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Episode 9
Carden’s expression had noticeably darkened.
The first reason was Haran.
She was sitting right beside him.
Their shoulders and thighs were pressed tightly together, close enough to feel each other’s breath.
But Carden was the only one bothered by it.
Haran simply looked out the window with her cute pink eyes, completely unconcerned.
The second reason.
They had been riding the carriage for far too long.
According to Carden’s pocket watch, more than two and a half hours had passed since they boarded.
They should have arrived at the temple long ago, yet the public carriage continued rattling along at a painfully slow pace.
The horses barely took a few steps before the driver stopped again to pick up more passengers.
Whenever someone reached their destination, they knocked on the small window connected to the driver, causing the carriage to stop so they could get off.
The same thing happened over and over.
Dozens of times.
Carden finally asked Haran why.
Smiling, she explained that public carriages were meant to transport people wherever they wanted to go as long as they paid the fare.
She added that people in the Holy Nation probably lived the same way.
“Once we get past the busy district, we’ll arrive at the temple.”
As if she had noticed his exhausted expression, Haran smiled with her eyes above the shawl covering her face.
Her clear pink eyes looked as fresh as flowers blooming in the desert.
For the first time, Carden realized how little he knew about the world.
What kind of life have I been living all this time?
Neigh!
The carriage stopped again.
The driver had nearly passed some waiting passengers before noticing them at the last second and abruptly pulling the reins.
The sudden stop threw everyone inside forward.
Haran’s body lurched ahead.
Carden immediately reached out and pulled her into his arms.
The scent of roses washed over him like a waterfall.
As if he had touched something forbidden, Carden instantly let go.
“Thank you.”
“I only did what anyone would have done.”
Unlike his pounding heart, his voice remained stiff and calm.
The passengers immediately began complaining and shouting.
The driver laughed loudly.
“My apologies! My apologies!”
He apologized cheerfully while scratching his head.
Some passengers got off.
Even more boring.
Yet there were still people left standing outside.
One woman with three children looked troubled.
Haran peeked outside and spoke.
“This is sudden, but I think I’ll get off here. Do you think you can make it the rest of the way alone?”
“If this really is a busy district, I should be able to.”
Carden nodded uncertainly.
One of the few things that never went according to plan in his life was finding directions.
“Then excuse me. I’m sure you’ll make it safely to the temple. May Aster’s blessing be with you.”
Haran pushed through the crowd and stepped off the carriage.
The woman waiting outside immediately brightened.
She repeatedly thanked Haran for helping her three children aboard.
Just one adult giving up a seat created enough space for all three children.
Ah…
Watching the scene, Carden finally understood why Haran had suddenly gotten off.
He immediately informed the driver that he was getting off as well.
Then he gave his seat to the children and stepped down.
Because of him, the children’s mother was also able to board.
“I’m ashamed. I should have gotten off first.”
“You’re a guest visiting the Baral Kingdom. I can’t let that happen. Thank you for your kindness. Shall we walk the rest of the way together? It’s not very far.”
When Haran smiled and said that, it felt to Carden as though a warm spring breeze had blown through his heart.
She’s a truly kind woman.
He was glad he had asked Haran for directions.
Glad he had met her again.
Glad they rode together.
Glad he had followed her out of the carriage.
Why did he feel that way…
He didn’t know.
“This is the shortcut to the temple.”
Haran led him into the marketplace.
Even from far away, the lively energy of the market could be felt.
The midday market of the Baral Kingdom was overflowing with people.
Merchants shouted to attract customers.
Sacks of grain.
Jars of spices.
Barrels of alcohol.
Silk.
Carpets.
Goods were piled high everywhere.
The merchants came not only from neighboring countries like Aeora, Sol, and Sima, but even from distant eastern lands.
Customers raised their voices just as loudly while bargaining.
Carden’s large frame stood out even among the crowd.
As they walked, he instinctively shielded Haran with his arm.
Am I standing too close?
The thought crossed his mind.
But he was strangely happy to finally feel useful to her.
