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“I’m Looking for the Runaway Princess – Chapter : 14”
After leaving the entrance of the Royal School, the two began walking under Elizija’s guidance. It was a simple outing without a carriage or escort.
Lakan looked around and stepped aside to avoid a cat brushing against his feet.
“A carriage?”
“The place we’re going to can’t be entered by carriage.”
I’ll show you a new world today. Elizija thought this as she smiled faintly.
It might look like a shabby place for a noble man wearing clothes with jewel buttons, but it would certainly be fun.
Of course, Lakan had experienced dirty battlefields and wandered through winding, run-down alleys many times, but Elizija did not know that.
There was no way she could imagine that a man who looked like he had never even stepped on dirt could have lived such experiences.
How long had they walked?
Before they knew it, a round moon had risen above their heads.
Somewhere, the smell of grilled meat drifted through the air, along with the sweet scent of roasted nut pies.
Between the narrow, winding alleys, laughter and noisy chatter could be heard.
It was a dark, narrow alley with no sense of luxury, yet it strangely felt warm and cozy.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Lakan looked around.
“Are you trying to take me somewhere dangerous?”
“What if it is? You’re with me, senior.”
“……”
“Among everyone I know, your skills are the best. I believe you’ll protect me just fine.”
Elizija smiled faintly as she said that.
It was true. Even walking alone in this shabby alley, she didn’t feel fear or anxiety.
It was because Lakan was firmly by her side.
She hated to admit it, but his presence had become quite reliable. Just being with him calmed her heart.
Perhaps surprised by her honest words, Lakan silently stared at her.
Then he nodded with a slightly pleased expression.
“Right. Just trust me.”
Elizija looked at his profile, which seemed thoroughly satisfied, and quietly smiled.
That slow-smiling, indifferent man sometimes made such obvious expressions—and it was oddly cute.
‘Goodness. To think I’d find a man from an enemy empire with such self-confidence cute. I’ve really gone far.’
Thinking lightly like that, Elizija continued walking.
Meanwhile, Lakan quietly glanced behind them.
He looked toward where his own escort should be following, and also toward the direction of Elizija’s hidden guards.
Even knowing that, he still easily said, “Just trust me.”
Lakan lifted his gaze to the distant moon, his eyes sinking into calm thought.
How much further had they walked?
Their destination soon came into view.
It was a building that looked shabby with age, yet strangely dazzling due to magical signboards plastered all over it.
Lakan looked at the wooden structure, then at Elizija.
She understood the question in his eyes.
“Yes. That’s right. That’s the place.”
Lakan’s steps slowed slightly. Elizija carefully observed his expression.
Was he uncomfortable with such a place, having grown up in luxury? Did I act too carelessly?
Lakan, lost in thought for a moment, soon took off his ornate embroidered jacket.
He loosened his stiff collar and without hesitation removed the triangular jeweled cufflinks at his sleeves.
His outfit became noticeably less formal.
“Let’s go.”
Rolling up his sleeves twice, he motioned for Elizija to lead the way. His face carried an amused smile.
Elizija nodded while looking at his smiling face reflecting the light.
His exposed forearms looked firm and strong.
Strangely, she couldn’t look away.
“I’ll eat this. What about you, senior?”
“I’ll take this.”
At the entrance of the performance hall, the two leaned in and bought snacks together.
Elizija chose fruit grilled and coated in sugar. Lakan chose fried dried corn.
Elizija passed the entrance and paid two silver coins to the attendant.
Unlike luxurious theaters that required tickets, this place allowed entry simply by paying at the door.
Instead of assigned seats, people sat wherever they liked.
“I used to come here often with my senior from school. I was surprised the first time, but it became really fun after a few visits.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Elegant theaters are nice too, but music in this rough place has its own charm. It’ll be a good experience.”
They sat side by side near the front, two rows from the stage.
On the crude stage were a circular disk resembling the moon and fake trees placed sparsely.
Elizija glanced at the stage, then turned to Lakan, who had been rustling beside her, and let out a faint laugh.
The seating seemed designed for average people, so he awkwardly struggled with his long legs.
