The Little Prince Failed to Seduce and Got Hooked Instead - Chapter 4

Following the night at the royal side hall, Shen Yanci did not see Arthur for several days.

He was happy for the peace and quiet, seizing the time to hold meetings with his team and dive into the details of the cooperation project. He suppressed that indefinable, lingering irritability the Little Prince had stirred up by burying himself in work. His efficiency was terrifyingly high.

Yet, he felt something was slightly off. It was as if something was missing from his office.

It wasn’t until the following afternoon, when his assistant failed to bring in a fresh bouquet of dew-kissed flowers as they had done the previous days, that Shen Yanci suddenly realized, Arthur’s persistent “floral offensive” had stopped.

• Day 1: Flaming red roses, almost arrogant in their intensity, with a card wishing him a “successful cooperation.”
• Day 2: Elegant and subtle lilies of the valley.
• Day 3: A unique blue blossom whose name he didn’t know, but which possessed a singular fragrance…

A bouquet arrived every day, sharp on time, adding a splash of spring to his otherwise sterile, minimalist desk. Every time, he had told his assistant to “handle it however,” yet his eyes would always linger on them for a few extra seconds. Now that they were gone, the office felt as though it had reverted to its gray, strictly-business atmosphere.

Shen Yanci frowned at his computer screen. Did the Little Prince lose his patience halfway through? Or is he plotting a new trick?

Just as he was wondering, the new trick arrived.

The internal line buzzed, and his assistant spoke in an uncertain tone: “Mr. Shen… the Royal Household called. It was Prince Arthur himself. He invites you to the Royal Equestrian Club this afternoon to experience British horse riding. He says it will help you understand the local… aristocratic culture, which would benefit the cooperation?”

Even the assistant sounded skeptical of their own translation. What on earth did “aristocratic culture” have to do with business?

Shen Yanci pinched the bridge of his nose. Horse riding? British style? He knew how to ride, he’d done some Western-style riding during his university days in the States but he had no interest in the formal etiquette and rigid rules of the British style. Moreover, he had no desire to be put on display.

“Reply to His Highness. Tell him my schedule is full and I am unfamiliar with British equestrianism. I appreciate the kindness, but I must decline.” His refusal was crisp and final.

The assistant went to relay the message. Less than five minutes later, the phone rang again. The assistant’s voice was even weaker this time: “Mr. Shen, His Highness says that being unfamiliar is precisely why you should experience it. He says… he will personally teach you until you’ve mastered it. He also mentioned that several new thoroughbreds have arrived at his stables with top-tier speed perhaps you would be interested?”

Shen Yanci: “…”

He could practically imagine Arthur’s pestering tone on the other end of the line. It was a headache. Why is this prince like a piece of sticky candy?

However, the phrases “thoroughbreds” and “top-tier speed” did, in fact, scratch a particular itch. He loved anything involving speed and a sense of control. Furthermore, continuing to refuse might look bad, as the cooperation was still being negotiated.

He let out a sigh of resignation. “Tell him to send the time and location.”

That Afternoon, the Royal Equestrian Club.

The weather was perfect bright sunshine made the grass shimmer. The air was thick with the scent of fresh turf and horses.

Arthur was already there. He had changed into standard riding attire: white breeches that tightly hugged his long, straight legs, and a black rider’s jacket that accentuated his narrow waist and broad shoulders. With polished tall boots and leather gloves, his golden-brown hair sparkled in the sun. He looked upright and noble, like a young knight stepped out of a classical oil painting.

Seeing Shen Yanci step out of the car, Arthur immediately led a tall, magnificent black stallion toward him, his smile dazzlingly bright. “Mr. Shen! I knew you’d come! Look, I picked this one for you ‘Midnight.’ He’s steady but fast; he’ll suit you perfectly.”

Shen Yanci wore a more casual suit today without a tie, looking softer than usual, though his aura remained icy. He looked at “Midnight” the horse was indeed a fine specimen, snorting with a docile look in its eyes.

“I appreciate the thought, Your Highness,” he said politely, his gaze sweeping over the equipment rack. “Where is the helmet?”

