42. Somebody's Man

"Becoming a model?" Grace's eyes widened.

Adro nodded. "Today is my last day working at the restaurant. Starting tomorrow, I'll undergo training and stay in their agency dorm for five days."

"Well... this is honestly quite surprising," Grace murmured.

'Why didn't Adro tell me this before he actually signed the contract? But do I even have the right to think like this? We're just friends, aren't we?' Grace pondered.

Then, she smiled at Adro. "That's awesome, Adro! From what I know, Sky Talent is a well-known agency. I'm sure you'll make a lot of money and be able to buy anything you want, like the celebrities out there. I'll continue to support you until you succeed!"

Succeed? That word made Adro pause. What was the definition of success? He was born with the status of a future king, while the king was the highest leader in his kingdom. Since his grandfather led, they always won wars, so the ability to fight flowed in his father's and his blood, plus they had great generals and commanders.

If he thought about it, everything was already available to him from the beginning. But in this world, he had to start everything from scratch. If he succeeded in his job, would he feel true success? How would it feel?

Realizing Adro was lost in thought, Grace called, "Adro? Are you okay?"

Awakened from his reverie, Adro smiled. "I'm fine; I just suddenly thought about a small thing. Thank you for always supporting me, Grace."

Grace smiled, shaking her head. "It's nothing." Then she remembered something. "Anyways, I've been waiting for you to come home to give you a surprise."

Looking at Grace, who jumped off the sofa, Adro chuckled. "What surprise?"

"You'll find out soon. Now, please close your eyes. Don't open them until I tell you to, okay?"

"Okay... You're really something," Adro giggled.

Once Adro's eyes were closed, Grace darted to her room. Shortly after, she returned with something in her hands and stood in front of Adro, who was still sitting on the sofa. "Okay. You can open your eyes now."

"Is it something so—" Adro lost his words when his eyes fully opened.

"Jo-Joselyn..." Adro mumbled before raising his hand to touch the painting. The resemblance was striking, as if his future queen were standing in front of him.

After leaving the palace and being stranded in this strange world, Adro could only see Joselyn's face in his memory. But now, when her face appeared in front of his eyes, he realized that he had forgotten her for long enough. How could he forget Joselyn all this time?

"A-Adro," Grace mumbled, holding her chest. It was the same face Adro showed when they first failed to find a clue in the abandoned mansion.

"I... I almost forgot about Joselyn. I almost forgot them all—my home," Adro muttered before rubbing his face with his palm. "You're right, Grace. I lost my initial purpose, but I kept denying it all this time. Now, when I see Joselyn's face again, I realize that I've truly lost hope and purpose to return."

"Adro..." Grace sat down next to him.

Stooping, Adro continued, "It's confusing. My pride and responsibility as a crown prince urge me to keep searching for a way back. However, something deep inside me tells me to stop and instead fight in this new world. I feel like I've lost my identity. No. I'm not even sure if I had a self-formed identity from the start."

"Adro, please calm down..." Grace said, rubbing his broad back. But suddenly, he moved to hug her tightly, making her freeze.

"I've seen many people doing it in this world. My mother, too, used to hug me when I was little. Is it okay? Did I surprise you?" Adro asked, half whispering while his chin rested on Grace's shoulder.

Adro's shaking voice melted the tension in Grace's body. She shook her head and smiled before stroking his back again. "My surprise doesn't matter now. I'm glad that this little hug can make you feel better. I used to hug my grandmother when I was feeling down too. I can feel you."

"Thank you ... Grace," Adro said while tightening his hug and burying his face in Grace's fragrant and soft hair.

The last time Adro hugged someone was when he was around eleven years old, hugging his mother. At that time, he was still considered a child in the eyes of the kingdom, so he was deemed to need protection from a mother.

Grace was the first woman Adro hugged after his mother. And he couldn't deny how comfortable it was to be in her embrace. What's even funnier was that he even unconsciously hugged her. This wasn't part of what he had in mind, but something his instincts dictated. It seemed like his current circumstances had messed him up.

"I feel weak," Adro said, still comforting himself with Grace's warmness.

Placing both her palms on Adro's back, Grace could feel the warmth of his body, but this wasn't a place where she could feel nervous and fluttery. Now, she could feel what it was like to sit in her grandmother's position.

"You're not weak, Adro. In fact, you're very strong. What you're going through is not something ordinary, so it's understandable if you feel like this now. You have tried your best and done everything, but you still haven't found a way back. It is indeed tiring. So, taking a moment to rest doesn't mean you're weak. You're just replenishing your depleted energy," Grace explained.

Adro couldn't digest Grace's words. Too many things were on his mind, making him choose to stay silent. 'Why am I not surprised at this sudden feeling? It's a … feeling of relief as if my burning heart is doused with a cup of water, as if all the burdens weighing on my chest are lifted.'

All those feelings arose just because of a girl's words—without war, without a sword, without negotiations, and without political agreements. What was strange was that, since the beginning, his heart seemed to be able to predict this. Was that why he unconsciously hugged Grace?

'How long has it been since the last time I was hugged by a man? Even the last experience was heartbreaking because I knew Victor was forced to do that after I did many of his assignments.' Grace thought.

Unintentionally, Grace's eyes glanced at the painting beside them. It was the first time she felt afraid of her own painting. Despite being satisfied with the painting because the eyes of the girl in it seemed lively, unfortunately, it also gave the impression that Adro's future wife, Joselyn, was staring at them.

Clearing her throat, Grace slid both her hands from Adro's back before trying to push him away as gently as possible. "Sorry... I'm glad I could comfort you, but... I think a brief hug is enough."

Realizing that Grace was trying to let go, Adro opened his arms. He was going to apologize for thinking that Grace might feel uncomfortable with his actions. However, after seeing her eyes, he realized that Grace was staring at the painting of Joselyn. "Oh,"

Grace grimaced and said, "I didn't mean anything, and I know we just hugged as friends who are supporting each other. But still, you and I are a man and a woman. As a fellow woman, I am concerned about your fiancee's feelings, even though she's not here. And I hope ... I hope you also do."

Silent for a moment, Adro muttered. "You think so?"

"You once told me that your life was always surrounded by men. You only knew a few women and rarely talked at length with them. So ... I thought that maybe you might not understand us. Most of us have sensitive hearts. Not just me, but most of the women I know wouldn't like it if their partners hugged other women too much, even if it's their friends," Grace explained. Her face was slightly lowered.