The kiss that Adrian thought would only last a few seconds lasted longer than that. It wasn't just one kiss but several, each making the crown prince just want more. An hour later, both breathless and flushed, they finally stopped. The prince sent Alessandra back to her own room.

He laid on his bed wide awake, his thoughts on what had just transpired. He tried to make sense of everything. Wanting to kiss her so much, feeling annoyed by a smile she shared with Henry, feeling almost angry at how she had been so happy seeing Adam back in the castle, how his heart had beat so loudly in his chest. He shook his head. Why did he feel so possessive when obviously, she can't be anything more to him than a handmaiden. 

His thoughts shifted to how willing she was in kissing him. Did she feel the same confusion that he felt? Or was it just the heat of the challenge she herself issued? Did she imagine him to be Adam while she kissed him?

All the confusing thoughts swirled around in Adrian's head until he finally fell asleep near dawn.