The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 109: The Middle-Aged Man

Chapter 109: The Middle-Aged Man

Three Days Later...

"Shall we go?" Alaric asked Eve, extending his right hand.

Eve nodded with a smile before accepting his hand. Alaric led her to the carriage. Everything was set for their visit to the slum area.

Marie and Claire also accompanied them to assist Eve. Randolf’s group and additional ten members of the 5th Battalion escorted them.

They brought five carriages of grains and meats. Eve also harvested medicinal herbs to be given to the families.

The members of the 5th Battalion would also visit their respective families who were still living in the slum areas.

Prince Cassian’s group also departed the Averion Castle. He would meet Eve and Alaric at the district entrance before entering the slum.

Inside the carriage, the married couple began discussing their plans.

"I want to join your training. Please allow me to practice with you," Eve requested Alaric.

"Okay. I’ll teach you myself," Alaric responded.

This time he wanted to be the one to teach Eve some self-defense. This was also part of their quality time. He didn’t know what would happen once they entered Kingdom Zephyra. As much as possible, he wanted to spend more time with Eve.

"Thanks, Alaric." Eve leaned on him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I’m so excited to see your birth place."

Alaric fell silent upon hearing that. He had conflicting thoughts about letting her see his birth place. His insecurity was still there. Was he ready to let her in his world?

"Alaric, what’s wrong?" Eve asked him worriedly, noticing his silence.

She grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently.

"I feel as though showing you my birthplace is like showing you my vulnerability. I’m not sure if I’m ready for this," he admitted, expressing his concern.

Eve let out a soft giggle. "Why are you worrying about that? I’m your wife. You should also share your vulnerability with me."

Alaric couldn’t hide his smile because of Eve’s touching words. He didn’t expect that Princess Eve could be so considerate of him.

He anchored his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Without saying a word, his free hand lifted her chin as he lowered his head. His lips captured hers, brushing them gently.

Alaric kissed her tenderly, holding her in place. Eve sucked in her breath as he deepened the kiss. He moved his hand from her chin to the back of her head, pulling her closer.

He didn’t want to end the kiss but Randolf interrupted them.

"My Lord, we’ve arrived at the district entrance. Crown Prince Cassian is here. He brought four carriages, carrying different goods."

Hearing Randolf’s voice, Alaric and Eve broke the kiss. She gently pushed him while biting her lips.

Alaric groaned inwardly as he gazed at Eve with yearning.

"I got it. Let them wait..." Alaric said coldly.

Eve gestured for Alaric. They needed to welcome and greet Prince Cassian.

Alaric took a deep sigh. "Alright. Let’s greet Crown Prince Cassian."

Eve and Alaric stepped out of the carriage. Crown Prince Cassian was already standing outside his carriage, staring at Eve intently. The three of them greeted each other.

"Thank you for coming today. This will be a great help to the families here," Eve said, smiling faintly.

Prince Cassian nodded at her. "This is the least I can do to compensate you. I’m still ashamed of what my sister did to you."

Alaric stayed quiet, just listening to them. There was something he hadn’t told Eve yet– he overheard Prince Cassian’s marriage proposal.

Furthermore, he didn’t question Eve when she talked to Prince Cassian alone.

"Shall we go? Everyone is waiting." Eve said. She could no longer wait to see the people from the slum.

Crown Prince Cassian and Alaric agreed. They headed back to their respective carriages.

They continued their journey. While they were on their way, they spotted a group of thieves beating someone in the middle of the road.

These incidents were common in the slum area.

"Stop the carriage!" Princess Eve suddenly blurted out as she saw the man lying on the ground.

The thieves quickly fled upon seeing the carriages. They recognized Randolf’s group since they also came from the slum. Even though the thieves were ambushing newcomers, they couldn’t afford to offend Randolf’s group.

"Why?" Alaric asked Eve in confusion.

"I wanna help the man on the road." Princess Eve informed him.

"Okay," he replied.

