“Regarding the matter of me being attacked at night by a woman and left with kiss marks… Corellia, do you know anything about that?”
Caine didn’t necessarily think it was Corellia, nor did he think she would admit to it if it were her. He just wanted to test her. Since she had said there was no need for formalities because they were the same person, she surely wouldn’t remain indifferent toward something that happened to ‘himself’.
“This is the first I’ve heard of such an absurd thing. Did it happen last night?” Corellia didn’t have any particular reaction. She simply pressed him for details in a voice as cold as ice.
“No, it happened twice—the night before last and today during the day. I purposely stayed awake last night to catch the culprit in the act, but I ended up falling asleep in an inn today to catch up on rest. When I woke up, I found the same kiss marks… It was ice-blue lip makeup, exactly like yours.”
Whether Corellia truly hadn’t done it or had done it but possessed an incredibly steady mental state, she showed no abnormalities. Caine tested her again with a serious expression, revealing the color of the lip makeup while intentionally hiding the fact that this was actually the third time, not the second.
“Something like that actually happened? Show me exactly where they were left.”
Upon hearing that the lip makeup matched her own, Corellia finally showed a change. However, it wasn’t her cold tone or expression that shifted, but her actions. Without any significant change in her voice or face, she proactively walked toward Caine, seemingly intending to seriously scrutinize what kind of marks had been left on his body.
Her sudden approach was somewhat beyond Caine’s expectations, causing him to instinctively reach out to stop her. Given the unquestionable dominance and majesty she radiated, Caine suspected that even if he said the marks were on his lower body, she would demand he strip for her without hesitation.
However, refusing her approach would mean losing the battle of momentum. If she really was the culprit and was just acting, even if she admitted it later, Caine wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
Thus, Caine ultimately stopped his right hand from reaching forward. Instead, he took the opportunity to pull off his white shirt, revealing his sturdy chest. Pointing near his collarbone, he said flatly, “Though I’ve already cleaned off the ice-blue lip prints, if you look closely, you can see a lingering kiss mark here, right? This is one of them.”
Caine didn’t hide anything; there really had been a print near his collarbone. As for why he pointed there, it was because that was the most decent spot. The other locations were simply not for others to see, not even a Queen.
Corellia didn’t respond immediately. She stared intently at the spot Caine was pointing to with a cold gaze that could make one shiver, as if she wanted to sear that faint, lingering mark into her memory.
‘To be honest, this situation is a bit eerie.’
If a third party were to see Caine and Corellia right now, they likely wouldn’t have any idea what these two were doing. Though their attire and the distance between them were quite ambiguous, their expressions weren’t the least bit suggestive. Instead, they were so serious that it was suffocating, a heavy atmosphere enveloping the entire room.
“Based on what you’ve said, it seems it wasn’t just your upper body. If it’s convenient, could you let me see your lower body?”
After a long 10 seconds, Corellia finally stopped her observation and looked up at Caine. Her soft, thin, ice-blue lips parted as she voiced her desire to see the rest.
“Even if it’s your request, Corellia, the answer is no. If I asked to see your lower body, would you agree?”
Given the vibe Corellia gave off, the fact that she was asking for his opinion rather than giving a direct command was already merciful. If she were the culprit, it would be one thing. But if she wasn’t, wouldn’t Caine look like a total pervert if he actually stripped?
Therefore, Caine flatly refused and tried to make her put herself in his shoes so she would understand his rejection.
“What’s wrong with that? It’s just my own body.”
But it was clear that Corellia couldn’t relate to Caine’s perspective at all. After hearing him suggest a role reversal, she simply stated coldly that it was no problem. Her eyes, adorned with ice-blue eyeshadow and as clear and cold as a winter lake, didn’t hold a hint of bashfulness. It was as if she were talking about something entirely trivial.
Caine, unable to understand her logic, fell into silence.
‘Strange. Why do Vita, Altina, Edwina, and Corellia herself so firmly believe that he and Corellia are the same person? Is it possible that he’s the one with the problem?’
‘Oh, right, I forgot that Vanessa is the same as me.’
“You look like you can’t understand. How about this? To keep you from feeling embarrassed, I’ll take mine off with you.”
While Caine was lost in thought, Corellia made another shocking suggestion. Caine immediately rejected the proposal, even though he wouldn’t really be the one losing out in that scenario.
“Why has it come to this? There’s no need to go that far.”
Caine looked at the white-haired Queen standing less than 0.5 meters away in a translucent, loose nightgown. His gaze was filled with speechlessness and a lack of understanding.
‘Does Corellia trust him that much? Isn’t she afraid of things catching fire and getting heated? Or does she want to use her cold attitude to ignite a blaze? What would be the purpose of that? Is it because she’s actually a massive narcissist?’
“I’m just stating my stance. Since you don’t need it, I won’t go that far. Rest assured, I would only do this for you.”
Because she never displayed any warmth, even after being rejected by Caine, Corellia simply stated that if he didn’t need it now, then fine. But if he ever did, he could ask at any time.
‘Why does she have to add that he is special? Won’t that just lead to misunderstandings?’
Looking at the Queen before him, who he couldn’t tell was cold or hot, Caine’s heart was a mess of complex emotions. He didn’t know what to say. He was truly at his wit’s end with this Queen.