The Princess's Private Tutoring - Chapter 5

Episode 5. Refusal

“Sir Killian?”

Killian said nothing and simply stared at Celestia.

His gaze was so intense it dried her lips. Come to think of it, Celestia had always found his eyes overwhelming.

‘Is it because I like him too much?’

How could other women talk to him so comfortably?

Avoiding his gaze, Celestia called him again as if urging him.

She acted indifferent, but her head was dizzy from the heart that had been pounding wildly ever since she saw him.

In that state, she heard Killian say the portrait pleased him.

She couldn’t tell whether he meant the painting itself or the gold frame around it.

Regardless of his true feelings, Celestia wanted to give it to him.

No—she had resolved to make sure it ended up in his hands.

A gift was one of the most powerful ways to express affection.

The more expensive and rare the gift, the longer it stayed in memory.

Celestia wanted to leave an impression in Killian’s mind, even if only that way.

“It’s been a while… Your Highness.”

After a brief wait, Celestia finally heard his low voice.

Was it her imagination, or did it sound slightly strained with tension? She adjusted her expression and lifted her head.

Killian and Celestia’s eyes intertwined in the air.

“You haven’t changed.”

“You haven’t either, Sir Killian.”

“I assume you mean that in a good way?”

Celestia bit the soft flesh inside her lip.

She should’ve asked. What did he mean by ‘haven’t changed’?

But she couldn’t. What if he still saw her as a child?

“Princess?”

This time, Killian urged her for an answer.

“It’s a compliment.”

She left it vague. She had to.

The line from his exposed forehead down to the bridge of his nose was flawless, his deep-set eyes and upward-slanting corners elegant, and his lips—not too thick, not too thin—were noble.

And his body—

Celestia recalled the view of Killian’s back as he’d looked at her portrait. Her cheeks flushed.

A tall, upright frame without a trace of excess made him appear firm and unyielding.

God loved Killian.

The evidence was in his face and body—proof that left no room for doubt.

If she blurted out what was on her mind, he might recoil and walk out.

So Celestia smiled and held out her hand. “Let’s greet each other properly, Sir Killian.”

As if entranced, Killian took her hand and bowed. His lips touched Celestia’s small hand.

Whose was that thrill that ran down their spine?

Killian’s kiss on the back of her hand was solemn, but the desire simmering inside someone was base.

“Shall we sit and continue? There’s a lot I want to hear.”

Celestia quickly turned to hide her burning cheeks.

As she spun, her skirt puffed up like a tulip bud, then settled.

A sweet fragrance wafted over Killian. The scent of a woman.

She really hadn’t changed.

She was still lovely, and she—

Killian tensed his jaw. He paused to collect himself, as if enduring something, then took a seat opposite Celestia.

“Did you enjoy life abroad?”

As tea and refreshments were served, Celestia and Killian exchanged updates.

Killian answered her questions sincerely.

“You must’ve had a lot of girlfriends?”

He had been speaking easily until then but now hesitated.

“…No.”

“They say foreign academies are more relaxed about mingling than ours. Unlike our social scene, where just brushing fingers leads to talk of marriage.”

Celestia shivered dramatically and shook her head.

“It’s not always like that.”

“So, you’re saying you didn’t have a girlfriend?”

Unable to grasp the intent behind the question, Killian kept his mouth shut.

He wasn’t sure whether she meant literal female friends or a romantic relationship.

Either way, given the context, neither answer would be strange. But Killian’s instincts told him what she truly wanted to know was his dating history.

It made sense. Celestia was still a pure woman who had never dated and was at an age where one might admire the freer atmosphere abroad.

Unfortunately, he had no grand tales to tell her.

Though many women approached Killian, he couldn’t give his heart—or his body—to anyone else.

And he simply wasn’t in a situation where he could commit to someone for the long term.

The time he was said to be studying at the academy was actually…

“Sir Killian, are you invoking the right to remain silent for an inconvenient question?”

Startled, Killian snapped out of it and shook his head. “There’s nothing that would interest Your Highness. Nor any such relationship.”

The corner of Celestia’s mouth twitched. She quickly raised her teacup to hide it.

‘Are foreign women blind? How could they leave Killian alone? Or was there no woman good enough for him? Where exactly are that man’s eyes located?’

According to the letter Houston had sent, foreign academies were full of tall, beautiful, and stylish women!

Celestia’s mood plummeted.

She set her teacup down and stirred in a sugar cube.

Killian, who had been watching silently, poured milk into her cup. He had seen her repeatedly glancing at the milk bottle.

“You liked your tea with milk.”

“Not anymore.”

Celestia didn’t like the bitter, astringent taste of tea.

That’s why she used to add plenty of milk and sugar—same now as in childhood.

But liking something sweet and mild might seem too childish, so she had restrained herself today. And yet, Killian had seen through her.

He hadn’t even seen her that many times, so how did he know her so well?

Her heart pounded at his exceptional memory.

“My mistake. Shall I bring you a new cup?”

Celestia’s eyes lit up. “That would be nice.”

Before the words had even fully landed, Celestia reached out and swiftly swapped her cup with Killian’s.

Without hesitation, she brought her lips to the cup he had used.

Before Killian could raise his hand to summon a servant.

Killian froze at her unexpected move. He stared fixedly at Celestia’s lips touching his cup.

Rosy, plump lips.

Killian’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. Oblivious, Celestia sipped her tea with focus.

‘We just had an indirect kiss.’

A foolish thought passed through her mind.

When Killian had offered to change the cup, he had meant asking a servant to bring a fresh one, but things had already gone way off track.

“Aren’t you going to drink, Sir Killian?” Celestia asked, her eyes lifted while her lips still touched the rim of the cup.

Looking into those clear, innocent eyes, Killian felt his chest tighten.

“I don’t care for milk either.”

“Ah… is that so?”

Celestia slumped her shoulders. Seeing her visibly deflate, Killian quickly added, “But women who drink milk are cute. Everyone thinks so.”

It was utter nonsense. But to Celestia, it was a huge comfort. She smiled brightly again and said, “Our lessons start tomorrow. And they’re daily. All day long.”

Veins popped slightly on the back of Killian’s hand as he continued holding her cup, unable to drink from it.

“Every day, all day?”

It was a rather burdensome request.

“I’m in a bit of a hurry, Sir Killian.”

“To develop your political and diplomatic sensibilities, I assume?”

The skin under Celestia’s eye trembled faintly. But it was so brief that Killian didn’t notice.

“Yes. I’m hosting the upcoming Sun Festival in three months. There’s so much I need to study. This year, over a hundred distinguished guests are attending.”

“Starting tomorrow… every day… all day…”

Killian’s heart sank. He had expected at most one or two short sessions a week.