CHAPTER 114…………………………..
“I greet Kun and the Chief.”
Giovanni did not respond to the question and simply offered a greeting. Rodracki stared at his blunt attitude with a crooked posture.
A cold air lingered in his arrogant eyes.
Giovanni did not avoid his gaze and met his eyes directly.
A faint smile slowly formed on Rodracki’s lips as he narrowed his eyes.
From him, who was walking closer step by step, came the languid aura of someone under the influence of alcohol.
“It wouldn’t be bad to have a drink with you after such a long time.”
With a faint snort of laughter, Rodracki brushed back his long hair.
“But I can’t, since I ended up getting unexpectedly drunk.”
Taking a hat from a servant and putting it on, he approached Giovanni.
“I’ll set up a meeting soon. Malina was talking about you anyway. She said the priest’s personality is… a bit unusual.”
Rodracki glanced at Igraine and let out a small laugh.
Giovanni’s expression grew even more rigid at that.
“I’ll prepare a grand banquet for you.”
“……”
“Oh! Right, bring your priest as well. She’s quite interesting.”
Just as he was about to pat Giovanni on the shoulder and walk past—
“That won’t be happening.”
Rodracki turned his head.
“What?”
Giovanni slowly turned toward him.
“My deputy will not be drinking with you again.”
“……”
“Stop your disgusting little games.”
“…Disgusting?”
Rodracki’s voice wavered. His disbelief quickly turned into anger.
Kichep couldn’t remember how many times his heart had dropped today. Giovanni had always reacted indifferently to Rodracki’s provocations—but not today.
Giovanni ignored Rodracki’s glare with a cold expression.
“Then please return safely.”
And he turned away. The implication was clear—he had no desire to continue the conversation.
Rodracki’s brows rose.
It was a clean dismissal—more infuriating than an insult.
The atmosphere turned extremely cold.
Just as Rodracki was about to speak, the Great Chief’s voice cut in.
“Fifth Prince, if you came to see your teacher, then come in at once.”
It was timely intervention. A warning not to escalate things here.
Rodracki’s brow twitched slightly. Holding back his anger, he twisted his lips.
“Go on inside.”
Kichep immediately led Igraine away, and only the Great Chief and Giovanni remained in the reception room.
“Have a drink.”
Clear liquor was poured into a large cup.
There was no question of whether he would drink it or not. In the desert, drinking alcohol was as natural as drinking water in the kingdom.
Having spent six months in the kingdom drinking water instead of alcohol, Giovanni naturally realized he had returned to the empire as he accepted the offered cup.
“Technology is truly remarkable,” the Great Chief murmured after taking a sip.
“This liquor too. Without distillation, I wouldn’t be able to taste something like this. I prefer strong alcohol over weak drinks!”
“……”
“Come to think of it, you were the one who brought that technician into the empire, weren’t you? At such a young age too!”
The Great Chief shook his head.
“Even while being chased around after being attacked by Kun’s mother, I was amazed you managed such a thing.”
“He was someone who needed imperial protection. The empire needed technology to preserve alcohol for longer. Our needs aligned.”
Giovanni spoke flatly, as if stating only facts. The Great Chief looked at him with satisfaction.
“Indeed. And you’ve brought another talent this time.”
“……”
“The priest you brought from the kingdom. The liquor she made is extraordinary. This was also brought by her. Even Rodracki was impressed—you can understand from that alone.”
Giovanni’s hand paused. He slowly set down his cup.
“My brother was impressed?”
“Yes. You must value her quite a bit. Is that why you did that with Rodracki too?”
The Great Chief’s eyes sharpened.
“Rodracki will not forget this.”
“As if my brother wasn’t already planning to remove me.”
Giovanni calmly replied and lifted his cup again.
He moistened his lips with alcohol and lowered his gaze.
“It’s good.”
“Isn’t it?”
“I just don’t like that the Great Chief and Rodracki drank it before me.”
At his words, the Great Chief blinked.
“…Our perspectives seem a bit different, don’t they?”
Giovanni gave a faint smile. Mistaking it for a joke, the Great Chief shook his head.
“You seem to have changed a bit after your time in the kingdom.”
“Prince Khan said something similar.”
“People notice the same things. Look at today. Did you send the priest to me on purpose?”
“No.”
“I thought so—it didn’t seem like your usual behavior. But it seems the priest wants to draw me to your side.”
