NOVEL NEXT Chapter 79: The Budget
"See, it wasn't a big deal~" Sarah said beside me.
Her voice was light and almost playful.
Almost as if what had just happened was nothing more than a small errand.
I was sitting in the main room, leaning back slightly.
I gulped down water as if I had crossed a desert instead of standing on a balcony.
The cool liquid slid down my throat, refreshing my throat from how long I talked.
My chest slowly rose and fell as the tension finally began to loosen.
I nodded at her, setting the cup down and letting out a breath.
"Truth be told," I said honestly, glancing up at Sarah,
"It was my first time standing in front of such a huge crowd."
Sarah tilted her head, clearly amused, and smiled.
As if what I'd said was the most adorable thing in the world.
From the corner of the room, Aria had been quietly watching us.
She didn't interrupt right away. Instead, she smiled calmly.
And then walked over. Her steps were soft, almost silent.
And before I could realize it, her arms wrapped around me from behind.
Her hair slipped over my shoulder, brushing against my neck in a way that instantly made me relax.
I leaned back into her without thinking, and she leaned forward.
Our lips met naturally, without rush, without force, just a simple kiss that carried more meaning than words.
For a moment, the room felt smaller, quieter, like nothing else existed.
When she broke the kiss, she didn't pull away.
Instead, she gently held my jaw, guiding my face upward so I had no choice but to look at her.
Her eyes were warm, steady, and full of quiet pride.
"You were handsome there," she said softly, as if it were a simple fact.
I couldn't help but chuckle at that.
The tension finally cracked, and I reached up, pulling her down until she was sitting comfortably on my lap.
"Wait until the night, you naughty cat~"
I said, letting a playful tone slip into my voice now that the weight of the moment had passed.
Aria let out a soft sound, almost like a purr, and nuzzled into my chest without any shame.
Her head rested there, and for a few seconds, she didn't say anything at all.
The closeness was enough.
At the same time, the sound of the door opening broke the calm.
Kalia walked into the room, and the energy shifted in an instant.
She was holding a tray full of food and fruits in her hands, carefully balanced, yet she made it look effortless.
Her steps were confident, practiced, and she smiled brightly the moment she saw us gathered there.
"I thought you would feel hungry after such a long speech,"
she said loudly, her voice carrying a cheerful tone that filled the room.
She walked toward me, and as she did, her hips swayed naturally, not forced, but impossible to ignore.
The tray tilted slightly with her movement, revealing apples, fruits.
And warm dishes that instantly reminded me how empty my stomach actually was.
I swallowed, not just from hunger.
It was still far from night, and I knew I still needed to discuss the budget plan with Lucy afterward.
That thought grounded me just enough to keep myself in check.
Controlling my excitement, I nodded and reached out, taking an apple into my hands.
The cool surface felt solid and real.
And biting into it brought a satisfying crunch that echoed lightly in the room.
Of course, I wasn't the only one.
Each of the girls reached out and took her choice of food.
Their movements were casual, familiar.
As if this was a scene that had played out many times before.
The tray slowly grew lighter as hands reached in, laughter and small comments passing between them.
Soon enough, the tray Kalia had been holding was empty.
Not a single piece of food remained.
She glanced down at the clean plates, then let out a small sigh, shaking her head.
"Your appetites, guys, are increasing day by day," she said, half complaining, half amused, as she turned and began walking back toward the door.
Just before reaching it, she stopped in her tracks.
She turned around slowly, and the smile she gave me this time was different, thin, deliberate, and undeniably seductive.
Her eyes closed briefly as if she was already imagining something, and when she spoke, her voice softened.
"Today, I should sleep with Ragnar, isn't that right, girls?" she said, her tone smooth and confident.
For a brief moment, the room went quiet.
None of the girls said anything out loud.
There was no argument, no teasing response, no dramatic reaction.
One by one, they simply nodded in agreement, their expressions calm, accepting, and almost routine.
Seeing no opposition, Kalia's face shifted completely.
The teasing smile melted into pure happiness, and her shoulders relaxed as if a weight had been lifted.
She murmured softly, almost to herself, but loud enough for me to hear.
"I can't wait until you see my new nightgown."
The way she said it wasn't bold or daring.
It was excited, bright, and sincere, like a teenage girl eager to impress her crush for the first time.
With that same happy expression still on her face.
She finally stepped out of the room, leaving behind a lingering sense of warmth and anticipation.
At the same time, Lucy walked in and tilted her head as she looked at us.
"What happened while I was gone?" she asked.
I smirked and shook my head. "Nothing. So, what do you need?"
Lucy ignored the awkward mood in the room and said,
"It's about the budget planning.
Maria is already going through the report. She asked you to come help her."
I nodded and stood up, then turned toward the girls. "Sorry, king duties are calling."
Both Aria and Sarah smiled and said it was fine.
I nodded back at them, and then Lucy and I left the room together.
As we walked, Lucy tugged lightly on my arm and whispered, "By the way, there's a problem we overlooked."
I stopped and raised an eyebrow at her words. "What problem?"