MELT MY FROZEN HEART
Chapter 50 — The Morning After the Chaos
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The morning sun crept over the palace walls, casting golden light onto the courtyard, but the real chaos was inside the dining hall.
Guards staggered in with sore heads, their polished uniforms slightly crooked, pretending nothing happened. Servants whispered behind curtains. The infamous "awkward singing" from last night? Apparently, Prince Kimo himself had been caught humming along before storming off red-faced.
Oki smirked as she carried a tray of tea toward the prince's chambers. Her footsteps were light, but her heart was heavy with nervous excitement. After last night's strange warmth, what version of Prince Kimo would she face today? The cold, sharp-tongued royal—or the blushing, flustered one who'd accidentally admitted her kindness was "annoyingly distracting"?
She knocked once. No response.
"Your Highness? Tea…"
The door creaked open on its own, revealing the prince—not in his usual perfectly tied ponytail and royal robes—but sprawled across a lounge chair, loose strands of raven hair framing his sharp face. His icy blue eyes met hers, heavy-lidded but sharp enough to make her stop breathing.
"Close the door," Kimo ordered, voice husky from sleep—or frustration.
Oki obeyed, setting the tray down carefully. "Rough night?"
"Those idiots," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "As if I didn't see them sneaking bottles into the garden. And you—" His gaze narrowed. "What did you give them? Some of them were singing songs in your language."
Oki shrugged innocently, hiding a grin. "Just honey wine… it loosens the tongue."
"It loosens the brain." He stood, stretching, the robe slipping slightly to reveal a glimpse of toned muscle along his collarbone. Oki turned away quickly, cheeks heating.
But Kimo wasn't done teasing. He stepped closer, towering over her, voice low. "You made a fool of me too, you know. I—" His words faltered, the slightest pink creeping onto his usually pale cheeks.
"Oh? I thought the mighty prince never gets flustered," Oki teased, tilting her head.
For a second, Kimo looked genuinely speechless… then his frosty composure snapped back in place. "You're impossible." He reached past her for his tea, their hands brushing. "We have visitors arriving. I expect you to behave."
Oki's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Of course, Your Highness. Perfectly… impossible."
Outside, the morning bell rang—but inside, the tension between them simmered, as dangerous and delicate as ever.
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To be con....