Episode 4 “You’re Sitting Too Close"

The moment Kael smiled—

The entire hunting ground fell silent.

Not because the smile was warm.

No.

It was worse.

Kael Veridian smiling was the equivalent of a natural disaster.

Beautiful.

Terrifying.

Potentially fatal.

The nobles nearby looked emotionally unprepared.

Eli looked even worse.

Because right now, the crown prince was extending his hand toward him in front of EVERYONE.

“Come here,” Kael repeated calmly.

Eli glanced around desperately.

Surely someone would stop this madness.

Nobody moved.

Cowards.

Why does this look like a wedding scene?!

Kael’s eyes flickered again.

That strange reaction.

Like he heard something.

Eli immediately shut his mouth internally.

Nope.

No thinking.

Thinking was dangerous around this man.

Unfortunately—

the moment Eli stepped closer, Kael suddenly grabbed his waist and pulled him onto the horse effortlessly.

“AH—!”

Eli crashed directly against Kael’s chest.

Strong arms immediately steadied him.

The surrounding nobles collectively lost their sanity.

Eli almost did too.

Because—

WHY WAS THIS MAN SO WARM?!

“Y-Your Highness—!”

“Hold tighter,” Kael said calmly.

“What?”

“The horse will run soon.”

As if proving his point, the black horse stomped impatiently.

Eli panicked instantly.

Without thinking—

he grabbed Kael’s uniform tightly.

The crown prince looked down at him.

Eli looked up nervously.

Very bad idea.

Kael’s face was way too close.

Sharp jawline.

Golden eyes.

Black hair moving slightly in the wind.

This man looked less like a prince and more like the final boss of romance novels.

Why is he prettier than me?!

Kael suddenly coughed softly into his glove.

Eli blinked.

Wait.

Did Kael just hide a smile?

Impossible.

Before Eli could investigate further—

Kael pulled the reins.

The horse took off immediately.

“AAAAAHHH!”

Eli nearly flew backward.

In pure survival instinct, he wrapped both arms around Kael tightly.

Now he was practically hugging him.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

The cold wind rushed past them as the horse sped through the forest.

Meanwhile Eli was experiencing spiritual collapse.

I’m too close.

This is too romantic.

People are definitely writing rumors already.

Kael’s shoulders shook slightly.

Eli froze.

Was he…

Laughing?

No.

The villain prince did not laugh.

That would be horrifying.

Behind them, several nobles watched in disbelief.

One young lord whispered:

“…Does His Highness normally let people touch him like that?”

Another noble replied instantly:

“Do you wish to die asking questions?”

Fair point.

—

After some time, the horse finally slowed near a quiet forest clearing.

Eli immediately climbed down shakily.

The second his feet touched the ground, he grabbed a tree dramatically.

“I survived.”

Kael dismounted beside him calmly.

“You scream loudly.”

Eli looked offended.

“I almost died!”

“The horse was calm.”

“THE HORSE WAS POSSESSED.”

For one brief moment—

Kael’s lips curved slightly again.

There it was.

That tiny almost-smile.

Eli stared at him suspiciously.

This was getting weird.

Very weird.

In the original novel, Kael was cold, ruthless, emotionally constipated, and mildly terrifying.

So why was he acting…

soft?

Toward him specifically?

Before Eli could think further—

voices echoed nearby.

A group of noble ladies entered the clearing.

The moment they spotted Kael, they instantly brightened.

Then they noticed Eli standing beside him.

The atmosphere changed immediately.

One lady smiled sweetly.

“Prince Eli, would you mind helping us gather flowers nearby?”

Eli blinked.

“Oh. Sure—”

“No.”

Kael answered instantly.

Everyone froze.

The noblewoman looked startled.

Kael calmly walked toward Eli.

Then—

without warning—

he brushed a leaf from Eli’s hair gently.

The movement was small.

Simple.

But intimate enough to mentally destroy everyone watching.

Including Eli.

WHY DOES THAT FEEL LIKE A DRAMA SCENE?!

Kael’s hand paused slightly near Eli’s face.

Again.

That reaction.

Eli saw it clearly this time.

Kael definitely heard SOMETHING.

But how?!

The noblewomen looked one second away from exploding.

Especially when Kael said calmly:

“He stays with me.”

Eli’s heartbeat betrayed him instantly.

The ladies eventually left awkwardly.

The second they disappeared—

Eli turned toward Kael dramatically.

“…Okay. Be honest.”

Kael raised an eyebrow.

“About what?”

“You’re acting weird.”

Silence.

Wind moved softly through the trees.

Kael stepped closer slowly.

Too close again.

Eli’s survival instincts activated immediately.

Then Kael leaned down slightly and spoke quietly:

“You become interesting when nervous.”

Eli malfunctioned completely.

Before he could recover—

a loud growl suddenly echoed through the forest.

Both men turned instantly.

The bushes nearby shook violently.

And then—

A massive black wolf emerged from the shadows.

Eli stared at it.

The wolf stared back.

Silence.

Then—

Eli slowly grabbed Kael’s sleeve.

“…That thing looks hungry.”

The wolf growled louder.

Eli’s voice trembled immediately.

“…I suddenly miss the palace.”

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