Chapter 34. Alley Boss 1
Slightly early for their appointment, the two women leaned against the building wall, idly watching the passersby. With their hoods pulled low, they avoided drawing any unwanted flies. Otherwise, the horny bastards would have been all over them, fawning and begging for a fuck at every turn.
After standing there quietly for a while, Princess Ganesha unexpectedly addressed Duchess Elizabeth.
"Hey, Elizabeth."
Even for a princess, spitting out such casual informal speech like that was rude as hell. But if she gave a shit about etiquette, she wouldn't have such a notorious reputation. Elizabeth already knew what kind of woman she was dealing with, so she didn't complain. Hell, the fact that Ganesha wasn't cursing her out was a blessing.
...Better not poke the bear, or she'd get burned.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You wanna marry that Kang Ji-hyuk bastard?"
! Elizabeth flinched at the blunt question. It was the first time Ganesha had asked so directly.
"What's so great about him? ...Or is your daddy forcing you into it?"
Elizabeth glanced at Ganesha, then looked away.
"It's entirely my own will."
"...Oh, so you actually like him and wanna marry him? Fine, then what's so likable about him? ...His face? Talent? Or... that dick?"
"After weighing all the conditions, I judged him more than suitable as my match."
"Aaaah, riiight?"
Ganesha licked her lips with a smack. Foxy bitch...
Truth be told, Ganesha felt a bit wronged. As a princess, she couldn't take an outsider like Ji-hyuk as a husband. His Imperial Majesty would never allow it. ...No, all the ministers would scream in opposition. They couldn't mix such impure blood with the royal line.
In that sense, the duchess had more freedom. Hell, Duke Valkan didn't give a damn about that stuff. And for the sake of the imperial family's face, Ganesha couldn't openly date Ji-hyuk either.
...Honestly, it'd be best if they just kept fucking around casually. But human hearts don't work that way. Now she was stuck watching the duchess steal Ji-hyuk away like some dog chasing a chicken, forced to suck her thumb helplessly.
Fuck that. No way in hell.
...If I make him not even notice other women, by treating him real good? Yeah? That'll work. ...It'll work, right?
That was the conclusion she'd groaned over for two nights straight.
...Truth was, no matter how hard she racked her brain, that was the best she could come up with.
"Fine, I support you. Make it work, you two."
"...Thank you, Your Highness."
Ganesha forced a smile, saying words that didn't come from the heart. She had no desire to bicker like some kid over "he's mine, no he's mine." No, she'd resolved to capture him with her own charms.
Have I been too clingy? Yeah, gotta fix that. Tone down the swearing, act more noble...
Then she caught her reflection and let out a hollow laugh. Where had the lioness who commanded the continent gone? All that was left was a female lioness mewling for a male.
But what could she do? She needed Ji-hyuk.
Too late—she'd handed over body and soul to the taste of his cock.
Haaa, fuuuck, why am I such a mess...!
And yet, deep down, she was buzzing with anticipation for another taste tonight. Pathetic how she couldn't quit, even mocking herself for it.
Soon enough, Ji-hyuk and Gunda appeared through the bustling crowd.
Ah—.
Ganesha forgot all her grievances the moment she spotted her favorite.
"Your Highness. Elizabeth."
The four exchanged brief nods and slipped into a quiet alley.
"Find out anything?"
Ganesha asked if he'd uncovered something. Ji-hyuk succinctly recapped events so far and outlined the next steps. The progress was faster than expected, surprising both women inwardly. In just two days? ...They were reminded anew of his exceptional talent.
"So, we disguise as mercenaries and join the caravan?"
"Yes. I have the mercenary plates, so forming a crew's no issue. I scouted caravans yesterday too."
"...Damn, you're quick. ...Anyway, good work."
"Didn't do much. Gunda helped a ton."
"Me? No, I barely—"
Ganesha praised Gunda too.
"You did good too, Gunda."
"...Thank you."
Once the pleasantries wrapped up, Ji-hyuk spoke again.
"So, we go with this plan?"
"Yeah, sounds good. ...Anything we can help with?"
"Nah, we're set. Just prep to leave tomorrow or the day after."
"Got it."
"I'll head to the caravan then."
Duchess Elizabeth quickly cut in.
"I'll come with."
Shit.
Ganesha had been beaten to the punch. Oh well, too late now.
"Gunda, watch Her Highness while we're gone. ...Your Highness, we'll be back."
"Don't worry about here."
Gunda stood by Ganesha. She waved off the pair with a smile.
Ji-hyuk and Elizabeth walked shoulder to shoulder. He glanced at her, asking how she'd been.
