Each Other’s Hearts

There had been a brief incident, but after leaving the remaining matters to the guards and once the fuel tank was fully filled, they began moving again. They kept driving along the long straight road and in the process passed several cities and villages.

Before they knew it, it had become around 5 PM. Because of the situation, the place they headed to was an area where a small mountain stood. It was a place they had found in advance before departure, and in truth they had come here deliberately to set up tents and sleep.

Naturally it had been prepared beforehand, so it was a place that could hardly be called populated. After parking the car and stepping out immediately, he told Adrina to rest for a moment and began pitching the tent taken out from the car. In truth it was called a tent but was closer to a canopy.

Its practicality was slightly lacking, and cloth had to be connected together with metal poles. Because it was quite heavy, it took time before it could be completed. He should have broken into a sweat due to its weight, but perhaps because he used a little telekinesis, he was able to install it with moderate effort.

Thus the tent was completed, and he installed two such tents. The next thing he did was light a campfire. The romance of camping was sitting around the campfire. He gathered simple pieces of wood, and piles had been prepared here and there beforehand.

Since he only needed to bring the pre-prepared firewood, he stacked them neatly and lit them with a match, quickly completing a campfire. Meanwhile, as time passed, the surroundings gradually darkened.

The light of the campfire illuminated the surroundings, and in the midst of this Ian began preparing dinner in earnest. Unable to just watch, Adrina stepped forward and spoke.

“I will help too.”

“No, stay still for now. This is something a man should do.”

“There is no such thing. We should do it together.”

“Just think of it that way and rest comfortably. I want to do it for you.”

Saying so, he guided her and seated her on the simple chair installed with the tent. Because of this action, Adrina could only sit while wondering if this was acceptable and watch what His Majesty was doing. Secretly, he showed a side that could hardly be seen as that of a king of a nation.

Watching him move around cooking somehow made it feel unreal. Then she suddenly remembered what happened earlier in the day.

‘My woman… does he really think that?’

If that were true, she wished it were sincere. Just like earlier, whenever she thought about it her heart kept pounding. She felt embarrassed by such a reaction yet strangely pleased at the same time.

“Please drink this.”

Before she knew it, a metal cup extended toward her contained steaming warm coffee. Taking the cup, she smiled in gratitude and spoke.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Since we are outside, I would be grateful if you call me Ian instead of Your Majesty.”

“Call you by your name?”

“Would that not be more comfortable? There is no need to keep titles heavy even out here.”

“May I really do so?”

“Please do. Will you call me?”

“Th-then… I will call you Mr. Ian.”

“Then while we are outside I will call you Miss Adrina.”

Flush—somehow just calling each other by name felt embarrassing. Something warm and ticklish filled her chest. While thinking that, she hurriedly tried to drink the coffee—ah, hot! She stuck out her tongue and pushed the cup away.

“Are you alright?!”

“I-I drank too quickly. Ahh…”

Because she spoke while sticking out her tongue, her tone came out overly cute. Seeing this, Ian could not help thinking she was cute. Of course he quickly prepared cold water and handed it over. Cute was cute, but burning her tongue on hot coffee was dangerous.

“Drink quickly.”

“Yes.”

As she hurriedly drank the cold water to cool her heated tongue, she looked quite lovely. Ian stared blankly before their eyes met, then coughed awkwardly and spoke.

“Ahem. I shall prepare dinner quickly. Please wait a little longer.”

As he stood and went aside, Adrina’s neck flushed for no reason. Only now did she remember what she had done earlier. Making childish sounds before His Majesty—she wanted to hide somewhere from embarrassment.

‘What should I do…’

She worried he might see her as improper. Even while thinking that, Ian prepared to grill pork belly using the grill he brought. Indeed, nothing matched pork belly eaten outdoors.

‘I even prepared a distilled liquor similar to soju.’

A drink with pork belly—he thought no pairing could be better. Sizzle—soon the grilling sound and smell spread. The scent made Adrina’s mouth water as she barely calmed herself.

‘I must keep my dignity.’

