TLDOWN 27

CHAPTER 27…

There Are Plenty of Women in the World

Standing in front of the room Theo had led him to, Akkia glanced around inside. A single old wooden desk, a small bed by the window, and a worn-out sofa.

It was a bare, almost ascetic room. Since neither of them were exactly short, the small space felt especially cramped.

‘How the hell do two grown men sleep in a place like this?’

Akkia grumbled inwardly. Theo, having just finished arranging the bedding, gestured to him.

“Hyung-nim, you can sleep on the bed!”

‘There he goes again with that damn “hyung-nim.”’

When had they gotten so close? Clicking his tongue briefly, the duke approached the bed.

It looked even smaller up close than it had from the doorway. Barely big enough for one person—certainly not two grown men.

Akkia narrowed his eyes at Theo.

“You’re not seriously suggesting we both sleep in this, are you?”

“Oh, no! I’ll sleep on the sofa. Don’t worry and get comfortable!”

But the sofa barely looked big enough for two people to sit on, let alone one to lie down—especially someone as large as Theo.

Perhaps noticing Akkia’s skeptical gaze, Theo beamed without the slightest hint of discomfort.

“Don’t worry about me—just lie down and get some rest! Pretend it’s your own home!”

‘My house is not this small,’ Akkia nearly retorted, but instead forced an awkward smile.

Thanks to Rea introducing him as her assistant, he had been downgraded from duke to commoner.

‘Well… it’s a new experience, I guess.’

Where else would he be treated like this? Besides, it had been Akkia’s own whim to follow Rea to Tren without so much as a word of notice.

Lying down on the bed at Theo’s insistence, Akkia looked over at the man tidying up his own makeshift sleeping space.

“I’ll turn off the lights now.”

Akkia gave a small nod, and Theo blew out the candles that lit the room.

Darkness rushed in with a soft whoosh. The only light now came from the moon slipping past the narrow window.

He had never been able to sleep peacefully at the Heidern estate, always wary of a potential threat lurking nearby.

Even the jujube tea Rea brought him couldn’t calm his nerves or cure his insomnia.

But here… it was different.

Somehow, this shabby little orphanage brought a strange sense of peace to his heart. Just as he was about to close his eyes, lulled by a creeping drowsiness—

“Hyung-nim, are you asleep?”

Akkia opened one eye at the sound of Theo’s voice. He seriously considered pretending to be asleep but reluctantly answered.

“No.”

“Oh, good. Actually, it’s been a long time since I’ve shared a room with someone like this.”

Theo sounded so giddy it was almost laughable. As if sleeping beside another man was something to be excited about.

“Since you’re older than me, I assume you’ve had… more experience, right?”

‘Experience?’

Akkia’s brow twitched. He didn’t know exactly what Theo meant, but he figured he had more of it than this greenhorn.

“Most likely.”

The difference in status between a prince and a commoner alone was already monumental. Theo sighed.

“Then… I guess that kind of experience, too.”

“That kind?”

“You know… relationship experience!”

“Of course, I—”

Don’t.
He almost replied haughtily—but his lips clamped shut. No one had ever asked him about his romantic history before, and he found himself flustered.

After all, love was a luxury for someone whose life had been in danger since childhood.

But he couldn’t just admit to this youngster that he’d never dated.

“Of course?”

Theo’s voice was filled with hopeful curiosity, pushing for a response. After a moment’s hesitation, Akkia’s mouth moved on its own.

“I have.”

“I knew it! You totally seem like the type!”

Akkia scowled. ‘What the hell am I even doing?’

This—this was what he snuck out of his estate for?

“Then… of course you’ve done that too, right?”

“What?”

“You know, that. Like… kissing!”

“…What?”

“If you’ve dated someone, then you must’ve kissed the person you love! Probably even… slept together.”

Unfortunately, the answer was a resounding no. He hadn’t even properly held a woman’s hand.

Well—he had held Rea’s hand once. Though not in any affectionate way.

“The older guys at my job said a woman’s lips are like a warm peach—soft, hot, and sweet. And then—”

Though Theo’s face wasn’t visible, Akkia could just feel it blushing bright red. Cutting him off, Akkia groaned.

“So, what are you actually trying to say?”

“Well… it’s just that, I’ve got this… friend.”

“A friend?”

“No! I mean… yes! A close friend. Ugh, that came out wrong.”

