Chapter 173: Two Lovers
With Ragnar and Draven joining them, the seating arrangement became slightly complicated.
Noah glanced around.
Ragnar, Draven, Leonard, and Kaelan sat on one side of the table.
On the opposite side sat Damien, Emma, and Lyria.
Noah looked toward the empty seat beside Lyria. Without hesitation, he walked over and sat down.
He made sure to claim the seat before Arisha could.
Arisha arrived a moment later. Seeing Noah already sitting there, she raised an eyebrow.
However, she didn’t comment on it. Instead, she sat on Noah’s other side.
The group finally began eating. As Noah picked up his fork, his thoughts drifted back toward the practical exam.
’We’ll probably receive all the details on our phones this evening.’
His curiosity only grew. ’I really want to know what kind of exam it will be.’
Then his gaze landed on Leonard. A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
"Leonard."
Leonard looked up.
"Hm?"
Noah pointed at him. "You should let me help you."
Leonard narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"What do you mean?"
"First." Noah leaned slightly forward. "Tell me."
His expression turned serious. "Do you have a girl you like? Or maybe a fiancée?"
Leonard immediately shook his head.
"No." His answer came instantly. "I don’t have either."
"Really?"
Noah looked surprised. "Not even a girl you think you might like?"
Leonard thought for a moment. Then he shook his head again.
"Hmm." His expression remained calm. "I’ve never really focused on that."
He shrugged. "After all, I spend most of my time training."
"The hell?" Noah stared at him.
"Then why do you always get angry whenever I spend time with Lyria or Arisha?"
Leonard immediately pointed at Noah. "That’s exactly what I mean!"
His voice rose slightly. "I never cared about any of this before."
Then he sighed dramatically. "But after watching you..."
He shook his head. "I started thinking about it."
A serious expression appeared on his face. "I’m a young man too." He folded his arms.
"I also need romance."
The two boys immediately began discussing strange relationship topics. The others wisely focused on eating.
Well... Almost everyone.
Though Draven looked curious. He glanced between Noah, Lyria, and Arisha.
Then he asked, "Hmm." His expression became thoughtful. "So not only Arisha..."
He looked toward Lyria. "Lyria is also Noah’s lover?"
Cough!
Lyria instantly choked on her food. Her shoulders shook as she began coughing.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Oh!"
Noah quickly turned toward her.
"Lyria."
His expression filled with concern. "What are you doing?"
He gently patted her back. "Eat slowly."
His voice softened. "Calm down."
He continued rubbing her back. "Take a normal breath."
After a few moments, Lyria finally stopped coughing. Her eyes had become slightly watery. A faint redness covered her cheeks.
Noah immediately grabbed the glass of water beside her. Then he carefully held it toward her lips.
"Here."
His voice remained gentle. "Drink."
Lyria looked up at him. Her pink eyes were slightly teary. Her cheeks grew even redder.
Without saying anything, she quietly drank the water. The entire table watched the scene unfold.
Everyone looked slightly stunned. Even Arisha blinked. She glanced at Noah with amusement. The way he was acting was surprisingly too caring. She never thought he could be so much caring.
Once Lyria recovered, Noah finally relaxed. "You should eat more slowly."
He sighed. "Why were you eating so fast?"
Noah thought to himself. ’Am I doing too much?’
Then he glanced at Lyria. ’But it’s fun teasing her and seeing her cute reactions.’
A moment later his expression softened. ’Although this time she genuinely worried me.’
Lyria wanted to yell at him. She really did. But instead, she simply glared at him.
Her eyes clearly said, ’Don’t act like you don’t know why this happened.’
Noah pretended not to understand.
Meanwhile, Draven nodded seriously.
"Wow."
His eyes shone with admiration. "Noah."
He gave him a thumbs-up. "You are a real man."
Then he added, "Caring for your woman so much."
A moment later, Draven paused. His gaze slowly shifted toward Arisha.
"However..."
He pointed toward her. "You should also take care of your other woman."
His expression became wise. "Before she gets jealous."
Immediately, everyone’s eyes turned toward Arisha.
Arisha, who had been looking at Noah a few seconds ago, calmly returned her attention to her food.
Then she frowned. "Why would I be jealous?"
"Haha." Leonard laughed awkwardly.
"Right. Noah is just joking."
He waved his hand. "It’s not like they’re actually his lovers."
Damien nodded. "Yes." His expression remained calm. "We know that."
Emma rubbed the bridge of her nose. "No way."
She sighed. "They would never like him."
Then she added, "And how would someone even date two women in this era?"
Her expression looked completely unconvinced. "Having multiple partners is extremely rare nowadays."
She shrugged. "It usually only happens because of political reasons."
Leonard nodded. "I already know that."
Then Regnar, he pointed at Draven. "Only Draven had the wrong idea."
"What?!"
Draven’s eyes widened. His entire worldview shook.
"You mean..." His gaze bounced between Noah, Lyria, and Arisha.
"Lyria and Arisha aren’t Noah’s women?"
The barbarian man looked genuinely shocked.
Noah couldn’t help chuckling.
Then without any warning, he extended his arm toward Arisha. His hand landed on top of her head.
Pat.
He gently stroked her soft hair.
Arisha’s entire body stiffened instantly. The spoon she had been lifting toward her mouth froze in midair.
Noah smiled warmly. "I was wrong, Arisha."
He continued patting her head. "How could I neglect you?"
A teasing grin appeared on his face. "Don’t be jealous, my dear."
His fingers gently ruffled her hair. "You are a good girl after all."
Aisha’s ears turned slightly pink.
While Noah beyond happy. ’Take this!! I have been waiting for this opportunity! You have pat my head multiple time now it’s my time.’
"Do you want me to do anything for you? Just tell me?"
Now once again everyone were shocked.
Draven just nodded with understanding. "I was right."
Arisha bite her lower lip and turned her head to face him.
She watched his happy face and then said, "If you want to calm me down... tell me what were you hiding for few days?"
And no way Arisha going to back down.
