"You will start working tomorrow?" Grace's eyes widened. She almost dropped a piece of sausage in her mouth.
"Yes. I even got a uniform." Adro nodded without lowering his chin.
"But... are you sure about working there?" Grace asked.
Rolling his eyes, Adro complained, “My God, Grace, why do you always do this? Just because I'm a prince who lives in a palace doesn't mean I can't do various things. I swear I'll slay a dragon in front of you if there's a chance, so please stop thinking of me as a spoiled prince."
"It-it’s not that, Adro," Grace said before hurriedly sipping water to avoid choking. Then, she adjusted her seat to face him better. "I'm not thinking you wouldn't be competent as a fast-food server. I just thought... maybe there's a job more suitable for, well, your appearance... and background."
Squinting his eyes, Adro recalled that a similar question was asked by Mr. Willis, the man who would be his boss tomorrow. The man whos
At a restaurant surrounded by large windows facing a flower garden, Grace and Adro decided to fill their stomachs and rest their tired legs after hours of walking and playing in the theme park."This place is truly fantastic," Adro said."It's nothing compared to the many larger ones in bigger cities and other countries," Grace replied."It's been an exhilarating day. I feel like I've never been this happy in my life. It's a new feeling," Adro continued with a slight mumble, his gaze falling to the table.Giggled a little, Grace responded, "Don't exaggerate it. I'm sure it's because this is something new for you.”Pausing for a moment, Adro nodded slightl
Our company produces models, artists, and musicians. "If you've never heard of ST Agency, you might know David Lucas, Mylen Virginia, or HugeSpike. They are some of our celebrities." Mr. Tryvon explained."I think I've never heard of any of them," Adro said, trying to recall."Oh, well," Mr. Tryvon chuckled in annoyance. Then he cleared his throat to continue, "Anyway, I'm confident to say that almost all of our celebrities are at the top. I hope you'll consider our offer. At the very least, would you be willing to accept my invitation to our office for a look around and a quick coffee?""How much can you pay me? I'm not familiar with modeling work; it has never caught my interest. I want to compare how much I can make as a model compared to working here." Adro inquired.Mr. Tryvon raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Well, if you want to know the payment scheme, I suggest you accept my invitation to our office. However, rest assured, the payment for being a m
"Becoming a model?" Grace's eyes widened.Adro nodded. "Today is my last day working at the restaurant. Starting tomorrow, I'll undergo training and stay in their agency dorm for five days.""Well... this is honestly quite surprising," Grace murmured.'Why didn't Adro tell me this before he actually signed the contract? But do I even have the right to think like this? We're just friends, aren’t we?' Grace pondered.Then, she smiled at Adro. "That's awesome, Adro! From what I know, Sky Talent is a well-known agency. I'm sure you'll make a lot of money and be able to buy anything you want, like the celebrities out there. I'll continue to support you until you succeed!"
"Good luck!" Grace said after pulling her car.Adro smiled, then briefly stroked Grace's head. "Don't be late for meals, and don't stay up too late."Grace chuckled. "I'm not a kid, Adro. Even before you came, I've been taking care of myself alone.""But now that I'm here, I’ll be part of it!" Adro stared at her with risen brows and a tilted head, eliciting another chuckle from Grace."All right. Thanks for driving me here. Call me if anything happens!" Adro said before exiting the car."Bye..." Grace waved as Adro smiled at her before closing the door."Phew..." A long exhale escaped Grace's lips as she watched Adro turn away from her. "Why does it feel kind of heavy, although he's just going to stay overnight for five days?"A slight heaviness pressed on Grace's heart. She thought it would only be temporary, but now the sun had set, casting her entire living room in warm orange. Why does the feeling still haunt her?Sit
Adro's forehead wrinkled. He moved from his working chair to the edge of his bed, facing Elvis directly. "Why did you say that? What's wrong with me?"Wiping his tears, Elvis continued, "Let me guess. The girl named Grace, she's your friend, isn’t she?""Yes, she is." Adro nodded.Elvis burst into harder laughter, holding his cramping stomach. "Oh my God, Neptune! I didn't expect a grown man like you to play such childish games. Fake brother and sister, yet treating each other like husband and wife? Haha! This is insane! Even high school kids will find it cringeworthy!"Elvis' words sent a wave of heat over Adro's face. He cleared his throat to manage the unexpected surge of embarrassment. "What do you mean by treating each other like husband and wife? I've never considered Grace to be my wife. If I had a real sister, I would treat her just like I treat Grace.""Well, maybe you're right," Elvis said, folding his arms across his chest. "But I
