How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 5.12
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(Lurelia’s Birthday Bonus – Update 4/4 🎉)
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Resena walked gracefully out of the restaurant with her hand on Eldis’s arm. Somehow knowing her taste, the sweet yet spicy dishes prepared using cooking methods uncommon in the empire made for a truly fantastic meal.
“Next, let’s walk around the square. A moderate walk to aid digestion is good for health.”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
Resena was no longer feeling nervous. Eldis had naturally melded into Resena’s side like a flowing spring.
Not only that, he bought a cold Americano from a shop and handed it to Resena. Sipping her drink through a straw, Resena fought off the slight drowsiness that was creeping up on her.
“Shall we go to the fountain in the center of the square? They say if you throw a coin there, your wish will come true.”
Eldis said with a bright face and then gently gazed into Resena’s eyes. Resena found herself unconsciously staring into his eyes, as if enchanted.
His opal-colored eyes, as clear as the bright summer sea, were focused solely on her. Resena was not so dull as to not understand what emotion was bubbling inside them.
Her heart pounded fiercely inside her chest.
‘It’s our first date… I don’t want to hurt him.’
“Yes, that sounds good.”
“Since it’s the festival period, the square is bustling with street vendors… What do you think, Resena? Shall we look around and try throwing some darts?”
Resena burst into laughter at Eldis’s words.
Although she wasn’t good at darts, she knew how to play chess to some extent. So she jokingly said to him, “I’m not good at darts, but I’m confident in chess. If it’s a gamble where we play chess, I think I could enjoy that.”
At this, Eldis smiled as brightly as a hydrangea on a summer’s day and took Resena’s hand.
“That’s perfect. As it happens, one of the street vendors has a chess gambling stall. Win for me, and bring me some delicious champagne.”
“Alright. I understand, Eldis.”
Resena allowed herself to be led by Eldis. Although she didn’t have feelings for Eldis, she was thoroughly enjoying this moment with him.
He was kind to her and, above all, knew well what she enjoyed. Even if it stemmed from ‘love’, an emotion different from her own, Resena didn’t dislike being with him.
‘Even if he says he loves me, he doesn’t force it on me. This gentle side of Eldis attracts me.’
Resena unconsciously thought of Vernas. To keep her promise to him, she needed to go to the canal dock by nine o’clock. He would be waiting.
‘But please understand, Vernas. I couldn’t completely refuse Eldis’s first date request.’
Because Eldis was the Crown Prince, he could take her as his wife anytime he wanted, regardless of her true feelings, if he wished for her to become his wife.
But he didn’t.
That proved his goodwill towards her. Feeling as though he had proven that he valued her feelings, Resena gracefully walked as he led her, arriving at the chess stall.
However, a customer holding a chess piece threw it onto the board in frustration.
“It’s damn hard to win, so why even offer a prize? You should just sell them outright. Go bankrupt already!”
“Haha… Have a good day, sir.”
The merchant’s gaze, after seeing off the male customer who had left while cursing, stopped in front of the two. Soon his eyes widened. Not only were they a well-matched beautiful couple, but the man was indescribably beautiful.
“Wow. You’re an incredibly handsome man. And the lady beside you is beautiful too. …How about giving this a try while you’re on your date? If you win five out of ten times, I’ll give you the best prize. Plus, if you show off your manly skills, I’m sure the lady will be very impressed.”
At this, Resena burst into laughter.
“I’ll be the one playing this chess. Regardless of who the opponent is, that prize is now mine.”
“Oh, that’s quite some confidence you have there. Alright. The cost to challenge is 50 silver per game.”
“Okay, that’s fine.”
Resena dropped the coins onto the merchant’s palm. Then she sat down at the table where the chessboard was placed. The merchant sat down across from her with a grin, rubbing his hands together.
“You may move first.”
“Alright. I’ll take you up on that.”
Resena’s pretty fingers confidently grasped a piece. Eldis watched from the side with a faint smile.
He himself was quite good at chess, to the point where there was no one left in the palace who could beat him. But as this was the first time he was seeing Resena play chess, Eldis focused intently on the chessboard.
As he watched with his arms crossed, her unique way of moving the pieces caught his eye. Resena’s chess pieces moved freely as if they were her subordinates, obeying orders like a well-organized army. Eldis couldn’t take his eyes off this free yet powerful style.
“Checkmate.”
Resena’s skill was extraordinary. Her relaxed demeanor as she casually announced it with a bright smile was evident. Despite playing against the merchant for the first time, Resena moved her knight in unpredictable ways, targeting the king from a diagonal position.
The merchant’s eyes widened in surprise, then he blinked quickly. Seemingly filled with competitive spirit, he exclaimed, “Again! Let’s play again, miss!”
“Since I lost this time, I’ll move first.”
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
However, Resena left the merchant’s pawn alone and moved her knight to immediately capture the bishop. While she handled other pieces well too, Resena’s skill in using the knight was truly invincible. Eldis felt admiration involuntarily escaping from his mouth.
“Ah…”
Though he didn’t voice detailed praise out loud to avoid disturbing the game, he thought she would do well even if she were commanding an army. His curiosity rose once again.
As he continued to witness this capable side of her, Eldis was plagued by the desire to quickly bring Resena to his side. While the previous Resena had used her clever mind only to chase after him, the current Resena freely displayed her talents without being bound to anyone, naturally drawing attention.
“She might make a good strategic advisor…”
His praise didn’t reach the ears of the two focused on chess.
“Ugh, you’re indeed skilled. But this time…!”
However, despite the merchant’s serious determination, Resena moved her knight mercilessly.
Pawns, bishops, and rooks were captured in succession. The merchant’s face turned pale, but Resena moved her knight with a faint smile, once again sending it in front of the king. From that position, able to move diagonally over one square, the king couldn’t touch it, but the knight could capture the king.
“Checkmate.”
“Ugh… You’re really good, miss. Impressive.”
The merchant grinned and pointed to a paper attached to the chessboard.
“But to get the prize, you need to beat me three more times. Do you think you can beat me completely, miss?”
Resena smiled prettily, her eyes curving.
“Of course. If it continues like this, it seems it’ll be too easy.”
“Don’t let your guard down. I’ll do my best too.”
The merchant rearranged the pieces on the chessboard, seemingly burning with fighting spirit. Resena chuckled and briefly turned her head to look at Eldis.
“It might take a while. Is that okay, Eldis?”
“Ah, Resena. I’m enjoying watching. So don’t worry and feel at ease.”
He drew an elegant curve on his lips.
Resena felt inexplicably happy at that. It’s not common to have the manners to wait patiently without getting bored of one’s preferred entertainment. Not knowing what Eldis thought, Resena believed that this kind of attitude from Eldis was something anyone would find appealing.
‘If only he could have the eyes to pick out people with ill intentions to go with that.’
