A plan to escape

Jess was stunned when she felt his cold lips on her as he held her in place with his hands. 

Her eyes widened in shock as she struggled to get out of his grip, but he held her firmly until she felt the cold liquid from his mouth flowing through her lungs.

Jess was so consumed with the kiss that she was oblivious when her hiccupping stopped, and her breathing returned to normal.

A thunderbolt of emotions ran through her mind as she felt a spark of electricity foreign to her; Jess chided herself when she caught herself fantasizing about the kiss as her fingers lingered on her lips.

Jess had wanted to wait until she and James were married before sharing such an intimate moment.

James understood and respected her decision and maintained a respectful disposition around her whenever they were together; she wondered how James would react if he found out.

Jess felt she betrayed James and broke her word with him even though it was not intentional.

Are you feeling better now?

Brock asked when he noticed her hands lingering on her lips, with a hollow look clouding her face, a mixture of regret and curiosity that he could not quite figure out.

Jess snapped her head and looked at Brock, and she could not help but blush as her mind replayed the kiss, especially when she noticed the smirk on Christine's face.

I-I am-fine.

Christine shuttered.

A sly smile crept up his face when he noticed the red blush painting her cheeks. The shy look of embarrassment as her eyes fluttered while avoiding his gaze made it clear to Brock that it was her first kiss.

Brock chuckled as he found her actions amusing.

If a simple kiss from him could make her blush, he wondered how she would react when he kissed her passionately, taking her to the pinnacle of ecstasy and making her scream his name at the top of her lungs in pleasure.

Christine,

The baritone voice snapped Christine, who was standing at the far corner of the room, awkwardly trying to blend in with the color of the wall back to the present.

Christine straightened her back while masking her expression.

Yes, Your Highness.

She replied casually, ignoring the awkwardness in the room.

Get someone from the palace to tend to Christine until she recovers. I do not want her parents to accuse me of not caring for their precious jewel when they arrive tomorrow.

Brock said teasingly.

Brock commanded, to which Christine nodded.

That would not be necessary as I am perfectly fine.

Jess interjected, not wanting to spend another hour in the crown prince's chamber.

Brock leaned forward, and Jess pulled her head back, thinking he wanted another kiss, but Brock only cleaned the soup stuck on her upper lip.

Are you sure?

Then why is your cheek red? Was I too rough when I kissed you?

Brock asked, feigning concern with his words.

Jess's face burned with embarrassment as Christine watched the crown prince being flirtatious; it was the first time she had seen him relaxed and cocky without the urge to draw out blood.

Your Highness, people might misunderstand the situation and spread unwanted rumors if they were to find me in your quarters. I don't want to get in trouble with your sister.

Jess said in a soft tone, hoping to change the subject.

She did not want to be entangled with him and needed to be far away from his scrutinizing eyes if she wanted to plan her escape from the hospital estate tomorrow when the ceremony was in full swing.

I am perfectly fine now.

Jess assured.

It will do me no good to be cooped up in a place without exercising my body. Besides, Lucia must be worried and overwhelmed with work within such a short time.

Jess added while giving Christine a pleading look for help.

The physician said you need rest and a warm room to help expel the cold in your body. This room is closed off, so you don't have to worry about my sister barging into the room unannounced.

Jess looked at him, and her hope to escape his clutches dimmed.

She cared less about Princess Melissa and her tantrums, which were no different from her sister, Mia. Her biggest worry was sitting beside her, and she could do nothing about it.

Your Highness, Princess Rose and her entourage will be here in two hours for a tour of the hospital estate and for you to show her around the estate.

Christine chipped in. Jess was grateful to Christine for intervening.

Ask Daniel to accompany her. I do not want unnecessary rumors when we are this close to our goal.

Brock replied dismissively.

If there was one thing Jess had learned about the crown prince and Daniel, it was their shared disdain for Rose Belmoth.

Jess had heard rumors at the diner that the crown prince was engaged to Rose Belmoth. She never paid any heed to rumors, but seeing the crown prince avoiding a public appearance with Princess Rose gave her an idea of how to buy time to plan her escape.

Your Highness, tongues will wag if you are absent from welcoming the dignitaries and royalties gracing this event tomorrow.

Jess chimed in, catching both Brock and Christine off guard.

What do you mean?

Brock asked, wanting to hear what she was thinking.

If the princess does not fuss about how she was received and treated, your absence at the central stage with the rest of the royal family and dignitaries will not cause much of a ruckus.

Jess explained.

She hoped the crown prince would be satisfied with her idea. Jess wanted to give him an escape route from Rose Belmoth for a day while she plotted her escape route, a win-win situation for everybody.

Go on.

The crown prince said with a smile on his face.

How about agreeing to take her on a tour around the estate and the city as the director without her usual retinue tagging along to satisfy her demands and make her happy?

Jess suggested.

Christine was unsure where Jess was going with this but remained silent as the crown prince seemed invested in her idea.

Do you mean to say I can be absent from the ceremonial opening without causing a ruckus by faking an injury while trying to please Rose?

Brock asked with a grin on his face.

Yes, Your Highness.

I am surpried you caught on to my idea so fast.

Jess chuckled, impressed by how quickly he caught on while it took Christine a while to process and understand the information from the look on her face. Her father was not wrong to have said the crown prince's intelligence was second to none.

Injuries and accidents can happen and are not within our control.

Jess added.

It's a great idea, Your Highness.

Christine concurred.

Make preparations for the princess and two of her bodyguards to accompany us.

Brock instructed Christine, who nodded and left the room, leaving Jess alone with the crown prince.