding her waist, his fingers digging into the soft flesh.
AAH! HUFF HUFF
Princess Natalia couldn't stop herself from feeling something warm spreading through her after hearing those words as she breathed hard, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Subconsciously, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment, not realizing what she was committing to. Her body responded to him in ways her mind couldn't control, heat pooling low in her belly.
The lips got even closer…..an inch away, then less, as their lips barely touched, a feather-light very minute contact that sent electricity racing through both their bodies. The warmth of his breath mingled with hers, their hearts pounding together. Time seemed to slow down as the world narrowed to just this moment, just the two of them, just the promise of what was about to happen.
His hand on her ass tightened, pulling her impossibly closer against him. Her fingers on his shoulder gripped harder, torn between pushing him away and pulling him in closer. The heat between them was overwhelming, intoxicating in its intensity. She could taste his breath, feel the trembling in his body that matched her own shaking. His lips hovered over hers, so close she could feel the ghost of a kiss that hadn't yet happened.
Her entire body trembled with anticipation flooding through her. Every nerve ending was on fire. Every breath was shared between them. Every heartbeat echoed the desire building higher. The moment stretched, suspended in perfect, agonizing tension and as both their upper lips tips just featherily touched…
CREEAAAKKK!
"Haha, that was funny!"
TTHUUPPPPP!
"Ow! Ow!"
"Huh?"
The friends suddenly burst inside, laughing and talking loudly without any warning.
They saw Little Man arched at the end of the sofa; his back curved in a semicircle bent over the sofa's armrest as he looked out the window casually. His handsome face was laughing with embarrassment, as if he'd just been caught doing something ridiculous.
Princess Natalia was on the opposite end, sitting with her legs crossed primly, her palm covering her lower mouth as her cheeks burned bright red with heat. She was looking somewhere else, just anywhere else, desperately trying to compose herself and calm her racing heart.
"Hey, Little Man, why are you sleeping bent over there? Does it feel that good that you're laughing?" The 2nd male friend asked enthusiastically as he ran over and tried to mimic the position, contorting himself over the armrest.
The two girls giggled hard as they sat beside Princess Natalia and talked normally, not asking anything about what they'd almost walked in on. They seemed completely oblivious to the charged atmosphere they'd just interrupted.
The room slowly calmed down from the previous hot environment, though the tension between Little Man and Princess Natalia still lingered in the air unseen, invisible but unmistakable to anyone who knew what to look for.
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author Blabbering
Ambition… it is both a blessing and a burden at the same time. The path people walk to reach their ambitions can be exhausting, and I respect everyone who continues moving forward despite that. I hope everyone reaches their destination without losing themselves along the way. And most importantly, I hope you always remember why you started.
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