Chapter Twenty Six   It was raining once again, but the raging thunder and battering storm was long gone. The tempest had finally found its calm, crafting a pleasant pitter-patter of melodies against the foggy glass windows. The smell of grass and dirt wanders the frosty air and here I was, wrapped inside a bundle of warm blankets and strong arms. I woke up to oppa softly snuffling; his breath was against my neck, making the hairs down my spine stand up from excitement. His arms were loosely rested around my waist whilst I was hugging a pillow, facing away from him.   I stirred from his grip in order to free myself but I guess I woke him up on the process, making him pull me back to his chest. “Good morning, princess.” He muttered, his voice deep and heavy with sleep, sending my skin on a frantic sparks fly, rushing the heat up to my cheeks.   “Its afternoon already, o—oppa.” I answered, body suddenly stilling.   “Is it?” he continued to mutter against my skin.   I giggled softly, craning my neck in stimuli against his ticklish breath. “Stop it.” I softly said.   “Stop what?” he feigned innocence yet he was already attacking my ticklish sides, making me squeal from a sudden burst of laughter.   “Oppa, please,” I managed to say amidst his attacks and our laughter, until such time he decided to stop his naughty assaults and let me catch my breath. I was still caged in his arms though, but I doubt the bed was looking the same, as I was sure I knocked out a few pillows and blankets unto the floor. “Why do you have to do that?” I half whined, still out of breath.   “Because you’re so fluffy, I can’t help it.” He answered, and by now I was already turned to face him. He attempted to lower his lips against mine, opting to kiss me and I know where this would lead so I hurriedly covered my mouth and shook my head. “Why?” it was his time to whine, “Do I smell that awful?”   I answered him but my words only ended up being muffled by my hands, puzzling him, so I carefully moved them away from my face but not ultimately taking them off, before I repeat myself, “Do not force a cup of tea on people who don’t want it and besides, you’re not allowed to kiss me anymore.” Then I resumed covering my mouth.   “Cup of tea?” he asked, amused, “Seriously, you learned education through a metaphorical sense and of all things, tea?” he softly chuckled, “now that’s something.” He slowly shifted his body weight, trapping me underneath his frame, brushing a few stray hairs away from my face.   “I’m not talking about … s—,” I answered in defense, my cheeks flushed, “I meant—”   “Really now, princess?” he cut me in a teasing manner, “because if you’re referring to that one youtube video you probably watched in class, let me tell you something, I saw it too. And if you didn’t understand it correctly, allow me to teach you then. It clearly talks about .”   “Yes, maybe,” I answered, trying my very best to not get intimidated by him, good thing my voice was not failing me, “but the more important subject of it was consent, like , a cup of tea, or kissing, it all requires mutual consent from the opposing parties. And when I tell you you’re not allowed to do it, then you’re not.” I sported a pout afterwards, not daring to break eye contact.   It seemed as if I intimidated him instead, even with his advantageous position above me, for he sure looked like a sorry puppy after my rebuttal. “But why? It’s not like we don’t kiss often, why so sudden and what’s so different now?” I can feel his hands kneading my arms on my sides, in efforts to convince me. I reminded myself that I have to keep my words.   “It’s your punishment.” I simply answered.   He chuckled, suddenly baffled, “You’re punishing me?” he asked, blinking his eyes.   “Yes,” I held my nose high, “from now on you are not allowed to kiss me on the lips—” yet right after the word left my mouth, he was quick to plant a chaste kiss against my cheeks. He immediately sported a proud smirk, seeing my surprised expression. “Or anywhere else, unless I give my permission.” I quickly added, collecting myself.   “Are you sure about that?” he asked, tauntingly, “Will you be able to resist it though? Last time I remember you were always the first one to initiate it.” He held my chin in between his fingers, softly caressing my skin, “will you be alright, princess?”   Yes, curse him for having such plum and luscious lips, but I’m not on the losing edge here. “Of course if I initiate the kiss it means I want it too, is that correct? Meaning, my consent will be expressed only if I was the one initiating.”   “What are you going to do if I don’t want it then? Where will you place that on your notion of mutual consent?” Damn, he’s smart. Well of course he is, Yeona, he’s studying medicine for crying out loud. Have you forgotten about that?   “Fine with me. If you don’t want it, then you don’t want it.” I pretended like I didn’t care even though I couldn’t deny the disappointment, fury and annoyance brewing inside of me. Damn he hit something there.   He chuckled softly before he removed himself from me, exposing me to the coldness of the room despite the fireplace burning. “Alright then, we’re not having an argument about this. I understand what you’re saying, princess.”   He was about to stand up when I couldn’t help myself anymore and bolted up before I spoke, “Why does this feel like a punishment for me too? You were the one who made me cry and doubt all of my feelings, so you should be the one reprimanded. You’re being so unfair.” Without me, thinking much, I managed to say and it was already too late when I caught myself.   “Hey,” he answered with creased brows, “how is this unfair of me, huh? You decided this all on your own, Yeona, and I respected that. What I was hoping that if I decided for myself as well, you would respect that too. If anyone’s being unfair here, it’s you.”   I looked down on my hands, crumpling the sheets, knowing that everything oppa has said was right, that after all; I was the one being unfair here, only that I didn’t expected for things to turn out this way. Suddenly my eyes were stinging, but I’m not going to cry. We’re not really okay in the end or were this just because of my foolishness? Anyway I slowly moved out and away from the bed, heading straight to the bathroom but not before mumbling a quiet I’m sorry.   “Yeona don’t be like this.” I didn’t expect him to hold me back though, reaching for my arm.   “No, you’re right,” I answered, facing away, “it was unfair of me. I’m sorry. We should get going though, I want to meet the kids before I head back to the palace.”   “Wait, you’re heading back to the palace tonight?” he asked, surprised. I merely weakly nodded.   “Let go oppa, please.” I softly said.   “No, let’s talk about this.” Said he, collecting me in his arms, “I didn’t mean it to sound like that, okay? Oppa is sorry.”   “But you don’t have to be sorry.” I insisted, hiding behind my hair.   “I am, for everything.” He sounded so defeated, “It’s only rightful of you to say so—”   “Stop spoiling me, will you?” I hit his chest limply.   “You can’t stop me from doing so, princess. I truly am sorry, so punish me all you want. I deserve it anyway, I was foolish to think everything would be back to how it’s used to be but I guess not. I know Seolhyun’s presence intimidates you and I know you weren’t okay with that but I chose to ignore it and for that I became the most foolish person in the world and for hurting you I deserve to have me beheaded.”   “Stop, stop, stop, no you don’t deserve all of that—” “I’ll kiss you right now if you don’t listen to me, but since I’m not allowed to I’m holding myself back. Please look at me princess,” he cupped my face towards him, and after seeing my watery eyes his complexion suddenly softened, “God I’m the biggest fool. Oppa is so sorry,” he said embracing me and burying my face into his chest, “oppa loves you so much, princess. I’ll spend my lifetime proving that to you, I hope you will never doubt again.”   “I’m sorry.” I mumbled, against his chest although I wasn’t exactly crying. I’m not crying again.   “No, I’m sorry.” Said he.   “We were both wrong, I guess, I’m so sorry.”   “I’m sorry too.”