Episode 30: A Mans Jealousy(2)

Aristine stared back at Hamill with no reaction.

Lu.

Hamills smile deepened when her voice grew quiet.

If you keep doing that, I will have to scold you.

Her purple eyes were quite stern.

Hamills mouth opened unconsciously, and he burst into laughter. His laughter resounded through the blue sky.

He laughed so much that he even began to tear up.

This was the first time in his life that someone had ever mentioned scolding him.

Not even his teachers who tutored him in the royal studies, his mother, or his royal father had ever scolded Hamill.

Hm, thats troublesome.

Hamill said, turning to Aristine after wiping his tears.

Because I want to get scolded now.

He was curious to see how Aristine would scold him.

Exactly, if you dont want to get scolded, stop doing gold-digger stuff.

I mean its troublesome because I want to be scolded, Princess.

Hamill swallowed those words and smiled.

What do you mean, gold-digging? Im just obsessed with my good friend. Isnt that common?

Hearing that, Aristine felt pricked.

It, it is?

How was she supposed to know without any friends?

Seeing that those words worked quite well, Hamill began to gently entice Aristine.

Now, consider this, Princess Consort. How would you feel if your closest friend told another friend their secret without telling you?

Aristine inadvertently thought of Mukali.

If Mukali told everyone else his secret except her

She could easily imagine it.

Him whispering to Ritlen alone in front of her but excluding her completely.

It was a good that Ritlen and Mukali were close. It was good but

Ugh, Aristine groaned.

See. Its not a nice feeling, is it?

That, thats true but Mukali has the right to tell his secret to anyone he wants to.

Yes, but it doesnt feel good, right?

Ng.

It seems Princess Consort is also obsessed with General Mukali.

Aristines small eyes widened in surprise.

Is that how it is?

Absolutely.

Hamill nodded seriously.

Aristines face also turned serious.

To think I am obsessed with Sir Mukali

Now that she thought about it, there was a time when she considered studying science so that she could be a part of Ritlen and Mukalis conversations.

Its okay. Thats normal between close friends.

It sounded like he was comforting her and Aristine looked at Hamill with twinkling eyes.

Come to think of it, even in the scenes I saw with the Monarchs Sight, there were kids who were obsessed with sitting next to their best friends and fought because of it!

It was very normal and natural.

Aristines face brightened.

Hamill clamped down his laughter, feeling helpless about this innocent princess.

She was very clever and quick-witted, yet she was so clumsy when it came to relationships.

Its probably because she grew up by herself.

After investigating, he found that the princess was truly confined since she was a child.

Learning that made Hamill feel quite distressed. And he was surprised by that part of himself.

He wasnt the type to feel sentimental about other peoples experiences.

Hamill brushed away those thoughts with a laugh and whispered to Aristine.

Its just, I thought that we were pretty close too.

He gently swept down Aristines hair, which was ruffled by the wind, Or maybe I was the only one who thought we were close.

Hamill sullenly looked down.

His delicately sculpted face was cast with melancholy, and instantly, it looked affectionate and sad.

Lu

Aristine took his hand, feeling sorry. She didnt mean to upset her precious second friend.

Its not like that. I like you too, Lu.

But a reply came from somewhere else.

You likeLu, you say?

It was a voice that sounded like lava boiling at the bottom of the volcano.

Aristine turned around in surprise.

Tarkan?

Tarkan was standing right behind her.

His expression was blank and stiff, like a desert rock.

When did you get here? What are you doing here?

What am I doing?

Even though he tried to suppress it, his voice came out like a growl, scraping against the floor.

Tarkan stared at Aristine, who was asking that while looking at him with wide eyes as if nothing was wrong, and his forehead creased.

He couldnt stand it anymore and pulled Aristine by the waist.

Her slender and soft body snugly fell into his arms. Her body temperature and scent filled his entire body.

It made him feel reassured and calmed his heartbut that angered Tarkan even more.

Just now, his wife told another maneven worse, his half-brother, Hamillthat she liked him. How could he feel relieved just by hugging her?

And Aristine wasnt even the one that initiated the hug.

Am I that weak-willed?

He tried to clench his jaw, but he couldnt focus because of the familiar scent and soft body pressed against him.

Tarkan? Is something wrong?

Aristine placed her hand on Tarkans arm which was around her waist and looked up at him.

In the end, Tarkan sighed deeply.

You shouldnt be asking that.

What? What do you mean? Did I do something?

Aristine frowned, looking like she didnt understand.

Tarkan tightened his grip on Aristines waist and looked at Hamill.

He hadnt seen his half-brother in a long time, but the man still had that sleek and glossy mug of his.

Hamill was looking at Aristine with amusement written all over his face.

Tarkan turned his body slightly, as if to hide Aristine from Hamills gaze.

Only then did Hamills gaze turn to Tarkan.

The two men looked at each other silently for a while.