Arthur acted as if he had only just remembered. “Oh!” His expression was one of innocent dismay. “Look at my memory! I was so focused on picking a horse for you that I forgot to have them prepare an extra helmet! My mistake, my mistake!”

He pointed to the standard black helmet on his own head. “This is the only one left.”

Shen Yanci’s eyes turned cold instantly. Who is he kidding? Would the Royal Equestrian Club be missing a helmet? This clumsy acting was even more absurd than the “Royal Laundry” excuse. He wanted to turn around and leave immediately.

But Arthur gave him no chance to refuse, flipping himself nimbly onto his own sorrel mare with a beautiful, fluid motion. Sitting atop the horse, he looked down at Shen Yanci and patted the empty space on the saddle in front of him, smiling with pure innocence:

“There’s no other way, Mr. Shen. Safety first! How about, we compromise? You can ride with me today. I’ll take you for a run; I promise I won’t let you fall!”

The sunlight silhouetted Arthur as he smiled like a little fox that had just stolen honey, his eyes shimmering with the cunning of a successful scheme. Shen Yanci stood there, looking at the guy reaching out a hand to him, then at the docile “Midnight.”

He took a deep breath. The scent of the prairie mixed with horse manure flooded his nose. He had never been this speechless in his entire life. Riding together? How does he come up with this stuff?

He stared at Arthur for a full ten seconds, trying to kill him with his gaze alone. But Arthur’s skin was impressively thick; he maintained that “I’m doing this for your own good” look, even waving his hand encouragingly.

Ultimately, Shen Yanci gritted his teeth, grabbed Arthur’s gloved hand, and swung himself up to sit behind the prince.

The saddle wasn’t large; with two adult men squeezed into it, it became incredibly crowded. Shen Yanci’s chest was pressed tightly against Arthur’s back. Through the thin fabric of the riding jacket, he could clearly feel the heat of the Prince’s body and the line of his spine. His arms were forced to wrap around Arthur’s waist to maintain his balance, holding him loosely. Arthur’s cold, crisp cologne mixed with the scent of sun and leather surrounded him overbearingly.

“Hold tight!” Arthur let out a triumphant chuckle and shook the reins. “Hya!”

The mare began to trot. The jolting atop the horse was more intense than he had imagined. With every rise and fall, their bodies inevitably collided and rubbed against each other. Shen Yanci tried his best to lean back to create distance, but the saddle was only so big; there was nowhere to escape.

The worst part was Arthur’s slightly wavy, golden-brown hair. As the horse ran, strands of hair flew up, brushing against Shen Yanci’s cheeks and neck. It was light and soft, carrying a tiny itch. It felt like a delicate feather, tirelessly provoking his tensed nerves.

Shen Yanci was as stiff as a stone, his jawline clenched tight, his hands at Arthur’s waist unconsciously curling into fists. He felt like he could barely breathe; his senses were entirely filled with Arthur’s scent.

Arthur seemed completely oblivious, explaining enthusiastically: “Yes, just like that! Rise and fall with the horse’s rhythm. Relax, Mr. Shen, don’t be so stiff…”

He even intentionally guided the horse over a small grassy mound. The horse caught a bit of air at the crest, and the impact upon landing was even greater.

“Ugh!” Shen Yanci let out a muffled grunt as the momentum sent him crashing forward. His chest slammed solidly into Arthur’s back, his chin nearly knocking against Arthur’s shoulder. His arms around Arthur’s waist tightened instinctively, pinning the prince firmly in his embrace.

In that instant, they were pressed together without a single gap.

Arthur seemed to freeze for a moment, then let out a low laugh. The vibration of the laughter transmitted through his back, full of clear delight. “It seems Mr. Shen needs more practice with his balance?”

Shen Yanci: “…”

He gritted his teeth, feeling the warm body in his arms, the annoying laughter in his ear, and the hair that continued to brush against his skin. For the first time, he felt a powerful urge to throw someone off a horse.

This Little Prince is absolutely doing this on purpose!