NOVEL WEB Chapter 82
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Rice
[1]
In the phrase, ‘earn my keep,’ the original KR is, “밥값을 하다,” wherein ‘밥’ there means ‘rice.’ ‘밥’ can mean a lot of things, like those mentioned below.
.’
For Koreans, it was the most important thing.
‘Have you eaten?’ was a common expression of affection and concern, while ‘Let’s grab a meal sometime’ was akin to saying, ‘Let’s meet again.’ For them, ‘earning your keep’ also held a similar weight, signifying fulfilling one’s role and purpose.
But here, it was different.
Despite having a climate suitable for rice cultivation, they grew wheat. Both the Empire and Lindbergh considered meat and bread staple foods, never using the word ‘rice’ to describe them.
Even in the common language of the continent, ‘rice’ and ‘bread’ were distinct words. ‘Rice’ was only used occasionally, somewhere down south.
Adrian, having learned the meaning of ‘earning your keep’ through Carl Lindbergh, found the word unfamiliar.
So, when the witch uttered that phrase, and he saw the way Carl Lindbergh’s eyes widened, he was certain that she too was not originally from this world.
Of course, that didn’t mean the witch was off his watch list.
Anyone within Carl Lindbergh’s vicinity was considered a person of interest to Adrian.
Initially, he attributed Carl Lindbergh’s excessive concern for food to the aftermath of Lindbergh Castle’s unreasonable dietary restrictions.
However, as he got to know Carl Lindbergh better, he realized that the prince simply valued the act of eating and cared deeply about what he consumed.
That’s why Adrian paid special attention to Carl Lindbergh’s meals.
Even after Carl went through his first heat, amidst the chaos and confusion, Adrian had made sure he ate properly.
Carl Lindbergh, though generally easygoing, became noticeably irritable on days when all three meals consisted of cooked meat and bread.
Adrian, who’d been receiving daily reports from Marco about Carl Lindbergh ever since the ‘bathtub incident’, had stayed up all night pondering the meaning of ‘spicy’ after hearing that Carl had been craving it all day.
The easiest way to find out was to ask Carl Lindbergh directly. However, that would expose the fact that he’d been receiving reports from Marco, as well as his suspicion about someone else inhabiting Carl Lindbergh’s body. So, ‘spicy’ remained an unsolved mystery.
Adrian had given special instructions to the chef who’d accompanied him from the Imperial Palace.
To cater to Carl’s palate, which, despite not being picky, seemed rather refined, a different dish was served at every meal. Adrian was determined to discover the perfect ‘spicy’ dish for him.
The only thing in this world that defied Adrian’s will was Carl Lindbergh’s heart.
Upon leaving the witch’s room, Carl Lindbergh suddenly gasped, clutching his chest.
Then, tears welled up in his eyes as he clung to Adrian, unable to mask his overwhelming emotions.
Adrian, though inwardly shaken, simply embraced him.
“I wasn’t alone.”
Carl’s voice, muffled against Adrian’s chest, made Adrian bite his lip.
“You weren’t alone then, you’re not alone now, and you’ll never be alone.”
Because I’ll always be with you.
Because I’ll embrace everything, even the past I don’t know, and move forward with you.
Adrian held Carl tightly, his grip almost desperate.
Even though layers of fabric separated them, he could feel the warmth of Carl’s body, smell the scent that clung to him. Even if this body was just a borrowed shell, the soul within belonged to Adrian Heineken now.
He wouldn’t let anyone take it away, and no one could.
“Yes.”
Carl, as if reading Adrian’s mind, smiled tearfully.
Adrian, suppressing a bitter smile at his own body’s reaction to Carl’s vulnerable state, led him towards the dining hall.
Carl Lindbergh invited Lulu to join them for dinner, but she surprisingly declined.
〈I get indigestion when I eat with someone I’m uncomfortable with. And besides, I have something to celebrate tonight, so I’m going to stay in my room.〉
Carl was curious about what she was celebrating, but Adrian wouldn’t allow them to speak any further.
As they walked towards the dining hall, Adrian asked Carl, “Do you like the witch that much?”
He asked playfully, pinching the tip of Carl’s reddened nose, and Carl nodded.
“What do you like about her?”
Adrian was curious. He wanted to hear it directly from Carl, even if he tried to dodge the question, Adrian was prepared to endure it.
Carl, after a moment of contemplation, stopped walking and stared at Adrian.
“Just to be clear, I don’t have any feelings for her that would make you jealous.”
Adrian chuckled, amused by Carl’s serious expression and clenched fists.
So, stroking his beardless chin was just a habit.
