Chapter 26

Inside the moving carriage.

Adela examined the small hand mirror she’d won as a prize. It wasn’t expensive, but the design was neat. Its small size made it look cute.

“What’s so interesting? It’s cheap.”

Braden looked at Adela with lazy eyes.

“Who was it that tried so hard to win this cheap thing?”

Adela teased.

“It was for fun. You were working too much. It was fun, wasn’t it? Wasn’t it?”

“It was fun.”

Adela smiled brightly.

From flicking his forehead to playing games in the street—

It was a rare experience, one she’d never had before and probably never would again.

“Can I keep it?”

Adela lifted the hand mirror.

“It’s worthless, what will you do with it? Give it to your maid?”

“No, I’ll keep it as a memento. I’ll look at it and remember today, and smile.”

Adela carefully placed the mirror in its wooden case as if it were a treasure.

“Well, well, turns out it’s a valuable item. Anything that can make Princess Adela laugh is priceless.”

Braden joked.

“My laughter isn’t worth that much.”

“Don’t you know how many innocent people lost their heads just to see a woman smile?”

One of the kings from a small country conquered by the Sovaro Empire had done that.

“That’s why his country fell. Where are we going?”

The carriage was leaving the bustling city. It wasn’t heading to his lodging or the hotel where Adela was staying.

“To a place where we can be alone, without interruptions.”

He smiled slyly and winked.

“They’ll worry about me.”

“It’s a luxury accommodation. Absolutely safe. Your escort knight checked it out.”

They’d been out together all day, so when had he called the knight to check?

It was a flawless arrangement, leaving no room for objection.

And she was grateful for his consideration, making sure her attendants wouldn’t worry.

***

“Lasve Neutral State really is amazing.”

Adela clicked her tongue as she looked at the suite, which even had an outdoor heated pool under the open sky.

The pool was decorated with colorful flowering trees and green plants, making it feel like they’d entered a forest. It was a beautiful space that seemed healing just to sit in.

Some kind of magic device must have been installed, because the outside air didn’t come in, and the room was kept at a comfortable temperature.

“They really know how to make money. No wonder it’s called the City of Pleasures.”

“The room charge must be tremendous.”

A single-story suite this spacious, with state-of-the-art magic devices installed—

The furniture was made of fragrant wood, and all the amenities were the finest imported from various countries. It was more luxurious than Adela’s own bedroom in the Kingdom.

“Unless you’re a citizen of Lasve, people without money don’t even consider stepping foot in Lasve Neutral State.”

“True. I’ve heard that every noble dreams of coming here at least once in their life.”

“Of all the rooms, this is the best. So far.”

“So far?”

“By the time you wake tomorrow, there will be even pricier rooms. That’s how Lasve works.”

“Send me the bill.”

“Do we have to argue about money every time we go somewhere?”

Braden raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t want to be indebted to Duke Shutal. This is my problem.”

She obviously thought Shutal would pay for a room like this.

How proper she was. Most royals enjoyed everything for free.

Even if he said the magic stone she paid with was enough, he knew she wouldn’t accept it. If he said he’d pay, she’d hate it even more.

Braden decided to change his approach.

“Do you know how much money I’ve earned for the Duke?”

“I’ve heard it’s a lot.”

“Not just a lot. Astronomical.”

“That much?”

“Mercenaries and knights don’t come to the Colosseum for nothing. Everything I use now is just a drop in the bucket compared to what I’ve made for the Duke.”

“So?”

“This is the Duke’s way of thanking me for my hard work. I gladly accept his generosity and enjoy the best. So let’s not argue about money anymore.”

“The Duke is a good sponsor.”

“Even if I’ve earned more for him?”

“Many masters take that for granted.”

“But you’re not like that.”

“I….”

She almost said, ‘I’m different,’ but stopped, sensing a contradiction.

“There are many masters who care for their subordinates like you. Don’t think you’re the only one.”

“You’re right. I was arrogant.”

Adela nodded with a faint smile.

This was what he liked about her. Whenever she realized her judgment was wrong, she admitted it immediately. Though persuading her was never easy.

“Oh, really. Convincing you is far too difficult, Your Highness.”

Braden leaned in and brushed her lips with a quick kiss, softening the sharp air between them.

“I want to swim.”

Adela looked at the pool. There were no artificial pools in Edel Kingdom. To swim, she’d have to travel to a forest lake in good weather.

She hadn’t swum in years—it took too long and was too much trouble.

She didn’t even have time to stroll in the garden, let alone go to a lake to swim.

Maybe she should build a pool in the palace.

“Okay, let’s swim.”

Right there, Braden stripped off his shirt. His muscular upper body was revealed.

“Why are you taking off your clothes?”

“Do you swim with clothes on?”

“So you’re saying we should swim n*ked?”

“Why not? The private pool is for swimming n*ked.”

Ah, so that’s what he meant.

Adela was momentarily stunned by the cultural shock. Just then, Braden started to take off his pants.

“No, don’t do that.”

Adela stopped him. She couldn’t handle seeing him walk around completely n*ked.

“There it is again.”

Braden narrowed his eyes.

Looking around, Adela spotted a robe on the table by the pool. Made from thin fabric, it was obviously meant to be worn while swimming.

“Here it is.”

Adela triumphantly picked up the robe.

“Do I have to wear that too?”

Braden looked displeased.

“Yes.”

“I’ll be taking it off soon anyway.”

“Still.”

“Do your people know? That you’re this stubborn?”

“How could anyone rule a country without being stubborn? A leader can’t be swayed easily. I’ll go change.”

Her voice was resolute.

Adela took the robe and headed to the bathroom. Braden followed behind her.

“Should I help you undress? Instead of your maid?”

“I can do it myself.”

Adela slammed the bathroom door shut behind her.

“Ah, really. Why is she so stiff and yet so attractive?”

Braden grinned and threw off the rest of his clothes.

“If I’m like this already, it’ll be a problem…”

He was already fully aroused. Ever since they entered the suite together, he’d been in this state.

Maybe swimming would help calm him down.

Braden glanced at the swimming robe.

Should he wear it?

He remembered Adela’s look of distaste. A playful smile crept onto Braden’s lips.

It’s not like he was embarrassed, so why not?

Braden walked out to the outdoor heated pool completely n*ked.