Grace zoomed in on the picture, which contained three male models and two female models. Those five models posed on a luxurious black granite staircase illuminated by golden spotlights. Just as Bella mentioned, one of them was Adro.A radiant smile spread across Grace's lips. She had imagined it before, but the reality was more dazzling. He looked like he wasn't from this world in the picture; he appeared angelic. Indeed, Adro was not from this world. However, who would have thought that Adro, who usually cooked for her, now looked radiant, even among the twinkling stars?"He's amazing," Grace murmured, still staring at Adro's picture."What a disgusting girl!"Flinching, Grace shifted her gaze to the source of the v
"Two days of losing contact with Grace nearly drove Adro insane. His sleep was disrupted, and he struggled to focus on work, constantly worrying about her and missing her. Never in his life had Adro thought he would feel like this only because of someone."If you keep this up, you'll ruin your photo session tomorrow. It's your debut—your first professional photo released to the public," Elvis said while scrolling on his phone on the bed he'd been lying on for the past fifteen minutes.Adro ignored his roommate, remaining seated at the edge of the bed with his head hanging and staring at the floor. At work, people like Adro and Elvis were called rookies. Tomorrow, the rookies would have their first photo shoot for a famous women's perfume brand. Elvis was right; he couldn't mess it up.'I can't deny it. It's clear; I like Grace. No, not just like her, but genuinely care for her and love her. I never even missed my mother in my whole life.' Adro thought.
"If you don't mind, you can sign the contract today. However, I'll give you time to read its content first and time to think," Mr. Tryvon said."I remember you mentioning it once. So, their name is Margaze? I'll read the contract now. It's our agreement from the beginning, so I should be able to sign it today," Adro replied."Good. No need to rush; use your time." Mr. Tryvon winked before rising from his seat to take the contract from his desk. "By the way, may I ask why you didn't join the others at the bar to celebrate your debut last night?""I had something more important, so I didn't," Adro answered."Well," Mr. Tryvon nodded before sitting back on the sofa, placing the contract on the table. "Adro, I understand that family is important to you. I also understand that you seem to dislike chit-chatting, but I hope you're willing to occasionally socialize with others because relationships are crucial in this industry."Sliding the contract letter
"Princess Grace Menken will not be a queen," Adro stated, causing everyone to turn to him. "I, Adro Alymer Groendez, will renounce my position as the crown prince of this kingdom." "What did you say?" King Groendez stared at Adro with wide eyes. "You can't do that. Since birth, you have been destined to be the future king." "I apologize, Father, but I refuse that destiny," Adro replied. "What's your reason? Now you can marry the woman you desire. This kingdom is free from monsters and witches. There's no reason for you to refuse to become the future king." "There is," Adro replied. "I have found a life that makes me happy, and that life is in a world where I am stranded. I returned to this world only to save this kingdom and bid farewell to my family, not to return to my old life as a prince." "Adro," the Queen looked at her eldest son with teary eyes. "I apologize for my decision that has disappointed this kingdom, but I wish to get your understanding. I relinquish my heir title
"It's damp and smelly here. Are you sure you're okay?" Adro asked.Grace sighed. "This is the third time you've asked the same thing, Adro. I'm fine. Don't worry.""Alright," Adro replied, then reached for Grace's hand and held it tightly. "But you have to stay close and not let go of my hand."Then, they walked through the hallway, which led to the underground prison specifically designed to confine dangerous criminals."I can't believe that after entering the death cave, fighting various monsters, and defeating the Magical Stone spirit, you're still being overprotective of me," Grace said, feeling Adro's grip tighten."I don't care how strong you are now. You're my woman; I'm responsible for your safety," Adro replied, then sighed. "Your severely injured leg is enough.""Alright, I understand. Thank you for worrying about me," Grace said, embracing his arm.Arriving at the underground chamber, they encountered three iron doors
The darkness enveloping Grace slowly faded. She fell onto both knees and faintly saw the Magical Stone kneeling, still in the same spot.Grace squinted her eyes and furrowed her brow. If she heard correctly, didn’t that monster say that she would walk on her stomach and her head would remain bowed? But why was her perspective still the same as before?"Y-you..." The Magical Stone stammered. The red light shining around his hands, which were covering his stab wound, slowly dimmed. "How... how is this possible?"Shifting her gaze from the pensive Magical Stone, Grace raised her hand and found she still had her human form. "I... haven't changed?""It's impossible!" The Magical Stone exclaimed. "I cursed you. No one in this world can escape my curse after touching me!"The old man's words brought a s
