What Should I Do When the Princess’s Personal Guard Is Too Devoted?

A devoted one-on-one romance, both leads chaste, pure love, and sweet romance: a princess and her personal guard. The straightforward princess falls for her cold-faced guard and keeps flirting with him. He seems stern and proper, holding back and staying restrained in the face of her affection, but in truth, he's already fallen for her a thousand times over.

“Ah Xiao, my feet hurt. Carry me.”

Nan Zhao raised both arms and reached for Xiao Ye.

“Your Highness, I'll have someone bring the sedan chair.”

“I don't want that. I want you to carry me.”

Xiao Ye stepped back, avoiding Nan Zhao's outstretched hands.

“Your Highness, forgive me, but I cannot obey...”

“Then carry me in your arms.”

Nan Zhao moved closer. Before Xiao Ye could dodge, she had looped her arms around his neck. His breathing instantly grew ragged. He clutched the sword at his waist so tightly that his knuckles turned white, his body rigid as a statue, not daring to move.

Xiao Ye quickly turned his head away, trying to avoid Nan Zhao's warm breath. But her sweet, girlish voice went straight into his ear, and his ears promptly turned bright red.

“Your Highness, you mustn't!”

Xiao Ye's voice was taut and trembled slightly.

“This behavior violates palace rules. If anyone sees us, Your Highness's reputation...”

Before he could finish, Nan Zhao gave him a knowing smile and deliberately leaned close to his ear, her warm breath brushing against it as she asked, pretending not to know,

“Brother Xiao, why are your ears so red?”

Xiao Ye's heart jolted, as if an invisible hand had seized it. His Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to speak, but his throat was too dry to make a sound.