He’s My Real Brother, Duke Chapter 133

“What are you, a newspaper seller? What’s wrong with your voice?”

 

How could a mere guard not recognize the Crown Prince’s voice?

 

I coughed and said, “My voice is a little raspy, I suppose.”

 

“A little raspy? It’s good.”

 

The voice was unrecognizable as the crown prince’s, but it was a pleasant surprise. I nodded and addressed the guard in a low voice.

 

“May I help you, officer?”

 

Crown prince, I thought, his voice was perfect for a short man, but the guard raised his chin and snapped.

 

“You look suspicious, and what is that thing in your arms?”

 

The guard was also suspicious of my movements, as I carefully clutched the promotional materials.

 

“What’s that thing in your arms? Let me see.”

 

Biting my lip, I pondered. Then he leaned closer to me, as if he’d sensed something.

 

“Give it to me!”

 

With great trepidation, I glanced up at them.

 

Soon, his brow furrowed.

 

“This is…”

 

Holding up the flyer, I cautiously blurted out, watching the guard mutter nervously…

 

“Yeah, that’s right, it’s just a flyer for a regular fruit shop.”

 

The guard’s eyes narrowed at my words. Because it was indeed an ordinary fruit store flyer with nothing suspicious in it.

 

And it definitely had the authorities’ stamp of approval at the bottom.

 

The truth was, the kids who actually put up the flyers tended to move around in the wee hours of the morning when there were few people around.

 

The guard shook his head and clenched his jaw.

 

“Okay, hurry up and finish it.”

 

“Yes, I’m done! I’ll be on my way.”

 

As soon as I got the green light, I hurried into the back alleys of the square. I held my breath until I heard the guards walking away.

 

‘We have to leave quickly, just in case.’

 

It was around three in the morning, and there were a few drunks around. I let out a long sigh and pulled my robes back down.

 

‘First, I’ll head into the alleyways, so no one will notice.’

 

Further into the grimy, dirty back alleys behind Arvent Square, I made my way. The next thing I know, I’ve grabbed my traveling tool again.

 

A cold breeze blew at my back, and a hand gently wrapped around my tool’s grip.

 

“Found you.”

 

Quickly, I shook the hilt, but he had already disabled it.

 

‘There certainly wasn’t anyone there, but who is it all of a sudden?’

 

He’s pretty good if he could kill a mere pretender and come up beside me.

 

Panicking, my legs gave out and I stumbled.

 

Soon, a strong hand gripped my back and held me lightly.

 

As soon as I leaned back against the stranger’s broad body, a familiar scent lingered on the tip of my nose.

 

“Why are you here?”

 

The voice was familiar.

 

A sweet low tone that once you hear it, you’ll never forget…

 

“Knox?”

 

I called, and he turned around.

 

His eyes widened when he saw my face. I smiled awkwardly, like a shoplifter caught stealing.

 

“I made this for you to escape in case of emergency, but you’ve used it differently.”

 

“Well, I just had to take care of something quickly!”

 

Frowning a little, I pressed a hand to his brow.

 

“I didn’t do anything dangerous.”

 

He replied firmly, “The capital is dangerous.”

 

“Well…”

 

“The air isn’t good, and there could be people sneaking around under the cover of darkness. The floors could be crawling with rats.”

 

Who knew Knox had so many worries?

 

As he grew to like me, he became more anxious.

 

Trying not to let him fret, I smiled and squeezed his hand around my waist.

 

“I’m done, we can go now!”

 

That was it.

 

“There.”

 

The voice was low, and a light flashed in the darkness.

 

Again, I squinted and faced the sudden blast of faint light.

 

“What the hell, what are you doing here at this time of night? If you engage in lewd and lascivious behavior, you will be sent to…”

 

Two guards, with lanterns in hand, were trudging toward them…

 

A quick glance at their hair color revealed that they were different from the guards I had seen earlier.

 

The guards in the main square had a reputation for negligence, so it was surprising to see them so deep in the back alleys.

 

Apparently, with the Emperor’s recent assassination, security had been tightened in the capital.

 

‘Knox’s face has appeared in the papers, but we can’t let them see him now!’

 

I panicked and quickly covered his face with one hand.

 

But Knox’s demeanor was more natural. He hugged me more closely and gently, away from the guards’ eyes.

 

“So…”

 

“Shh…”

 

He gently pulled my hand away, kissing me lightly on the forehead.

 

I gasped. I knew Knox wouldn’t be so carefree that he’d get caught by the guards, but I could feel his heart beating a little faster than usual.

