The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 107

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 107

Chapter Title: No Precious Creations

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He didn't create anything precious.

He didn't possess any special items.

He didn't leave behind any identifiable traces.

It broke all three rules, yet Jack was quite fond of the dagger.

He liked that his name was engraved on it, too.

Seeing her stare blankly with those golden eyes, Jack couldn't help but chuckle for some reason.

Whether she saw right through him or not.

He belonged somewhere.

Someone remembered him.

There were words affirming he was special.

All three were things he shouldn't have, but who in the world wouldn't need them?

"Then contact me when you're ready to depart. I'll be staying here at the mansion as a guest for the time being."

"Got it."

Jack bid Adrian farewell and exited through the door with confident strides.

Nina watched his retreating figure, then turned to Adrian.

"Are you mad?"

At her question, delivered with a tilt of her head, Adrian unfolded his arms and approached slowly.

When he stood before her, Nina had to crane her neck back as far as it would go to meet his gaze.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because it's dangerous."

"You think those fools on the Isle of Sages could lay a finger on you?"

Adrian reached out and tugged at her hair tie.

Her right-side hair fell loose, without even a single crease from being tied.

"I think the same, but if something happens, it'll be a headache."

"You still said you'd go, even thinking that."

He undid the hair tie on her other side as well, then ran his fingers through her hair.

Nina closed her eyes, savoring his touch like a cat.

"Adrian."

Adrian didn't reply. Nina narrowed her eyes and smiled.

"Shall we go for a swim?"

The moon was full.

The bright moonlight illuminated Silver Lake even more brilliantly.

In the moonlight, Adrian could clearly see the water droplets trailing down her skin.

Nina wrung out her wet shirt and hair, laughing.

"The water's really cool."

"It is."

Nina looked at him and said,

"How about a race to that pier over there? First one there wins."

She pointed to the boat pier at the edge of the lake.

From the lake garden directly connected to the castle—which people called the basin—the distance to the pier was considerable.

"Sure."

But that didn't apply to them. Nina said to Adrian, who agreed readily,

"Loser grants the winner one wish."

"Anything?"

"Anything at all."

Nina answered cheerfully and splashed into the water with a laugh.

Adrian followed her into the water. Neither had let go of the basin's edge yet.

"Really anything?"

"Good grief, Adrian."

Nina laughed and brought her face close to his. Her golden eyes danced like the moon's reflection on the lake.

"I've already given you my life—what more couldn't I give?"

Adrian smiled faintly and said, "Who knows."

He picked up a smooth pebble from the basin's edge.

"When it hits the water, we go."

"Okay, okay."

Adrian tossed the pebble upward, and soon a small plop echoed across the quiet lake.

The two launched almost simultaneously.

The sound of them slicing through the water filled the night lake. After swimming for a while, Adrian stopped.

It was quiet.

He was swimming alone. He glanced toward the pier but didn't see Nina there first.

"Nina?"

Even to his own ears, his voice sounded uneasy.

He knew Nina wouldn't drown in a lake like this, but the anxiety was unavoidable.

"Nina!"

As he called out louder, something yanked his ankle.

"!!"

Even as he was dragged underwater, Adrian knew who it was.

Squinting, he saw Nina slyly release his ankle.

She swam up, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him downward.

What was she up to?

Wondering, Adrian followed her deeper. When Nina smiled, bubbles rose with a gurgle.

She pointed toward the surface.

Adrian followed her finger and widened his eyes.

The moonlight on the surface rippled like chiffon curtains.

The faint light illuminating the bluish depths of the lake was utterly beautiful.

After gazing at it for a moment, Adrian turned to her.

The moon was in her eyes, too.

The silence underwater.

The sound of his heartbeat ringing in his ears.

He could hear the pulse of blood in his veins.

Adrian grabbed her arm. Even underwater, Nina was startled by how hot his hand felt.

He pulled her close, and they collided. His body heat was scorching beyond the cold water.

Or had the water chilled her own body too much?

Somehow flustered, Nina swallowed—and that was her mistake.

Bloop bloop bloop.

Seeing her exhale all her air at once, Adrian yanked her up in alarm.

They broke the surface, and Nina gulped in air, coughing violently.

"Kuh, kuh, hack, urk—."

Her throat burned.

Tears welled up.

"You okay?"

As Adrian rubbed her back, Nina nodded and rasped,

"I, hack, swallowed water, ugh—."

Nina splashed water on her face a few times, sighed, and draped her arms around his neck.

His wet skin felt firm and warm, delightful.

Though it was the same skin, Adrian's felt thicker.

Even if she bit down, it seemed it'd only leave a mark, not break the skin.

'But biting him would be rude. Better hold back.'

Pressing into his smooth skin revealed its firmness, proof his body was packed with muscle.

Nina rested her cheek on his broad shoulder and relaxed her body.

"I think I'm cold."

"Cold?"

"You feel hot to me."

Adrian paused for a moment before replying slowly.

"I'm hot, and you're cold—both true. You won't catch a cold, right?"

"You think someone contracted with Winter would catch a cold?"

"Still."

Nina stroked his back clumsily.

"What're you doing?"

"Nothing, just thinking your back and shoulders are so broad."

"Not as much as Jin's."

"Wanna be like Jin?"

"Of course."

Adrian muttered something like, Every guy wants that at least once, making Nina laugh.

"But I like you just like this, Adrian."

Even now, standing side by side with him completely shielded her from others' views.

"What an honor."

Nina flashed a playful smile and unwrapped her arms from his neck.

She gazed into his pinkish eyes for a moment, then grinned wickedly.

The instant Adrian saw that smile, he knew he was in trouble—but he couldn't resist as she shoved his shoulders hard underwater.

He was afraid of accidentally striking her.

Using the recoil from dunking Adrian, Nina shot toward the pier like an arrow.

A moment later, she heard "Nina Randell!" from behind, but Nina only replied with laughter.

Adrian swept his wet hair back with both hands and narrowed his eyes.

As he started swimming, he gained speed. Before Nina could react with a surprised "Uh-oh," he caught up, grabbed her arm, and yanked her back.

Then Adrian slapped the pier first.

"I win."

"No way! That's cheating!"

"You pulled me under too, Nina."

"Well, yeah, but..."

Nina pouted. Adrian burst out laughing, and Nina sighed in resignation.

"Fine, fine. So what's your wish? You really had to win this badly. Not gonna ask for something weird, are you?"

"Nina."

Adrian smiled. He glanced at the waning full moon, then turned back to her.

"To you."

Adrian swallowed briefly and continued.

"If someone more special than me appears in your life—or seems like they might—tell me first."