CHAPTER 39: 39: GOLDEN PRINCESS STANDS HER GROUND

Their attention shifted toward a swaying car, barely noticeable as it was hidden behind another vehicle and Aria hadn’t even realized it was there.

Maybe the darkness on that side, where the group of men stood, had been too thick and dimly lit, and she hadn’t paid much attention to it.

Quietly curious, she couldn’t help but look in that direction.

Something about the movement there caught her attention.

She tried to crane her neck further toward it, even rising onto her tiptoes, but her movements froze.

A hand suddenly reached out, catching the back of her neck with a touch that was almost a caress.

A tingle of warmth, mixed with a little panic and slight surprise at the touch, made her turn.

Aria wanted to see who dared to touch her neck, and it was the male lead who had reached for her.

She gave Caelan a look of confusion, waiting for him to speak or begin explaining.

When had he become so touchy with her?

Does the male lead now consider her a good friend? The thought gave Aria a bit of joy, if that was the case.

Saying not a single word, Caelan let go of her neck once Aria’s whole attention was away from the other side.

"I have to go find a place to stay. You should head back inside."

The male lead’s words left Aria puzzled for a few seconds, but then excitement rose in her at the realization.

"You... do you believe me!" Aria exclaimed.

The male lead didn’t think she was crazy, and he believed her.

He believed her!

Believing that her Heavenly Train Station truly existed!

After all, she had appeared from nowhere and vanished into nowhere earlier.

He would be an idiot if he didn’t think something so obvious.

Steadying herself and calming the flutter in her chest, she offered the male lead a soft, delighted smile.

Even without words of confirmation, Caelan had already made it clear that he believed in the Heavenly Train Station.

That’s enough for Aria.

Remembering the present matter that they were in and the male lead’s words urging her to return inside, she shook her head at him.

"I cannot go back inside while you’re out here alone." Aria understood the cruel truth for this reason, and it left her powerless.

The male lead could not even see her Heavenly Train Station, much less step inside it.

It was because of the Heart Rejection of Golden Barrier ability.

This was something she could not control, something everyone was bound to obey.

Besides, she had just come out.

Why would she go back inside again?

That was not what she wanted, and so she would not follow the male lead.

Before Aria could speak another word, footsteps approached from their direction.

Then came the sound of a zipper being pulled upward, breaking the silence.

It was sharp and noticeable against the stillness of the night and the cold wind.

Then the footsteps stopped completely, not far from them, just ten steps away.

When Aria turned around, a tall man came into sight.

He looked older, and he was even taller than the male lead.

The first thing anyone unfamiliar with him would notice was the eyepatch covering one side of his face.

Their eyes met.

Instantly, a chill ran through her whole body.

It was not from fear, nor from cowardice.

Those were not the lustful eyes of a man.

Rather, they were the eyes of a predator who had locked onto his prey.

Aria had the urge to step back, to look away, or even to open her mouth and say something rude.

But the moment a broad back stood in front of her, she knew she didn’t need to be afraid.

The quiet yet steady presence of the male lead was enough.

Aria can simply hide behind the sturdy mountain of this world and the son of the heavens.

"Oi, a woman... no, not just one but two! And one of them was shining like some golden princess. Hah! What kind of joke of a scene is this?"

These were the words that came out of the man’s mouth.

His gaze first landed on Samantha, then moved to Aria with a glint of appreciation.

Before long, he turned and fixed his gaze on the man standing beside them, Caelan.

One thought comes in. This person is not easy to mess with.

The man was clearly dissatisfied, clicking his tongue with a sharp sound.

Even Aria heard it, and so did the others.

"Boss, this is no joke. The Golden Princess just appeared out of nowhere, like teleportation."

One of the men reported, his voice edged with excitement.

And there was a flicker of wonder in his eyes, as if he were hoping their boss might share these women with them.

"Teleportation?"

The man with the eyepatch turned sharply, narrowing his gaze at the one who spoke.

If they were wrong, he would make sure someone paid for it.

"Yes, Boss! We saw it with our own eyes! It’s unbelievable, she just appeared out of nowhere!"

Another man quickly backed up his dear brother, blurting out with a grin, his laughter and excitement spilling over as he tried to explain what everyone had witnessed.

The Boss raised an eyebrow, sinking into brief silence before his gaze returned to the golden-haired woman.

How could anyone shine with such beauty in the middle of an apocalypse?

This woman was more dazzling than even the famed Saint of the South.

"Don’t be scared. I won’t bite... at least not yet."

The Boss sighed as he spoke, his voice low and laced with suggestion.

Aria frowned. She didn’t dare step fully out from behind Caelan, but she shifted just enough to peek past him and glare back.

How dare he say that?

Did he really think she was too stupid to catch the meaning behind his words?

"Who are you, and what are you here for?"

Aria demanded, her glare sharp enough to cut.

"Tell me, who exactly are you, Miss Golden Princess?"

The Boss replied with a sly, teasing grin, ignoring Caelan’s presence and letting his gaze drift toward the side of the other man’s waist.

His eyes were always drawn to Aria, and his breathing had quickened, which made Caelan frown.

Planning to teach the other person a lesson, Caelan was stopped by Aria as she hugged his arm.

She glanced up, locked eyes with the male lead, and spoke.

"Don’t bother with him. He has no manners."

Aria pointed out that the person before them wasn’t worth Caelan’s time and that they shouldn’t waste any more of it here.

Not sure what this woman wants, but Caelan definitely didn’t do anything.

Having seen their small interaction made the Boss of the group of men’s expression darkened.

He even clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed.

A beautiful, golden-haired woman who looked like a princess clinging to someone else?

The very thought made the Boss angry.

He should be the one enjoying the beauty, not this young man.

But as an older man, he knew better than to ever underestimate his enemy.

"Who cares who I am? You’re in my territory!"

Aria snapped, wanting nothing more than to kick this man and his disgusting group out.

Besides, she had much more important things to focus on.

This group was consuming too much of her time.

"Get out of here."

Caelan muttered coldly, his voice calm, unreadable, yet firm.

Hearing the male lead join her to deal with these men, Aria was very happy and decided to stand side by side with him, no longer hiding.

Her boldness had grown, and she even crossed her arms, ready to face any of them.

Just come at her, and she would not back down.

"Heh. Why would we leave, now that we hear you can give us supplies?"

The Boss of the group sneered arrogantly, stepping closer.

Caelan immediately pushed Aria behind him, standing as if protecting his cub, his eyes sharp and ready to strike at any moment.

"Supplies..."

Aria muttered from behind, struggling to keep her balance in her heels after the sudden push from the male lead.

Her eyes then fell on Samantha, and realization dawned.

It must have something to do with the two teenage passengers who arrived yesterday.

When Aria looked at the boy named Mikey, she noticed he was looking away, avoiding her gaze.

"That’s it---supplies. Our two lackeys, Mikey and Richi, brought some goods from this place, right, Little Mikey?"

The older man spoke as if stating an absolute truth, his gaze fixed on the younger boy who stood there with trembling eyes, staring at the ground.

Not even brave enough to glance upward.

Aria understood everything at once.

These two weren’t part of the men’s group.

They were their slaves and servants.

Feeling pity for the boys, she lightly pushed Caelan aside.

The male lead stepped back to give her space, but those two-colored eyes remained sharp, alert to every sudden move.

Aria had no awareness of what was happening under the male lead’s actions.

She had only one thought.

Make these guys leave.

"I do have supplies, but who says I’ll give them to you?"