Not only would Grace transform into a hideous monster, but she might also lose half of her sanity, leaving her constantly craving human flesh. She would be separated from Adro and everyone she knew to live as the slave of the half-monster man until the end of her days.Grace didn't want her tears to fall. She didn't want the Magical Stone to see her weakness. She had come this far, overcoming all obstacles that drained her strength and emotions.'Since I was a kid, I've always been Grace the loser. But can a loser walk this far? Can a loser face kings, future in-laws who hate her, and even monsters?’“You don't know how strong you are, Grace!” She gritted.Clamping her jaw, she nodded. "I agree.""Naive. With a weak body like that, the words coming out of your mouth sound as if you're a great knight. But don't you know that I can hear the quickening of your heartbeat?" The Magical Stone said. Then he dug into his large ears before pulling out a strand of hair that turned into a massiv
A small gust of cold wind sent shivers down Grace's skin. Despite the fact that the underground air was cold from the start, she felt as though the dark tunnel ahead held something sinister waiting for them.Damian turned to Grace. "I think I should check inside.""We're on the same page. I will go too." Grace nodded. "But what about the others?""We just need to climb up that plant to get to Jocelyn, but I'm afraid she might not be able to continue the journey further," Damian said."I don't mind going in without an escort. I have a feeling there's something in there." Grace whispered.Damian nodded once, then looked upwards. "Elvaro!""Yes, Your Highness?""We've found a way here. We're going to check it out, so you all wait there.""Damian," Jocelyn's weak voice sounded."Jocelyn, stay there and don't move much. Elvaro and Kederic will protect you. I'll try to return as soon as possible. But if we're not back in about
Damian grimaced as Jocelyn poured water over the burns on his back and limbs."This is the medicine Lady Camelia gave me before I left. I hope it can alleviate Prince Damian's injuries." Grace handed a small black bottle to Jocelyn."The spring we found doesn't lead to anything. That means King Absolen mentioned another spring," Damian spoke."Thank you for saving us. You are badly injured.” Grace said."My task is to protect you. And I might have turned into ashes by now if you people hadn't helped me," Damian chuckled."That's not funny," Jocelyn muttered, wiping away her tears that started flowing again. She lowered her face as Damian sat up."Sorry for making you worry. Thank you for treating me," he said, wiping away her tears, then stood up with his sword. "I will check the conditions outside.""You need to rest, Damian. Elvaro and Kederic have gone out to find torchwood." Jocelyn stood up as well."There are other
In that area with rocky dry soil, carnivorous plants thrived alongside giant bushes, forming a small forest.Through the cracks in the ground, gas appeared several times. Damian noticed it when they were surrounded by the plants. During the fight, he kept looking for the nearest gap to the plant's growth center and studied the moments when the gas spurted.Damian knew this was a daring move. He might have to risk his life if he made even a slight mistake, but he had seen who Grace Menken was. Unexpectedly, she had a great leadership spirit. When facing people, she seemed weak, but when on a mission like this, she could make quick and courageous decisions. If he died here, he was sure she could lead the others out.According to his calculations, Damian threw the still-burning torch right into a hole near the entrance to the giant bush forest. Just as the torch entered
"Grace." Jocelyn gazed at her, pulling out her arrow with trembling hands."We need to run from here," Grace whispered, preparing her sword. "On the count of three, shoot the one blocking our way, and run."Jocelyn nodded; meanwhile, the snakes hissed louder and crawled closer."One.""Two."Grace tightened her grip on the sword, taking a deep breath. "Three!"Jocelyn's arrow flew, striking the snake standing in front of them right in the neck. This angered the other snakes to attack them.One of the nearest snakes moved to strike Grace, but she swung her sword as quickly as possible, injuring it. Before the other snakes could reach them, they ran as fast as they could."Oh... darn it..." Grace huffed in her run.Jocelyn looked back, only to find the snakes were almost catching up to them. At the same time, her untrained legs began to give in."Hold on!" Grace shouted, reading Jocelyn's condition.Seeing on
The group entered the forest with minimal lighting to avoid attracting attention. Grace rode a horse alongside Damian.After ensuring they were far enough from the palace, Damian raised one hand, signaling the group to stop. "Open the baggage carriage!"Damian jumped off of his horse, followed by Grace. He climbed onto the small carriage and opened a food box placed on the top stack."Are you okay?" Damian asked while pulling out a girl dressed as a boy."Jocelyn, are you alright?" Grace joined.Catching her breath, Jocelyn nodded. "I'm fine. Thank you.""Princess Jocelyn? How did you end up in there?" A guard asked.Damian carried Joclyn down from the carriage. "Stretch your legs first. It must feel stiff after bending for so long." The