TNKHC 69

Chapter 69 …

Aiden’s expression stiffened rapidly.

Well, anyone would react that way after walking in on a scene involving physical intimacy.

What else would a man and a woman be doing on a bed with their faces all flushed?

“What did you do to make your face so red?”

“It’s nothing. Sit down.”

Decarus straightened his clothes, then stood up and walked toward him.

From his back, it practically looked like the words I’m annoyed to death, so just get lost were written in bold letters.

“Oh, really?”

Aiden narrowed his eyes and curled one corner of his lips.

“You came early.”

“Yeah, but you don’t look very happy to see me, brother.”

He continued speaking with an angelic smile.

It was so bright and innocent that it seemed to light up the surroundings.

“What?”

In contrast, the atmosphere darkened in an instant, making even the air feel icy.

Thanks to that, red sirens started blaring noisily in Elena’s head.

“Ah, um—this place feels stuffy. Let’s not just stay here, let’s go out. I’m bored. The sea looked really pretty today.”

Why did things always get tense whenever these brothers met?

Could they please think about how uncomfortable it was for the person caught between them?

“Do you think you can go out?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I want to go out too.”

Elena sent a quick signal that she was okay, flashing a small smile.

Thankfully, the situation seemed to settle down naturally.

“Phew….”

She hadn’t been able to enjoy the sea earlier because she was crying.

So she wanted to go out and see it now.

She was also curious about how the sea would look after so long.

“Elena, did you cry?”

Only then did Aiden seem to get a proper look at her face, his eyes widening in surprise.

“Ah… yes, Your Highness.”

“Why….”

Tap—

Just as Aiden reached out to touch her face—

Decarus grabbed Aiden’s wrist hard, like an eagle snatching its prey.

“Ah….”

“I thought it’d be better if we went out now. It looks like Elena wants to go out quickly too.”

That’s what he said, but his true feelings were completely obvious.

He was definitely acting like that out of jealousy again.

“Let’s go out. I really want to see the sea.”

Decarus didn’t let go of her hand even for a single moment.

When they walked down the hallway, he even squeezed himself between them when Aiden came closer.

Going down the stairs, walking across the gravel—Decarus stayed glued to her the entire time.

“Carus, let go of this.”

“No.”

She whispered softly so Aiden wouldn’t hear, but it was useless.

Stubborn as a bull.

In the end, she had no choice but to drag him around like a sticky tagalong.

“Wow…!”

A blue shoreline where intense sunlight shattered into sparkling fragments.

The waves crashing refreshingly with a whoosh, whoosh.

Golden sand tickling her feet.

It was truly a perfect beach.

“Is all of this yours?”

“Yeah. More precisely, it belongs to the Sculrus family. It’s been passed down since the previous generation.”

He brushed his hair back while gazing at the sea, as if it were nothing special.

His hair fluttering in the wind and his sculpted face made it look like a summer photoshoot.

But only for a moment—soon, the butler who had been standing guard ran up and whispered something in his ear.

His face twisted instantly, and it was quite a sight to behold.

“I’ll step out for a bit.”

Judging by his expression, something bad must have happened.

When he said he was leaving her side, her mood sank slightly.

An anxious feeling welled up, like a puppy with separation anxiety.

“Be safe.”

She saw him off with the most downcast expression she could manage, since she couldn’t stop him from doing what he needed to do.

It felt like a hard stone had been placed on her heart—but at least Aiden was still with her.

“I’ll be back.”

He lifted the corner of his handsome lips and kissed her forehead with a soft smack.

Elena’s face instantly flushed red, and she turned around to look at Aiden.

Thankfully, it seemed like he hadn’t seen it, and she let out a sigh of relief—though she shot daggers at Decarus with her eyes.

“See you later.”

He chuckled softly, ruffled her hair, and turned away.

“What was that….”

Elena pouted as she smoothed the hair he had messed up.

But her round cheeks were puffed up adorably.

Aiden, who had been staring at the sea absentmindedly, glanced at her and tilted his head.

“What’s with you? Why is your face so red? Are you sick?”

“N-no, not at all. I’m totally fine.”

Flustered, Elena stammered and tried to smile as if nothing was wrong.

He narrowed his eyes like a detective catching onto something, then smoothly changed the subject.

“But you cried earlier?”

“Ah… yeah. I had a strange dream all of a sudden.”

“A dream?”

“Yeah….”

Elena lowered her head deeply and said nothing more.

If she spoke, it felt like she’d remember it again.

That strangely horrifying dream.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, then don’t.”

“Okay.”

Aiden smiled gently and led her to a pristine white bench.

With a large parasol set up, the bench was shaded and looked cool.

“Ah, this is nice. Isn’t it been forever since we last came to the sea?”

“Yeah. I think the last time was two years ago. Orphes Duchy, right?”

The Estel Empire was vast, with two sides surrounded by the sea, so seeing the ocean wasn’t too difficult.

Among them, the Duchy of Ardeo, the Duchy of Orphes, and the Duchy of Legion East all had coastlines.

