I had to win Felix over, no matter what.

After a few pleasantries, I cut straight to the chase. "Felix, how about you be with me? I can grant you status and wealth."

I studied his expression. He was rather surprised, but at least not the kind that meant I was getting hauled off to jail. I sighed in relief and continued, "I'm the eldest princess born of the empress and the sibling of the crown prince. My maternal grandfather is Philip Gray, the chancellor."

Felix didn't answer for a long while, and I didn't press him. Honestly, he'd be a bit boring if he had no backbone or pride.

After a long silence, he asked, "Are you asking me to marry into the imperial family as a prince consort, Your Highness?"

Huh?

"Not exactly," I said. Having a husband made it inconvenient to have a reverse harem. "You just need to occasionally do some… wicked things with me."

Felix looked like he understood what I meant… and also like he was completely baffled.

His face flushed crimson, and he parted his lips to speak, but a cool voice interrupted our conversation, "You sure are enjoying yourself, Your Highness."

It was Rowan. He stood about ten paces away. A light breeze passed, making the flower petals beside him rustle and fall to his feet.

A scene like that would usually make me drool a little, but in that moment, all I felt was my scalp prickling. He hadn't heard what I'd just said, had he?

Damn it! I felt like I'd be given a minimum sentence of ten years. I was done for.

…

Felix looked like he'd just spotted a savior when Rowan joined us. He bowed in a quick farewell and hurried off, like a ghost was chasing him.

Only Rowan and I remained by the pond.

He stood a few steps away, his face unreadable. "Your Highness, I sought you out to apologize for the misunderstanding the other day. I didn't expect to interrupt your delightful pastime."

Misunderstanding? No, there was no misunderstanding.

But he said he wanted to apologize.

I snapped into seriousness at once. "Yeah, you really got the wrong idea about me that day. Go on, then. Apologize. I'm listening."

Rowan fixed his gaze on me. After a while, he suddenly laughed softly. "Your Highness, is today also a misunderstanding? I suppose it is. Otherwise, you wouldn't flirt with me and then turn around and flirt with Mr. Lodge. You are of royal blood and have an exalted status, but please, don't toy with me anymore."

Maybe he'd been drinking—there was a faint flush to his cheeks, and a vivid red petal rested on his shoulder.

Honestly, with a face like his, how could he think I was just toying with him? Why didn't he think I'd genuinely been asking for a kiss?

Still, toying with him wasn't a crime that was supposed to land me in prison. So, yeah—I'd let him continue thinking I'd been toying with him.

I dipped my head solemnly. "Alright."

…

When I returned to the banquet, I found that Felix had already left.

I was a princess with power, status, and looks, yet I'd still scared him off. I couldn't understand it, but I figured he would come back. I couldn't think of a reason for him not to.

Well, given his good looks, I was willing to wait a few days.

At least, that was the plan. I didn't expect my body to get impatient before my mind did. All I could say was that I was a female protagonist in a spicy romance novel—everyone knew what our bodies were like.

Christopher had recently sent me a batch of guards and subtly hinted that I could have my pick of them to enjoy myself. He wanted me to leave his court officials alone.

Rude.

I hadn't planned on humoring him, but one of the young guards was right up my alley.

He had tanned skin, and his features were bold and defined. He was only 20 years old, yet he already had broad shoulders and a figure as solid as a wall. His face was sharp and stern, and he was always in black armor as he silently stood watch at my manor's gates.

Sometimes, when I called on him to answer a question or two, the faintest blush would spread across his square, striking face. It was irresistibly tempting to tease him.

I lounged in my seat and summoned him to help me put on my shoes and socks.

The guard, Derrick Stone, looked flustered as he waved his hands, saying he didn't dare offend me.

I arched a brow at him.

He pressed his lips together, looking like he was making a momentous decision. Then, he said, "Yes, Your Highness."

How adorable.

