𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴!

☆ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 5

Ayurmin swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. He looked over at Seyara, who met his gaze with fear in her eyes. When their eyes locked, she shook her head and mouthed, “Don’t tell the truth.”

Ayurmin turned to Grandma and smiled sweetly. “It’s... lighter brown. Some people think it’s red, but my eyes are actually brown, Grandma.”

“Really?” Grandma squinted, studying his eyes more closely. “I see. I’m an old lady now, so my vision isn’t what it used to be.” She sighed and resumed eating.

Seyara lowered her head, feeling a pang of guilt for deceiving her grandmother. But she knew they couldn’t reveal his real identity, not even to her family.

“Grandma, this food is delicious!” Ayurmin said brightly, breaking the silence. “Did you make lunch yourself?”

Noticing Seyara’s unease, he decided to change the subject, hoping to lift her spirits.

Seyara rolled her eyes in secret. What a foodie, she thought, a hint of amusement softening her expression. All he ever thinks about is food. She shook her head in mock disappointment.

“No, child,” Grandma replied. “It’s Raya, a neighbor’s daughter. She came this morning and cooked breakfast and lunch for me. She’s been helping for a while now because I haven’t been feeling well recently.”

“Grandma, how do you feel now?” Seyara asked, worry evident in her voice. “Should we stay here for a couple of days?”

The old lady smiled kindly at her granddaughter, feeling lucky to have her. “Don’t you have schoolwork...”

She interrupted her almost instantly, “No, it’s holiday season now. I won’t go to school for a whole month, and I’ve already finished all my homework. So... can we stay?” She looked at Grandma with eyes filled with anticipation. “I can even cook for you. You wouldn’t need to bother sister Raya.”

“Then let's see...” Grandma pondered for a moment. She also felt bad about troubling Raya every day.

Her eyes fell on Ayurmin. “What about you, child? Are you also going to stay with us?”

Ayurmin nodded eagerly. “I’d love to, Grandma.”

In his mind, he thought, I don’t have any other choice anyway. He glanced secretly at Seyara. If I don’t find a way back, will I be stuck by this girl’s side forever? He shuddered at that scary thought.

No, no. I’ll be king here and move out.

“What about your family?” Grandma asked, snapping him out of his daydream. “Are they okay with it?”

“Yeah...” He answered reluctantly, scratching his neck.

“Be honest.” Grandma adjusted her round glasses, becoming serious. “You’re a couple, right? Why do you hide your relationship? Are your parents strict, or...” She looked at Seyara from the corner of her eye. “Is your brother the problem?”

Seyara was speechless. Before she could respond, Ayurmin said, “We aren’t married. And I’m not pursuing her. You could say we’re friends with benefits.”

Seyara was stunned. She felt like her head was spinning. In her mind, she screamed, Kill me, kill me, kill meee!

Grandma was equally shocked. She didn’t expect him to say something like that so casually. She stared at Seyara in disbelief, silently demanding answers.

“Grandma...” Seyara gave her a sheepish smile, shedding psychological tears internally. “He’s joking. Actually, he’s my boyfriend, just as you guessed. It’s just... I don’t want my brother to know for now, so please don’t tell him I brought Ayur here.”

Grandma nodded with a sigh. “So that’s how it is.”

“You won’t tell him, right?” Seyara pressed on.

“Mmm.”

Seyara heaved a sigh of relief before glaring at Ayurmin. She didn’t forget to kick his calf under the table.

“Why?” Ayurmin mumbled, confused. He couldn’t understand why they were so upset when he’d stated the truth. To him, Seyara was beneficial—she cooked for him and would continue looking after him until he found a way back. As for her, it was an honor to care for a royal prince. It was a massive fortune! So didn’t that make them friends with benefits?

“Wait for me.” Grandma stood up from the table and left, unintentionally giving them space.

As soon as she was out of sight, Seyara snapped at Ayurmin, her voice sharp. “Are you a fool? How could you say we’re friends with benefits? You’re so stupid! Never say such a thing again! You, you, you...” She panted heavily, clearly angry.

“Can you please calm down?” Ayurmin sighed heavily. “I don’t understand why you’re so upset.”

Seyara took a deep breath, trying to regain control. She looked into his red eyes sternly and said, “If you don’t know how to talk, then don’t talk at all!”

Ayurmin bristled. “What exactly did I do wrong?”

“It has another meaning. Friends with benefits means...” Seyara gritted her teeth as she explained, trying hard not to shout.

“Oh.” Ayurmin frowned. “It’s like that. I didn’t know these double meanings, so it’s unfair to scold me.” He pursed his lips. “You’re so rude.”

Seyara rolled her eyes. She realized she’d have to teach him everything if she wanted to avoid future disasters.

“Listen, Ayur. You’re in my era now. I don’t want to repeat this, okay? So please pay attention to what you say.”

Ayurmin nodded absently. He was feeling fed up with everything. Now that he thought about it, it was so much more annoying being a commoner in this strange world than a crown prince in his own.

So frustrating...

“Next time someone asks about our relationship, just tell them you’re my cousin. If it’s a family member, say you’re my friend. Just friend, that’s it. Don’t describe it. Just a friend!”

“Okay, okay. I got it.” Ayurmin groaned, feeling irritated.

Seyara shot him a glare. “To Grandma, though, you’re my boyfriend. Register that in your small brain.”

Ayurmin knitted his brows, thinking. “Small brain? Did you seriously just say I have a small brain? And what does ‘boyfriend’ mean? Does it mean I’m your friend? Then I can just tell everyone I’m your boyfriend, right?”

Seyara looked up at the ceiling, feeling defeated.

I officially lost my will to live.

Just then, Grandma returned with a small note in her hand.

“Cupcake, could you bring me this medicine from the pharmacy if you’re finished eating?”

Seyara wiped her hands before taking the note. “Of course, Grandma. I wanted to go out for some fresh air anyway, so it’s perfect.”

Grandma looked at her, worried. “I’m troubling you...”

“Not at all, Grandma.” Seyara smiled, taking Ayurmin’s wrist and pulling him to his feet. “Let’s go!”

“Annoying,” he muttered under his breath but still followed her outside. Deep down, he was secretly happy to explore this strange world.

Under the sunlight, as they walked along the street, Seyara glanced up at him.

“A boyfriend means...” she whispered. But before she could finish, Ayurmin glanced back, making her heart skip a beat as his red eyes looked deeply into hers, as if seeing through her soul.

“A lover.”