He found it both endearing and satisfying that Carl automatically assumed Adrian would be jealous.
“Alright. I’m not so insecure that I’d lose you to a child. I won’t be jealous.”
At Adrian’s words, Carl’s face relaxed. He looped his arm around Adrian’s shoulders.
“It’s nostalgia. It feels like I’ve been reunited with a true family member. It’s overwhelming, in a good way.”
“And?”
Adrian, smoothly moving Carl’s arm from his shoulder to his waist, wrapped his own arm around Carl’s shoulders and asked.
Carl, happily accepting the affectionate gesture, walked alongside Adrian, matching his pace.
“…Back when I couldn’t remember anything, it felt like I’d been born into this world alone.”
He embellished the truth slightly, but it was the best he could do for now. He felt a pang of guilt for not being able to be completely honest with Adrian, his hand unconsciously pressing against his chest.
“That doesn’t mean Leia isn’t family. She’s family, and so is Marco. And you’ll be family soon, too. But that’s how I felt back then.”
Adrian, though struggling to comprehend, understood the sentiment.
“Especially in Lindbergh. But the witch, no, the Prophet, Rashida Lulu… She makes me feel… like a blood relative. Her bluntness, the way she doesn’t care that I’m a prince and she’s a commoner… Her cold demeanor. You probably wouldn’t understand.”
Adrian felt a pang of sadness.
It felt like Adrian wasn’t the closest person to Carl Lindbergh yet.
But this feeling was temporary. By the time Carl Lindbergh decided to confide in him completely, their bond would be unbreakable. For that future, enduring a bit of heartache was nothing.
As they reached the entrance to the dining hall, Adrian let Leia Lindbergh and Belfry enter first, then turned to face Carl.
A handspan.
That was the distance between them.
Adrian met Carl Lindbergh’s clear blue gaze, his own reflection shimmering in them. He took Carl’s hand.
“If spending time with her brings you joy, then do as you please. But promise me, if she and I ever clash, you’ll side with me.”
Carl looked confused.
“Lulu adores you. Probably even more than she adores me? Why would you two ever clash?”
Adrian shook his head.
“Just promise me.”
Carl realized Adrian was holding his hand tightly, his grip almost painful.
He realized that Adrian, despite his confident demeanor, was trying to convey his underlying insecurity.
He couldn’t help but chuckle.
‘You fool. I can’t tell you that her favorite isn’t her older brother, but you.’
Even if she wasn’t Jae-young, but someone else entirely, her devotion was still directed towards Adrian Heineken, not ‘Carl Lindbergh.’
“I promise.”
“Good.”
Adrian, satisfied with his answer, opened the door to the dining hall.
Before Carl could sit down, he leaned in close and whispered in his ear.
“You and I… We’re family and ‘
lovers’
.
For life
. Don’t forget that.”
He emphasized ‘lovers’ and ‘for life’, then, as if nothing had happened, he resumed his dignified Crown Prince persona, taking his seat beside Carl and picking up his fork.
Carl Lindbergh, momentarily speechless, let out a soft laugh.
Adrian Heineken was so adorable.
Belfry rolled his eyes, watching as the two entered the dining hall, hand in hand like children, then proceeded to whisper and giggle amongst themselves.
Leia, seemingly unfazed, focused on her soup.
Warmth filled the table where the four of them sat, a fireplace crackling merrily nearby.
Several days passed.
Leia Lindbergh decided to personally visit the nobles, instead of summoning them to the capital.
She wanted to meet with the people who’d lived in those territories, to hear firsthand accounts of the events that had transpired.
Carl initially tried to dissuade her, worried for her safety.
However, Leia was resolute. Once she’d assembled her entourage, Carl couldn’t object any further.
Rebuilding Lindbergh, a nation founded by the goddess of love and ruined by generations of Leia’s ancestors, was a task she felt personally responsible for. She seemed determined, like a craftsman carefully selecting the foundation stones before constructing a building.
She was excited, eager to walk her land and connect with her people.
Carl Lindbergh, understanding Leia’s longing after being caged like a bird for twenty years, simply wished for her safe return.
He was relieved when Adrian Heineken agreed to accompany Leia Lindbergh on her journey, as it coincided with his own plans to visit the border region before returning to the capital.
As far as he knew, Adrian Heineken was the safest person to be around.
And so, Carl, Belfry, and Lulu remained at Lindbergh Castle.
Adrian, naturally, was displeased. He tried to convince Carl to come with him.
However, Carl, acting mature and responsible, pointed out that they couldn’t always be together, as they had different roles to play. And so, Adrian departed, along with the others.
He promised to return as soon as possible.