Eve quickly stepped out of the carriage. Alaric followed her from behind. He was supposed to approach the man first but Eve crouched down on the ground, checking the man.

The middle-aged man was only wearing simple clothes. He didn’t look like he came from a noble family. It turned out the thieves beat the middle-aged man because they didn’t get any valuables from him.

"Sir, can you hear me?" Eve tapped his shoulders, waking him up.

The middle-aged man slowly peeled his eyes open. He blinked several times as he focused his vision on Eve’s face. His eyes widened in shock for a moment.

The middle-aged man opened his mouth to say a word, only to close it again. He was still in a deep stupor when Eve spoke up again.

"Sir, we are here to help you. Don’t be afraid. We won’t hurt you," Eve softly said.

The middle-aged man just bobbed his head reflexively. Eve’s voice was soothing in his ear.

Alaric joined them, assisting the middle-aged man to stand up.

"May I know your name, young lady?" The middle-aged man asked Eve expectantly.

"I’m Eve, Sir. How about you?" Eve asked him back.

The middle-aged man didn’t respond right away. He shifted his gaze back and forth between Alaric and Eve.

The man paused, frowning deeply. ’This man is Alaric Stormholt. The kingdom hero of Averion. I can’t disclose my real name in front of him,’ he thought to himself.

"I’m Win. I’m not from this kingdom. I am an adventurer. I got separated from my group and I ended up here. We were attacked by dire wolves," Win explained to them, his eyes still fixed on Eve.

Alaric pursed his lips when he noticed the way the middle-aged man was looking at his wife. He stepped in the middle of them, shielding Eve from the man’s view.

Win could only smile sheepishly, scratching his face as he met Alaric’s warning glare. His gaze was telling Win not to stare at Eve.

"Please come with us. I will treat your wound, Sir Win," Eve said politely. She was very down to earth. She didn’t introduce herself as princess.

"Thank you, Lady Eve. May I know your relationship with him?" Win asked her directly. He tried to ignore Alaric’s sharp gaze.

"I’m Alaric, I’m her husband!" Alaric introduced himself.

Win let out a husky laugh. He could tell that Alaric was a very possessive man. No wonder, he looked daggers at him when he scrutinized Eve.

’I didn’t know that Alaric is already married. Hmm. I’m not a perverted old man. I have a reason why I’m staring at her. She reminds me of someone...’ Win’s expression turned solemn as he thought about the woman he knew.

’I’ve been searching for her for the past few years. But to no avail, I still have no clue where to find her.’ Regret could be seen in his eyes.

"Sir Win, is there something wrong?" Eve asked him worriedly. The middle-aged man suddenly looked sad.

Win shook his head. "Oh, It’s nothing. I just remembered someone."

Eve nodded before leading him to the carriage. The three of them sat together inside. She began treating his wounds and bruises.

Alaric silently observed the man. Even though he was already in his mid-50s, Win had a great body built as if he was a former warrior. He also possessed a strong aura.

’I don’t think he is just an ordinary adventurer. What if he is part of a mercenary group? He might be a dangerous man.’ Alaric thought as he assessed the middle-aged man.

’We should be careful with him. I believe he can fight those thieves, but he never fought back. What is he hiding?’ Alaric became more suspicious of the middle-aged man they rescued.

Meanwhile, Eve happily conversed with Win. The old man kept asking her some questions about her. But Eve avoided answering him about her parents. She decided to conceal her identity as a royalty.

When Alaric could no longer stand listening to Win’s personal questions about Eve, he suddenly grabbed the middle-aged man, transferring him to the other side.

"Why don’t you ask me? Are you not interested in me at all?" Alaric confronted Win, making the middle-aged man speechless.

’What should I ask him? I’m not interested in him. Besides, I don’t know what to ask him. I heard a lot of stories about him.’ Win thought to himself inwardly while shrugging his shoulders.

"Forgive me, Sir Alaric, but I don’t have anything to ask you," he frankly said.

Alaric’s face contorted upon hearing that

Meanwhile, Eve could only giggle as she watched the two men. They looked like a father and son bickering.