I raised my head to look at him.

My jaw dropped, seeing how handsome he was. Thick black brows, pointed nose, chiseled jaw, and his lips... It was red. I want to taste it.

Goodness. What did I just say?

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, snapping me back to my senses.

"Not only did you eavesdrop on our conversation earlier, but you sat beside me without my consent?" I asked, tilting my head and raising an eyebrow.

Right. I should repel him while it's still early. I don't want Mom and Dad to do something embarrassing again.

Pushing away all the guys who will be near me, thinking they're my suitors-for example.

"Consent?" he asked, the disbelief evident in his voice. "Do I need one?"

I blinked twice in shock. "Wait... Don't you know who I am?"

"You?" He looked at me from head to toe. "You're a woman who doesn't want to be married to someone she barely knew."

"Tch." I scoffed, my gaze moving to the floor.

Right. That's why he had the nerve to speak to me casually. He didn't know my identity as the Miller family's heiress.

Somehow, I felt relieved when he talked to me like this. Aside from Mia, no one dared talk to me casually as they found me intimidating.

In fact, this is the first time someone approached me.

I suddenly felt... normal. And free.

"If you still love your life, then leave," I told him, my voice firm and authoritative. "My parents might misunderstand this conversation. They might think you're my-"

I stopped speaking when he suddenly leaned his face toward mine, narrowing our distance.

"Lover?" he asked, his lips curving into a smirk.

I gasped. His breath is intoxicating. His eyes... showed so many emotions that I lost count.

My stomach churned, feeling the butterflies in it. I tried to look him in the eyes for longer but failed. I was the one who looked away.

"Y-Yeah," I answered, and I couldn't help but stammer. "L-Lover."

Hell. Why am I stammering? It's just... a man.

But he's no ordinary man. His presence was already enough to melt me.

"Well, would it be more beneficial to you?" he asked in a low tone as he looked at me intently. "Once your parents know you have a lover, won't they stop bothering you about the marriage, then?"

"No." I shook my head. "They would rather kill you than let me call off that marriage."

"Oh, they're that ruthless and persistent?" the man asked with a smirk. "That reminds me of someone I know."

Whoever the person that reminds him of my parents, I don't rare.

But what the hell, why does his smirk look so hot? Damn, Serenity. What are you thinking right now?

I almost forgot that he was a stranger, and I should be careful around him.

Our family has too many competitors, after all. And that is one of the reasons why my parents wanted to marry me to the continental family.

To gain more power by using me.

"Still, I heard you're of legal age," the man said in a low tone, snapping me back to my senses. "Isn't that more than enough for a reason to do everything you wanted?"

I shook my head, the sadness evident in my eyes.

"Can't happen. They said I'm alive and experiencing a lavish lifestyle because of them. Which means... My life is also theirs."

He didn't answer, making me think that he agreed with that statement. Everyone, except Mia, shared the same sentiment.

But to my shock, he clenched his fists hard and chuckled darkly.

"That was the most bullshit thing I've ever heard."

I blinked in surprise. "W-What?"

"Why would your parents take something you never wished to have in the first place?" he asked. "Being in this world isn't someone in our control, isn't it? So why are they talking about it like it's our privilege?"

Not knowing what to say, I looked away. His questions hit right through my heart.

It's as if he was reading my mind, saying all the things I wanted to say for a long time.

"And a lavish lifestyle? You can't even have your freedom," he added, his tone casual yet it stormed me away.

Everything he just said was right.

This isn't a privilege, but a fucking prison. I would rather be poor yet I can do whatever I want, than to be a princess caged in a prison.

I clenched my hands resting on my lap, and I saw his gaze move at it.

"Right. That's the situation I'm in..." I told him despite the difficulty. "So, what can I do about it?"

"Simple." 

He smiled and held my chin, making me look into his eyes. 

"Now that you know the rules, you must break them."

I frowned, not understanding his statement. "And how could I do that?"

"Hmm..." He acted like he was thinking as he leaned closer, his lips almost touching mine. "Why don't you take the first step by coming with me?"

