The Toy in the Summer Palace - Chapter 33

It was a natural gesture to serve him.

Thanks to the turnaround, Senita gained some freedom. The glossy blue eyes wandered over Iskandar’s back, curved with dense muscles. His shoulders and chest were broad, but the line tapering down to his waist was gracefully defined. He looked like a mythical military god with that physique.

It was indeed an impressive body. As Senita helped him put on the shirt, her gaze was locked on Iskandar. If he hadn’t turned around, she would have admired his physique for a much longer time.

Iskandar stood before Senita, who was at a loss for what to do.

Her heart was pounding, and she felt like her ears could hear its rhythm. While she had managed not to get caught peeking, she still felt somewhat reprimanded. Furthermore, his chest was visible through the gap in his open shirt. Even when she tried not to look, her eyes kept straying.

“What are you doing?”

“What?”

“The buttons. You need to fasten them.”

“Oh, yes!”

Senita hurriedly began to fasten the buttons, trying to appear as composed as possible, despite the unintentional distraction. Iskandar’s well-defined chest, strong pectoral muscles, and prominent abs made it challenging for her to concentrate, but she was determined to keep her composure.

As she moved to button up his shirt, her hands traveled down. The fabric of his shirt felt slightly moist, perhaps due to the spilled tea.

She thought about wiping it off, but Iskandar stopped her, which she found somewhat perplexing.

The emperor reached for a strand of Senita’s long hair and gently twirled it between his fingers. She was taken aback but didn’t resist, as he seemed solely focused on her golden hair.

“It’s still as shiny as ever.”

“Still… what?”

“I remember thinking it was pretty.”

The compliment caught her off guard. She felt her cheeks flush but managed to keep her mouth closed.

She didn’t hear the word “pretty” often, but it meant the world to her. Her ears were now reddening.

“I’ve only been here for a short while, and I’m already fed up.”

Iskandar’s remark puzzled Senita. He was already tired of the concerts, balls, fireworks, lawn games, tennis, croquet, the food, alcohol, and cigars that he used to enjoy in Las Rosad?

Her imagination led her to picture Iskandar dancing with an aristocratic lady in a glamorous gown under his suit, making his figure seem exceptionally enchanting. She wondered when he would return, or if he would return at all.

Senita buttoned the last button, and her heart sank as Iskandar made a surprising suggestion.

“So, I want you to be my playmate again this time.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Why are you so surprised? It’s not your first time, after all.”

“But… that was when I was a child…”

“Is it strange for me, an adult, to have a playmate?”

“No! I didn’t mean that…”

“Your hands.”

Senita hastily grasped the fabric of his shirt once more, trying to fasten the buttons correctly this time. She felt it was taking much longer than usual, and she couldn’t afford to make mistakes, especially with Iskandar’s chest still in view.

“The buttons.”

After his mild rebuke, she realized that she had misaligned the buttons and needed to correct them. Senita looked up at Iskandar with an apologetic expression, and he, in turn, looked at her.

“Fix it.”

Their eyes met, and Iskandar took Senita’s hand, which was hanging beneath his shirt, and guided it back to his neck. As her hand touched his skin, she couldn’t help but gasp in surprise. Iskandar, with a calm smile, issued a directive.

“Undo them all.”

His low voice had an undeniable authority, and under the weight of his command, Senita obeyed. As she unfastened the buttons, the muscles of Iskandar’s chest that he had hidden were revealed again through the open shirt.

“Button it.”

For the second time, Senita’s hands worked diligently to fasten the buttons. She felt the pressure of not making any more mistakes in such a minor task.

As she tried to move her hand quickly, it brushed against his chest with each button. Senita flinched every time she felt that solid contact, hastily pulling her hand back. She finally managed to do up the last button, unsure of what to do.

“Good job.”

“T-thank you.”

Her task was completed. Senita quickly stepped back, feeling the heat in her stomach and the subtle loss of breath in the room’s warmth.

Should I ask to leave now?

“Senita.”

Iskandar moved closer, closing the distance she had created in an instant. Senita held her breath, her heart pounding.

“Your Majesty.”

At that moment, a servant’s voice came from outside the door.

“Sir Caballero requests an audience with you.”

Iskandar, upon hearing the servant’s report, looked between the door and Senita.

“I should take my leave today.”

He instructed his servant to bring his guest inside. The order was executed without hesitation, with Valentino led to the bedroom and Senita sent back.

Senita, her face still flushed, clasped her hands together, maintaining her composure. Iskandar bid her farewell with a languid smile.

“Goodbye, Senita.”

Then, he approached her and whispered.

“See you again tomorrow.”

*

The door of the dressing room closed behind Valentino, who entered Iskandar’s bedroom. He glanced back momentarily at the sound and then straightened himself when he saw the emperor.

“I bring news from the Kingdom of Ertand, the emissary delivered it.”

Iskandar, seated in an armchair, tugged irritably at the collar of his shirt and asked impatiently.

“Get to the point. Speak quickly.”

Valentino, maintaining his elegant demeanor, spoke as he revealed his intent.

“I just wanted to inquire, do you require me to find a suitable woman?”

Iskandar laughed at Valentino’s straightforwardness, but it was true that his pants had expanded slightly.

“No, I was about to bathe anyway.”

Valentino, coolly undeterred, grinned playfully and continued.

“It appears that the person you were with brought a smile to Your Majesty’s face.”

Iskandar raised an eyebrow curiously. Though he was in a relaxed state, Iskandar was intrigued by Valentino’s mention of Senita.

Narrowing his eyes in annoyance, Iskandar signaled Valentino to stop with a gesture. Valentino quickly turned to the main topic.

Valentino informed Iskandar of the news brought by the emissary from the Kingdom of Ertand, then, after discussing a matter of ducal importance, he departed. With the idea of a particular woman gnawing at him, Iskandar was left to his thoughts.

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