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Chapter 21
Eventually, his blue gaze dug into her eyes. Her chest fluttered for no reason.
He left a kiss on the back of her hand and then began to toy with their clasped fingers.
“Darling.”
“Hm?”
“Tell me about Korean dating culture. I don’t want to make any mistakes.”
“Am I your first Korean date?”
At that, he let out a small laugh as if hearing something amusing.
“A long time ago, I did something like a date with a Korean girl once.”
“Really? How was it?”
“Well, she didn’t like me much.”
Bada made a confused expression.
Even if everyone has their preferences, River’s looks were so perfect that it was hard to believe someone could dislike him.
“Maybe she had high standards. Ah, but now that I hear that, I feel a little jealous.”
He chuckled softly.
“Anyway, how do people date in Korea?”
“Hmm… it’s mostly similar anywhere. But Korea is a bit more conservative than the West.”
“For example?”
“It depends on the person, but physical contact is more cautious. People keep meeting through dating apps quiet. Oh, and couples sometimes wear matching rings…”
“Matching rings? What’s that?”
“In the West, rings are only for engagements. But in Korea, even regular couples sometimes wear matching rings.”
“…I see.”
River played with her hair while staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Eventually, he reached for a drawer on the nightstand and took out a small metal mint candy tin.
When he opened it, inside wasn’t candy—it was a ring.
“Ah!”
Bada couldn’t hide her surprise.
It was an extravagant, vintage-looking ring.
A large heart-shaped sapphire sat in the center, held by golden hands on each side.
The platinum band was wrapped with engraved rose vines, intricate and delicate.
It looked somewhat like a Claddagh ring worn in Ireland as a token of love, but with slightly different details.
Bada, puzzled, asked,
“…Why is such a precious ring in there?”
“If you’re dating a Korean, you need to follow Korean rules.”
He slid the ring onto her left ring finger and looked into her eyes.
“Will you be my date? Make me the happiest man in the world?”
Bada knew it was probably a joke, but his serious gaze made her heart race as if he were really proposing.
And the ring fit her hand perfectly, almost like magic. Even River seemed slightly surprised.
“The ring found its owner.”
Bada lifted her hand to admire it. The sapphire reflected the candlelight, sparkling brilliantly.
“This ring is so flashy… it’s rare even as a wedding ring. It’s too much. I can’t wear it.”
As she tried to remove it, he stopped her with a click of his tongue.
“Just keep it. It’s fake.”
Bada raised an eyebrow in doubt.
“Really? But it looks so real.”
“Fake ones are very realistic these days. Don’t worry. And if it were real, it wouldn’t be in a mint tin, right?”
“…I see. Thanks anyway.”
“Anytime.”
“It’s so pretty. The color of the gem is just like your eyes.”
Bada smiled, gazing at his sapphire-like eyes.
Yet, a part of her couldn’t help but wonder.
Even if it’s fake, why would he carry such a ring around?
‘Maybe it’s stolen…’
Before her thoughts could deepen, he pressed his lips to hers.
The breeze from the terrace extinguished the candlelight.
The bedroom was filled with silence, leaving only the feeling of skin against skin and the sound of their breaths.
The two explored each other as if newlyweds on their honeymoon, trapped in their own world.
The tropical rhythm made them forget what day it even was.
Every morning, Bada woke to his gentle hands caressing her waist.
He kissed her face as if telling her it was time to get up.
“Good morning, Your Majesty.”
His posh accent made her feel like a queen.
“Mmm… when did you wake up?”
“A while ago.”
Bada looked at him with sleepy eyes and smiled.
‘How can someone look so handsome even just waking up?’
He smirked playfully, his fingers tracing circles up her inner thighs along her calves.
Bada let out a soft breath, and his pupils darkened with interest.
He buried himself beneath the covers, and she knew what he intended.
The sheets still held the traces of the previous night, and Bada sighed softly.
“After pushing me like that yesterday… I have no energy left.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
When she didn’t respond, he peeked out from under the covers.
“Is that okay?”
Bada nodded in resignation, and he grinned.
“Thank you for granting me this honor, Your Majesty.”
He buried his face between her legs. Warm breath brushed against her, followed by the teasing flick of his tongue.
“Haah…”
Bada tilted her head back, unable to resist.
Sunlight spilled over her face as if gently scolding her.
After showering, they had a late breakfast.
Tropical fruits, healthy granola, and an omelet he made himself.
Everything on the plate looked as neat as a brunch café.
Bada stuffed her mouth with the omelet and sides.
“This is really good. What’s this sauce on the bread?”
“Cashew nut sauce. I made it thinking you’d like it.”
“Delicious. Thank you.”
In the morning, they spent time on their own—Bada did yoga or read in a café, while River worked out for hours in the villa’s home gym.
In the afternoon, they went to a private beach below the cliff.
Surfing, sometimes building sandcastles like kids.
Time passed quickly, and soon the western sky turned deep pink.
River led her to different spots around the villa, making love as if fulfilling every promise from their first night together.
He always had a reason to show her the villa, but he led her to corners instinctively.
‘Want to see the outdoor shower?’
‘A flower that blooms once in ten years is in the garden.’
‘Your shoulder muscles are tight. I’ll do an oil massage.’
‘Come on. Let’s swim tonight.’
And whenever they arrived, River quickly revealed his instincts, indulging himself completely.