“Did she say that?”
“No. But it’s obvious. Why else would a young lady try to become close to me?”
Giovanni fell silent at the absurd implication.
The Great Chief studied him quietly.
Among desert warriors, Giovanni stood out—large, immensely skilled, and unshaken by most things.
Someone who lacked nothing compared to others. And yet Rodracki burned with anger whenever he saw him.
That was why it was regrettable.
Giovanni, who seemed perfect in every way, had one fatal flaw.
He had no desire.
“Have your feelings changed?” the Great Chief asked.
“……”
“Are you finally interested in the throne?”
Giovanni said nothing. In the silence, master and disciple exchanged glances.
“If that is the case,” Giovanni’s smile deepened,
“will you support me?”
“What nonsense. Answering a question with a question.”
Despite his words, the Great Chief did not seem displeased. He chewed on dried meat.
“I’m getting old. Tough food like this doesn’t suit me anymore. I focused too much on external affairs, and my sons are disappointing. The future of the tribe looks murky to me.”
“……”
“But my granddaughter is quite useful.”
The Great Chief swallowed the meat without chewing properly.
“Let me be direct. If you want my help, take my granddaughter as your wife.”
“……”
“Then I will devote everything to supporting you.”
On the way back, I ended up riding a horse with Giovanni instead of taking a carriage. Naturally, I sat behind him as if it were the obvious thing to do.
Throughout the ride, Giovanni didn’t say a single word.
‘I made him worry.’
It was true I had gone there intending only to persuade the Great Chief. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.
A sigh escaped me at his silence.
Then the horse suddenly sped up. Reflexively, my arms tightened around his waist.
Giovanni placed his hand over mine. The warmth made my stiff chest soften slightly.
Even after the horse returned to a steady pace, he didn’t remove my hand.
Not until we reached the prince’s palace.
In the quiet atmosphere, it was already night by the time we arrived.
“Miss, you’re back?”
Jeannie ran out as if she had been waiting, sleep still hanging from her face.
“Go inside and sleep.”
After sending away Jeannie, who was checking on me like a mother bird, silence returned.
Only Giovanni and I remained in the hall.
Kichep was nowhere to be seen.
‘Where did he go again?’
As I looked around, Giovanni turned to me.
“You worked hard today. Rest.”
My eyes widened.
‘He’s leaving?’
Giovanni truly turned around and started walking away.
I stared blankly at his back.
But after only a few steps, he stopped.
Without realizing it, I let out a relieved breath.
‘Right. He’s not just leaving like that.’
But—
“Next time you go to the Great Chief’s house, tell me.”
He paused and sighed faintly.
“I’ll worry.”
And then he walked on as if he had said everything he needed to say.
Annoyed, I called out to him.
“Your Highness!”
He didn’t stop.
My head felt hot.
‘Are you seriously ignoring me and leaving?’
I stood there dumbfounded, then snapped back to my senses and ran after him.
I stepped in front of Giovanni, blocking his way. His silent gaze almost made me lose my words.
Fortunately, he didn’t push me aside.
“Why?”
He asked calmly.
“…Are you really just going to leave like that? Say only what you want to say?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
‘Well… technically nothing.’
But still, he should at least say something more.
‘How can he just leave like that looking so indifferent?’
I clicked my tongue internally, but nodded confidently.
“Yes. I have something to say too.”
“What is it?”
His calm reply left me speechless again.
I had a lot to say—about how I was sorry for making him worry, how I only meant well, how I didn’t expect Rodracki to interfere.
But what came out of my mouth was just one short word.
“…Alcohol.”
“Alcohol?”
“Let’s have a drink.”
“…Again with alcohol.”
He looked at me like I was a hopeless drinker. I felt a bit awkward, but pretended not to notice.
“Last time, Your Highness treated me, so this time it’s my turn.”
Giovanni’s right eyebrow twitched. His reaction wasn’t very encouraging, and I swallowed nervously.
After a moment of thought, he shook his head.
“No. Next time.”
“……”
“If I drink now, I feel like I’ll end up scolding you.”
“I’m okay with that. Or… are you still angry with me?”
“Angry…”
Giovanni murmured as if it were a word he was encountering for the first time, then slowly nodded.
“Yes. I think I still am.”
“Why? Because I acted on my own?”
