Kieran spoke before Noah did, “Lila doesn’t know a thing about gaming.”

Noah quickly chimed in, “Yeah, she has no idea, and she doesn’t like it. She’s never liked playing video games. Besides, she’s just married Kieran. They’re newlyweds who have no time for competitions. Am I right?”

Lila met his eyes. She nodded, her long lashes fluttering and hiding away her emotions as she looked down.

Kieran knew how much she loved gaming. At the same time, she understood Noah’s actions too. Noah just wanted to emphasize her close relationship with Kieran so Ruby would back off.

But what made Kieran lie?

Lila lowered her gaze as she quietly ate.

Overall, the meal went well. At the end of it, Ruby asked, “Where are you guys visiting next?”

Noah hurriedly grabbed her arm. “That’s none of your business! Aren’t you gonna come to my competition this afternoon?”

He thought, “Thinking of third wheeling? Not under my watch!”

When Noah and Ruby were gone, Kieran finally pinched Lila’s ear. “Are you

tired?” He pinched a few more times because he couldn’t get over how soft it felt.

However, he wondered why Lila often looked down recently.

Nodding, Lila replied warmly, “Let’s head back for today.”

Holding her hand, Kieran slowly walked back to the hotel. The streets in the foreign land looked less crowded than the ones at home.

As they walked, Lila was surprised to see a vendor selling Vertorian candy on the street. Kieran noticed that she was attracted to it. Chuckling, he asked, “Are you craving for some?”

Not really. Lila was just glad to stumble upon a familiar sight after days of traveling abroad. She thought it’d be a waste to buy overpriced Vertorian snacks in a foreign country. Besides, they were scheduled to head home in two days.

Still, Kieran had dragged her over to the vendor. He selected a butterfly-shaped candy and paid for it.

She whispered, “It’s a little expensive.”

Kieran thought she looked like a little hamster furtively shoving food into its cheeks from the way she avoided being seen.

His eyes lit up with warmth, but his tone was stern. “Mrs. Morgan, am I not working hard enough? Why would you try so hard to scrimp and save?

“Looks like I have to work harder to make dough, so you can buy whatever you set your eyes on.”

The old man selling the candy was a Vertorian. He couldn’t help but chuckle when he heard their

exchange. He praised them, “You

two make a great couple! Your wife

is pretty.”

The vendor complimented Lila instead of Kieran, which took her by surprise. Smiling, she accepted the butterfly-shaped candy before grasping Kieran’s hand and setting off. sŵnovel

It wasn’t until they were out of earshot that she replied to him, “I’m not miserly. I simply do not make unnecessary purchases.”

Taking a bit of the crunchy candy, she then offered Kieran the other side of the

candy. “Have a taste! You’ve paid for it, after all.”

Kieran bent over and deliberately chewed where Lila had taken a bite.

“Yum. It’s sweet.” His deep voice was filled with joy.

As he spoke, he fixed his eyes on Lila’s lips. For a second, she had a feeling that

he was referring to something else other than the candy.

She coughed softly and said, “Let’s go. Time to rest up.”

When they arrived at the hotel, the fine weather suddenly gave way to a downpour. Lila looked out of the window, feeling thankful that they got back.