No. Don't come! You could be in danger!

That's what my brain tells me.

However, upon hearing those words, I couldn't help but be intrigued. And where does my curiosity take me?

To him-a man whose name I didn't even know.

"Alright," I said, not even knowing I was digging my own grave. "I'm in."

"Good girl..." he trailed off, looking at me with curiosity evident in his eyes. "What's your name, by the way?"

"Serenity," I introduced myself. I didn't know why, but even though his presence screams danger, I'm oddly comfortable with him. "And you are?"

He leaned forward, letting me feel his breath on my skin.

"I'm River, and that name is what you're going to scream for tonight."

***

"River-Ahhh, River! Shit!" I screamed heartily as I held onto his hair, my whole body trembling because of fear and anticipation.

At first, to be honest, I was afraid of where he would take me, especially after that bold statement that sent heat and shivers onto my body.

But now that I'm in this situation with him, I suddenly understand why he said those things.

He was right. I'll really scream his name for tonight.

"Fuck you, River! I told you I'm not into these things! I might vomit-"

My sentence halted as the rollercoaster took a turn as the operator accelerated the speed, making me feel things I've never felt before.

And no, not in a good way.

"Ahh, shit! Shit! Stop this fucking ride at once!" I screamed.

River chuckled. "Is pulling my hair while cursing me repeatedly still not enough to lessen your fear, princess?"

"This is kidnapping!"

"It's not," River defended himself. "You're not a kid, and you came with me, remember?"

"Ugh! But I didn't expect you to take me here and force me to ride a rollercoaster!" I grunted.

He raised a brow, looking me in the eye. "Where do you expect me to take you, then?"

My cheeks flushed as I looked away. He's right? What am I thinking? Why do I expect River to do such bad deeds to me when I wasn't even raised this way?

And wait, did I just admit to myself that I'm thinking about doing hot, steamy things with him?

"Answer me, princess," River demanded, his hand taking mine from his hair as he held it gently. "What do you want me to do?"

I didn't know how to answer that question. And thankfully, I was saved by the bell. Literally.

The rollercoaster ride came to an end, and the operator rang the bell to inform us about it.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and stood up, wanting to leave this place immediately. However, since it was my first time riding a rollercoaster, and hell, it wasn't a good experience, I almost kissed the ground as I stumbled.

Luckily, River immediately held onto my waist to prevent me from falling.

"Careful, princess," he said, his hands caressing my waist gently. "Are you okay?"

"Do I look like I'm okay to you?" I gave him a deadly glare. He was the reason why I was here, suffering.

"Well, yes. You look more okay to me now than earlier."

And that's when it hit me. The screams I had. Pulling his hair like it's the last string of my sanity, and me cursing him as if it will make all the fear I'm feeling fade away.

I released the pent-up emotions inside my heart... all because of it.

"It feels good, right?" he asked and showed a genuine smile. "You're not even thinking about your parents, those rules you obey, and even that marriage."

My eyes widened. He's right. For a moment, I forgot about it all... And I can't deny that my heart feels lighter now that I don't have any negative emotions.

I released it. All thanks to him.

"I guess you're feeling that good, huh? You didn't even notice your phone ringing."

"Huh?" I looked at my phone and realized he was right. "Shit. It's Dad."

Crap. Did he already know I'm not with Mia right now? But how?

I slapped my forehead, realizing that Dad has many eyes around me. 

How could I think about staying away from them when they could bring me back home in a snap?

"Shit," I cursed again, staring at the phone. I don't even want to answer it.

And the phone died, revealing the wallpaper I had. It's our family picture.

River looked at it, and his expression darkened. It didn't even change, as my Dad called me again for the nth time. 

I didn't even notice it earlier-I was too busy cursing River while the rollercoaster took different turns.

Shit. What should I do now? I know I should answer the phone and beg for his forgiveness.

But my hands aren't moving. I couldn't even muster the courage to answer the call.

River noticed it, so he extended his hand with his palm open, looking at me. "Give me the phone. I'll talk to him."

