Chapter 246: Mary Sue Wants to Help Me Win Over Girls? When the Ice Queen Melts into Tenderness (4)
One of Shia's hands held her wrist firmly, while the other rested on the tree beside her, trapping her.
He lowered his head, staring directly into her eyes.
Violet's anger flared.
First, you act clueless, and now you're cornering me like this?
What on earth do you take me for?
With a mix of fury and indignation, she opened her mouth to question him.
"What are you tryi—"
Before she could finish, her words were swallowed.
Violet's eyes widened slightly.
Shia's presence overwhelmed her, filling her entire world.
His handsome face was so close, and the sensation of his lips on hers—sucking gently—made her body freeze.
She felt as if all the air in her lungs had vanished. Oxygen became a rare commodity, and her body began to go limp from lack of it.
At first, she attempted to push him away.
But her hands, placed against his chest, felt weak and powerless. Forget about pushing him; she could barely stand.
One thought spiraled in her mind over and over:
He's kissing me?!
She... She's being kissed again!
The feisty little wildcat from earlier was instantly subdued, turning soft and obedient, snuggling into his embrace.
Her heart floated high on clouds, untethered and weightless.
All the frustration and unhappiness from before dissolved in an instant.
They were replaced by joy and contentment.
Her heart felt full to the brim, so much so that she wanted to sigh in satisfaction.
When she finally managed to catch her breath again, her hazy eyes glistened, full of watery light.
Her small fists lightly pounded against Shia's chest as she gazed up at him, dumbfounded.
At that moment, she looked completely like a lamb awaiting slaughter—innocent and defenseless.
Violet's heart pounded wildly, the sound deafening in her ears as it grew faster and faster.
Her red lips moved slightly, trembling as if she wanted to say something.
But in the end, nothing came out.
Countless questions swirled in her mind, questions she wanted to ask but didn't know where to begin.
What was their relationship now?
Why had he been so cold before, and why was he doing this now?
What did that kiss just now mean?
But as she looked into his eyes, all those questions seemed unimportant.
He was right in front of her. They were close, their bodies pressed together.
And that made her happy.
Caught entirely in his grasp, Violet's thoughts derailed, and she blurted out a silly question.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
Shia reached out and playfully flicked her nose.
"What do you think?"
Violet pouted, her lips trembling.
She wanted to hear him say it.
Shia chuckled softly, pulling Violet into his arms, clearly in a great mood.
"Last time, a certain princess snuck a kiss and ran away. I'm just collecting what's owed. That's fair, isn't it?"
His teasing smile made Violet recall that moment. But now, thinking back, it carried an entirely different feeling.
Realization dawned on her, and her face turned a mix of shame and annoyance.
"Oh, so you're bullying me, huh?"
Facing Violet's aggrieved glare and her feeble punches against his chest, Shia didn't feel the slightest bit threatened.
If anything, her antics felt more like flirtation, utterly lacking in malice.
Shia caught her small fists in his hands.
"Are you mad?"
That question tipped Violet's emotions over the edge.
This jerk—he's enjoying this, isn't he?!
"Hmph!"
She huffed loudly, refusing to answer and turning her face away from him, her whole demeanor screaming, "I'm angry, and I'm not easy to appease!"
Shia didn't relent. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her back to face him.
Looking into her eyes, he saw no true anger.
There was a hint of girlish delight, mixed with the soft hesitance of someone wanting to refuse but unable to.
"So, tell me, why did you come to find me today? Hmm?"
His voice was a gentle murmur in her ear, warm breath teasing her sensitive skin.
The magnetic tone sent shivers down her spine, drawing her into his orbit.
Her freshly donned white stockings, pristine and smooth, had become an accessory to his playful advances.
Outside the grove, the lively chatter gradually faded as the evening sun dipped lower. The campus grew quiet and still.
Inside the grove, however, the lingering heat of summer remained.
The atmosphere grew charged with intimacy until an untimely voice shattered it.
"Your Highness, where are you?"
"Your Highness, are you inside?"
The figure of a green-haired knightess appeared at the edge of the grove.
It was Aph, her face filled with worry as she searched for Violet.
Hearing Aph's voice snapped Violet back to reality. She quickly stepped back several paces, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
She turned toward the grove's edge.
Aph's voice drew closer; she was clearly about to step inside.
Though annoyed at the interruption, Violet still felt a pang of guilt. She blamed Aph for her lack of tact, but their moment had been undeniably ruined.
Disappointment and frustration bubbled in her chest as she swatted Shia's mischievous hand away.
Taking a few deep breaths to calm herself, she tried to cool the heat lingering on her face.
When Shia moved closer again, Violet's eyes flashed with a warning.
She shoved him back, her voice sharp with false bravado.
"Next time, I'll teach you a lesson—just you wait!"
With that, she quickly adjusted her dress and walked briskly toward Aph's voice.
Her small hands smoothed her outfit from head to toe, ensuring her clothes were intact and her hair wasn't disheveled. Finally satisfied, she tugged her skirt down slightly and hurried away, her white-stockinged legs moving with haste.
Her steps wavered slightly, and she stole a quick glance back at Shia, throwing him a mock fierce glare, baring her teeth.
It was utterly adorable.
Shia couldn't help but laugh.
He reflected on how his impression of this proud yet contradictory princess had shifted.
At first, her arrogance and noble airs had been off-putting. But over time, her hidden warmth and vulnerability drew him in.
Now, when her icy exterior melted, she was just soft and lovable.
This contrast made her irresistibly charming.
---
Outside the grove, Aph was growing increasingly anxious.
By this time, the princess should have been home, perhaps even finished with dinner.
But Violet hadn't returned.
Aph had searched the classroom, library, and training hall but found no sign of her.
With the sun sinking lower, her worry deepened, driving her to search every possible location Violet might have gone.
Looking at the dark and secluded grove before her, Aph clenched her fists.
Could the princess be inside?
This was where she had first encountered Shia.
Back then, Violet had stepped in to negotiate on her behalf after Aph had been bested by Nia.
Part of Aph hoped Violet was inside, so she could confirm her safety.
But another part of her feared what it might mean if she was.
Gritting her teeth, Aph tightened her grip on her sword and stepped forward resolutely.