Chapter 24

Late morning.

Adela, leisurely dressed, walked out to the hotel’s main entrance.

There was a luxurious sightseeing carriage with only a ceiling and open sides, and in front of it stood Braden in his outing attire.

His platinum blond hair sparkled in the sunlight. The short jacket, white ribbon tie, tight pants that showed off his thigh muscles, and tasseled boots made him look incredibly stylish, drawing everyone’s eyes.

Adela admired his handsomeness all over again. It was a look never seen in the Colosseum, and women covered their mouths with handkerchiefs, swooning over him.

His mood changed with the place. In the arena, he radiated wild masculinity; in the bedroom, he overflowed with sensuality; and now, his gentlemanly elegance stood out.

The only constant was his striking appearance and imposing presence, wherever he went.

Braden approached her. From the moment he appeared with the carriage, everyone’s gaze was focused on the two of them.

“Did you have a comfortable night?”

Instead of a formal greeting, Braden lightly kissed Adela’s cheek. It was an extremely intimate gesture. Somewhere, someone even gasped.

“Thanks to you.”

“Let’s get on.”

Braden offered his hand, helping Adela into the carriage. He sat beside her, and soon the carriage set off. The sound of horse hooves was as lively as the bright sunshine.

“Did you really sleep well?”

Braden whispered in Adela’s ear.

“We’re not alone right now.”

Adela said, looking at him as he spoke informally.

“We are alone. In the carriage.”

Braden giggled, intertwining his fingers with hers. Their joined hands quickly grew warm.

“People are watching.”

“They can’t hear us.”

He then tucked Adela’s wind-blown hair behind her ear.

His voice and gentle actions were like sweet wine. Somehow, she felt a little tipsy.

He wasn’t just good at fighting; his act as a man deeply in love was flawless.

How could he act so naturally?

Even knowing it was acting, she could barely tell—it must look even more real to outsiders.

Ah, she needed to step up her game too.

Adela felt anxious inside. But having always kept her emotions in check, she didn’t know how to act when she was deeply into a man.

“Why? Are you uncomfortable?”

“No, I just can’t act as well as you.”

Adela blinked, looking into his lake-green eyes.

“You’re doing fine. You look really lovestruck right now.”

Braden giggled and poked Adela’s nose with his other finger.

She wouldn’t know how adorable her expression was when she looked at him.

“If you say so, I’m glad.”

Adela murmured seriously.

And she wouldn’t know how endearing her hard-working attitude was.

Braden wanted to share her burdens. No, if possible, he wanted to take them all, at least while she was with him.

“Don’t try so hard, Adela. I can do the acting alone.”

Braden gently stroked her cheek.

“But then it’s different from the original plan. I’m supposed to be head-over-heels for you.”

“That’s not necessary. When you’re with me, just look at me. Only me. That’s easy, right?”

Braden held her in place with both hands so she could only look at him.

‘Don’t give your attention to anything else.’

‘Fill those deep ocean eyes with only me. Just me.’

“That’s all it takes?”

Adela tilted her head. She was so cute, Braden’s heart actually ached.

He loved her imperfections, which she showed only to him. Of course, only he should ever see them.

“Just trust me.”

“Okay, I trust you. You’re always reliable.”

Just yesterday, all the major gossip papers had splashed headlines about Braden entering Adela’s bedroom and leaving late at night.

It was a piece crafted from vivid testimony and embarrassing speculation.

Faced with her trusting gaze, Braden couldn’t help but lower his head. With a soft sound, their lips met and parted.

Their warm breaths mingled and separated. Whether from heat or embarrassment, a faint blush bloomed on Adela’s cheeks.

“People are watching.”

The sound of the horses running masked their voices, but the carriage was open on all sides. The pace was slow. Passersby could easily see them.

“Did you forget? People have to see us. I brought this open carriage so they could watch openly.”

Braden giggled and kissed her lips again, briefly.

“Ahem.”

He was right, but it was still awkward. She’d kissed him in public before, receiving the victor’s sword, but that was different from now.

Back then, she’d been so tense she barely remembered it; now, every sensation was vivid—so soft, so tingly.

“I threw this together quickly, but the outfit suits you.”

Braden’s eyes swept over Adela in her pale pink dress.