"Are you crazy?" I exclaimed, my eyes widening, and my voice louder than usual. "You'll talk to my Dad? You don't even know who he is-"

Before I could finish my sentence, River pulled the phone from my hand and answered the call.

"Hello?" he said, his tone low and somehow intimidating. "It's me, River Sage Palmer. Don't you recognize me by my voice?"

My brows furrowed. River Sage Palmer? It doesn't ring a bell.

I also don't know any members of the Palmer family here in our country, as their main place is in Italy. This is just a coincidence, right?

But why would he ask my Dad if he didn't recognize him? Do they know each other?

"Oh, her?" he looked at me, his lips curving into a smirk. "I just saw her somewhere, so I took her to the amusement park to let her frustrations out. You can ask your people to fetch him here."

River listened to what my father was saying on the other line. He even pulled the phone away a little bit from his ear.

It only meant one thing. Dad is scolding him.

"Come on, Rico. She's a grown-up woman. Why are you monitoring her as if she was a child who isn't capable of living on her own-" River grimaced and pulled the phone further this time. "Fine. Just go here."

River ended the call before giving it to me. "Here."

"Do you know my Dad?" I asked, confused.

"No."

"Then why are you talking to him like you two are close?" I asked, confused. "You don't even know who you're talking to-"

"Ricardo Miller," he said, interrupting my sentence. "I recognized him in the picture." He pointed at my phone.

"So you know him." I scoffed. "Yet why are you acting like that toward him-"

Again, I couldn't finish my sentence when a white car stopped in front of us. I immediately recognized it. It was from one of my butlers working under Dad's authority.

And yes, Mom and Dad have security teams on their own. If there's only one thing they have in common, that is they follow me wherever I go.

"Here's your chauffeur," said River as he leaned toward me, breathing in my ear. "A più tardi, principessa."

Before I could ask what that meant, River kissed me on the cheek before leaving.

I gasped as I held my right cheek-the part where he kissed me. What was that? And why do I feel my cheeks heating up?

But the important thing is, what did he just say to me? Did he just curse me or something?

***

After thirty minutes, my butler safely drove me back to the Miller Mansion.

He opened the door for me, and I immediately went out. My hands and feet were trembling as I knew what was waiting for me inside the house.

They would scold me, or worse, have me grounded again. I can't even blame Mia for this mess. After all, I shouldn't be receiving this kind of punishment at this age.

However, my parents scolding me isn't even bothering me that much now. It was the statement River let out before he left me in the amusement park.

A più tardi, principessa.

"See you later, Princess?" I muttered, the confusion evident in my tone. "Why would he even say that?"

"Young mistress?" Rojan, my butler, called as he snapped me to my senses. "Master Ricardo and Madame Eleanor were waiting for you in the living room."

I shivered. I knew it. Mom and Dad won't let this slide-especially now they know that I left Mia in the bar to be with a guy. They won't like it.

But I didn't notice that I had already stopped walking as I pondered about my thoughts, leaving Rojan no choice but to talk to me.

"Alright... Thanks."

I sighed and walked toward the living room. 

"Mom, Dad, I-"

"Serenity, we've been waiting for you since earlier," Mom said, interrupting my sentence. "We have a visitor, and I can't wait to introduce him. Would you mind changing to nice and comfortable clothes and going to the dining room?"

"Huh?" I blinked my eyes twice in surprise. Isn't she going to scold me?

"You heard every word I said, right? I don't need to repeat it," Mom told me, and I could hear the irritation in her voice now.

Still, she managed to hide it with her fake smile.

"Go. Quick," she said and slightly pushed me to go upstairs.

So I did.

I was still confused, but I managed to change into nice and comfortable clothing-just like Mom instructed. I wore a purple casual dress-something that complimented my features a lot.

"This couldn't be another blind date, isn't it?" I asked myself as I stared in the mirror, biting my lower lip. "I'm already engaged to Hans Continental. Knowing how influential the Continental family was, they couldn't easily retract it."