If he sat properly, his legs hit the seat in front, making it hard to move.
His large build also made the armrests uncomfortably tight.
A man who must have always sat comfortably in VIP seats now looked so flustered.
Suppressing her laughter, Elizija offered a solution.
“Senior, lean toward me a bit and tuck your legs diagonally.”
Lakan looked at her for a moment.
After a brief hesitation, he leaned his body carefully toward her shoulder.
“Then I’ll excuse myself.”
His voice whispered near her ear.
Then came his familiar scent—and the warmth of his shoulder against hers.
Huh. Huh? What?! Elizija blinked a couple of times and pressed a hand to her chest.
Her heart dropped with a loud thud—so strongly even she was surprised.
She stiffened and stared at the stage, unable to move.
She ate the sugar-coated fruit mechanically, like doing homework. Sweetness filled her mouth.
But all she could feel was the warmth touching her left shoulder and arm—too hot, too distracting.
Before she knew it, she had finished all the snacks before the performance even started.
She had been eating frantically just to divert her attention from him.
Perhaps noticing her rushed eating, Lakan asked:
“Elizija. Is the financial state of the Ortesia Kingdom not good?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I wondered if you might be going hungry.”
At his question, she let out an awkward laugh.
He smirked lightly.
“If there’s anything you want to eat, don’t hold back. I’ll buy it all. As a courtesy to an enemy nation, I can afford that much generosity. I’m rich, you know.”
Elizija shook her head with a sulky expression.
No matter how prestigious his family was, could he really be richer than royalty?
“My financial situation is fine. Unlike someone from an empire that wastes war funds invading everywhere.”
As she answered, Lakan smiled calmly and held out his snack bag again. Fried corn kernels were inside.
Without thinking, Elizija began eating them too.
The contact of his arm kept distracting her. She kept eating to divert her attention, though he had no idea.
Lakan moved the bag even closer.
Elizija rustled it open and kept eating.
Soon the noisy hall dimmed, soft lights rose, and mist-like smoke spread across the floor.
The performance had begun.
The story was about the daughter of a blacksmith and the son of a butcher falling in love.
Because it was a cheap, easily accessible performance, it was chaotic and messy—but Elizija actually liked that.
People running across the stage playing violins, flipping upside down, performing tricks—it was all fascinating.
The butcher and blacksmith had been enemies for twenty years.
Their children falling in love led to absurd and comedic chaos.
Elizija bit her lip to avoid laughing out loud, but eventually clapped and laughed openly with others.
Lakan quietly watched her.
Her small shoulder, leaning against him, trembled with laughter.
It was his first time experiencing such a chaotic, crude performance—but it didn’t feel bad at all.
Before she realized it, the play was nearing its end.
Watching the butcher’s son propose with a large basket of meat, Elizija unexpectedly teared up.
“Am I… getting emotional?”
She wiped her eyes with her thumb and reached into Lakan’s snack bag again.
Eating helped suppress overwhelming feelings.
Then she noticed something—he had been holding out the bag in the same uncomfortable position the entire time.
For an hour and a half.
She tapped his arm.
“Doesn’t your arm hurt?”
Lakan leaned in, pretending not to hear.
His emerald eyes sparkled beneath slow-moving eyelashes.
Elizija held her breath.
Their faces were too close.
It reminded her of the moment he had embraced her at the party.
“Arm? Why?”
“You’ve been holding the bag toward me since the start.”
“Because you were eating well.”
He turned away casually.
Their faces ended up even closer.
Elizija could only stare blankly at him.
Strangely, her strength drained away.
A final light flashed across the stage.
Warm red light cast elegant shadows across his profile.
“If you ate well, then I’m fine, Elizija.”
Then came his low voice. Lakan’s beautiful eyes curved slightly in a smile.
At that moment, her heart dropped deep inside her chest with a heavy thud.
…This is bad.
Elizija pressed a hand to her chest, her face completely flushed.
Her heart wouldn’t slow down—it kept pounding violently.
She was certain now.
In this very moment… she might be falling for this beautiful man.
And that realization was truly, seriously dangerous.