He dropped to one knee at my feet and supported my ankle with his fingers. However, his cool and distant gaze was fixed somewhere off to the side.

I smiled and tipped his chin up with my toe. "Focus when you're working, Mr. Guard."

Derrick's breathing seemed a bit quick, and his ears were so red they looked like they might bleed. Just when things were getting interesting, a handmaiden announced that Felix was requesting an audience.

Ugh, could he have picked a worse time?

I sat up, smoothed my clothes, and winked at Derrick. "Am I pretty, Mr. Guard?"

He froze for a moment, then immediately lowered his head. His voice was barely above a whisper as he answered, "You are."

…

Felix wore dark robes that day. Even seated, he had his back straight, looking refined and composed. When he saw me, he stood and bowed in greeting.

I waved him off, took the main seat, and looked at him with a smile.

He didn't dodge or avert his gaze. He looked straight into my eyes and asked, "Your Highness, does your earlier offer still count?"

"Of course."

"I'm willing to marry you, then."

Uh, what? Marry me? When did I ever say anything about marriage?

Then, I saw the look on Felix's face. He'd clearly struggled a lot before making up his mind. If he was this torn over deciding to be my husband… I was worried he would bash his head against the wall right in front of me if I told him I only wanted him as a boy toy.

Whatever—boy toy or husband, I would get him in my hands first.

Once he'd lost himself to me, he wouldn't be able to refuse my true offer, even if he wanted to. Anyway, if we really couldn't come to terms in the end, I'd just accept him as my husband.

He had no power and status, so he probably couldn't do anything if I started a reverse harem. Controlling him would be child's play.

Suddenly, I thought of Rowan. If he were my husband, I probably wouldn't even be able to have guards in my manor.

The thought made a chill shoot through me. I'd done good deeds all my life—surely I didn't deserve such a punishment.

…

I told Felix that we didn't know each other well yet, so we had to spend more time together. We needed to first build a little affection and develop feelings for each other before picking a date to marry.

The idea of that was clearly a bit too modern for him, but he agreed anyway because I found him a great job.

He was so innocent that he didn't realize the gift that had been bestowed on him came with a price tag. His body was already in my pocket!

I used the excuse that I wanted him to tutor me, so he started coming to the Princess' Manor every day.

Felix took academics seriously. When he lectured me, he was fully focused.

Well, so was I. I would focus all my attention on him.

When that happened, he would lift the book in his hand to subtly shield his face, leaving only the tips of his faintly flushed ears peeking out.

Was he deliberately seducing me with this routine? Because it worked like magic.

…

It had been a month since I'd come to this world, and I, the female protagonist of a spicy romance novel, had yet to get any action.

I thought with us seeing each other every day, I'd have my wicked way with Felix in three days, tops. But it had already been five days, and all I'd done was touch his hand. Even that was only because he was teaching me calligraphy.

His fingers were rough. The second his hand settled over mine, he yanked it back like he'd been jolted.

I caught it and smiled at him. Based on my experience, this was when Felix should lean in and kiss me. But after we held that pose for a long beat, he actually pushed me away.

He'd pushed me away! I was honestly speechless.

Something had to be wrong with him.

"Your Highness, I've overstepped," he said, bowing to me in apology.

I mean, in these pure-romance worlds, did babies just appear out of thin air? Couldn't we get a bit of a spicy plot in here?

I couldn't take it anymore. At this rate, how was I supposed to have my wicked way with Felix?

Just then, inspiration struck. I remembered I'd decided to take him by force.

Right. Since I wanted to force him to submit to me, why was I being all coy with him?

So, I tilted his chin up. "Felix Lodge, remember who I am."

Then, I sealed his lips with mine while his eyes were still wide with shock. I had to get him before he could react.

He froze for a heartbeat. Humiliation and shock mixed with just a touch of shyness formed a blush on his face. It was gorgeous, really.

Unfortunately, he quickly schooled his features and lowered his head. "Yes, Your Highness."

