Chapter 161: Blushes of Morning
A few hours earlier.
Pandora stirred from her bed, her eyes lazy as she opened them. The face that welcomed her was Raven’s sleeping face. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she almost gasped. He was sleeping so peacefully that she just looked at him—not to mention his hands were wrapped around her waist possessively.
She had never been the first to wake up; usually, by the time she woke, Raven was already gone. So, her actually being the one to wake up first was not just surprising, but shocking as well.
She looked at him more closely and realized just how handsome this man really was. Before she knew it, her heart began to race. She stared at him with a wide smile as she admired him, but then her body stilled.
Last night.
Her eyes widened as the memory of last night began to flood in. A soft gasp left her lips as her face burned. She didn’t even realize that the shirt she was wearing was Raven’s.
Her lips parted and her ears burned as she remembered the things he had done with her body—the way he had used his mouth to...
"No, Pandora.., don’t think that. Yesterday was yesterday. Focus on today," she whispered softly, as if reminding herself not to think such thoughts. She decided maybe she would have a bath and things would return to normal.
She moved slowly, raising his hand off her with so much care. It was heavy, but she made sure it didn’t slip. She gently placed it beside him, then shifted her body as she pushed the blanket away—slowly yet steadily. Sitting up, she exhaled softly, trying to calm her breath, but another flash of last night came rushing back.
She hummed softly under her breath, needing to distract herself with something—anything.
"Good morning."
Pandora’s eyes stretched open as Raven’s deep morning voice came through. Her lips parted and her shoulders stiffened. Before she could even nod or reply, his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him. Her body moved swiftly to his side, and though her heart raced, she let herself rest against the bed. She turned to him with a shy smile.
"Good morning."
Their eyes met, and she immediately shifted her gaze away, feeling shy.
They now faced each other on the bed. One thing she didn’t realize was that her shirt—or rather, his shirt—had already ridden up to her navel.
Raven’s eyes flickered downward, and a smirk played on his lips.
He moved, and before Pandora knew it, his hand gently rested atop her smooth butt. As he caressed it softly, sweet shivers ran down her spine. Her eyes flew wider as she quickly pulled the shirt down, her lips parting as her cheeks burned even hotter.
Raven’s laughter followed, making her heart race even more. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Why was he laughing at her? She pursed her lips, but then Raven’s hand moved to her chin, tilting her face toward him until their eyes locked.
"Are you shy?" he asked gently.
Pandora shook her head.
"W...why would I be?" she spoke, shifting her gaze.
Raven laughed softly as he leaned in, kissing her cheek.
"Oh, my Dora, you clearly are. Do you want me to take it away?" he asked, his voice low and teasing as her face burned.
She gave him a hard glare.
"Oh, you bad man," she said, but even her glare didn’t look serious as her face kept flushing her heart was not ca at all.
"About last night..." Raven began, but his words were cut short when Pandora immediately moved her hand to cover his lips. His pupils dilated slightly as he stared at her, and to his surprise, she pulled her hand away only to press her face into his chest, hiding her blush.
"Don’t say it, Raven... I know," she whispered softly.
A smirk curved on Raven’s lips. He lifted his hand and caressed her hair.
"Don’t worry. After we keep doing this, I promise you’ll like it and get used to it. Don’t worry—the mouth thing I did to you yesterday, you’ll do the same to me tonight," he said with a wide smile.
Pandora’s eyes widened, and she pulled back, staring at him with parted lips.
"B...but your stuff is not like mine."
Raven stilled, shocked by her innocent words. He truly hadn’t expected that.
But before anything more could happen, a knock sounded on the door.
Raven sat up. "Wait, I’ll be back."
Pandora nodded as he stood and walked to the door. After some time, he returned, holding an envelope. He opened it and began reading.
Curious, Pandora stared, wondering what it was about. But the moment Raven raised his head to look at her, she quickly shifted her gaze away, pretending she hadn’t been watching. A grin spread across his face.
"Go and get ready. We’re going somewhere today," he said.
Pandora finally turned to him curiously. Was that why he was holding a letter? She nodded and stood calmly, walking to the wardrobe.
"Should I bathe you?" he asked softly.
Pandora’s eyes snapped to his, stunned. The way she stared at him told Raven exactly what she was thinking. This woman really was naive.
"Just pulling your pretty legs," he chuckled.
Pandora smiled faintly as she grabbed her clothes and opened the door to the bathroom. As she undressed, she moved to place his shirt on the counter. But when the mirror reflected her body, she gasped.
Her cheeks turned redder as her eyes locked onto the love mark etched into her skin. The memory of last night flooded back, and an unknown smile tugged at her lips as she stepped into the bath.
Meanwhile, Raven closed the door and accepted fresh bedsheets and pillowcases from a maid. Carefully, he stripped the bed and rearranged everything. Just as he finished, the bathroom door opened. Pandora stepped out, her cheeks flushing as their eyes met. If only she knew how many times she had blushed that morning.
Raven walked past her, carrying his clothes, and headed toward the bathroom. Just before entering, he paused.
"Pandora..." he called softly.
She turned, surprised by the tone in his voice. Their eyes met, and he whispered calmly:
"You look beautiful."
Then he closed the door behind him.
Inside, Raven facepalmed himself, his ears burning red, his heartbeat racing. He was falling madly—dangerously—in love. This had never happened before. The spark between them only burned brighter with every second.
Pandora, noticing how clean the room now looked, couldn’t help but smile. This man really was perfect.
When Raven finished, they left the room together.
"Are you hungry?" he asked calmly.
Pandora shook her head. She wasn’t hungry yet—it was still early.
"Very well. You’ll come with me. Food will be sent to our room, and then you’ll eat. Make sure to finish everything. Is that clear?" His tone was final.
Pandora pouted softly but nodded. "Noted."
Raven smiled, and they walked on, Pandora curious about where he was taking her. His expression was serious now.
They reached the entrance. She turned to ask a question, but the sound of a carriage interrupted her words.
It stopped, and a lady stepped out, dressed in royal clothing. Pandora’s eyes widened. But then, another woman stepped out—and this time, Pandora froze.
Her grace.
A crown rested on her head. Pandora realized she was looking at the queen. Their eyes locked.
But why... why did it feel like she had seen her before?