Chapter 25

Bam-ba-ba, boom boom boom, piri-ri!

With noisy music, the dazzling parade crossed the square. Dancers dressed in clothes of brilliant colors danced, raising the excitement to its peak.

Adela and Braden were among the crowd that had gathered to watch one of the four daily parades. To keep her from being pushed by the crowd, Braden held Adela closely around the waist from behind.

They looked just like a loving couple. Few recognized Braden, but they were such a striking pair that many people glanced at them.

“A parade, huh. It’d be nice if we did something like this for the founding festival.”

“Talking about work during a date? Am I not charming enough?”

Braden whispered into Adela’s ear, nibbling lightly on her earlobe.

“Ah, stop it!”

Adela turned around and slapped the back of his hand that was wrapped around her waist. It was a reflexive action.

Did this man have no sense of embarrassment?

She could tolerate him touching her face or lips, but the earlobe was too much. Adela’s pale face flushed red with embarrassment.

She could feel his chest shaking with laughter behind her.

When the parade ended, the crowd dispersed, and only then did Braden release her waist.

Instead, he intertwined his fingers with hers, gently rubbing her hand with his thumb.

“Braden, take it easy.”

No matter how much they were acting, this was too much.

“Should we go back now?”

His voice was sweet and tempting.

Adela glanced up at the sun, which was still high.

“Already?”

“If not, then let me off the hook. I’m holding back a lot here, you know. I really want to whisk you away.”

Wow, how could he act so convincingly?

She knew it was an act, yet she might have been fooled. If this man had become an actor instead of a gladiator, he’d have been a huge star.

“So, where to next, Princess?”

They turned off the square into an alley, and another open space appeared, filled with people murmuring.

“Why are all those people gathered there?”

Adela was interested.

“Stop working and just have some fun.”

Braden narrowed his eyes, dissatisfied.

“I’m not working.”

“Isn’t checking the living standards and goods of Lasve’s people work?”

Up until lunch, things had been great. She’d only looked at him, and her flustered reactions to his actions were delightful.

But once the real sightseeing began, her attention quickly shifted away from him. He could accept her enjoying the tour itself.

But she wandered through both the tourist market and the market used by Lasve’s citizens, scanning everything like a hawk for anything that might benefit the Edel Kingdom.

“Why? It’s fun. If it’s fun, isn’t that the same as play?”

“You’re a serious workaholic.”

Braden clicked his tongue.

“Compared to pouring over documents in the office and long meetings with officials, this is way more fun. I love going incognito.”

While talking, they reached the crowd. Laughter filled the air.

“Yes, we have a winner.”

At the host’s announcement, the surrounding crowd applauded. The winner received a prize.

“Now, shall we try a couple’s game? If you want to show your partner your true strength, don’t miss this chance! The entry fee is 1 gold.”

The host’s words were enticing, immediately sparking the men’s competitiveness. Three couples stepped forward, but the high entry fee made many hesitate.

“What? So many couples, and only this many brave men? Fine, I’ll be generous. A big prize is coming!”

Then the hype man beat the drum: doogoodoogo.

“It’s a hand mirror set with aquamarine, symbolizing eternal youth and happiness!”

The crowd buzzed at the host’s words.

Aquamarine or not, it was very small. But it was still a gemstone, and its value was about 3 gold—three times the entry fee if you won first place.

With that, four more couples stepped up.

“Good marketing,”

Adela chuckled.

A 3-gold prize with a 7-gold entry fee—more than double the profit.

“Wouldn’t you like to present your beloved with youth and happiness?”

The host, not satisfied with just seven couples, provoked more men to step forward. One of them was Braden.

Dragged out by his hand, Adela shot him a look that said, ‘Was that really necessary?’ To her, it was nothing more than a trinket worth three gold coins.

“You have to respond to a challenge.”

Braden grinned.

Eventually, ten couples gathered.

“This game is a test of endurance.”

Each couple received a large sheet of paper, big enough for two people to stand on.

It was easy at first, but with each round, the paper was folded in half, forcing the couples to stand closer and closer together.

Some couples hadn’t yet become lovers, so this was a natural opportunity for skinship.

That made the atmosphere pleasant—for both participants and spectators.

“Come on, get closer, closer.”

At the host’s words, laughter broke out everywhere.

With barely enough space for two pairs of feet, Adela and Braden hugged tightly to keep their balance.

“Oh, oh.”

Adela couldn’t help but make a sound as their balance wavered. Braden held her waist firmly, helping her endure. Meanwhile, more couples dropped out.

“Fold the paper in half!”

The host instructed, and the paper was folded again. This time, only one person could stand on it.

“What should we do?”

“Put your foot on top of mine.”

Braden said.

“That’ll hurt.”

“You think so?”

Braden scoffed and stood on the paper.

“Come on.”

Adela took off her shoes and placed her foot on top of his.

“Wow, the determination to win—she even took off her shoes. The lady is standing on the gentleman’s foot! Everyone, applause!”

People laughed, whistled, and cheered for Adela and Braden.

A few copied Adela, taking off their shoes and standing on their partner’s foot, but one man groaned, “Ugh!” and stumbled out of the game.

“Too weak! Break up, break up!”

The host’s joke drew more laughter, and more couples dropped out.

“Now only two couples remain. Exciting, isn’t it? Who will win?”

The drum rolled again: doogoodoogo.

The paper was folded once more. This time, there was only space for one foot.

How were two people supposed to stand on that?

Adela looked perplexed. So did the other couple.

“Hurry up and step on, or forfeit.”

The host urged.

“Should I hold you? Or carry you?”

Braden asked.

“You’re going to hold me and stand on one foot?”

Adela’s eyes widened.

“We have to win.”

That competitive spirit—what could she do about it?

Seeing the fire in his eyes, Adela couldn’t help but laugh.

This man couldn’t stand losing. Or maybe he simply didn’t know how to lose?

It was just a game, but he was ready to risk everything.

“Hold me.”

As soon as Adela spoke, Braden lifted her up with both hands. Adela wrapped her arms around his neck for stability.

Cheers erupted, and someone whistled. The spectators went wild.

He really was born to draw attention.

“That’s right, a man should do at least this much.”

Provoked by the host, the other man tried to lift his partner, but unlike Braden, he grunted, “Ugh!” and staggered. He faltered even before stepping on the paper.

Who knew if it was the man’s weakness or the woman’s weight?

Embarrassed, the woman buried her face in her hands. Some shouted encouragement, others jeered.

“Step on!”

The host called.

Braden balanced perfectly on one foot on the paper.

But the other man collapsed before he could even try.

“Yes, we have a winner! What amazing strength. Lady, you’ve chosen well.”

Of course, she knew she’d chosen well.

A wide smile spread across Adela’s face.