“Well, it serves him right. He kept bothering me by coming all the way in.”

The man, sweating coldly, pleaded for mercy.

“Please spare me, Miss Adele!”

“Should I spare him, Krist?”

“As you wish.”

“If I kill him, will you take care of the aftermath?”

“I guess that much is within my capabilities.”

“Well, you are quite capable. It’s been a while since I’ve seen some bloodshed.”

In their quite serious conversation, the man, scared out of his wits, shouted.

“I apologize! I was just trying to ask for directions!”

With a pale face, trembling as if he would collapse at any moment, it seemed he might faint.

Unable to help it, Adele lowered the dagger from the man’s neck.

“You, you clearly said you were a journalist from Colorime Tabloid.”

“Well, revealing my identity is good manners as a gentleman.”

“Huh, tarnishing my fiancee’s honor with a nonsense story and calling yourself a gentleman?”

“That’s because I couldn’t write an article about the Silver Wolf, so I got angry…”

Thwack!
Suddenly, a dagger menacingly descended beside the man’s head. Kristian had swiftly taken the dagger from Adele’s hand and thrown it.

Startled, Adele turned around, and he sternly commanded, “Immediately go and publish a correction article.”

“Yes, understood!”

Thinking he had just narrowly escaped death, the man staggered away on shaky legs.

Watching him flee frantically, Kristian asked, “What did the author say?”

“He didn’t say much. Just mentioned being a Colorime Tabloid journalist and tried to dig into our relationship.”

“Did you happen to read the article?”

Adele, sitting down with a nonchalant expression, replied, “Tanya brought it along with Jade’s letter earlier. It was full of nonsense, so I was planning to confront them even without that, but caught them red-handed.”

Surprisingly, Adele seemed unaffected. Instead, she asked while observing his expression, “Why, were you worried I might get hurt?”

“A bit.”

“Even though it’s not true? I was more worried that you might get hurt, considering I’m used to unjust accusations, but you’ve always received praise as a hero.”

“Good for you. This might be an opportunity for me to understand you better.”

Adele laughed cheerfully, “I should’ve thanked that journalist earlier.”

Throughout, people had been glancing at the two, sometimes speculating or gossiping. Some thought it was a show, while others were just talkative.

Perhaps, unknowingly, people found watching them more interesting than today’s performance.

“I overheard that today’s cast isn’t that great.”

In response to Adele’s whisper, he answered, “Shall we leave, then?”

Leaving the venue, the two went to a nearby park.

The weather had become warmer than a few days ago, and occasional pedestrians were seen strolling. Along the riverbank, street artists were sitting, creating portraits.

“Chris, let’s ask them to draw us.”

“Our portrait?”

“Yeah, because of that ridiculous illustration in the tabloid, it’s getting on my nerves.”

When she blinked her eyes, hinting at him, Kristian had no choice but to accept.

The two approached the oldest-looking artist and sat on folding chairs.

“There, aren’t you two lovers? Get closer and more affectionate.”

Watching them sitting side by side, the elderly artist chuckled.

“Like this?”

Adele approached Kristian, gently leaning on his shoulder.

“No, a bit more affectionate, like a couple on the side.”

Now noticing, the couple next to them was affectionately cuddling and playing with each other, causing a commotion. To onlookers, it might seem outrageous, but the couple appeared genuinely happy.

“No, we’re fine as we are…”

Trying to dismiss the suggestion, Adele felt a sturdy arm wrap around her waist. In an instant, she found herself seated on his lap. Moreover, Kristian wrapped Adele’s arm around his neck.
Because it was dark, fortunately, no one recognized them.

“Is it done now?”

“Yes, stay just like that!”

Satisfied, the elderly artist shouted and swiftly began moving the brush. A serious and solemn expression revealed the artisan’s artistic spirit.

“Is this also part of the show?”

“No, my competitive spirit kicked in.”

“Anyway.”

But for Adele, it was enough to be doing nothing and just sticking close. The anxiety of needing to do something could be postponed for a while.

“Cute.”

At the sudden sound of his voice, Adele shyly smiled.

“I’m past the age of being cute now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Huh?”

Now noticing, Kristian was gazing at a baby taking its first steps.

“Well, babies are truly cute. There’s no age limit for such cuteness! Hahaha!”

The baby, just beginning to walk, laughed heartily with each step. Beside it, the baby’s parents cheered and encouraged with banter.

Watching this scene, Kristian chuckled quietly. It was a peaceful and warm expression.

He seemed to like children, just like when he fought with Jade.

Adele imagined.

Later, cheering for their child together like that.

Wishing for the child’s happiness, supporting each other through difficulties, and comforting each other in times of despair.

Even if it was delayed for now, someday it could happen, right?

Just thinking about it brought a faint smile to her face.

In the strong wind, the spring breeze was felt, and the distant sounds of a violin playing fit well with the night.

And finally, when the painting was complete, both of them opened their mouths simultaneously.

“Is this me? Wow, half of my face is covered by fur.”

“Still better than having a chest full of fur.”

The painting, infused with the artisan’s artistic spirit, was closer to abstraction than a portrait. Thanks to it, they could laugh for a while.

“We should cherish this.”

Adele rolled up the painting and put it in her bag.

“Discard it. No, burn it!”

“No, I won’t. On a gloomy day, looking at it will make me smile.”

Saying that, she casually punched his arm.

“Do you know? If you keep holding hands until you cross this bridge, the couple won’t break up.”

The two strolling people had now reached the bridge over the river.

“It’s a superstition.”

“Still, it’s fun. So, Chris, don’t let go of my hand until we cross this bridge.”

Even though she called it a superstition, he firmly held Adele’s hand, which had grabbed onto his arm.

Thud, thud.

The sound of their footsteps echoed like a rhythm. As the wind blew, the shimmering waves sparkled in the lamplight.

“Speaking of that baby.”

The family of the baby taking its first steps also seemed to have come out for a walk to the bridge.

However, the baby suddenly changed direction as if giving up on walking and began crawling toward the railing. Faster than expected, it
The parents shouted.

“Grab it!”

In an instant, Kristian swiftly leaped forward and caught the baby, who was slipping through the railing.

And then, both of them realized.

“….!”

Their hands had come apart.

“It’s okay; it’s just a superstition.”

Adele casually laughed as if nothing had happened.

“I never believed in it from the beginning.”

Kristian also coolly agreed.

Still, both of them envied other couples walking hand in hand.

“Chris, should we link arms from the beginning again?”

“It’s fine. Let’s just go back.”

As Kristian turned around, Adele, who was following behind, stopped abruptly.

They unexpectedly came across someone.

“Nice to see you again, Lady Adele.”

“Empress Sunhwang!”

Note: “Sunhwang” is a title used for a queen or empress in Korean historical dramas. It seems there might be a historical or fantasy context in the story you provided.