Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 162

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Chapter 29

 

Of course not!

 

Adam acted pitifully, but this wasn’t something that could be overlooked just because of that.

 

The lightly asked question also contained a small disappointment.

 

“Don’t tell me the rumors going around are also Adam’s doing?”

 

About the ‘Hero’s lover’ that I heard as soon as we reached the capital.

 

Even my personal information was almost entirely accurate.

 

I definitely thought it was false rumors spread by people who knew nothing…

 

“Eve is really smart.”

 

“…”

 

To the words I clearly threw out as a joke, Adam was strangely calm.

 

As if he really was the main culprit.

 

“Adam is the culprit?!”

 

Only then did I realize the truth behind the rumors.

 

When I approached him as if protesting, Adam spun me around once again. Now Adam seemed to be enjoying it too.

 

I obediently let myself be spun around while glaring at Adam.

 

“Do you know how hard it was for me to deal with that!”

 

“Then why do such things.”

 

Adam said as if disappointed.

 

“Still, you never know the most crucial thing. Why do you think I did such a thing?”

 

“That is…”

 

Suddenly, I who had been raising my voice at Adam finally closed my mouth.

 

Why did Adam do such a thing?

 

Why did he try to keep me by his side?

 

And why did he only look at me despite having many young ladies courting him?

 

Without realizing it, I loosened my grip on Adam’s hand.

 

Then Adam tightened his grip and firmly intertwined my hand. So I could never escape.

 

So I couldn’t turn my gaze away from the enormous bait.

 

At that moment, the music stopped.

 

The first dance had already ended.

 

There was no longer any justification for Adam to hold onto me.

 

I saw him twitch his lips while holding onto me.

 

However, as the music died down, people around us were paying attention to us.

 

In the end, no meaningful sentence came from Adam’s mouth.

 

What was Adam trying to say?

 

Since I had to find a new partner anyway, I put aside my regretful feelings and let go of his hand.

 

No, I tried to let go.

 

Just as my last finger was about to separate, Adam grasped and intertwined my hand once again.

 

“Adam… The first dance is over, you know?”

 

It was ballroom etiquette to change partners after the first dance ended.

 

However, Adam still didn’t let go of my hand that he held firmly.

 

“If you dislike the absurd rumors, how about making them true?”

 

For a moment, I felt the surroundings become quiet.

 

Even though the ballroom filled with countless nobles couldn’t possibly be so.

 

Only Adam’s voice came through clearly.

 

“I’m asking you to really become the Hero’s lover.”

 

I looked up at him in bewilderment.

 

He too had a regretful expression now that the dance was over, but was somehow smiling slyly.

 

As if he had finally spoken the words he had been contemplating.

 

Now I couldn’t read what he was thinking at all.

 

‘Adam is…’

 

Actually, I had been aware of Adam’s feelings. When he only overreacted to me and treated me specially, I couldn’t help but notice. However, I didn’t expect him to come at me so directly like this.

 

Since he hadn’t spoken it aloud until now, I thought today would also pass by without incident.

 

Adam’s sincerity that I suddenly faced made my mouth go dry.

 

Adam was waiting for my reaction. However, I couldn’t find an appropriate response.

 

Adam approached me first this time as well.

 

To me who couldn’t say anything because my mind was complicated, he smiled with the face I liked most.

 

And after bowing and kissing the back of my hand, he said.

 

“Eve, would you dance the second dance with me?”

 

That wasn’t urging an answer to his question.

 

Adam seemed to approach me considerately this time as well, then took a step back.

 

At his kind consideration, a smile came to me without realizing it.

 

Adam was always consistent.

 

Just like how he always walked matching my stride, worried his steps might be too fast.

 

This time too, he waited for me.

 

“Is that okay?”

 

“As long as Eve permits it.”

 

He spoke as if he wouldn’t do it if I refused.

 

There were many young ladies who wanted to dance with Adam and were hovering around him.

 

Even if he had given up the throne, Adam’s background appealed to various nobles.

 

It would be better for Adam to dance with as many young ladies as possible and win their favor.

 

However, I didn’t want to refuse.

 

Someone might criticize it as selfish, but I took Adam’s hand.

 

Adam smiled brightly as if pleased with my choice.

 

“With the same person again…”

 

“That person must indeed be his lover.”

 

The surroundings stirred quietly. People’s voices mixed into the sighs filled with regret.

 

Adam squeezed the hand he was holding tighter as if telling me not to listen.

 

“Eve accepts everything when I act unreasonably.”

 

As the second music began, Adam moved and spoke.

 

I followed his disciplined movements clumsily and smiled.

 

“As I said earlier, I’m on Adam’s side no matter what! I said I would take Adam’s side even if you did something wrong to me, didn’t I?”

 

This time Adam laughed as if truly pleased.

 

“Do you really think so?”

 

“Of course?”

 

I looked at him and smiled as if asking what the problem was.

 

Before I knew it, the second song had ended.

 

Adam and I bowed to each other.

 

After the second song ended, there was a brief moment.

 

It was time to converse with partners, so the surroundings were noisy.

 

Thanks to that, I could avoid him hearing my pounding heartbeat, but I wasn’t the only one looking at him.

 

I acted as if nothing was wrong when facing Adam, but actually I couldn’t even remember how I finished the dance.

 

I should give an answer, I think.

 

I greedily obtained both Adam’s first and second dances, but kept postponing my answer until the end.

 

There might be people who heard Adam’s voice during the quiet moment before the second music started.

 

I fidgeted with my feet, feeling like I was being crushed by the gazes.

 

“Eve, are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

 

“Oh, no! I think it’s because I’ve been wearing heeled shoes for a long time after so long. I think I’ll be fine if I rest a little.”

 

“Then I’ll take you to a private room.”

 

“Um, no. Rather, I’d like to get some fresh air.”

 

Adam nodded and led me toward the empty terrace.

 

Having come out to the terrace with Adam, I leaned against the railing.

 

Resting my legs that had been overworked from excessive tension made me feel a bit better.

 

It was also good for cooling my flushed cheeks.

 

Adam went out briefly and came back in, and in his hands was a glass that I welcomed.

 

When I brightened up, he answered firmly with a smiling face.

 

“It’s not alcohol, it’s a beverage.”

 

“Adam, you’re being too overprotective of me.”

 

When Adam handed me the glass, I said while grumbling.

 

Still, I felt excited even without drinking alcohol since it really felt like I was at a party.

 

Adam approached me with a grin. The beaming Adam was both familiar and unfamiliar.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“I’m just happy that we’re alone together without anyone interfering.”

 

“…”

 

Adam’s words that I had momentarily forgotten in the excitement of the ballroom suddenly came back to me.

 

I drank all the champagne I was holding.

 

Even though it was definitely non-alcoholic, I felt like I was getting drunk.

 

Is this what they call being intoxicated by the atmosphere?

 

“Would there be anyone who dislikes being with someone they love?”

 

I flinched.

 

In this secluded area with the doors closed, there was no one to hear our conversation.

 

Yet why did I feel like I was being chased?

 

Just then, a cool breeze tickled my hair.

 

“Ah.”

 

And Adam’s fingers, cooler than the breeze, touched my cheek.

 

Even though it was clearly a cool sensation, the area where his fingers touched became hot as if burned by fire.

 

Adam, who had brushed away the hair stuck to my cheek, smiled clearly as if nothing had happened.

 

“So you won’t give me an answer after all?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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