Three out of five duchies, no less!

“That time you shoved me into the sea, and water got all in my eyes!”

“That’s because you threw dirt at me first.”

What a petty jerk.

All she did was play a small prank, and he threw her straight into the sea.

“All brawn, no brains….”

“What? Did you just call me stupid?”

“No, I didn’t say anything?”

“You totally did…!”

“Ah, I’m hungry. Feed me. I haven’t eaten anything since morning.”

Now that she thought about it, the sun was already high in the sky—it was past lunchtime.

No wonder she was starving!

“I think you’re the only one who treats me like this.”

“So what if you’re a prince?”

He shook his head a couple of times with an exasperated look, then held out his hand.

“Get up. Let’s go out.”

“Okay!”

How long had it been since she’d traveled like this?

And with Aiden, no less.

Old memories bubbled up one after another, making her heart feel warm and fuzzy.

“Ah, let’s go eat sushi.”

“Sushi? What’s that?”

“It’s a food Jane told me about. She said it came from another country. There should be a restaurant in Lamer….”

The guard at the villa spotted them from afar and hurriedly opened the gate.

Then he straightened his posture and saluted crisply.

“Um, excuse me. Do you know where they sell something called sushi?”

Since he was from around here, he might know.

Elena asked him, eyes wide, as he stood stiffly at attention.

“Ah! The restaurant is called Miru! If you walk straight for about ten minutes from here, then turn into the alley on the right, you’ll see it!”

His way of speaking was unusual.

He emphasized the end of every sentence, like a soldier.

It was pretty funny, but she couldn’t mock his professionalism.

“Thank you.”

Following his directions, they walked straight ahead without looking back.

The streets were full of energy.

True to the southern region, everything was colorful and lively.

People dancing and singing without hesitation.

Clothes so vivid and flashy they almost hurt the eyes.

The scent of spices and leather wafting through every alley.

All of it was something she’d never seen in the capital.

“I should buy a leather bag too. They’re so pretty.”

This place was famous for leather craftsmanship, and leather workshops were everywhere.

People were all carrying different leather goods, one by one.

Since they were here sightseeing, she should at least buy herself a leather bag!

“Sure, but let’s eat first. If you don’t eat, you’ll just get cranky again.”

He said it as if he could see right through her.

She had snapped at him before when she was hungry.

Well… not that badly.

Feeling a slight pang of guilt—but knowing he was right—she decided to follow quietly.

“Where is it, anyway?”

“We’ll find it if we keep walking.”

Aiden looked relaxed, as if he were some kind of sage.

She was starving to death, but he was looking around like a tourist!

“It’s already been thirty minutes. We’re not in a walking competition—what is this?”

“Lena, try to calm yourself a bit. What are you going to do with such an impatient personality?”

“Ugh, fine! Stop nagging, you’re so loud!”

Her ears were about to fall off thanks to Aiden’s constant nagging.

He wasn’t her mother-in-law, but he was world-class at scolding.

“Good grief….”

Aiden ran a hand through his hair and let out a deep sigh, clearly frustrated.

But she didn’t seem to care at all and boldly continued down the street.

“Huh? There it is! Sushi!!!”

Elena’s eyes lit up instantly.

Call it passion for sushi.

Just the thought of eating salmon sushi sent endorphins flooding through her.

“Don’t run. You’ll trip.”

“Yes, yes, I got it, Your Highness.”

He stopped her as if he’d expected this all along.

Like a mother telling her child not to run.

Elena half-listened, half-ignored him, smacking her lips while staring at the sushi shop sign.

“You really like it that much?”

“Yeah, of course. I’ve been dying to try it!”

As soon as they entered the restaurant, it felt just like a Japanese eatery.

The clear chime of a bell when the door opened, lantern-lit lighting, red-painted wooden floors.

The familiar scenery made it feel like she’d stepped into another country.

“This place is so unique. It really feels like we’re abroad.”

“Yeah. It really does….”

Her chest tightened, and it felt like tears might spill over.

Like visiting her hometown after twenty years.

Who would’ve thought she’d see such an Eastern atmosphere here?

“Welcome. Come, come—this way.”

A man who seemed to be the owner guided them to their seats.

The white headscarf he wore also made him look like a Japanese chef.

Handing them menus, he gave a brief explanation of the dishes.

“I’ll have salmon sushi!”

No hesitation—it had to be salmon sushi.

She didn’t even glance at anything else.

“And for your boyfriend?”

“Excuse me? He’s not my boyfri—”

“I’ll have shrimp sushi, please.”

Aiden said with a calm smile, as if it were no big deal.

Was it just her imagination, or did he look pleased?

“Hey, you should’ve corrected him.”

Once the owner left, Elena pressed her lips together and complained.

It bothered her that he hadn’t denied it.

“Why? Aren’t I your boyfriend? Or just a male friend?”

“How are those the same thing?!”

Only then did Aiden seem to understand. He raised his eyebrows and curled his lips slyly.

“Then… should we try it from now on? Being boyfriend and girlfriend?”