The Prodigal Prince - vanish into fiction

Watching her startled lips part and close again, he let out a short laugh. The way his mouth curved gently upward gave him the playful air of a mischievous boy.

He then tapped on the small hatch to the coachman’s seat, changing the destination to the train station. It meant he was letting her go.

Enze’s face, betraying her every inner thought, shifted expression moment by moment. Louis, clearly amused, stroked her chin with satisfaction. The way his eyes narrowed at the corners showed how much he was enjoying himself after successfully teasing her.

Finally at ease, Enze fidgeted with her hands on her lap. It still felt strange that she had run into him so suddenly in the street. The timing of his appearance and rescue had been so perfect, it felt as if he had been watching from the heavens.

“Your Highness, what brought you here?”

“My company is nearby.”

“So this was a coincidence?”

A silent question mark formed in her mind. In a city this vast, what were the odds that his company would be right in front of her? And on top of that, for him to just happen to be out on the street and come to her?

“I have many people working under me. I was told you had gotten out of the carriage nearby.”

Her doubts only deepened. How could someone who wasn’t even one of the castle staff recognize her and report her location? Had the coachman stopped by his company? That didn’t make sense—unless someone had been tailing her.

Still, having been saved, it felt ungrateful to press him with questions. She silently bit her lip and studied him discreetly. The bloodstains on his sleeve were suspicious. It was unusual for someone of his rank to personally fight off thugs—and even more so for him to be that agile.

“That just happened to get on me too.”

Louis brushed off his blood-stained sleeve casually, as if to say he didn’t want to explain. He didn’t seem interested in offering a proper answer and gave off the sense that he would let her stay curious if she wished.

Well, there was no need for him to share everything anyway. Nobles often carried secrets they couldn’t reveal publicly. And perhaps it was better left unsaid than hearing some poor excuse or lie. She briefly closed her eyes, then opened them again and gave her belated thanks.

“I’ll never forget the help I received from Your Highness. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”

He gave a small nod.

“I’d hoped to hear your story, but I haven’t had the time lately.”

So that was why he hadn’t seen her—he’d been too busy. It seemed he hadn’t been hiding in the castle under the excuse of medical leave, after all.

“It’s a long story.”

“Well, I’ll just pretend I’ve heard it, then. We may be cutting it close for the last train.”

When the carriage arrived in front of the station and the rattling came to a stop, the flame inside the small glass lantern stretched into a long flicker.

The sudden silence felt awkward. It was uncomfortable even to meet his eyes, which shimmered like golden dusk dusted over the horizon.

“In that case, may I ask for a kiss before you go?”

He spoke in the same light tone and pointed to his cheek. Though he said “kiss,” what he was asking for was nothing more than a cheek kiss, which was just a greeting in some countries.

As a way to repay a debt, it felt far too trivial. So Enze took it to mean a lighthearted farewell and leaned toward him willingly. Meeting this man had been a stroke of luck, she thought. As their parting neared, she was left only with good memories of being treated with care.

As the distance between them closed, perhaps because she hesitated at what should have been a simple gesture, Louis’s gaze shifted slightly. As their breaths mingled and their noses barely brushed, she faltered.

He looked down at her with his eyes half-lidded.

Maybe he really does like me, she thought. After all, no one would ask for a kiss from someone they disliked. And the atmosphere between them had a subtle, sensual air. She couldn’t tell whether he was fond of her or if this was merely a goodbye kiss. Her thoughts jumbled, she couldn’t stop herself from questioning everything about him.

Their lips brushed lightly. His skin, damp from the rain, felt slightly cool.

Only after returning to her spot did she realize she had been holding her breath. A strand of hair fell across her forehead and swayed slightly.

Enze quietly placed a hand over her chest to calm herself as she stepped down from the carriage. From now on, she would have to face things on her own again. The chilly wind coiled around her ankles, sharpening her senses. She looked around carefully, worried someone might still be following her.

Seeing this, Louis stepped down as well.

“I’ll escort you.”

She hadn’t expected that—she thought this would be the end. She never imagined someone of such high status would go out of his way to accompany her further.

“You don’t need to trouble yourself. I’ll be fine.”

“I need to take full responsibility until everything is finished.”

He climbed the station steps without hesitation, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Enze.