There Is No Paradise Where I Ran Away To (14 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 128

The sound of footsteps echoing through the corridor rang as loudly as Vivian’s own heartbeat. Standing before the King’s bedroom, Vivian briefly halted Count Reed just as he was about to knock. She offered a forced smile, claiming nerves at meeting His Majesty, and took a deep breath to steady herself.

Count Reed knocked on the bedroom door and opened it.

Mayer sat slumped on the bed, draped in a robe. From the slightly parted gap in the robe, his thick leg hair was clearly visible—presumably because he wore nothing underneath—leaving her momentarily flustered. Her bewildered eyes darted aimlessly through the air, unsure where to look.

Moreover, she was shocked to see his belly swollen as if he were unwell. He looked entirely different from when she had last seen him before departing from Newway. Back then, he hadn’t been so overweight, nor had he borne those dark circles under his eyes and oily complexion.

“Miss Ebelline has arrived!”

Mayer sprang up from his seat, jolting Vivian back to her senses. She quickly composed herself and offered a courteous bow.

“I am honored to meet Your Majesty.”

“Oh, yes, indeed! Goodness! Your beauty remains utterly untouched by time. Truly, astonishingly lovely.”

Mayer suddenly stepped close and leaned his face toward Vivian. His appearance up close was even more pitiful. Worse still, the foul stench emanating from him nearly erased any notion that he was the ruler of a nation.

“How is it that you remain ageless and so beautiful? You must share your secret with my wife. Ha ha ha!”

As Mayer clutched his belly and laughed, Vivian offered an awkward smile in return. Count Reed, clearly accustomed to such scenes, gave Vivian a subtle nod before quietly exiting the King’s bedroom.

“Come over here quickly.”

Now alone, Mayer abruptly seized Vivian’s hand and pulled her toward the bed, chuckling foolishly. Vivian, who had expected at least some light conversation first, widened her eyes in alarm and tensed her legs.

Recalling Wellwood’s words, Vivian turned back toward Mayer and stubbornly narrowed her eyes.

“What’s the matter? Is something bothering you?”

Read full content of this chapter on r e d c a t t y . c o m