Chapter 14
After leaving the entrance of the royal academy, the two began walking, guided by Elizia. It was a simple outing—no carriage, no escorts.
Rakan glanced around and stepped aside to avoid a cat brushing past his feet.
“A carriage?”
“The place we’re going to can’t be reached by carriage.”
I’ll show you a new world today.
Thinking that, Elizia smiled faintly.
It might be a shabby place to bring a nobleman dressed in gem-studded clothing, but it was bound to be entertaining.
Of course, Rakan had experienced filthy battlefields and had walked through countless winding, squalid alleys—but Elizia didn’t know that.
There was no way she could guess that a man who looked like he had never stepped on dirt had such experiences.
After walking for some time, a round moon had risen above their heads.
From somewhere came the smell of grilling meat and the sweet scent of nut pies.
Laughter and noisy chatter echoed through the narrow, winding streets.
Though the alley was dark and cramped, lacking any elegance, it somehow felt cozy.
Rakan clasped his hands behind his back and looked around.
“You’re not taking me somewhere dangerous, are you?”
“What if I am? I’m with you, aren’t I?”
“….”
“Among everyone I know, you’re the strongest. I trust you’ll be able to protect at least me.”
Elizia said this with a faint smile.
It was true. Even walking through this shabby alley alone with him, she felt neither fear nor unease.
Because Rakan was right beside her.
Though she didn’t want to admit it, he had become quite dependable. Just being with him made her feel at ease.
Perhaps surprised by her honesty, Rakan silently gazed at her.
Then, with a slightly proud expression, he nodded.
“Right. Just trust me.”
Elizia looked at his satisfied profile and smiled to herself.
That man, who usually wore a slow smile and a calm expression, sometimes made such transparent expressions—and she found them oddly cute.
Seriously. A narcissistic man from an enemy nation looks cute to me? I’ve really lost it.
With that thought, Elizia kept walking.
Meanwhile, Rakan glanced back.
Toward where his own guards would be following, and toward the direction of the hidden guards assigned to Elizia.
Even knowing that, the words “just trust me” had come out so easily.
Rakan lifted his gaze to the moon in the distance.
His eyes sank quietly, as if deep in thought.
After walking a while longer, their destination came into view.
It was a wooden building worn by time, shabby in appearance, but surrounded by glowing magical signboards plastered all over.
Rakan looked at the building, then at Elizia.
She read the question in his gaze.
“Yes. That’s the place.”
Rakan’s steps slowed slightly. Elizia carefully observed his expression.
Maybe someone raised so luxuriously doesn’t like places like this… Was I too careless?
Rakan remained silent for a moment, lost in thought—then removed his finely embroidered jacket.
He loosened his tightly fastened collar and casually took off the triangular gem cufflinks on his sleeves.
His appearance became much less formal.
“Let’s go.”
Rolling up his sleeves a couple of times, he gestured for her to lead the way, smiling as if amused.
Elizia nodded, watching his face illuminated by the lights.
The forearms revealed beneath his rolled sleeves looked solid and strong.
For some reason, she couldn’t easily look away from that raw, unrefined sight.
“I’ll have this. What about you?”
“This one.”
At the entrance, the two leaned their heads together and bought snacks.
Elizia chose fruit roasted and coated in sugar. Rakan picked fried dried corn.
As they passed through the entrance, Elizia handed the attendant two silver coins.
Unlike luxurious theaters that required tickets, this place allowed entry on the spot with payment.
Seats weren’t assigned, so they could sit anywhere they liked.
“A senior from school used to bring me here often. I was surprised the first time too, but after coming a few times, it became really fun.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Of course, elegant music in a grand theater is nice—but music in a worn-down place like this has its own charm. It’ll be a good experience.”
They sat side by side, two rows away from the stage.
The crude-looking stage had a round disc resembling the moon and a few fake trees scattered about.
As Elizia scanned the stage, she turned toward Rakan, who had been rustling beside her—and couldn’t help but laugh softly.
The seats were clearly made for average-sized people.
He was awkwardly folding his long legs, shifting uncomfortably.
If he sat properly, his legs hit the seat in front, making movement difficult.
His large build also made the armrests feel cramped.
He must have always sat comfortably in private boxes—seeing him so flustered here was amusing.
Suppressing her laughter, Elizia offered a solution.
“Senior, lean a bit toward me and angle your legs diagonally.”
Rakan looked at her briefly.
After a moment’s hesitation, he carefully leaned against her shoulder.
“Then I’ll take you up on that.”
His voice whispered near her ear.
Along with it came his distinct scent and the warmth of his body against her shoulder.
W-what? What?!
Elizia blinked twice and pressed her hand against her chest.
Her heart had just dropped heavily—far more than she expected.
She stared stiffly at the stage, unable to move.
As if doing homework, she mechanically ate the sugar-coated fruit.
The warmth touching her left shoulder and arm felt unbearably hot.
Before she realized it, she had finished her entire snack before the performance even began.
In her attempt to distract herself from him, she had eaten in a near-combat frenzy.
Perhaps he noticed.
“Elizia. Is the financial state of the Ortizian Kingdom poor?”
“…Why?”
“I was wondering if you’ve been starving.”
She forced an awkward smile at his teasing.
He smirked.
“If there’s something you want to eat, don’t hold back. I’ll buy you as much as you want. As a courtesy to a princess of an enemy nation, I can afford that. I’ve got plenty of money.”
Elizia pouted and shook her head.
No matter how wealthy his family was, could he surpass a royal?
“Don’t worry about my finances. I’m sure a princess of Ortizia is far better off than someone from an empire that wastes money invading others.”
Regardless of her retort, Rakan simply smiled and offered his snack bag.
It was filled with fried corn kernels.
Without thinking, Elizia started eating from it.
She kept trying to distract herself from the contact of their arms.
Rakan, unaware of her inner turmoil, moved the bag closer.
She kept munching.
Soon, the noisy audience quieted, dim lights rose, and mist spread across the floor.
The performance had begun.
The play told the story of a blacksmith’s daughter and a butcher’s son.
Because it was cheap and accessible, the performance was chaotic—but Elizia liked that.
Actors ran across the stage playing violins, performed acrobatics upside down, and the butcher’s son wandered around holding pork.
The blacksmith and butcher had been rivals for twenty years.
Their children falling in love led to absurd and amusing situations.
Elizia bit her lip to suppress laughter, then eventually clapped and laughed freely.
Rakan turned his head slightly and watched her.
Her small shoulder, pressed against his, shook constantly as her clear laughter rang out.
Though it was his first time in such a messy place, watching such a crude performance—it didn’t feel bad.
The play neared its climax.
Watching the butcher’s son propose with a basket full of beef, Elizia unexpectedly teared up.
Am I feeling too emotional right now?
She wiped her eyes and reached into Rakan’s snack bag.
She popped a few kernels into her mouth, hoping to suppress the emotion.
Then she realized—
He had been holding the snack bag out toward her the entire time.
For an hour and a half.
She tapped his arm.
“Doesn’t your arm hurt?”
Rakan leaned closer, as if he couldn’t hear.
His emerald eyes shimmered beneath slowly blinking lashes.
Elizia inhaled softly.
His face was too close.
It reminded her of the party where he had held her.
“Your arm? Why?”
“You’ve been holding that bag toward me since the start.”
“Well… you were eating so well.”
He answered casually and turned his head.
Their faces grew even closer.
Elizia stared at him, defenseless.
Her body felt weak.
A warm red light from the stage illuminated his profile beautifully.
“If you enjoyed it, I’m fine, Elizia.”
His low voice followed.
His eyes curved gently.
At that moment, her heart dropped deep inside her chest.
…This is bad.
Elizia pressed her hand against her racing heart, her face flushed red.
Her heart refused to slow down.
Right now—
She was certain.
She had fallen under the spell of this beautiful man.
And that was a very big problem.