Akkia already knew exactly where this was going.

That old cliché—“I’m asking for a friend.”

Not once had such a story actually been about someone else.

“My friend likes his childhood friend. They grew up practically like siblings. But he thinks she doesn’t see him as a man at all…”

Akkia let out a quiet, incredulous chuckle. It was obvious—the childhood friend in question was Rea.

‘No wonder he’s been overly attentive toward her.’

He frowned slightly. But Theo, unaware of the duke’s mood, kept going.

“Do you think it’s okay for him to confess? Or should he take more time and approach her slowly? The thing is, the girl got a job in a faraway city, so they don’t see each other often anymore…”

Apparently, Theo didn’t even realize he had said “I” instead of “my friend.”

“And so…”

He trailed off, unable to finish. Akkia sensed something bad was coming.

“You’re not thinking of doing something old-fashioned like a proposal, are you?”

“W-well, actually, yes… I want to tell her how I feel this time. If she accepts, I’m even thinking of moving to the territory she works in! I mean, my friend is.”

Of course. Akkia’s lips twisted.

A proposal? If she accepts, they’ll settle down in Heidern together?

‘Unbelievable.’

It was so ridiculous he almost laughed.

He’d never been in love himself, but at least he could give advice. That said, he had no intention of giving genuine counseling.

‘Well, let’s see how this goes.’

After a brief pause, he spoke.

“I know how to win over a woman.”

“R-really?!”

“First, make sure you don’t stand out.”

“…Huh?”

Theo’s eyes went wide at the unexpected answer. Before he could question it, Akkia continued.

“If you stand out too much, anyone would find it annoying. It’s better to stay out of sight—that way, you create a bit of longing.”

“In that case, I’ve already got half of it down—I’m far away from her!”

Theo looked thrilled. Akkia smirked slightly.

“Exactly. Also, women don’t like men who only focus on one girl.”

“What?!”

“They prefer guys who’ve had experience with different women. Innocent types aren’t appealing. So, make sure to show yourself getting along with other girls in town.”

Theo looked puzzled, tilting his head. Akkia squinted at him and asked flatly—

“Hm… You’re talking about Rea, aren’t you?”

Theo shot upright, shocked.

“H-how did you know?!”

“How could I not? It’s written all over your face.”

Even in the dark, it was obvious his face had turned bright red.

“Y-yeah. I like Rea.”

Then he spent over ten minutes explaining why he liked her. Akkia, listening half-heartedly, finally sighed.

“Well, this is awkward.”

“W-why?”

“From what I know… Rea’s seeing someone in Heidern.”

“…What?!”

Theo’s voice trembled. He was clearly devastated, but Akkia didn’t stop.

“They look pretty good together, too. The guy’s handsome, and seems capable of taking care of her.”

He surprised even himself at how easily he lied.

As he spoke, Theo’s shoulders slumped lower and lower.

“I… I didn’t know…”

Tears threatened to fall. Feeling a rare pang of guilt, Akkia got up and gently patted his shoulder.

“There are plenty of women in the world, so don’t be too disappointed. You’ll meet the right one eventually.”

Though he left out—“But it won’t be Rea.”

❀ ❀ ❀

Later that night, unable to sleep, Akkia wandered the garden.

After over an hour of comforting Theo, any sleepiness he’d felt had completely vanished. Closing his eyes briefly, he thought back to sneaking out of the mansion.

[Just as you ordered, I told the head maid that the Duke is bedridden with a high fever. Luckily, Bayern went on vacation, so no one else should enter your chambers.]

[Good. You’ll be taking my place for a while.]

It just so happened that this was Bayern’s regular vacation period.

With the butler and several other staff away, it was the perfect time for a quiet escape.

Of course, he couldn’t leave his room empty—he had one of his men stay behind and pretend to be him.

No servant would dare enter the Duke’s room without permission, especially not when he was “seriously ill.”

[But… why are you going to Tren, sir?]

The look on his subordinate’s face when Akkia announced the trip had been unforgettable.

‘Why indeed…’

Even he couldn’t quite define this impulsive choice. The moment Rea had said she’d be taking a vacation to Tren, something within him had compelled him to go.

‘This really isn’t like me.’

It was his first act of rebellion. As he pondered this while strolling through the garden—

“Duke?”

A familiar voice made him stop in his tracks.