True Alpha’s Chosen Mate - Chapter 165

Hugo and I already knew what was left unspoken; words lingering in our mouths, hoping they would stay there. Deep down, we both knew it should be addressed sooner or later. So before that, I pretended not to know a single thing.

I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, but I didn’t feel a shred of exhaustion. Hugo, on the other hand, looked so exhausted and needed to sleep. But because I was selfish, I pretended not to notice.

“Hugh, look at these.” I turned and faced him, holding up two hairpins. “Which is better?”

“Hmm…” He darted his eyes between my hand before they settled at my face. “You.”

I frowned and clicked my tongue. “Then neither, huh?” I put the accessories back in the stall.

“My lady, your partner only means anything will suit you! You should get these two at a good price! I’ll give you a discount.” The merchant hurriedly tried to sell his goods to me.

“If anything looks good on me, I won’t need an accessory since I’m already pretty,” I argued with my hands on my hips, turning my head to the side to get a backup. “Right, Hugh? I’m pretty, right?”

“Since when did you care about this?” he chuckled, casting the old merchant an indifferent look. “What I meant is, those accessories don’t par with her beauty. Letting her wear it for free should be an honor to you.”

“Hah! Are you two trying to scam me?!” the merchant huffed.

“Scam you? I am stating a fact here, old man.”

I laughed as Hugo argued with the merchant until he chased us away. I was just kidding, but Hugo truly argued with him to the point he sounded like we were trying to trick the poor merchant.

“How annoying. He admitted it himself that you’re beautiful.” Hugo clicked his tongue in irritation, scratching the back of his head. “Those types of people just say one thing and then change their opinion when they realize they won’t get anything from you.”

I giggled, casting him a side-eye. “But you really sound like you’re trying to get them for free.”

“Ugh… I can buy everything in his stall. The fuck is his problem.”

“Your foul mouth.” I poked his side, teasing him playfully. “That is the problem. You should learn to hold back, Hugh. You always get in trouble because you’re too blunt for your own good. His Majesty is always in distress because of that.”

Hugo quirked a brow. “Rinrin, can we —”

“Oh, look! A teddy bear!” I pointed at the other stall across the street, running towards it excitedly. I could feel his gaze on my back, but like what I had been doing since this morning, I pretended not to know a thing.

‘Not yet,’ I thought, embracing the debris of my heart. ‘It’s too early for ‘that’.’

“Hugh, come here!” I looked back and waved, smiling from ear to ear. He let out a deep sigh before jogging to me. As soon as he stood beside me, I pointed at the teddy bear.

“They said to get the teddy bear, you have to shoot all those balloons. Hugh, get it for me,” I explained, shamelessly asking him to use his skills just for that teddy bear.

“That?”

“Hmm! I want it!”

Hugo cast me a quick look. “Rinrin, you really want it?” there was disbelief in his eyes, bobbing his face to examine me.

The side of my lips stretched from ear to ear. I could understand his surprise. I rarely asked him to do anything for me because he usually does it before I could even ask. Not that I had too many requests. For me, staying beside him was already good.

“Alright then. Hey, old man, hand that crossbow to me.” Hugo impatiently crooked his fingers to fulfill my request.

With a smile, I stepped aside and let him get the prize. What I didn’t know was… Hugo was the close-combat type. My face distorted while watching him get frustrated every passing minute.

“Fuck!” he yelled, throwing the crossbow and things escalated from then on.

“Hey! Are you trying to ruin our business?!” the merchant also yelled back because Hugo kept throwing things. “Ughh! Calm down — a thief! Help! A thief is robbing me in broad daylight!”

Before I knew it, Hugo already grabbed my hand, and we ran away. Since his patience reached its peak, Hugo just stole the teddy bear, telling the merchant he would compensate him later. But the latter wouldn’t believe that and yelled for help.

Before the patrolling warriors approached, Hugo had already taken me with him. So we’re now on the run. With him holding my hand, I looked up at him. He was holding the bear in his other arm, cursing through his gritted teeth as we entered a narrow alley.

A subtle smile appeared on my face. I looked back and the yelling from the patrolling knights forced me to pick up my pace.

After the long chase, Hugo and I hid under the small bridge somewhere in the capital. I covered my lips, hearing footsteps and voices looking for us. I gazed at Hugo, sitting beside me with his arms resting over his bent knees.

“Damn that old man. I already told him I will pay him double later.” He ruffled his hair in irritation, looking at me with a frown when I laughed. “Rinrin, it’s not funny.”

“It is.” I laughed and laughed until my traitorous eyes let the tears leak. “Uh, sorry. It’s so funny. I didn’t know you have a terrible aim.”

I wiped my tears awkwardly, trying to sound natural. But alas… the tears won’t stop.

“Rinnie, my wife.” This time, the annoyance in his voice was replaced with genuine worry and sadness. He held the hand that was wiping my tears, making me look up at him. As soon as our eyes met, I bit my lower lip as hard as I could.

Only then… did I realize Hugo was just as devastated as I was.

“Shall we… run away?” he suggested solemnly. “I knew you already knew… but I can’t accept it. I love you and only you. I’d rather spend every second in agony than lose you.”

“Hugh…”

“If you’re going to run away, make sure to take me with you.” His voice shook just like his trembling hand that was wiping my tears. “Else… I’ll lose my mind completely.”

I hiccuped, staring directly into those pair of sad eyes. I held his hand and sported a smile. Daniel was right. I was selfish until now because I couldn’t let him go. Even if it meant Hugo would get hurt, even if it meant his longing for his mate would soon put him in unimaginable pain and sorrow… and even though I knew this wouldn’t end well, I couldn’t let him go… just yet.

I was… pathetic.

“Let’s… run away, Hugh.”