She waited without peeking and was finally able to drink the now cooled coffee. Sitting with legs neatly together, she suddenly wondered what she would be doing ten years later.

‘I cannot remain by His Majesty’s side forever, can I?’

By then she would be older and her beauty would fade somewhat. Thinking of reality made her anxious. Especially the image of Princess Helena came to mind.

‘What does His Majesty think when he sees her?’

Even as a woman she found Princess Helena beautiful. Surely any man would fall for her. Thinking that, jealousy slowly arose. Honestly, the reason she allowed her into the palace was not anything else.

‘Because it is necessary for His Majesty.’

His unstable throne due to lack of an heir worried her (a misunderstanding by Adrina). She believed another woman must bear his child even if not herself. Yet thinking that made her chest feel tight.

‘What am I to him?’

She still could not forget the feeling when he accidentally kissed her lips on their wedding day. Considering years had passed without anything happening since then, she wondered if he did not see her as a woman at all.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Seeing Ian bring a dish of grilled pork belly, Adrina came to her senses and shook her head.

“I was just thinking about various things. More importantly, it smells wonderful.”

“My special grilled pork belly.”

“Wow, it looks delicious.”

Her expression while clapping her hands was sincere. Ian grinned and placed the dish on the table with other prepared foods.

He had also created a sauce similar to soybean paste, and dipping into it enhanced the flavor. Sitting side by side, they began eating before it cooled. The sauce tasted excellent.

“Wow, the sauce is good.”

“Did I not pressure the royal chef to develop it?”

“It tastes even better than before.”

Seeing her chew happily filled Ian with pride. He then poured liquor into prepared cups. Seeing this, Adrina suddenly asked for some.

“Please let me drink too.”

“You wish to drink?”

“I want to try once. It would be lonely if only you drank.”

“I do not mind drinking alone, but just a little?”

“Of course.”

He filled another cup and wondered if it would be alright. Then she raised the cup boldly.

“To commemorate our first drink together.”

“Let us do so. Our first drink together. Haha.”

Clink—they drank, and her tightly shut eyes looked cute. She quickly ate pork belly afterward. He laughed and ate too.

“I still do not understand why people drink.”

“Some enjoy the intoxication and good food.”

“The food is certainly delicious.”

“Nothing beats pork belly.”

“I heard nobles and commoners grill it often since you introduced it.”

“I heard it too. It has become harder to obtain pork belly; now it is even imported.”

“Then what you started spreads worldwide?”

“If so, it would be an honor.”

“Then shall we have another?”

“Are you sure?”

“It is bitter but drinking with you is nice.”

“Then just one more. And you called me Your Majesty again?”

“Ah, Mr. Ian. Another please.”

“Of course, Miss Adrina.”

They clinked again and drank. Soon her cheeks reddened, so he tried to stop her.

“You should stop soon.”

“I am fine. I understand why people drink now.”

An hour later.

The campfire flickered and Ian looked troubled.

‘Strong? She is completely drunk.’

“Oo… Your Majeshy, jus one more…”

“You should stop.”

She had already drunk over a bottle. The liquor was stronger than soju.

‘I told her earlier to stop…’

“I wan more…”

Seeing her pouting was tempting but he refused.

“No more.”

“You drank too…”

“I handle alcohol better.”

“Noo, I wan more.”

She approached reaching for the bottle. He pulled it away.

“I said no.”

“I’m fine…”

She clung to him trying to grab it, pressing close. The scent of alcohol and softness filled his chest and he stiffened.

‘I cannot push her…’

He endured without taking advantage, wanting to confess properly while she was sober.

“Adrina, I will give the bottle, so please step back—”

Snore—

She suddenly fell asleep in his arms.

‘She slept.’

Relieved yet regretful, he carried her gently.

“Your Majesty… I like you…”

“What did you say?”

No answer. But he knew he heard correctly.

‘So it was not one-sided.’

Ian smiled brightly, having confirmed her feelings, even if drunken words.

‘Tomorrow will be something to look forward to. Haha.’