Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 151: Zaina.

A girl walked towards him with a smile on her face.

Akamir smiled back. "Zaina."

The girl stood in front of him as Akamir observed her quietly.

Since the last time he saw her, she had changed a bit.

There was a little more maturity in her amber eyes while her lavender hair fell behind her.

’Did something happen with her?’

Akamir wondered, finding something amiss in her.

"Are you free?" Zaina asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah, I am right now." Akamir replied, nodding his head.

"Sweet." She said, walking to his side. "Can I have some time?"

"...Sure."

Akamir said, and the girl nodded.

Without his permission, she grabbed his hand and intertwined her fingers with his.

Though a little confused by her sudden boldness, Akamir didn’t stop her.

"I...I have a good place for us." She said, already dragging him. "Let’s go."

’Hmm, is she embarrassed?’

Akamir wondered as he glanced at her ears.

They both were uncannily red, making her emotions clear.

"It seems like you becoming the royal Consort has had an effect on her as well."

Nayomi mused, looking at the girl curiously.

"Vani believes the same girl ended humanity in the game."

Akamir ignored her words as he focused on the girl.

Zaina held his hand tightly as she led him through the quiet corridors of the academy.

Akamir followed her without resistance, letting her set the pace.

She didn’t speak much.

Just a gentle tug here and there, occasionally glancing back to check if he was still beside her.

Eventually, they reached a quiet spot behind the greenhouse.

The area was surrounded by tall hedges and flowering trees, almost like a hidden garden.

A single stone bench rested under a blooming arch of violet petals.

"I found this place a few days ago," Zaina said softly, letting go of his hand and stepping forward. "No one really comes here."

"It’s peaceful," Akamir said, glancing around. "Smells like mint."

She smiled. "There’s a patch just behind the flowers."

She walked over to the bench and sat down, patting the space beside her.

Akamir followed and took the seat, resting his arms on his knees.

There was a long pause between them.

"...Did something happen?" Akamir asked finally, turning to look at her.

Zaina didn’t speak for a while as she lowered her gaze.

"I talked with aunty Vernier." She whispered, her voice soft. "...She is really worried about Arthur."

"...."

Akamir didn’t say anything as he looked at her.

’Vernier should be his mother.’

He did remember that she had taken care of Zaina like her own child.

Vernier was her mother figure when her own mother died.

"I tried finding him." Akamir replied, his voice soft. "He is nowhere to be seen."

Zaina just gave him a short nod as she stared at her hand.

Akamir let out a sigh as he wrapped his hand over her shoulder.

He gently rubbed her arms while Zaina placed her head on his chest.

"Everything will be fine." Akamir said, "don’t worry."

Zaina closed her eyes as she leaned against him, her fingers curling lightly into his shirt.

"...I hope so," she murmured.

Akamir let her be for a while before he asked. "Did you talk with the church?"

"Not yet." She muttered, her breathing shallow. "I think I will wait for a while."

"..I see." Akamir mumbled softly. "Just tell me when you are ready."

.....She just nodded in response.

The silence followed between them for a while.

Zaina didn’t seem to talk about the whole royal Consort thing at all.

And Akamir was happy that he doesn’t have to address it now.

’I still need to make sure everything is alright.’

Even though the kingdom has accepted Inara’s words, Akamir was sure none were satisfied.

His public image was already too low for them to consider him a good match for Inara.

’I need the mimickers to do something about it.’

Even though he doesn’t really care about the opinion of the sheep, he did want to keep an image.

’It’s better if they know I am capable of Inara so no one has ulterior motives.’

Zaina slowly raised her head to look at him. "My father asked me to bring you home."

Akamir blinked in surprise. "Why so?"

"He says he needs to talk with you about something." She replied, shaking her head. "He didn’t give me any specific reason."

Akamir gave her a short nod. "I will talk with him."

Zaina looked a little relieved by his answer.

"Thanks," she said quietly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Akamir leaned back against the bench, stretching his legs out a bit. "I have something to tell you as well."

Zaina blinked at him. "What is it?"

"I will be out of the kingdom for a while." Akamir replied, looking at her. "I will be traveling around."

"..."

Zaina’s face immediately showed a disappointed look. "...I see."

"Don’t worry." Akamir said, patting her head. "I will come see you from time to time."

Zaina lowered her gaze, trying to hide the faint frown on her lips.

"You better," she muttered. "You always say that and then disappear for days."

Akamir gave a small chuckle. "Not this time."

Zaina didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t argue either.

Instead, she fiddled with the hem of her sleeve.

"Where are you going?" she asked quietly.

"Elven Kingdom first," he answered. "There are a few people I need to meet... and some things I have to understand."

Zaina nodded slowly. "Is it dangerous?"

Akamir paused for a moment, then shook his head. "I don’t think so, but I’ll be careful either way."

She slowly nodded as if thinking about something else.

Akamir tilted his head. "Do you want to come with us?"

She blinked. "Can I?"

"Yeah." He nodded his head. "But...things would be difficult."

Like Akamir had noticed since day one, this world isn’t very advanced—at least a part of it.

If she does come with them, she would have to face a little too much difficulty.

"I think I would pass for now." She said, her voice soft. "Maybe next time."

Akamir gave her a small nod, understanding her hesitation.

"Alright," he said. "Next time then."

Zaina smiled faintly. "You better not forget."

"I won’t." He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "I have a good memory for promises."

She slowly stood up from her seat as she walked in front of him.

With a smile, she said. "Close your eyes."

Akamir blinked in confusion. "Why?"

"Just do it." She replied, "please?"

Akamir let out a sigh as he did as she told him.

Just when he closed his eyes, Zaina leaned forward.

’Hmm?’

Akamir felt something begin to cover his face...like a mask.

’Is it—?’

He couldn’t even think properly as a soft sensation touched his lips.

For a second, Akamir froze in his place as he returned the kiss.

Zaina’s lips were gentle... they were warm, unsure, but determined.

His mind blanked as the sensation settled, not rushed, just... soft.

By the time he opened his eyes, Zaina had already stepped back, her face red from ear to ear.

She looked down, brushing invisible dust off her dress, clearly avoiding his gaze.

"I just... wanted to do that once," she muttered under her breath.

Akamir stared at her quietly, unsure of what to say.

It wasn’t like it was unpleasant.

Just... surprising.

"Zaina," he said softly.

She peeked up at him, still flustered. "Don’t make a big deal out of it."

"...Alright." Akamir smiled faintly.

Zaina quickly turned on her heels. "Alright, I will see you later then."

Before he could reply, she dashed away.

Nayomi, who was watching everything, floated close by.

"How does it feel?" She asked. "Taking the first kiss of both a princess and an apostle."

Akamir wasn’t sure how to reply to that.

’Ahh, fuck.’

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