Divorcing His Royal Highness (English-R18)

Chapter 9

TAYLOR

Two hours had dragged by since the dinner had concluded, and still, there was no sign of Vladimir returning. Thoughts swirled in my head, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was with Diane.

Jealousy, that green-eyed monster, clawed at my heart. I knew I had no right to feel this way. After all, I had willingly returned to this castle, fully aware of the complications and entanglements that awaited me. Vladimir seems to be unaffected of our situation, yet, here I was, consumed by irrational jealousy at the mere thought of him with another woman.

"Stop it, Taylor!" I scolded myself, trying to shake off the unfounded emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. I needed to regain my composure. With a sigh, I settled onto the couch, attempting to make myself comfortable in the silence that enveloped the room.

As the minutes turned into hours, boredom began to gnaw at me. I realized that waiting for Vladimir's return was an exercise in futility. He would come back when he pleased, and my restlessness wouldn't change that. With this in mind, I decided to retreat to my room, intending to return when he finally graced us with his presence.

I rose from the couch, about to make my way to my room, when my eyes were inexplicably drawn to the grand centrepiece of our suite - the enormous bed that dominated the room. It was a sight to behold, with its pristine white linens and opulent design. My mind began to create images, visions of Vladimir and me entwined within those luxurious sheets, our bodies drawn to one another like magnets.

I couldn't fathom what had come over me, what had prompted this sudden, overwhelming desire. I felt like a moth drawn to a flame, unable to resist the allure of the bed. In a trance, I took slow, deliberate steps toward it, the plush carpet beneath my feet silencing my movements.

I found myself sitting on the edge of the bed, my fingers trailing lightly over the silky linens. The texture was exquisite, a tactile reminder of the intimacy that Vladimir shared with this bed every night. I closed my eyes, imagining the sensation of being in his arms, the warmth of his body pressed against mine.

A wave of longing washed over me, mingling with the jealousy that had plagued me earlier. I wondered what it would truly feel like to lie here with Vladimir to share this intimate space with him. It was a dangerous fantasy, one that I knew I should banish from my mind, but I couldn't deny the allure of the forbidden.

With a sigh, I succumbed to the temptation and lay down on the bed, the softness of the blankets cocooning me in their embrace. Scenes and scenarios played out in my mind, a kaleidoscope of desire and yearning. I closed my eyes, allowing the day's events and my wayward thoughts to carry me away.

Time passed unnoticed as sleep claimed me, pulling me into its inescapable embrace. My dreams were a chaotic mix of memories and fantasies, a tumultuous journey through the labyrinth of my desires.

In the realm of dreams, there were no boundaries, no rules to follow. I found myself entangled with Vladimir, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. It was a seductive dance, fueled by the passion that had always smouldered between us. In this world of dreams, I was his, and nothing else mattered.

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I woke to the sound of running water, disoriented, and groggy. It felt like I had been asleep for only a moment, and my mind was still in a haze. I pushed myself up on the couch, rubbing my eyes as I tried to make sense of things. The dim light filtering through the curtains told me it was late - probably well past midnight. My heart skipped a beat when I realized where I was.

My eyes widened with alarm; I had fallen asleep on Vladimir's couch. How had I let this happen? I hadn't intended to stay here, let alone fall asleep. The realization hit me like a jolt of electricity, and I scrambled to my feet, trying to make a quiet and hasty exit before Vladimir could discover my presence.

I tiptoed toward the door, my heart pounding in my chest. I was determined to slip out unnoticed, avoiding any confrontation with Vladimir about my unwelcome presence in his suite. But before I could reach the doorknob, his deep, melodic voice filled the room from behind me.

"Leaving so soon?" he inquired, his tone laced with amusement, and he let out a soft, knowing chuckle.

My body froze mid-step, and I clenched my fists in frustration. There was no hiding now. I needed to face him, as awkward as this situation was becoming. Slowly, I turned around, and my head held high, preparing myself for whatever reaction Vladimir might have. However, I was unprepared for what I saw.

Vladimir stood before me, his upper body exposed, wearing nothing but a white towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets glistened on his tanned skin as he vigorously dried his dark hair with a smaller towel. It was an unexpected sight that left me momentarily speechless, my cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.

"I-I was waiting for you..." I stammered, my voice shaky as I tried to regain my composure.

Vladimir's lips curved into a playful smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I figured," he replied, his tone light and teasing.

I felt a surge of irritation rise within me at his casual response. I had been ready to explain myself, to convey my intentions, and here he was, making light of the situation. I cleared my throat, my irritation evident in my voice. "Will you let me finish?"

Vladimir seemed apologetic, but his smug expression told a different story. He might be sorry, but he was enjoying this situation far too much.

I took a deep breath to steady myself. "I came here to talk to you. I can't stay here with so many unanswered questions," I began, my voice trembling slightly with a mix of frustration and anxiety.

He leaned against the small bar counter tucked in the corner of the room. Without a word, he poured himself a glass of wine, then another. With measured steps, he approached me, extending one of the glasses my way. "Here, have some wine," he suggested, his tone casual.

