Chapter 44: Go taste your own medicine
Staying up all night left her exhausted. It was only around the time others were having lunch that Adeline, finally barely regaining her senses, opened her eyes and let out a grand groan. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Ugh…”
By now, Nabi, who slept later than her yet woke up earlier, should have rushed in to ask if she was awake, but there was no sign of anyone in the room.
Next to Adeline was the familiar sight of disheveled sandy-colored hair.
It was The Lion King.
“Still asleep.”
He was sound asleep. He didn’t stir at all as she tossed and turned.
They had returned to the inn just before dawn and, as previously discussed, lay down on the same bed. Adeline, who had been yawning non-stop on the horse, quickly fell asleep, but it seemed he hadn’t.
The Lion King was asleep on his stomach.
Adeline lay on her side, resting her head on her hand, admiring his broad shoulders and back.
“I don’t like men who are too good.”
She hadn’t had the chance to say as she was too absent-minded, but she was deeply impressed by the battle last night. What an overwhelming difference in skill. She understood why Ringo referred to him as “the strongest warrior on the continent.” and why this man carried himself with such confidence.
Adeline moved her hand to stroke the muscles covering his back. They were warm and firm. A long, sunken curve ran along his spine. As she caressed his shoulder blade and arm, he, deep in sleep, twitched and shifted.
“Shush…shush…” She smiled while patting his body.
“…Adeline.” The Lion King called her name in a deep hoarse voice.
Adeline, unbothered, continued to pat his back. Her touch wasn’t the gentle kind used to soothe a baby. Instead, it was more on the tickling side.
As she twirled the hair draped over his nape between her fingers, he turned his head to look at her.
“It’s ticklish.”
“I know.”
Unlike Adeline’s thin hair, his was decently thick and looked healthy. It was only slightly split at the ends due to the intense desert sun and its owner’s neglect. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
She played with his long hair, moving it around with her fingers, and yawned before asking. “Why did you grow your hair out?”
“I didn’t cut it because it was too much trouble, so it just grew out on its own.”
“What?”
How can this be so unfair? She had to wash, comb, and apply various treatments to maintain her long hair every day. Yet this man just left it alone out of laziness, and it grew this long. His thick, healthy hair slipped through her fingers with strength every time she touched it.
When Adeline tugged at his hair with a sulky face, he smiled and asked, “When did you wake up?”
She replied while wrapping the thick blanket around her legs. “Earlier, just a moment ago.”
“Don’t lie.”
“How do you know it’s a lie?”
“Because there are pillow marks all over your face.”
“Is it because of my age?”
The Lion King laughed, telling her not to say such nonsense.
Adeline rubbed her cheek with her palm and sat up on the bed. Then, suddenly curious, she asked, “Don’t you think I’m pretty?”
“What?”
“Everyone says so. The King’s Flower, Adeline Vita. The fact that my father adopted me, sent me to the enemy country, and even thrust me upon you—all of it is because I’m pretty. But you don’t seem to care, even though you’re lying here in bed with me.”
“Is that what you’re curious about?”
“I’m asking seriously. Answer me.” Although it wasn’t a serious question, she said it that way because she really wanted an answer.
The Lion King, lying on his stomach, lifted his head and propped his chin on his hand. His tousled hair fell down.
“You are….”
“Hmm.”
“A bit….”
“Hm?”
“You look weird.”
Adeline, who had expected either a standard compliment about being pretty or teasing about being unattractive, stared at him with her mouth slightly open at this unexpected response.
“Weird? How so?”
“It’s just that.”
“What’s that! I look weird? How do I look weird?”
The Lion King frowned and got up from the bed, avoiding her.
Adeline wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him. She held him tightly with both arms and persistently asked, “Tell me quickly. How do I look weird?”
He sighed, pushing her forehead back, and answered. “Look in the mirror.”
As the Lion King opened the door and went outside, Nabi, who had been standing outside, nodded to him and entered.
Adeline pushed aside the blanket wrapped around her legs and rushed to the mirror. There, she saw a woman with disheveled, ghostly gray hair, a puffy face with pillow marks, and bloodshot eyes glaring back at her.
One must acknowledge the truth.
The comment about looking strange was almost like a compliment.
“Your Highness Adeline?”
Nabi tilted her head in confusion from behind. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
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