The Mouse and The Monarch

47

~MOUSE~

The warm water from the shower had left gentle steam lingering in the air, enveloping Ophelia in a cocoon of comfort as she dressed in one of Nöel's oversized knitted green jumpers.

She had snooped through all his belongings and was surprised, to say the least.

The soft fabric draped loosely over her, the sleeves extending far past her hands.

Paired with her trusty brown cargo pants, the ensemble offered a curious blend of comfort and mismatched fashion.

Now, she found herself seated in his kitchen, a place that seemed to reflect the enigma that was the man himself.

The room emanated a sense of order, with gleaming stainless steel appliances and neatly arranged utensils.

Her eyes attentively followed him, tracing every movement as he navigated through the space, effortlessly picking up items and delving into cupboards with quiet efficiency.

Nöel, clad in his signature all-black attire, moved with a certain grace that demanded attention.

His every step was deliberate, his movements precise.

Ophelia couldn't help but observe him in silence, captivated by the aura he exuded.

"Ich kann etwas zu essen machen, wenn du möchtest," he offered, his voice resonating in the air.

Her gaze remained fixed on him, absorbing the melodic cadence of the unfamiliar language.

When she failed to respond, he turned to face her, a hint of concern creasing his brow.

A subtle raise of her eyebrow was her only reply.

His sigh betrayed a sense of exasperation, and he decided to switch to a language they could both understand.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, to which Ophelia responded with a nonchalant shrug.

Unperturbed, Nöel sighed once more and began collecting ingredients from various corners of the kitchen.

"Schwierige Frau," he muttered under his breath, the German words lacing his frustration.

Ophelia, arms crossed over her chest, frowned at the unfamiliar phrase.

She could feel the tension building, sensing that their interaction was about to take an unexpected turn.

"This is going to get irritating fast," she commented with a frown as she observed him rummaging through his freezer.

Nöel turned his gaze towards her, momentarily forgetting the culinary task at hand.

The height difference became starkly apparent as he approached her, standing so close that their personal spaces nearly merged.

Cocking an eyebrow, he towered over her, a silent challenge in his eyes.

His hands landed on the bench on either side of her body as he caged her in.

Ophelia gritted her teeth, meeting his intense gaze with an unyielding stare even as his smell and heat waved over her.

The air crackled with an unspoken tension as she involuntarily tilted her head upward, forcing herself to look him straight in the eye.

The proximity sent a shiver down her spine.

The sudden touch of König's scarred finger against her bottom lip sent a jolt through Ophelia, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin.