Episode 15: Hng (1)

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I heard you went to Catallaman with Mukali.

Mn.

Aristine yawned while nodding her head. This was her first proper outing since her confinement. Even though she mostly drank tea and talked, she felt very tired.

To do what?

Hm? Didnt Mukali tell him?

Aristine tilted her head then she answered.

To scout.

Scout.

Tarkan mumbled. For some reason, he didnt like the sound of it.

A blacksmith, I suppose?

Mhm.

Is there any blacksmith who will leave Catallaman though?

It was the dream location for all blacksmiths. There were blacksmiths who belonged to the royal palace, but their skills were inferior to those at the Catallaman forge or Dolten forge.

Naturally, they were mainly in charge of item repairs but that showed how prestigious those blacksmith forges were.

There was.

What?

Hell be mine.

Aristine couldnt help but yawn again as she replied.

She was on the bed trying to sleep but Tarkan kept talking to her, so she was responding.

Tarkan didnt seem particularly tired because he was siting up on the bed, looking down at Aristine.

Hewill be yours?

Mn.

Tarkan wanted to grab Aristines shoulders and shake her when she responded so casually. He wanted to know what exactly that meant and what was going on. He also wanted to know what kind of bastard this was.

However, Tarkan couldnt do anything.

What was there to say?

Although they were married to each other, they were more or less, business partners. It would be strange to ask such a thing.

Wait, no.

Tarkan changed his mind.

As a business partner, he needed to know what kind of bastano, what kind of employee Aristine was getting. Of course, this current issue was Aristines personal business and had nothing to do with Tarkan. But as long as they were politically connected, whatever she did would affect him too.

I just need to confirm.

And he must also let her know that she should not involve personal romantic emotions when dealing with daily business. Otherwise, his partners business might go bankrupt.

I think hes a weird guy.

Those words poured cold water on Aristine who was feeling very satisfied about her first recruit.

Aristines half-closed eyes flew open, and she looked at Tarkan.

Why?

I cant see why hes going to leave the Catallaman forge and come to the royal palace.

Incorrect. Hes not coming to the royal palace; hes coming to me.

Aristine said firmly.

This was her personal business that had nothing to do with the royal family.

Tarkan raised a brow, seemingly not liking that response for some reason.

So hes coming to you.

Yes, to me.

When she reconfirmed, his expression twisted even more. No, twisted wasnt the right description. The corner of his lips were raised so there was a lazy smile on his face, but somehow, he felt ferocious.

Thats strange too.

Why though?

Aristine felt offended by Tarkans words which were dampening her mood before her business had even fully started.

Your business hasnt even started yet.

Talent has a way to recognize talent, Aristine huffed and raised her chin.

I still think its suspicious. Leaving Catallaman toget involved with your business. Are you sure hes not interested in something other than the business?

What?

An employee is an employee, how is he yours? Did he say that? Im sure hes thinking of pulling some weird tricks. You are a married woman.

Aristines mouth fell open in disbelief. Why was he bringing up her marital status?

Tarkan grew somewhat impatient when Aristine fell silent, so he lowered his head. In an instant, the distance between them shortened.

His hair that was like a beasts mane, flowed towards Aristine. His upper body was positioned over Aristine, who was lying down, as if he was covering her.

Their gazes clashed, inches away, and his lips moved closer to Aristine. He avoided the gentle curve of her cheek and whispered in her ear.

You married me.

Aristine rolled her eyes and stared at Tarkan. She didnt know why this man was suddenly acting like this.

I know.

At her curt reply, Tarkan lifted his face slightly from her ear and looked at her.

Its only been a few days since we got married, I couldnt possibly forget.

The small face below him babbled on, And do not say such things about Ritlen. You completely misunderstand.

Tarkans eyes clearly turned towards Aristine.

Misunderstand?

Yes, because he didnt say it. I did.

What?

Tarkans face instantly turned sharp.

If anyone else saw this, they would immediately stiffened from the nerves or fall to their knees.

However, Aristine just pushed Tarkans face away as if to say she was frustrated.

Let me get some sleep. The little sleepiness I have is going away because youre hovering over me.

Tarkan was pushed away as Aristine wanted.

He was so stunned that he didnt even think of standing his ground or avoiding her hand.

Even now, he couldnt believe what just happened.

A soft, fair hand pushed away his face like he was annoying.

What the hell.

Once Tarkan was sitting up straight, Aristines hand fell down. She had really pushed Tarkans face away.

This had never happened to him before, so he didnt know how to take this in.

His complex golden eyes turned to Aristine.

She closed her eyes and was pulling the blanket all the way up as if she was satisfied that the man hovering over her and frustrating her, was gone.

Tarkan could clearly feel her body temperature and weight on the same bed.

Well, forget it.

Tarkan chuckled and turned away. After which, the problem that he pushed away began creeping up again.

So he is called Ritlen.

His name as a blacksmith was not known, so he probably wasnt that skilled.

Maybe I should have asked Mukali for more details.

But the situation wasnt right for that.

Tarkan recalled his encounter with Mukali earlier.