Bound To The Ice Dragon King
Chapter 60: Back to the capital

Chapter 60: Back to the capital

To protect themselves from potential attacks by the shadow stalkers, Rhea and Draven decided to travel during the day when the creatures were inactive. However, due to their limited funds, Rhea proposed taking a delivery wagon that typically transported goods to the capital.

Unfortunately, the wagon lacked any seating arrangements, as its purpose was solely to transport items from one location to another. Rhea was the first to sit inside on the floor. However, Draven didn’t follow behind her, he glanced down at the little space in the vehicle, taking into account his size and wondering if he would even fit in such little space alone, not to mention for both of them. He wasn’t the type to last long in a stuffy atmosphere due to his intense desire for cold temperature, and traveling in such tight space would only make him feel suffocated even more.

Rhea noticed his hesitation and frowned. "We don’t have another choice, it’s either we walk all the way to the capital or we manage the little space given to us. Get in." She said, pulling her knees to her chest to make more space for him to sit.

Draven simply watched as she scooched herself in a small corner to make space for him. Heavens, she looked really tiny for how much food she consumed everyday.

"Hurry up, the space might be little but you have to make do with it." She urged him by patting the space.

Draven let out a defeated sigh. He was aware that the wagon would be very hot, so he quickly took off his coat, leaving only his off-white undershirt that clung tightly to his toned torso.

Rhea couldn’t help but stare at him more than she should have, her eyes fixated on the bandage showing through his shirt. She had completely forgotten that he had recently been injured, as he carried himself with no signs of pain or complaints. He was skilled at enduring his suffering, but even so, just yesterday he couldn’t walk without assistance, and now he moved as if nothing had happened.

She observed him as he casually tied his long hair back and unbuttoned a few of his shirt buttons. Rhea caught a glimpse of his toned chest and quickly looked away, memories flooding back of the night she accidentally saw him naked at the Qieldan residence.

Hell and damnation! Was he trying to charm her by taking off his shirt in this small space? He constantly unknowingly does things that makes her heart race faster than usual. Well, it was only natural for her heart to beat fast with a handsome face like his. Only a visually impaired woman wouldn’t react to this dragon.

Rhea cleared her throat as Draven lowered himself to enter the wagon. He adjusted himself to the small space, but it seemed like he couldn’t find a comfortable position Without his long legs colliding with hers.

"Heck." Rhea exclaimed as she attempted to adjust her legs and make more space. But despite their best efforts to avoid touching each other, the limited space within the vehicle seemed to work against them.

As Draven was trying to straighten out his legs towards Rhea, he mistakenly brushed his right leg against the inside of Rhea’s thigh, making her stiffen. Her eyes widened in embarrassment as she felt his bare leg brushed against her private part.

As if realizing his mistakes, he quickly pulled back his legs, a hint of pink creeping up to his ears. He cleared his throat, "I’m sorry..." He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

His apology only made Rhea feel the urge to hide in embarrassment. She quickly tried to readjust herself to look away from him, but her leg accidentally slipped along his thighs instead. As she tried to pull her leg back, she ended up hitting his crotch, causing him to inhale sharply and glance up at her.

Rhea stopped attempting to distance herself realizing there was no way to move away from each other. Her heart raced as she met Draven’s gaze. She tried to lighten up the tense atmosphere with chuckle, then said. "I guess we’re stuck like this now."

The two of them sat with one leg between the other person’s legs. The tight space allowed no room for movement without causing friction. Draven’s long legs forced him to bend the leg between Rhea’s to avoid another uncomfortable encounter. This was the most awkward situation he had ever been in ever since he’d came to Birhhan. Undoubtedly, this would be the longest journey he had ever experienced. Draven thought to himself.

The wagon journeyed on the road for several days, occasionally making brief stops. However, on the final day of their trip, Rhea became overwhelmed by exhaustion and discomfort from the cramped space. Without a care, she allowed herself to rest on Draven, curling up into a small ball and placing her head on his lap.

Draven, who had begun to doze off, stiffened when he felt her head on his lap. Slowly opening his eyes, he looked down at her, but didn’t push her away, even though she had started to snore lightly. Noticing that she was trying to scratch her feet, as if bothered by mosquito bites, Draven used his coat, which he had thrown to one side, to cover her legs instead.

Draven had never stooped to this level of a commoner with no funds to travel in a comfortable vehicle, not even when he was pretending to be Jurian. And when he was still a king, he had been surrounded by all the luxuries in the world, with extravagant treasures ranging from gold to diamonds.

His castle itself was even constructed with white diamonds. However, now he found himself reduced to someone who didn’t even possess a single penny to pay for his basic needs, but shamelessly relying on a young girl. And now even his own kinds had to pay for his mistake of loving and trusting someone in past. Draven’s expression turned bitter as he thought about this. Sleep eluded him as his mind was consumed with bitterness, preventing him from finding any rest throughout the entire night.

Upon reaching the entrance of the capital city, Rhea woke up and peered out of the small gap in the wagon as it passed through the massive gate. Despite enduring unimaginable hardships in this city, it remained the only place she considered home. Having spent her entire life here, she held a mix of pleasant and unpleasant memories. However, even though she had returned after a long absence, it pained her to realize she no longer had a place to call home or anyone eagerly awaiting her return. With Draven by her side, she couldn’t risk going back to the Duke’s mansion.

A bitter smile formed on her lips. "I’m back, father..." she whispered softly. Despite her family never standing up for her, she still yearned for the day when her father would treat her like his other daughters. Tears welled up in Rhea’s eyes, but she fought them back and blinked them away before settling back down and burying her head between her knees.

Draven gazed at her, his hand subconsciously moved to stroke her hair to console her, but before it even touched her head, he quickly withdrew his hand back. After observing her for a while, he averted his gaze to avoid feeling guilty for being the cause of her misfortune once again. Thus, he silently pretended not to notice the change in her behavior. He had already made a commitment to himself not to care about her emotions, but to exploit her to achieve his own desires. Even if she was in pain, he would coldly disregard it and still bring her along on his quest for vengeance.

Because fairness was nonexistent in this world, one had to be selfish to survive. Though guilt tugged at his heart, he dismissed the feeling and adopted an indifferent facade.

When the wagon came to a stop, the sky had already turned a dark yellow-orange. The two exited the wagon, and Rhea politely bowed to the riders in front, expressing her gratitude and bidding them goodbye. Rhea and Draven then boarded another public carriage that would transport them to the northern part of the city. Upon reaching their destination, Rhea confidently guided Draven through the streets.

Observing Rhea’s familiarity with the routes, Draven inquired, "The Villden mansion isn’t located in this part of the city, yet you seem to know all the routes. How did you manage to find your way here?"

Rhea nonchalantly shrugged. "Well, it’s natural. Nobody cared about where I go in the Duke’s mansion, so whenever they’re busy with an event, I explored the capital city and I ended up making a friend in this area. That’s why I always come here to pass my time. It’s enjoyable at her place, you’ll see when we arrive. She’s the person I mentioned earlier, the one who’s skilled at masking scents." While Rhea was speaking, she spotted some group of men up ahead heading towards them. Her footsteps faltered for a brief moment.

Draven heard her curse under her breath. "Hell be damned, I’ll be doomed if those men catch me!"