There were so many questions forming in my mind, yet I mustered all the courage I had to go into the dining room. I should just be glad whoever the visitor I have that my parents' scolding at me was postponed.

"Good evening, Mom, and Dad." I bowed to my parents as soon as I went to the dining area. Then, I looked at the man across from them. "Good evening, Sir-"

My words halted, and my eyes widened upon seeing who the mysterious visitor was. "River?"

River smirked, looking at me from head to toe. "Why are you so shocked, princess? I told you earlier that I'd see you later, right?"

"I know... But what are you doing here?"

"Serenity," my mom suddenly called, her tone laced with warning. "It's rude to ask our visitor that question. You didn't even greet him properly."

Hearing the annoyance in my mom's voice, my body and lips trembled in fear. I don't know why, but every time I'm near my parents, I always feel like everything I do will be wrong.

Like I can't do anything right. That I will always need their guidance to survive this life.

"Sorry, Mom," I muttered and bowed to River this time. "Good evening, Sir River."

River didn't answer. Instead, he only stared at me-as if he was studying me. The confusion was evident in his face, and I know why.

I wasn't this shy while I was with him earlier.

"Take a seat, Serenity," Dad commanded, and I obliged immediately.

I sat beside River, who looked dashing in his three-piece suit. This jerk. He said he didn't know about my father earlier, yet look where he was. At our house!

"River, this is Seraphina Serenity Miller, our only daughter," Dad introduced me, his tone holding confidence and authority.

"Nice to meet you, Princess," River said as he took my hand and kissed the back of my palm.

I was shocked, and I would almost pull my hand from him if I hadn't just controlled myself.

"This is a tradition in my family every time we greet someone from the Royal family," River explained, seeing the confusion in my face. "I hope you won't mind."

Instead of getting an answer, I only raised a brow as his statement confused me more. 

"But I'm not a royal..."

"Of course, you're not." He smirked, his piercing gaze locking with mine. "But only a fool wouldn't recognize a princess when he sees one."

Before I knew it, my cheeks were heating up.

This isn't the first time I was complimented for my appearance and how I handle myself with grace-since my parents made sure that I'll grow up this way.

Tons of suitors even said more than that as they admired me.

But... Why am I acting this way when River said those words?

Why is he giving me sensations I never felt with anyone before? Could it be that I like him?

If that's the case, then... Could he be mine?

"You shouldn't do that when you're outside, River," Dad scolded him. "You're not in Italy right now. People might misunderstand your actions."

"But she's my little, demure princess. What would other people misunderstand?" River asked, raising an eyebrow.

I wasn't stupid not to understand what my father was trying to say. Shivers sent down my spine as a realization struck me.

"He... isn't my stepbrother, right?" I asked, yet deep inside, I was hoping to be wrong.

"Of course, he's not," Mom answered me instead, a playful smile curving on her lip as she shook her head. "He's your cousin, Serenity."

At that moment, I froze, and I almost forgot to breathe.

Oh, good gracious. This is much worse than I've been expecting.

***

I was on the veranda of my room, while mom was behind me, brushing my hair.

Everyone who will see us would think Mom is so sweet, still taking care of me like this despite me being in my twenties.

But no one knew what she was doing-why she was here, in my room, invading my privacy as she acted like a sweet mother, although it was completely the opposite.

"Since when did you learn how to disobey us, huh?" Mom asked as she brushed my hair with force, making me grimace in pain. "Do you think we wouldn't know? That you even made Mia lie so you could wander off alone?!"

"Mom... I-It hurts..." I complained as I tried removing her hand from my hair, but it was to no avail.

"If it hurts, then you should have behaved as the sweet little daughter you are!" she yelled, yanking my hair toward her. "Goodness. How could you even hang out with River when you can't even do that with Hans?"

I had a hard time answering her as I couldn't help but grimace, feeling that my hair would be pulled out of my scalp anytime now.

"Maybe because he's my cousin... And that's why I feel comfortable around him-"

Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a hard slap on my cheek.

"It doesn't matter if he's your cousin. Hans is your future husband!" she snapped. "If there's someone you should hang out with, it should be with the Continental, and not with the Palmer family!"