 

He and I took a step further into the darkness of the alley, still embracing.

 

“Hey. Over there! I thought I told you to stop!”

 

“Alas, leave them alone.”

 

Unlike the guard who was acting like a tough guy, the one standing next to him was soothing.

 

“Lovers are supposed to lurk in the alleys at night.”

 

“No, I don’t think they’re lovers, but I’ve been told to maximize surveillance, just in case.”

 

“Maybe we should get closer.”

 

“Yes, let’s see if they are lovers or not.”

 

With that, they started walking over.

 

Seeing me stiffen, Knox asked, with a hint of sweetness.

 

“So, now, shall we do as they say?”

 

“What’s that…”

 

“I mean, let’s be a little more like lovers.”

 

Knox’s voice that followed, and the look in his eyes as he stepped closer…

 

It was intense enough to make me squeeze my eyes shut. I gulped and stared into his blue eyes.

 

If we’re going to pretend to be lovers.

 

Because no, we are lovers.

 

“You know what.”

 

I stayed still, emboldened by the way he looked down at me.

 

Wrapping my hand around his neck, which had remained awkwardly still until then, and asking half-defiantly, half-provocatively.

 

“Can I make the first move, be aggressive?”

 

Of course, I added sheepishly, with a slight crooked smile.

 

“…Can I?”

 

Before kissing, but after all, polite and respectful words are a must. It’s about respecting the other person’s wishes first and foremost!

 

Thankfully, Knox paused and lowered his gaze.

 

“Of course.”

 

Watching his thick lashes flutter in shadow, I tightened my grip around his neck.

 

I’d been ambitiously brave, but when I saw the corners of his mouth lift, I blushed.

 

“What the hell.”

 

I leaned in close to his face, seconds before our lips met.

 

“How dare you ignore our words and kiss… in front of us?”

 

The guard muttered in shock, his voice echoing in my ear.

 

The sword at his waist rattled. But their conversation was no longer important to us.

 

I lifted my head and pressed my lips to his. I was the one who initiated the kiss, but it was Knox who was taking control.

 

He nibbled lightly on my bottom lip.

 

Without thinking, I parted my lips slightly, and he brushed against the roof of my mouth.

 

Our saliva mingled, and our tongues gently swiped across each other’s mouths.

 

My feet lifted on end and I closed my eyes.

 

I’d forgotten why we’d started kissing in the first place, or even the surrounding noise.

 

Until our minds were bleached white, we were absorbed in the act.

 

“Those blind lovers are traumatizing this dumb new guy, huh.”

 

“Oh, me. No…”

 

“Lovers are usually good at hiding in the plaza to make love. What’s the big deal? There was nothing there, right?”

 

“Well, sure.”

 

“Come on, let’s go inside and settle our poker bet.”

 

As they chatted, I heard them walking in the other direction.

 

A few moments after the thudding footsteps faded out, I removed my lips from his for a moment.

 

I could feel his stare, so I quickly lowered my gaze.

 

But it was a mistake. I could see his lip was swollen from my bite.

 

“Your lip is swollen.”

 

Knox traced his thumb over my red lips, unable to take his eyes off them. The sensation of flesh touching flesh was breathtaking.

 

I gasped out a shallow breath and held still for his touch.

 

“Such…”

 

The reason my breath catches on his fingertips makes me giddy because there’s an unmistakable hint of desire in his gaze.

 

While thinking that.

 

“When this war is over, I want to give you something.”

 

There was a pause, and I could see the hairs on Knox’s neck prickle.

 

Puzzled, I lifted my gaze to his. His eyes were frighteningly calm for a moment.

 

“What is it?” Knox muttered, his voice trailing off.t.

 

“It’s a secret, for now.”

 

At this, I nodded vigorously and smiled brightly. Knox followed my lead and smiled, his eyes softening.

 

“I’m done with the talking.”

 

“Finished saying what?”

 

That means there’s something more to it. I stared him straight in the eye.

 

“There’s more work to be done.”

 

Knox kissed me again as if he couldn’t hold back any longer.

 

The second kiss was deeper, breathless, and long enough to turn my face bright red.

 

Before I could even close my eyes, I was mesmerized by the intensity of it. Hands gripped my waist and shoulders, holding me still.

 

But even if I could have moved, I wouldn’t have resisted.

 

It was a very ‘lover’s’ kiss.

 

As I gazed into his eyes, I thought, maybe, just maybe, tonight would be a little long….