47 Spinster (1/2)

When Xueyue was just a few steps away from her tent, she was forced to halt again. Her eyes were trained on the collar of a broad chest. His well-fitted clothes did nothing to conceal the contours of his rippled muscles when he crossed his arms.

”I apologize. I wasn't able to intervene in time.”

”I'm not a damsel in distress. I don't need saving.” Xueyue raised a brow and added, ”Besides, Commander, it's not like you've sworn to protect me.”

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.

Commander Wen Jinkai's eyes widened a small fraction at her daring words. He had expected her to be shaken up from her encounter with the Fourth Prince, but to his surprise, she was fine and dandy. Not a single hair was out of place, except for the absence of a hairpin.

”Indeed, but it's a gentleman's duty to help–”

”I didn't need help, but I appreciate the thought.” Xueyue smiled. ”I can handle myself perfectly well, Commander.”

Wen Jinkai's frigid eyes softened at her words. ”I have no doubt of your capabilities.”

”Then why did you try to intervene?” The words slipped out of her mouth before she could help herself. She stiffened, her eyes widening. ”I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that–”

”It's alright,” he instantly said.

Xueyue tried to ignore how smooth, but deep and masculine his voice was. It was gruff, but not in a bad way.

”You're a very capable woman, Xueyue,” he said. ”But there's nothing wrong in relying on someone once in a while. Being too independent will only tire you out.”

”In this world, we can only rely on ourselves.”

”You don't mean that,” Wen Jinkai softly answered, taking a step towards her. He expected her to react timidly by taking a hesitant step backward like what he had witnessed during the archery competition. Instead, she raised her chin defiantly, stood her ground and crossed her arms.

”You're too close to me, Commander.”

”Am I now?” He resisted the urge to smile at her slight frown. Her brows were crinkled, forming creases between them. ”You've been hurt before,” he whispered, his eyes trailing over her defensive stance.

It was barely visible, but he could see it in her tense shoulders and tightening fingers. ”Not everyone is out to hurt you,” he murmured, taking another step forward.

”One more step and I'll stomp on your foot.”

”I'd prefer you stomp on it during dances, or perhaps,” he closed the distance between them, standing dangerously close. ”You can step on them to reach me.”

”Are you always this friendly with women?” Xueyue narrowed her eyes. She desperately wanted to take a step back and create some distance between them, but she didn't want to lose this challenge.

By now, there were secretive glances their way. Of course, there were no direct stares. There were, however, many people watching them from the corner of their eyes.

”Why do you ask?”

”It's off-putting.”

”Is it?” he murmured, reaching out to tuck strands of loose hair behind her ears. Her entire body stiffened at his gentle touch. She hadn't expected his large form to be capable of gentleness. She could feel her heart skip a beat when his fingers grazed the back of her ears. It was a soft touch that disappeared as fast as it came.

Xueyue didn't have enough time to recover from his actions when his body suddenly grew taut. His nonchalant stance straightened as he softly pushed her behind him.

”Wang Longhe,” his deadly voice was enough to immediately freeze the Fourth Prince in his footsteps. The air around them suddenly became suffocating.

”Commander.”

Xueyue didn't get a chance to peer back when she felt his firm squeeze on her upper arm.

”Go,” he quietly whispered.

”I don't need your help,” she mumbled, attempting to turn around, but his vice grip was too strong for her to even move.