Journey to Become the Zenith

The Beautiful Woman and the Ordinary Man

Diana’s cheeks had gained a faint warmth.

She had known Victor for long enough to understand that his confidence wasn’t an act. He didn’t boast because he wanted attention. He simply knew exactly what he was capable of.

And somehow, that made teasing him even more enjoyable.

She squeezed his hand.

"Fine. I’ll stay beside you."

"You were planning to anyway."

"Maybe I was."

"Maybe?"

Diana smiled mischievously.

"Perhaps I wanted to see how many women would stare at you once we entered."

Victor gave her a sideways glance.

"Why?"

"Curiosity."

"You’re lying."

Diana’s smile became more playful.

"Maybe I want to see whether you’re popular."

Victor shook his head.

"You’ll be disappointed."

"Why?"

"Because I’ll only be looking at you."

Diana froze.

Her red eyes widened slightly.

Victor continued walking as though he hadn’t said anything unusual.

For several seconds, Diana remained standing there.

Then she hurried after him.

"Victor."

"Hm?"

"You can’t just say things like that."

"Why not?"

"Because..."

She struggled to find an answer.

Victor looked at her.

Diana turned her face away.

"...Because it’s unfair."

He smiled.

"You started it."

Diana secretly smiled as well.

The two proceeded toward the city gates.

As they approached, one of the guards stepped forward and raised his hand.

"Halt."

Victor stopped.

The guard looked between the two of them before asking them to identify themselves.

Victor didn’t seem bothered.

Instead, he reached into his belongings and pulled out the medallion Evelyne had given him.

The emblem of the Elmhart family was clearly engraved upon its surface.

The guard’s expression changed the instant he saw it.

The confidence in his posture vanished.

He immediately stepped backward and lowered his spear.

"Please, forgive me for stopping you."

Victor simply nodded.

Diana glanced at the medallion.

She had already realized how useful Lance’s position could be.

The influence of the Elmhart family extended throughout this region, and this city was no exception.

In fact, the Elmhart family’s influence here was enormous.

Only one other family could match them in status and authority.

The Valier family.

The guard bowed respectfully and allowed them to pass without asking another question.

Victor and Diana entered the city.

The atmosphere changed almost immediately.

The quiet road outside was replaced by the noise of civilization.

Merchants shouted from stalls.

Horse-drawn carriages rolled across the paved streets.

Children ran between adults while shopkeepers called out to passing customers. The scent of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, herbs, and expensive perfume mixed together beneath the evening air.

Victor walked calmly through the bustling street.

Diana remained beside him.

Their hands were still intertwined.

And that was when the gazes began.

One man looked at Diana.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Then another.

Then another.

Within moments, more and more people began turning their heads.

Diana’s appearance naturally drew attention.

Her long black hair flowed behind her, and her striking red eyes immediately distinguished her from the crowd. Her presence carried an unusual elegance, the kind that made people forget what they had originally been doing.

Several men openly stared.

Some whispered.

Others elbowed their companions.

"Who is she?"

"She’s beautiful."

"Is she an adventurer?"

"I’ve never seen a woman like that before."

The more daring ones looked at Victor.

Then they looked at Diana.

Then back at Victor.

Confusion quickly appeared on their faces.

The contrast was strange to them.

Diana’s beauty was immediately apparent.

Victor, meanwhile, looked ordinary to the casual observer.

At least, that was what they thought.

His clothing wasn’t covered in extravagant jewelry. He wasn’t surrounded by servants. He wasn’t riding in a luxurious carriage.

So why was a woman like that walking beside him?

And why were they holding hands?

The questions spread through the crowd.

Was Victor perhaps a young master from an influential family?

Was he a wealthy merchant?

Maybe he was a powerful warrior deliberately keeping a low profile.

No one knew.

But every man who saw Diana standing beside Victor understood one thing.

They were extremely jealous.

Diana noticed the stares.

She leaned slightly closer to Victor.

"You were right."

Victor glanced at her.

"About what?"

"They’re staring."

"I noticed."

Diana smiled.

"Are you bothered?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

Victor looked at the men watching them.

Then he looked back at Diana.

"Why would I be?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You’re not worried someone might try to flirt with me?"

Victor didn’t flinch.

"You already know what happens if they do." Diana chuckled softly.

"You’re impossible."

"And yet you’re still holding my hand."

She looked down at their fingers clasped between them.

"Maybe I like being impossible with you." Victor’s golden eyes grew softer.

"Then stay close."

Diana smiled. "I wasn’t planning on going anywhere." And they pressed onward into the city.

Behind them, the crowd continues to whisper.

The answer to the enigma of the beautiful woman and the plain man is just beginning to spread. No one in the crowd knew the truth. They didn’t know who Victor was, and they certainly had no idea Diana wasn’t about to let anyone separate them. As they walked around attracting attention, Victor didn’t mind at all.

The city’s streets were filled with warm sunshine and bustling activity.

Vendors called out from their booths, carts clattered over the paved roads, and the smells of roasted meat, fresh bread, fragrant spices and sugary baked goods wafted on the breeze. Still, among all the noise there was one thing that seemed to follow Victor wherever he went. Whispers.

"Isn’t that the woman from before?" "She’s even more beautiful from where I stand." "Who’s that man walking beside her?"

"Are they a couple or just friends?"

"How did a man like him manage to land a woman like her?" Victor heard every single word. His golden gaze lazily scanned the street before turning back to Diana. He couldn’t have cared less.

In fact, hearing them talk smack about him just for walking around with Diana was almost like a compliment.

To Victor, their jealousy was proof enough that they could see what he already knew.

Diana was beautiful.

And she was his.

That simple thought brought a faint smile to his lips.

Diana noticed it immediately.

She glanced sideways at him, her long black hair swaying gently behind her shoulders. Her blood-red eyes narrowed with amusement.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing."

"You’re definitely thinking about something."

Victor looked at her for a moment before his smile widened.

"I was just wondering how many people you’ve made jealous today."