The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 188: Hanging In Limbo

"Pathetic? You think I am pitying you?" Cordelia’s voice shook. She cleared her throat, straightened her posture, and let her voice turn crisp and firm. She wouldn’t allow Louis to think so lowly of her.

"Pity you? Why? Do you think I am so naïve that I do not understand the complex politics around you? I was not raised just to look pretty and act elegant. I was raised to be aware of situations and act accordingly."

"Is that why you tried to slap her when you knew what that entailed?" Louis’s voice had softened considerably. The fire in her eyes was unmistakable.

Cordelia bowed her head, fiddling with her fingers. "I cannot watch anyone berating you... I’m done watching you from the sidelines to safeguard my position. I cannot watch you stand out there, lonely and... looking abandoned anymore. I will do anything to show you that you are not alone..."

Her voice cracked, her eyes filling with tears. Yes, it was beyond rationality to act like a shrew in a fish market. Her mother would punish her for her behavior, but she didn’t care.

If she could make him feel less lonely even for a minute, it was worth it.

She heard Prince Louis gritting his teeth but turned her face, refusing to look at him. It didn’t matter if he was angry. She couldn’t stay composed in the face of such debauchery anymore.

"Anything?" he asked, his hands trembling.

"Anything," she said, meeting his blue eyes. It had been a while since she had a good look at his beautiful eyes.

"Anything?" His voice rose, more desperate.

"Anything."

He pushed her against the wall, pinning her hands above her head. "Anything..." His voice rolled in her ear as he lifted her skirt.

Cordelia threw her head back, the warmth of his masculine scent enveloping her. Though he looked angry, she saw the faint blush on his face as his fingers trailed over her inner thighs.

She relaxed, not even trying to escape his hold. Her rational brain sounded alarm bells. If she let this go out of control, she would lose her position as a candidate for the crown princess consort. It didn’t matter if it was the crown prince who took her virginity; without it, she’d lose her chance. Everything she endured since childhood would be wasted. She’d fade into obscurity if her father didn’t kill her first.

And yet, she relaxed. Her heart pounded with excitement as his forehead rested on hers. He exhaled, the warmth tingling her lips.

Her ample bosom rose and fell against his chest. "You’re not going to stop me?" his finger lingered close to her womanhood.

"Will it make you feel less lonely if we did this?" she asked.

"Yes!" he said, his grip on her hands loosening. His eyes reddened, lips trembling.

"Oh, Louis... My precious..." Cordelia cupped his cheeks. "If I can make you less lonely, I’ll do anything. I’ll watch you share the throne with another woman, live the rest of my life in obscurity if it means that I am the one you come to when you feel lonely... I’m here. Use me. I’ll do anything for you... This much is nothing."

Cordelia felt him shaking. Before she could look at him, he covered her eyes with his big hand. They were standing so close that there was no space for air between them, and she could feel him holding his breath.

Is he crying?

"Why?" he asked, his voice meek, the same as it was the day his father rejected his plea to join the war. That day too, he spoke holding his breath like this. There was a door between them then.

"Because I love you," she said, her voice unwavering. What other reason could there be?

He stood there, silently, embracing her for a time. His lips brushed against her earlobe as he let her skirt down. His hands held her waist, pulling her closer. She didn’t resist and went along with him.

His lips brushed along her earlobe, trailing down to her neck. She let out a sharp exhale, tangling her fingers in his hair as she embraced him.

He hadn’t replied to her confession, but she wasn’t bothered. As long as he knew that she loved him, that was enough. He should know that there was one woman out there who would give up anything for him. He should know he was loved.

The gentle brushing of his lips turned to nibbles as he reached her neck. The nibbles slowly turned to kisses as his lips trailed to her chin, closer to her lips.

His breath was warm, mingling with hers, creating a heady mixture of emotions and desires. Cordelia’s heart raced, her pulse quickening under his touch. She felt his fingers tighten on her waist, his hold both possessive and tender.

Cordelia’s heart raced as the reality of her situation set in. She was about to have her very first kiss. Louis placed a smacking kiss on her chin, his thumb gently rubbing over her bosom. Cordelia’s legs went weak, and she leaned on him for strength.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and carried her to the fainting couch. Cordelia held his cheeks, looking deep into his eyes, her heart pounding with excitement. His jaws were clenched, and his eyes shone with resolve. He gently placed her on the couch and kneeled in front of her.

He stared at her, a myriad of emotions playing across his face. His gaze was intense, filled with a mixture of longing, uncertainty, and something deeper, something that resonated with the love she had confessed to him.

Cordelia’s breath hitched as she watched him. The world seemed to slow down, every heartbeat echoing in her ears. His presence was overwhelming, the warmth of his body radiating toward her, grounding her in this moment.

Louis’s hands gently cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the stray tears that had fallen. His touch was tender, almost reverent as if he were afraid she might break. Cordelia leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment.

With a quick whisk, he stood up and walked away. Cordelia, still hanging on the tender moment that just happened between them, watched in shock as he walked out.

Why is he leaving?