He seemed a little aggrieved.

Damn it! That only made him more tempting.

…

After that day, I became bolder.

I ordered Felix to serve me tea mouth-to-mouth, and I had him fill in my brows with the hand he used for calligraphy.

I also wanted Felix to pin up my long hair with his hands that were made to write poetry.

At first, of course, he was unwilling. If I pushed him too far, he would make excuses to stay away from my manor for a few days.

He would never take more than three days, though. He would show up again, looking calm and indifferent. He would wear the sky-blue robes I picked for him, with the coronet I'd given him on his head and the pendant I'd gifted hanging at his waist.

Even just standing there quietly, his eyes as still as a deep well, he looked as handsome as if he were a masterpiece.

He wouldn't need to say anything, for I would instantly forgive him.

Man, beauty was a curse.

…

A banquet was held at the palace to welcome General Colson back in triumph.

I sat below Father. When I looked back, Felix was swallowed up by the crowd, his good looks completely lost in the sea of faces.

I was bored and meant to leave early, but the guest of honor hadn't even arrived yet. Father sat at the most prominent seat in the hall, not looking mad in the slightest.

Well, I sure was.

General Colson, whose name was Gerard Colson, had deep ties to the original princess of this world. They were childhood friends of a sort, but the princess turned into Gerard's shameless pursuer as they grew up.

He had a devastatingly handsome face and was highly skilled in martial arts, and his father was General Northguard, who watched the northern frontier. On paper, he was a good match for the princess.

Except he didn't want her.

To avoid the princess, Gerard had gone to the border to lead the troops in war. He'd stayed there for three years. Who would've known that he'd not only come back in one piece but would also be triumphant?

Now, what did that point to? It meant that the heavens were blind and that menaces lived forever.

I had all of the original princess' feelings and memories, so I didn't think much of Gerard right now. If not for how ridiculously good-looking he was in those memories, I wouldn't have come to this banquet at all.

But by now, I'd lost my patience. I excused myself and slipped out. Then, I sent a handmaiden to bring Felix over.

Even if he were used to my brazen ways, he was still utterly stunned when I pinned him against the rockery and kissed him.

He scowled, looking ashamed and angry. "Your Highness!"

I covered his mouth and giggled into his ear. "Keep quiet. Do you want people to hear us?"

Felix's breathing became ragged, and his gaze darkened.

That only thrilled me more. "Or do you want to be heard?"

Just then, voices drifted over from afar.

"I heard you had the princess thrown into a cell for… verbally harassing you the other day."

"That's my fault. It was just a misunderstanding."

"Ha, I figured. She used to chase me relentlessly, after all."

The other voice paused, then said, "But General Colson, that was three years ago."

It was Gerard and Rowan.

I frowned. Anyone else would be manageable, but being caught by those two would spell trouble.

Suddenly, the arm around my waist tightened. Then, Felix pressed his lips against mine in a fiery kiss. Unlike his usual soft, passive responses, he kissed me with fierce heat, like he wanted to devour me whole.

Was he out of his mind? Wasn't he afraid of being seen? I might act crazy most days, but even this was beyond my limit!

Gerard's and Rowan's footsteps drew closer. My scalp prickled, and my eyes kept darting to the side. The handmaiden was practically twitching as she threw me frantic looks.

I could see her perfectly fine, thank you very much. She was about to sprain her eyeballs. But Felix was the one kissing me!

The footsteps faded, and I was relieved.

I was about to discuss various kissing techniques and positions with Felix when a voice ground out through clenched teeth beside us. "Claire Sable!"

I stiffened and turned to see Rowan and Gerard. They'd somehow ended up right next to Felix and me. Their faces were cold as frost.

Well, this was awkward… so awkward that I blurted, "What a coincidence. Want to join us?"

Damn it! This was exactly the sort of nonsense that went on in the mind of a female protagonist of a spicy romance novel.