“I’ve never worn such a bright color before, so it feels strange.”

Both the dress and shoes had been sent by Braden that morning. The earrings and necklace were the emerald set he’d given her.

She’d always hidden her youth behind subdued colors and dignified designs, so this was the first time she wore a dress fit for a young lady.

“You’re so pretty, you look good in anything.”

“No one’s listening, but you’re still flattering me.”

“How is it flattery? I’m just saying the truth. Don’t tell me you don’t know you’re pretty?”

With that, Adela was at a loss for words.

“…I know.”

She knew she was pretty.

“Then why?”

“Being called pretty doesn’t sound good to me.”

“Why not?”

“When I meet foreign envoys, they only compliment my looks. But inside, they look down on me. What could a young, pretty Princess possibly know?”

Adela frowned. It took her a long time to be recognized for her political skills.

“I don’t look down on you, so it’s fine if I say you’re pretty. So take it as a compliment. You’re so pretty it’s k*lling me.”

His words blew away her unpleasant memories like the wind.

She laughed. How could he be so clear-cut?

“You look even prettier when you laugh.”

“Hahaha.”

Adela finally burst out laughing. Being with him, she kept changing—she laughed more easily.

“Thank Duke Shutal for the gift.”

“That was my gift. I tore your dress, remember?”

That made her recall the day of their first encounter. Thinking of that day made her feel warm. Her face flushed a little.

“What money do you have?”

“The Duke gave me a cut. Said I made him a lot of money.”

“Don’t send gifts anymore. That was probably from your settlement money. I’m supposed to give the gifts. I’m the sponsor.”

Come to think of it, she hadn’t sent him any proper gifts.

“After getting a mine, you think I still dare want more?”

“That was payment for the contract. Is there anything you want? I’ll give you a present.”

“If you’re going to give me something, make it flashy.”

“Flashy?”

“Pick something while shopping, say it’s for me, and send it to my residence.”

“I’ll do that. What would you like?”

“You choose. Something you think suits me.”

“But it’s better if the gift is what the person wants.”

“What I want is for you to think about what suits me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m looking forward to it. What you’ll pick for me.”

“That’s too hard.”

“Put in at least that much effort. You’re my patron, aren’t you?”

He kissed Adela’s lips again, briefly. They kept up their playful banter, laughing together, until they reached their destination.

“We’ve arrived.”

The coachman spoke, having waited for the two who hadn’t noticed the carriage had stopped.

Only then did Adela realize they’d arrived.

“Where are we?”

She realized she hadn’t asked where they were going or what they’d be doing today, distracted by their conversation.

“It’s almost lunchtime, so let’s eat first.”

Once they were close enough for others to hear, Braden switched back to formal speech. He really could switch gears quickly.

Though only his words changed, his informal attitude remained.

***

“I don’t know where all this food is going.”

Adela whispered as she put the steak Braden had cut for her into her mouth.

Everyone in the restaurant was watching them. Their gazes were so blatant. Most seemed to recognize Adela and Braden.

Adela was used to being watched. Such was the life of a Princess, always exposed to others’ eyes.

But the looks mixed with envy, jealousy, curiosity, and admiration were uncomfortable.

“Wait until dinner, then it’ll just be the two of us.”

Braden tapped the back of Adela’s hand.

“You’re coming to my room again?”

“Don’t worry. Not your room. Do you think I’d make the same mistake as yesterday?”

For a moment, his eyes seemed to flash.

“Are you suggesting we spend the night out?”

“I’ve already told your maid. ‘Ah.’”

At the word ‘ah’, Adela absentmindedly opened her mouth. The special training from yesterday was paying off.

He picked up a piece of steak with his fork and fed it to Adela. The people around them murmured in surprise.

Oh no.

Adela was just as surprised. She’d opened her mouth automatically at the word ‘ah’.

Clatter, clatter—forks and knives dropped all over the place. Waiters hurried about, bringing new utensils to every table.

“I’ll eat the rest myself.”

It seemed best, for the sake of a peaceful meal.

“Smile, Adela.”

He gently touched Adela’s stiff lips and smiled softly.

Ah, she was going crazy. Even in this situation, she was still enchanted by his smile.

She’d certainly chosen someone good at his job, but that made things even more complicated.