Next Morning
Noel and Aaron finally stepped outside.
Immediately—
Neighbour 1: "WAH!! FINALLY, THE SUN RISES! LOOK WHO DECIDED TO SHOW HER FACE!" 😤
Noel froze.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Noel: "…Sis, don't tease me." 😤
Neighbour 2: "Then what, girl?! You rarely come outside! If you suddenly walk out like this, we might get a heart attack!" 😎
Neighbour 3: "EXACTLY!" 😎
Everyone burst into laughter.
Aaron stood beside Noel, blinking in confusion.
These people wore faded clothes and carried heavy bags. Their faces showed exhaustion, and their lives certainly didn't look easy.
Yet they laughed as though the world had given them every reason to be happy.
(Even though they barely have anything… how can they smile like this?) 😶
Before Aaron could think further—
Neighbour 5: "OHOHO! WHO IS THAT HANDSOME MAN BEHIND YOU?" 😁
Noel closed her eyes.
Here we go again.
Noel: "My cousin, Aunty." 😊
Neighbour 4: "COUSIN, AH? HUH? JUST COUSIN ONLY?" 😏
The entire street erupted into laughter.
Noel: "ENOUGH! LAUGH AMONG YOURSELVES! I'M LEAVING!" 😤
She grabbed Aaron's hand and marched away, dragging the confused King behind her.
Aaron glanced at their joined hands.
Then at Noel.
He decided not to question it.
Not yet.
As the pair disappeared down the street, the neighbours watched them with knowing smiles.
Neighbour 3: "It'd be nice if they ended up together, wouldn't it?" 😎
Neighbour 2: "Yeah. Her boss makes her work like a slave. If she had a partner, at least someone could stand up for her!" 😤
Neighbour 4: "Mmm… look at them. They'd make a perfect couple!" 😊
Everyone nodded enthusiastically.
Their matchmaking mission had officially begun.
And the couple in question?
They had absolutely no idea.
---
On the Way
Noel walked along the road, smiling softly to herself.
Aaron watched her for a moment before finally speaking.
Aaron: "Aren't you… angry?" 😶
Noel turned toward him.
Noel: "Nope! Why would I be?"
She shrugged.
Noel: "At least they talk to me. It's nice, you know?" 😊
She swung their joined hands playfully.
Aaron stared at her.
Somehow, he couldn't understand how someone could find happiness in such small things.
Back in his kingdom, people smiled because they feared their ruler. They bowed because the law demanded it.
But these people?
They teased Noel, laughed at her, and worried about her.
There was no throne between them.
No fear.
Just affection.
For some reason, Aaron found himself wanting to understand that world.
Then Noel suddenly tilted her head.
Noel: "Anyway, Mr. King… since your kingdom was an omegaverse, is same-sex marriage allowed?"
Aaron blinked.
Aaron: "Yeah. As long as the secondary genders are compatible, it's fine. Why?" 😐
Noel: "Nothing~!" 😁
She immediately looked away, wearing the most suspicious smile imaginable.
Aaron narrowed his eyes.
(What happened to her now…?) 😶
He glanced at their joined hands again.
Then at Noel's suspiciously cheerful face.
(Wait… why is she smiling like that?) 😊
Aaron: "Noel?"
Noel: "Yes, Mr. King?"
Aaron: "You're planning something, aren't you?"
Noel: "Me? Never!" 😇
Aaron stared at her.
He had faced political conspiracies, dangerous enemies, and betrayal.
Yet somehow…
Noel's innocent smile frightened him more than all of them combined. 😶💀
To be continued...