"I-I don't need a drink," I declined, my nerves making it hard to even consider alcohol.

His head tilted to the side, and that wicked smile played on his lips again. Placing the glass on the bedside table near me, he leaned closer. The scent of his fresh shower wafted over me as he neared. Even without contact, I could feel the warmth of his body, and it was overwhelming.

"Okay," he relented. "Shall we talk then?" His voice was low and inviting as we stood face to face, our bodies mere inches apart.

I hadn't realized I'd been holding my breath until I exhaled shakily. His proximity was suffocating, and I knew I needed to put some distance between us before I lost control entirely. If I didn't step away soon, I might find myself on my knees, begging him for things I shouldn't be asking for.

I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure as Vladimir donned a silk robe, his casual demeanour doing little to alleviate the tension that had taken hold of the room. "C-Can you please put on something before we talk?" I managed to request, my voice trembling slightly.

That wicked smile of his played at his lips again before he responded with a hint of amusement, "Of course. Whatever you ask for." With a casual turn, he exposed his back to me. My eyes widened in shock as he dropped the towel around his waist without warning, revealing the full breadth of his sculpted back. I watched in a daze as he reached for a silk robe hanging in the corner of the room and used it to cover himself. However, it did little to ease my discomfort, as I couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath that thin layer of fabric.

"Go on, Taylor. I'm listening," he said, making his way to a large couch situated in the centre of the room. He settled into it, his posture relaxed as he spread his arms across the backrest, a glass of wine in one hand. His smile grew wider when he saw me grab the glass of wine, which I refused a while ago and gulped all of it. I needed to borrow some strength from that wine, especially after what he did.

I hesitated, then moved closer, although I made a conscious effort to keep some distance between us. His presence was still electrifying, even though he was now more appropriately dressed. I stood in front of him, placing the glass of wine he'd offered on the table between us.

"Vladimir," I began, my voice shaky, "I need answers. I need to understand why you brought me back here into this situation. It's not just about me; it's about Diane, too. I can't ignore her presence or the fact that you... kissed me earlier today. How could you do that when you're well aware that your girlfriend is coming here today?"

His gaze remained steady on me, and for a moment, there was silence. I took the opportunity to collect my thoughts.

"Why am I here, Vladimir?" I asked with a hint of desperation. "Is it because of some royal obligation? Or is there something more? I need to know the truth."

He swirled the wine in his glass, his eyes never leaving mine. "First of all, Diane is not my girlfriend. At least not anymore. Leave her to me. I'll deal with her soon, if that's what makes you comfortable," he finally spoke, his voice calm. He took a slow sip of his wine before continuing, "Diane's presence here, it's not what you think. She faced some unexpected trouble with her residence, and she needed a place to stay temporarily. "

I couldn't help but feel my irritation grow as Vladimir's answers failed to ease the troubles that were eating at me. My eyebrows furrowed deeper, and I pressed on, determined to get to the bottom of things. "And the kiss?"

Vladimir's demeanour changed, his typically composed face taking on a more serious tone. He seemed to choose his words carefully as he responded, "The kiss... it was a mistake, Taylor."

Vladimir's confession hit me hard. He called the kiss a "mistake," and I was left reeling. That word alone seemed insufficient to describe the whirlwind of emotions I had felt during that unexpected moment. I was a jumble of hurt, anger, and confusion.

Unable to find words to convey my inner turmoil, my heart ached with a sadness I had never known. The man I had once loved, who had once meant everything to me, had kissed me passionately. Yet, now, he reduced it to a mere mistake. The word echoed in my mind like a cruel taunt.

"Taylor," Vladimir's voice was soft, tinged with regret and perhaps a trace of longing.

Taking a deep breath to regain my composure, I responded coldly, "It's okay. That's all I need to hear." I didn't want him to see the turmoil in my eyes or the hurt that threatened to spill over. "I'm expecting that it would never happen again. Right, Your Highness?"

But I didn't wait for his answer, I turned away, heading for the door, needing to retreat to my own space to sort through the mess of emotions inside me. As I stepped into the dimly lit corridor, my mind swirled with conflicting thoughts. Vladimir's words, the memory of the kiss, the weight of our complicated situation – they all vied for my attention.

Approaching the grand window that overlooked the castle grounds, I saw the moon casting a silvery glow over the gardens, turning them into a surreal dreamscape. Yet, there was no solace to be found in the beauty outside. My heart ached with the knowledge that I couldn't simply walk away from this life, despite my desire to do so.

Sinking into a plush armchair, my thoughts became a chaotic whirlwind. Tears, which I had held back in Vladimir's presence, now flowed freely. I allowed myself this moment of vulnerability, releasing the pent-up emotions that threatened to engulf me.

Now, in the stark light of reality, I had to acknowledge that it truly was a mistake. Wiping away my tears, I resolved to find the strength within myself. I couldn't rely on Vladimir to provide answers or to mend what was broken. I needed to chart my own path, navigate the treacherous waters of my royal duties, and learn how to exist in a world that had become exceedingly complicated.

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