CHAPTER 73: SEDUCTION AT HIGH NOON (AND ZERO WORK DONE)

[Leif’s POV — Leif’s Chamber—Evening]

Days passed like a chaotic dream. Alvar’s visits became... normal. Normal, but still dangerously charming. The kind of normal that made my heart trip over itself.

He’d waltz in, lounge on my bed like he owned the place (which, to be fair, he kind of did), and somehow turn breathing into an act of seduction.

And now? The Rainbow Fashion Show loomed like a divine punishment sent specifically to torment me.

Invitations. Guest lists. Seating charts. Hell itself had better organization.

"Ughhh!"

SLAM!

My forehead met my desk in defeat. "I don’t know who to invite and who to uninvite!" I groaned into the desk.

The original Leif had the social skills of a wet cabbage—how am I supposed to pull off a high-society gala?! He’d been far too busy chasing the female lead and now I have to deal with all these.

"Ngh..." I rolled back in frustration, only to notice Alvar lying on my bed and munching grapes.

This man. This demon. This Greek god is on casual mode.

"Will you stop munching those grapes for, like, five seconds and help me

?" I demanded, waving the crumpled guest list.

Alvar tilted his head, a slow, teasing smile curling on his lips. "Alright," he said, patting the mattress beside him. "Come here. Let me help you."

Gosh. Seduction at high noon.

I narrowed my eyes, my heart betraying me with a fast, uneven beat, and reluctantly walked over. As soon as I reached the bed, he pulled me down beside him like a magician claiming his prize.

"Alvar!" I protested weakly, face already buried in his chest. His scent hit me—warm cedar, faint citrus, and... danger. Pure, intoxicating danger.

He hummed, flipping through my guest list with one hand while his other absentmindedly combed through my hair. "Alright... I’ll circle the names you should send letters to. The rest... you can handle, right?"

"Ugh... can’t you just do the inviting part too?" I whined, fluttering my lashes at him. "You’re way better at pretending to like people."

. . .

. . .

He laughed lowly, the sound rumbling against my cheek. Then, without warning, he leaned in and gently nipped the tip of my nose.

"My sweet, lazy lief," he murmured, brushing a thumb along my jaw. "You’re the host. You must send the letters. That way, the empire knows whose brilliance they’re attending."

I groaned, flopping dramatically onto his chest. "Alright... fine."

And just like that, my irritation melted faster than snow in the sun. The man had weaponized affection. Unfair. Illegal. Too effective.

I miss my internet days of instant online messaging. One ping from a messenger app, and boom—everyone comes. Letters? Ugh... so old-school.

Then—like a lightbulb flicking on—I remembered. His birthday was coming up.

I peeked up at him, heart hammering with something between excitement and nerves. "Alvar... what do you want for your birthday?"

He blinked, eyes softening, and smiled. Then, in that infuriatingly smooth way, he took my hand and pressed a delicate kiss to it.

"What about... ’You’?"

. . .

. . .

I slapped his chest lightly, half-laughing, half-exasperated. "Ugh, so cheesy! And—hello?— I’m already yours."

He leaned down, pressing a kiss to my cheek this time, lingering just enough to make my heart stutter. "Still... I feel like I haven’t had you enough, my love."

Then his hands slid toward my waist, pulling me closer. "It’s been too long, Leif... why don’t you give me my birthday present a little early?" His voice was soft, teasing, and almost sinful.

I froze, heat rushing to my cheeks as his hand slipped lower under my pants, dangerously teasing, making heat crawl up my spine. "Ngh...!! Alvar... we can’t... I need to be on my feet at the fashion show. If we start now, I’ll be walking like a dead man for weeks!"

He smirked, pressing his forehead against mine, voice dripping with mock innocence. "Just a little... Leif. You’re overthinking. We can keep it ’tiny,’ I promise."

I glared at him, trying to keep my voice calm despite my racing heartbeat. "Your ’just a little and tiny’ is dangerous, Alvar. I’ve seen what happens when you say that."

He grinned, his fingers still brushing around my hole in the most teasing way possible. "Dangerous? I prefer... exciting."

I rolled my eyes and shoved him gently, forcing him back. "Nope. I need to survive the ramp. And no matter how ’tiny’ you say it is... I know it’ll turn into a war zone."

He grinned, eyes glinting with mischief, then leaned closer. "Alright... I won’t do anything crazy. How about... just a kiss?"

I froze. My chest betrayed me, beating faster than it had any right to. And damn it, I couldn’t say no to this guy. He had this way of melting me—like fire licking ice, consuming me in the best way.

I nodded, barely whispering, "Alright... just a—"

But he didn’t let me finish. His lips crushed against mine. It wasn’t just passion—it was possessive, urgent, and tender all at once. He kissed as if he wanted to consume me but also protect me, holding me like I was the only thing that mattered.

His hands gripped my waist, pulling me impossibly close, pressing me to him. Every brush of his lips, every teasing flick of his tongue, carried a message: I want you. I need you. You’re mine.

I gasped, trying to pull back, but his kiss softened just enough when he felt my hesitation—his teeth grazing mine in a gentle warning—and then deepened again. He kissed like he was claiming, yes, but also like he was memorizing me, treasuring every tremble, every gasp, every shiver.

When he finally broke the kiss, his forehead rested against mine, breaths mingling. His eyes, dark and smoldering, softened just a fraction as they searched mine.

"Better?" he murmured, voice hoarse and low but threaded with care. "Because I’ve been craving you... and it’s not just desire. It’s love, Leif. Always love."

I shivered, overwhelmed, my heart pounding. "Alvar... you’re insane... and... and..."

He smiled, a slow, dangerous, tender curve of lips. "And in love with you, yes. Insane in love." His thumb brushed my jawline, gentle now, soothing the storm he’d just unleashed. "Only you, Leif. Only you. I can’t wait to marry you... to declare to the entire world that you’re mine."

My cheeks heated instantly, a pink bloom spreading across my face. I lazily draped my legs over him, curling around his warmth.

"And... you’re mine. Just mine," I murmured, nuzzling closer, letting the warmth of him seep into my bones.

Alvar chuckled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from my forehead. "Alright... but you should start writing the invitations, my love. Duty calls—even for the laziest royal in the empire."

I groaned dramatically, collapsing against him like a tragic hero meeting his end. "Ugh... or—and hear me out—I could just not. I could stay right here... forever. So warm... so safe... so deliciously unproductive..."

His arms tightened around me, his laughter rumbling against my cheek. "Tempting offer," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Maybe I’ll let you stay forever—once those invitations are done. Priorities, my darling sloth."

I peeked up at him, pouting. "You’re ruining the fantasy, Alvar."

"Reality tends to do that," he teased, his voice low and dangerously soft. "Though in my defense, you make laziness look like an art form."

I sighed dramatically, eyes fluttering shut for one last stolen moment of warmth. His heartbeat drummed steady beneath my ear—steady, strong, infuriatingly addictive.

"You make it sound too nice," I muttered, forcing myself upright even as my body protested like a martyr. I stretched, hair a mess, expression tragic. "Fine. Time to work. I hate responsibility."

Alvar’s chuckle followed me like sunlight spilling through curtains. "That’s my Leif—reluctantly responsible."

I shot him a glare over my shoulder, finger pointing accusingly. "Flatter me all you want, Grand Duke, but you’re still helping me seal those envelopes. Don’t think you’re escaping royal labor."

"Wouldn’t dream of it," he said smoothly.

And just like that, the room filled with laughter—soft, golden, and lazy. The kind that clung to the air long after words faded, wrapping everything in the gentle warmth of home.