"He's your nephew... Why are you mad at him?" I couldn't help but ask.

Mom scoffed. "Nephew? That jerk?" She rolled her eyes. "He's your father's nephew, not mine. And even if I do, I won't let myself be associated with the Palmer family, not even you."

I sighed upon hearing those words. Can't I even decide who I will hang with right now? Even with my cousin?

I felt a lump in my throat. Right. We're cousins... which means I can't entertain the thoughts of being with him right now, especially not after I realized I like him.

I just made a grave sin by fantasizing about someone who turned out to be my cousin, didn't I?

"Alright. I won't go near him," I told Mom, my voice reassuring. "I promise."

Maybe this is for the best.

***

That night, I didn't even see River off despite my father forcing me to do it.

Thankfully, Mom helped me to get away from Dad's scolding. She also wanted me to avoid River, after all.

"He's the only person who isn't afraid of me, and now, I already know why," I said, sighing as I looked at River's background on my phone.

Name: River Sage Palmer

Age: 27

Companies: Palmer Department Store, Palmer Airlines, Palmer Construction...

"Whoa, what the fudge," I shrieked, seeing how many companies are under their family's name-now under his name, specifically.

I only knew the Palmer family as they were mentioned by my Economics professor in one of our topics back then, but I never thought they were this rich! They almost entered every industry!

And their family is a relative of ours? Why are my parents trying so hard to marry me to Hans, then? If there's someone who should be begging to marry someone here, it should be them.

With the Palmer family's influence, I'm sure we could even be the wealthiest and most powerful family in this country.

But that's not even important to me right now.

"What a shame that I need to avoid him," I muttered, sighing as the disappointment consumed my body. "Let's not think of him anymore, Serenity. This is just an infatuation. It will fade as soon as I don't see him."

After repeating those words like a chant, I walked out of the bedroom and went to the kitchen, craving some snacks and a cola.

I drank the cola as I closed the refrigerator, but as I did that, I noticed a muscular figure standing beside me-waiting for his turn to look for some food.

"Ah!" I screamed, unintentionally spewing the coke on him. "Shit! River?"

I wanted to slap myself as I saw River in front of me, but I didn't want him to think that I was going crazy.

This isn't real.

No. This shouldn't be real. Why would my dear cousin be in our house, wandering around the kitchen... half-naked?

"Wow, what a nice way of greeting me a good morning, huh?" he teased, looking at his bare chest which was wet now. All thanks to me. 

I know I shouldn't curse again, but fuck. This is real. Is this God's way of testing me right now? On how I could resist temptation and sin?

"Could you give me a little help here, princess?" he suddenly asked, pointing at the face towel near me.

"Y-Yeah, wait." 

I took the face towel and started wiping his body with it. Goodness. I'm having a hard time just by being in this kind of distance with him.

Get a grip, Serenity.

The flirty words he told you before shouldn't affect you now. He's your cousin. You don't want to be dragged straight into hell, right?

Right. There are so many guys out there. I'm still young. I could still find handsome and hot guys like him.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention," I apologized, trying to distract my thoughts from those horrible imaginations I was having. "But why would you even walk here half-naked? This isn't even your house."

He chuckled, looking at me in disbelief. "Are you apologizing, or are you blaming me?"

"Both," I answered honestly, my hands dropping onto his chiseled abs to wipe them, while at the same time, trying not to drool over it. "Now tell me, why are you here?"

"Because this is my house, too."

I blinked in surprise. "I'm sorry?"

River didn't answer immediately. Instead, he lifted my chin so I could look at his deep blue eyes, which were also piercing into mine.

"From now on, I'm staying in the Miller mansion," River declared, his low tone sending heat straight to my core. "And let me give you a warning, Princess."

River leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "Wherever you are, I will always find you... Like how I did when you were in the bar last time."

I closed my eyes in fear and anticipation. Each word and movement caressed my skin like a forbidden touch.

"So don't you dare avoid me like the last time, Princess. Or you won't like how I'll push myself further into you."