“Just a moment.”
Haran’s eyes stopped at a dagger stall.
“Did you see something you like?”
When Carden stopped, Haran approached the merchant.
“I have a friend who needs to protect himself among strangers. I think he’s more than capable of taking care of himself, but I still worry.”
A delicate woman like her friend, perhaps.
That was what Carden assumed.
Contrary to his imagination, Lucius was tall and physically strong.
“Allow me to take a look.”
Carden picked up each dagger from the display one by one.
Swish.
Swish.
He tested their balance and weight.
His brows gradually furrowed.
Market-quality weapons simply failed to satisfy him.
“Do you absolutely need to buy one today?”
Coincidentally, the diplomatic gifts his delegation was bringing included several high-quality daggers.
If he met her again, he could always give her one as a gift.
“Yes. I want him to start carrying it today.”
“In that case, these are the best choices.”
Carden selected several daggers he believed would suit Haran’s friend.
Haran chose the one with her favorite scabbard design.
The gilded sheath was decorated with purple flowers and vines.
The handle was white, her favorite color.
Even if he doesn’t like it, he’ll probably accept it if I give it to him.
It wasn’t really meant for self-defense.
It was more like an apology for her siblings being such creative perverts.
She doubted Lucius would use it.
By the time they reached the temple entrance, the blazing midday sun was finally beginning to cool.
A familiar face stood in front of the main entrance of the Aster Temple.
Huh? Lucius?
Lucius ran toward them with a bright smile.
“Noona!”
He was dressed in proper, luxurious clothing.
The outfit was mostly white, accented with pink fabric tinged with purple.
He had probably been given plenty of gold jewelry as well, but apparently found it annoying and wasn’t wearing any of it.
Unlike the nearly naked appearance he had worn the night before, Lucius was now fully dressed.
And he was so beautiful that even a god might feel jealous.
A long translucent outer robe fluttered in the wind.
He looked like a cat.
But he behaved exactly like a puppy.
Watching him run toward her like a dog greeting its owner made Haran smile without realizing it.
Without even breathing hard, Lucius reached her and immediately wrapped her in a hug.
“I missed youuu…”
“Luci— mmph!”
Haran tried to answer.
But Lucius hugged her tightly and immediately began kissing her.
“Mmm…”
Never mind that they were standing at the entrance of the temple where her coworkers could see.
More importantly.
Carden was right there.
Haran intended to end it with a short kiss.
Lucius clearly had other plans.
He captured her lips completely and continued kissing her.
When Haran closed her lips, Lucius gently bit her lower lip and forced an opening.
His tongue slipped inside once more.
For a long time, Lucius held her close and savored the kiss.
His tongue explored everywhere.
The roof of her mouth.
The depths of her mouth.
Beneath her tongue.
There wasn’t a place he failed to reach.
Again and again, he kissed and teased her lips until Haran gradually lost track of everything around her.
Eventually, she completely forgot where she was and what was happening.
The sound of their kissing echoed openly through the temple entrance.
In the Baral Kingdom, it was normal for a royal slave to serve their master.
The priests passing by barely even glanced at them and simply continued on with their business.
Only Carden, the outsider, widened his eyes slightly.
During the kiss, Lucius whispered into Haran’s ear.
“I taste good, don’t I?”
“Hey!”
Haran tried to protest the outrageous comment.
Lucius silenced her with another kiss before she could finish.
Still…
She had to admit it.
Kissing Lucius felt absolutely intoxicating.
It’s like floating above the clouds.
His kissing skills were frighteningly good.
Maybe those lips aren’t innocent at all.
Haran was almost convinced of it.
No, why am I even thinking about that right now? Maybe I inherited the Parpala royal family’s perverted tendencies, too.
A sudden feeling of self-reflection hit her.
Wasn’t she enjoying the very lifestyle she had spent so long trying to avoid?
In the end, she really was just another member of the royal family.
Lucius glanced toward Carden.
The corners of his eyes curved into a narrow smile.