"Fine, I've been good."
"...No troubles?"
"No, nothing."
Even as a princess, Ganesha must've treated her decently. Makes sense—the daughter of Duke Valkan wasn't someone to bully openly.
"You've had it worse than me. ...We just heard rumors, and that was tough enough."
"Eh, just experience."
Elizabeth wondered what experiences had made him so adept. She'd been a hero for nearly three years, yet she was still green at this stuff.
...Gotta learn by watching. More than marriage, she was set on absorbing everything.
Suddenly, Ji-hyuk spoke up.
"Elizabeth."
"Yes."
"...You weren't asleep that time, were you?"
The abrupt question made her heart sink. ...Ah...!
Ji-hyuk glanced sideways. Elizabeth had her head slightly bowed. Too late to play dumb. Time to brazen it out, as usual.
"...No, I was awake. So what?"
She met his eyes with her signature haughty composure.
"Whatever you and Her Highness have going on is none of my business. ...Plenty of nobles like that. Married on paper, strangers in bed. ...Think I'm any different? I don't care."
She bluffed like always, but the bravado felt a bit deflated this time. She pressed on.
"Besides, the imperial family can't tie up with outsiders anyway. So it doesn't matter. ...Ha, you think I'd give up? No way. Her Highness even cheers me on. Practically done deal, right?"
Ji-hyuk grinned. For some reason, Elizabeth hated that smile—like he was watching a kid's antics.
She blurted out what she'd been holding back.
"No, seriously, where else you gonna find a woman like me? ...Looks? Check. Skills? Check. Pedigree? Check. Personality? Check. You're the lucky one—!"
"...Is that so."
But he didn't stop smiling. Elizabeth snapped.
"Why the hell are you grinning? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, all true. Looks good, skills good, house good, personality... eh, decent."
"The end felt off... What's wrong with my personality? What's wrong with it? Huh? ...This is top-tier—! You haven't met enough noblewomen, that's why. You have no idea how many trash bitches are out there!"
"I know."
"No, really...!"
Everything she'd bottled up exploded. Huffing, Elizabeth grabbed Ji-hyuk's arm, yanking him to face her.
"What don't you like about me? Spit it out. Not good enough for your eyes? Me? What's wrong with me? I'm flawless anywhere you look."
She felt wronged. Her life of constant praise, ruined by this one weirdo guy stressing her out! Nothing had gone right from the start. Rolling on the floor at their first meeting, forfeiting the hero exam without fighting and losing face, him A-rank while she was still C-rank trash...
She'd jolt awake at night thinking about it. Why does the world revolve around this guy?!
"...Yeah, you're right. I like you. You think I'd chase some nobody like this? It's 'cause it's you that I'm saying this shit—!"
Onlookers—nosy mercenaries—whistled lewdly.
"Fuck, what're you waiting for, man? Shove it in when the pussy's open."
"I'd drag her to an inn right now, fuck."
Ah—.
Elizabeth's face burned red. Somehow, she'd spilled her guts in the middle of the street.
Ji-hyuk tugged her arm. "Let's go."
The mercenaries kept jeering.
"Fuckin' do her good, you bastards!"
What the hell is wrong with that asshole—!
Mortified, Elizabeth couldn't lift her head. Top-tier humiliation in her life. How idiotic did she look? He must be laughing inside. God, I'm insane for saying that.
Regret hit hard—shouldn't have tagged along.
Then Ji-hyuk spoke.
"I like you too."
......Huh......?
Elizabeth stared at his profile, sure she'd misheard.
"But marriage is a big deal. Needs caution, not impulse. ...Let's take our time, you and me."
As always, he dodged a straight answer.
...But that opening line was new.
- I like you too.
Ah.
Her heart pounded wildly for some reason. She swallowed hard. Did that mean it was possible? Could she really marry this man? A dream suddenly felt within reach.
Elizabeth's spirits lifted oddly.
Of course, the speaker had ulterior motives. Keep her hooked with lingering attachment, tie her down as long as possible. Ji-hyuk didn't want to lose her talent.
And keeping it ambiguous would make even Duke Valkan hesitate to cut ties.
He felt a twinge of guilt toward Elizabeth, but what could he do? Even the ambitious duke needed checking...
Not that he favored the imperial family, but no need to stir trouble and waste strength.
Plus, knowing about him and Ganesha yet clinging on meant Elizabeth craved advancement through marriage too. They were using each other—no need for guilt.
Yeah, for the continent.
Ji-hyuk sought no personal gain. He marched solely toward the final battle with the Great Demon King.
...For that day alone—.