"I knew it," Kira scoffed and then turned around. She went to get her horse and quickly got on its back. 

"Where are you going?" Gewen immediately strode toward her. 

"Go," Kira replied curtly.

"Go? Go where?" Gewen asked worriedly. "You don't know this area."

"So?" Kira raised a brow. "You seem to forget who I am. I am used to traveling by myself to new and places, even dangerous ones. I can take care of myself well."

"No. I don't forget," Gewen held her arm firmly. "...but you must not go by yourself. I took you here, so I am responsible for you while you are with me. Please don't go back alone."

"Huh?" Kira knitted her brows. "What a weird thing to say. We were having an argument just now. I don't want to keep fighting with you over stupid things like that. So, I prefer to leave."

"I understand," Gewen said haltingly. "I will stop talking so we won't keep arguing. So, please don't go."

He stood upright and looked at Kira with such sincere puppy eyes that the pirate princess suddenly didn't know what to do.

Gewen kept his words. He didn't say anything else and Kira couldn't find things to complain about. They both looked at each other awkwardly for a few moments, Kira atop her horse, and Gewen stood firmly, gripping her wrist.

"Oh, fine..." Finally, Kira relented. She glared at Gewen's hand on her wrist and the man quickly let her go. "You are so persistent."

"Just trying to be a gentleman here," Gewen replied. 

Kira rolled her eyes and got off her horse. She cast her glance around her and pretended to admire the vineyards again. Secretly she was glad Gewen decided to cut their argument short. She thought it was not worth having anyway.

"Are you hungry?" Gewen asked suddenly.

"Huh?" Kira turned to him and raised a brow. 

"I am hungry. I want to go hunting and get us something to eat," Gewen said. "Do you want to come?"

Kira shrugged. "Sure."

It was too early for dinner, but Gewen found an excuse to do something because he didn't know what to say or do after their recent argument. So, it was better to keep himself occupied by something.

Kira agreed with this and decided to come too.  They pretended that the argument earlier didn't happen and went hunting in the woods nearby. Gewen caught for them a small deer and they enjoyed the grilled meat for early dinner.

"Let's go home tomorrow," the handsome man said after they were done eating. Kira only nodded. Gewen cleared his throat and added, "As for tonight, we can go back to the Greenan's mansion to sleep."

They had been camping on the hilltop for several days now, enjoying the outdoor lifestyle, and had had a lot of mind-blowing sex under the stars. It was great! Now, it seemed things would become a bit awkward if they would continue to sleep here.

Kira agreed with Gwen again. She packed her bag and soon they both were already riding down the hill, toward Southberry city center.

In the governor's mansion, they slept in different chambers and only met in the morning for breakfast. 

***

"All right, we are back," Gewen faked a smile and patted Kira on the back once they entered through the city gate of Kingstown. "I am going home. Do you need me to go with you to the royal palace?"

Kira shook her head. "No, it's okay. I already know my way here."

"Fine." Gewen nodded slightly then turned his horse to go home to his parents' castle. "Goodbye!"

He didn't even look at Kira when he said goodbye, and just dashed his horse as soon as possible. Kira sat still on her horse's back watching the man leave, and she didn't move one bit until Gewen and his horse were out of sight.

Then she took a deep breath and let out a long sigh.

Kira had been thinking a lot about Gewen after their unexpected argument, which he ended very quickly. She was actually impressed by how he managed the situation.

When he said she was HIS responsibility and he wouldn't let her go out alone when she was angry, something in her heart fluttered.

Gewen's response was totally unexpected. She thought he would continue berating her and complaining about Edgar and whatnot, but he didn't do it. In fact, he immediately shut up and ended the argument, taking the high road.

This made Kira realize she had such low expectations of Gewen and she was pleasantly surprised to find out the other sides of him. This man was not one to pick a fight.

Yes, he was angry and felt offended because Kira obviously rejected his feelings, even before he could confess his love to her. However, he could control his emotions and end the argument

Secretly, Kira thought about living with a man like Gewen who would always protect her, and said she was his responsibility, even when they were fighting. She had seen many men usually would just leave and stop caring when they were mad at their women.

She bit her lip. How could Gewen think she rejected him because she was in love with Edgar? Kira had spent so much more time with Gewen, than with Edgar. In fact, you could say Kira barely knew Edgar compared to Gewen.

The reason why Kira rejected the former womanizer was that she didn't see herself being committed in a relationship and she hated being tied down to a place. If she wanted to be honest with herself, if one day she could commit to anyone... she would definitely choose Gewen.

.

.

___________________

From Missrealitybites:

Hello, everyone. I turned 41 today (November 19) and if you have been around since the beginning of the book, I think you will remember 650 chapters ago, exactly last year, I complained about my frustration of hitting the big four... hahahaha.

I was a girl in her thirties before and suddenly I turned into a middle-aged forty-year-old woman. It was really depressing and hit me hard physically and mentally. I felt old, sad, and sick for a long time.

The first few months of being forty were the hardest, but after a while, life went on, and, looking back, I ended up having a good year.

The success of this book is one of the highlights of my life in 2021 and in my 40th year. I no longer pour my hearts out on stories that only make $20 per month. The results justified the efforts. And this made me gain the confidence that I can really write.

So, I would like to thank you for your support. You might have heard me saying this over and over, but let me repeat it again. THANK YOU for helping me make my dream to become a writer come true. This is my dream since I was 12.

Every coin you spent on this book helped put food on the table for my kids and reduce my worry for their future. 

As a freelancer, I have to divide my time on works that would bring in money since I'm a single parent. So, in the past, my priority had always been my clients (I am a translator and interpreter by profession). Writing came second. Now, It's already 60-40.

60% of my income now comes from writing. I can slowly reduce my workload from my interpreting work and write more. Hopefully, in the future, I can write full-time.

Another highlight of my 40th is, I also started writing my book directly in English this year.  Before, I would write in Indonesian and translate my stories into English. It's a lot of work. So, now, I am happy to see my English is getting better and I can save time when writing.

I have so many stories to share and I cannot wait to write them all (by the way if you are wondering, I have 7 books on Webnovel now, you can check them on my profile... hehe).

I should say my 40th has been really nice because of my writing journey. So, thank you for being part of it. Today, when I hit 41, surprisingly I don't feel old AT ALL.

I feel young, optimistic, happy, and excited.

The back pain is still there though... sigh.

I spent all day today with backache after doing massive cleaning work (after the house renovation) and my bones and muscles are still feeling the pain. That's the only sign of me getting old, but the rest is fine ^^.

I haven't been able to reply to birthday wishes in comments, emails, and DM's today because of the back pain, but I promise I will get back to you all soonest.

By the way, since we have been together with this story for over a year now, I feel like I should introduce myself properly and show you my face, if you haven't seen me already. You can see me in the comment ;).

Anyway... sorry, I know this author's note is long and I used it to add word count so I can publish this chapter. I normally don't do that. So, in the next chapter, I will make it much longer but I will keep the coin price at 5 coins to make up for this. I hope you don't mind.

- Vina (Missrealitybites)

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