12. Watching a Horror Movie?

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He narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow. Even after recognizing the identity of the imperial royal standing opposite him, he showed no intention of yielding.

He had noticed Weize moments ago—the Empire’s sole prince—and had never expected to see him publicly make things difficult for a female.

“Sir.” Weize’s gaze traveled over the man before him. He was an imperial soldier, but crude and discourteous. “By placing yourself between this lady and me, you seem to be behaving rather offensively.”

“Sir, you were the one who offended my female mate first.”

A smile remained on Weize’s face, but his eyes narrowed dangerously. “Oh? Yet I have not exchanged a single improper or offensive word with this lady.”

“Do you know who you’re speaking to, you rude beastman?” Seeing the displeasure on the prince’s face, Ruan Jiao immediately stepped forward to defend him. Secretly, she rejoiced. Fortunately, Ruan Li was already married; otherwise, if the prince truly took a liking to her, it would be disastrous.

“Your Highness Weize, I am naturally well aware of your illustrious name. Are you certain you wish to do something so unbecoming of your status in a public place?” Tuo Ye spoke in a low, steady voice, his words carrying the semblance of a threat.

In truth, it was merely a reminder.

From the moment His Highness Weize had chosen to sit in the hall, every word and action of his had already become a live broadcast.

And his public favoritism toward a female today would certainly be spread far and wide.

Tuo Ye had not expected him to approach Ruan Li so openly in front of everyone.

Did he not know that showing favor toward a female would bring disaster upon her?

A cold gleam flashed through Tuo Ye’s eyes. He stepped in front of Ruan Li, shielding her from the malicious and gossiping gazes around them.

The two men stared at each other in silence. A calm yet thunderous battle had already begun.

Ruan Jiao bit her lip, then stepped forward and linked her arm through Weize’s. In a low voice, she said, “Your Highness, someone has already begun recording and taking pictures.”

The chill in Tuo Ye’s dark eyes was enough to make anyone shudder, but as a veteran of countless battlefields, he did not show the slightest trace of fear.

Weize’s gaze swept slowly over his face. “You… are very good.”

He turned to leave, pulling his arm free from Ruan Jiao’s embrace. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The prince’s attendants soon entered the hall and began dealing with those who had left behind evidence or intended to stir up public opinion.

Naturally, one or two still managed to slip through.

“I’m sorry,” Tuo Ye said quietly.

Before Ruan Li could understand what he meant, he had already gathered her into his arms.

The man bent down and murmured beside her ear, “There are too many people here, and too many watchful eyes. They may be trying to take your picture. I’ll have to trouble you to stay in my arms for a while.”

Through the layer of his black shirt, Ruan Li felt the heat radiating from his body. Suppressing the heartbeat that threatened to leap from her throat, she nodded.

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The cold and aloof wolf beastman carried his female mate away, shielding her from every malicious gaze.

The StarNet instantly exploded with countless trending searches.

#Prince Weize Declares His Love in Public! And She’s an Unknown Female#

#Blurry Photo: She Looks Completely Ordinary, Yet Somehow Won the Prince’s Favor#

#Prince Weize Dates Ruan Jiao! An Engagement May Be Imminent#

“Your Highness, Your Highness…” Ruan Jiao hurried after Weize in small steps. Though irritated, she had no choice but to continue ingratiating herself with him.

“Miss Ruan, I believe I’ll have to leave early. Please excuse me.” There was no warmth in the man’s dark eyes. Even the polite smile he had maintained at the beginning had vanished completely.

“But Your Highness, the Empress said that you would be going on a date with me today.” After hesitating for a second, Ruan Jiao decided to invoke the Empress to pressure him, despite knowing it would make him displeased.

His gaze instantly shot toward her like an icy blade, utterly devoid of warmth and cold enough to pierce the bones.

“Then, as you wish.” The corners of Weize’s lips slowly curved upward, revealing that same impeccable smile once more. Yet the upper half of his face remained cold and merciless, as though he were looking at a corpse.

Ruan Jiao secretly rejoiced. Though the prince appeared somewhat unhappy, he was still willing to continue their date.

As long as they had enough time to get to know one another, His Highness would surely come to like her.

“Your Highness, may I hold your arm?” she asked softly, her eyes filled with anticipation. Yet Weize’s excessively cold gaze made her want to retreat despite herself.

A low, ambiguous laugh rumbled from Weize’s throat. He looked Ruan Jiao up and down as though appraising a piece of merchandise.

“As you wish.”

Held in Tuo Ye’s arms, Ruan Li could see only his rapidly advancing strides. His hand gripped her waist, carrying almost her entire body against him, her feet completely off the ground.

It was nearly ten minutes before Tuo Ye finally stopped. His upper body rose and fell slightly as he carefully set Ruan Li on the ground.

When he saw her dazed expression, the corners of his lips lifted. He reached out and brushed the disheveled strands from her temple behind her ear. As he withdrew his hand, his fingertip lingered for several seconds against her warm, soft cheek.

The sensation was so pleasing that he nearly forgot his restraint and pinched the soft flesh.

“I’m sorry. I messed up your hair.”

Ruan Li lifted her head to look at the man apologizing to her. The smile on his face was far too conspicuous, softening his sharply defined features and fierce, icy expression. It was like a spring breeze sweeping into a snowy mountain, melting a thousand years of frozen ice.

“Did I frighten you?”

Seeing her sluggish reaction, Tuo Ye asked.

“No.” Ruan Li jerked her gaze away as though shocked by electricity, glancing in every direction except at the man before her.

“Where are we going now? Are we going back?” Ruan Li asked.

Her face was burning, and her head felt slightly dizzy. Even her voice sounded airy and unsteady. To the man, however, it sounded like pure, unadulterated coquetry.

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Soft and sweet, like a tender little pastry.

Tuo Ye suddenly regretted not pinching her soft cheeks just now.

“If you trust me, we’ll go somewhere.”

“Where?”

Ruan Li looked up at the building before them, whose ceiling resembled a starry sky. Confused, she asked, “Where is this?”

Tuo Ye gave her a mysterious smile. “The top floor of the shopping mall. It has holographic projections. Is there any movie you want to watch?”

Taking the little female’s soft hand, Tuo Ye led her inside.

“What movies are there?”

“Many. How about a horror film? Thrillers tend to be rather bloody and might frighten you. Action films are too violent, so you may not like them…”

The man suddenly fell silent.

“Why did you stop talking all of a sudden?”

The man gave a low chuckle, his voice slightly hoarse. “I was afraid you would get angry if I said what I was about to say.”

“What?”

“There are too many bed scenes in romance films. You’d definitely be shy.”

Ruan Li’s face began steaming like a boiling kettle, puffing out waves of hot vapor.

There was nothing unusual about Tuo Ye’s words. Why did she feel so embarrassed?

Fortunately, they had already entered the holographic theater. The lighting inside was dim, so Tuo Ye probably had not noticed how red her face had become.

Ruan Li had forgotten that beastmen were humans descended from animals. Predators such as wolves had exceptionally sharp vision in low light.

After a long silence, Tuo Ye asked, “Have you decided what you want to watch?”

“Th-then… a horror film?” Her mind already muddled with dizziness, Ruan Li completely failed to notice the trap hidden in his words.

“All right.”

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