Inside the carriage, Arthur sat back, sipping his coffee in a relaxed manner.
"Huh..." He let out a small sigh, his expression tired. Setting his cup on the saucer, he muttered softly, 'It's only my first day in this book world, yet I've already taken a big step forward in my missions.'
Most people would probably spend their time having fun or exploring the capital and this world, but he couldn't afford such luxuries.
It wasn't that he didn't want to—he simply didn't have the time.
By the time he entered Aron's body, the story had already reached its halfway point.
Only a year and a few months remained before the war arc, the event that would reshape the continent's map.
And that was just the beginning. The fall of the King, the civil war, and ultimately, Aron's death—protecting Sharon from assassins sent by those who wanted her gone—would soon follow.
With so many pivotal events ahead, he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He had to move fast.
What worried him most was whether he could survive long enough to see Sharon ascend the throne.
After all, Aron's fate in this story was clear—death. Moreover, he was destined to die before Sharon could ascend the throne.
That was why he had to do whatever it took to survive until then and complete his missions perfectly.
Of course, if he still ended up dead, he'd make sure to complain to Sylvia and demand an explanation.
"Aron, why are you daydreaming? Are you thinking about something?"
Sharon's worried voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Arthur looked up and gave her a faint smile. "It's nothing. I was just thinking about something."
Sharon blinked curiously, about to ask more, but Arthur suddenly changed the topic.
"By the way, Princess, do you have any plans after this?"
Sharon looked a little surprised before shaking her head.
"I don't have any," she admitted, her expression slightly embarrassed.
Without friends or anyone who truly cared about her, she naturally had nothing important to do.
As if expecting that answer, Arthur leaned forward and gently took her right hand.
"How about a night out in the capital?" he suggested warmly.
Feeling the warmth of his touch, Sharon's face flushed. She hesitated for a moment before finally murmuring, "Okay..."
Arthur smiled in satisfaction and said nothing more. Silence settled between them—awkward for Sharon, but not for him in the slightest.
He absentmindedly ran his thumb over her palm, enjoying its softness. 'Women's hands really are delicate, so unlike men's.'
In all his life, he had never held a girl's hand before, making this his first experience.
Of course, he had done it intentionally—to get Sharon accustomed to physical contact. Besides, he wondered if this simple gesture could increase her affection for him.
Unfortunately, even after a few minutes, no notification appeared indicating an increase in Sharon's affection points, leaving him disappointed.
'Sure enough, the higher the points, the harder they are to increase,' he murmured, slowly releasing his grip.
Sharon let out a quiet sigh of relief and gently patted her flushed cheeks.
'What is Aron doing? Why did he hold my hand like that?' She muttered to herself, flustered.
It was the first time she had experienced such prolonged intimate contact with the opposite sex—especially with Aron, the man who was always by her side.
She would be lying if she said she didn't feel embarrassed… and a little happy.
"[Ding! Sharon Valura's affection increased by +3 points.]"
Arthur blinked in surprise at the notification before a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Tsk! It worked!"
...
The horse-drawn carriage traveled through the bustling streets before finally halting in front of a luxurious inn at the heart of the capital.
Moments later, the door opened, and Arthur and Sharon stepped out.
Arthur approached the carriage driver with a warm smile.
"Thank you for the ride, Old Man Robert. Please send my regards and gratitude to Lina," he said gently.
Robert nodded, patting his chest. "You're welcome, Young Master Avaron. Don't worry, I'll make sure she gets the message."
"Much appreciated."
With that, Robert bid farewell to Arthur and Sharon before urging his horses forward.
Sharon hesitated for a moment before walking up to Arthur. "Aron, what exactly is your relationship with Young Lady Vanessa?"
She had asked this question before, but his answer was always the same—secret.
This time, she hoped he would finally tell her, easing the lingering anxiety in her heart.
Unfortunately, he only chuckled, shook his head, and pressed a finger to his lips. "It's a secret."
Sharon: "..."
Her cheeks puffed up as she looked away, sulking adorably.
Their relationship was merely that of master and servant. By law, she had no right to pry into Aron's affairs with other women.
Yet, for some reason, whenever she imagined him with someone else, a sharp pain stabbed at her chest, as if a needle had pierced her heart.
It was a foreign emotion—one she wished to deny but couldn't suppress.
No matter how much she tried to push it aside, it always surfaced whenever the image of Aron with another woman crossed her mind.
Arthur simply smiled at her jealousy.
One of the signs of a girl in love was jealousy. It revealed how much she cared and how important someone was to her.
Ignoring her pout, Arthur took her hand and said, "Then let's take a tour of the capital. You've never been out before, have you?"
Sharon's sullen expression gradually faded at his words.
"Yes, I've never left the palace. I'd love to stroll through the capital at night—I've heard it's truly mesmerizing," she replied longingly.
As an outcast princess, her father had once forbidden her from going outside.
As she grew older, however, the restrictions gradually faded, granting her the freedom to go wherever she wished.
Unfortunately, she had no friends to share her thoughts with, let alone accompany her on a walk through the capital.
Having spent her entire life within the palace walls, the thought of venturing outside alone felt overwhelming.
Deep in her heart, she had once wished for someone to walk beside her and experience the city's beauty together.
Now, that wish had unexpectedly come true—and even more astonishing, it was with the man who had always stood by her side.
Subconsciously, her gaze drifted to Aron's handsome profile, and she found herself mesmerized.
Arthur pretended not to notice her lingering stare and gently tugged her hand. "Let's go."
Under the glow of the moonlit sky, with the city's dazzling lights illuminating the bustling streets, the two walked away hand in hand.