World's Best Protagonist [BL]

The coin hit the cobbled street with a metallic clunk!

The woman halted, turning her head at the sound. Her gaze fell to the glittering gold on the ground.

"Oh?" she murmured, bending to pick it up. Her brows pinched together. "Is this, perhaps, mine?"

Jade nervously grasped the woman’s hand holding the coin and remarked, "Milady, pray, do not sully such fair and delicate hands by stooping to the filth of the earth. Allow my calloused hands to carry this sullied object."

He delivered those words perfectly, with the right emotions and eloquence, yet inside him, he was cursing his missing companion. He pulled the coin from the woman instead of helping the woman stand.

Jade thought it would be settled by that, but then, the woman frowned and said, "But that’s mine, isn’t it? Let me check it."

Jade sweated profusely. Cold beads of sweat formed and trickled down his forehead. He gulped nervously as he furtively distanced himself from the woman.

She looked to her pouch, her smile faltering as if sensing something was wrong. When she opened it, her eyes widened in horror. It was no longer full of gold but stuffed with smooth, round pebbles.

Jade saw the change in her expression a moment too late.

The fan and the parasol dropped from her fingers.

"Thief!" she shrieked, pointing at him. "You rogue! You wretch!"

The few people in that area turned to them. One of them was a knight who spun on his heels and unsheathed his sword.

"Shit," Jade hissed under his breath. He broke into a sprint, weaving through stunned townsfolk as the knight gave chase, calling reinforcements.

"You’re welcome, Claude!" he yelled, voice echoing down the street. He couldn’t help but run his mouth again. "Hope the gold was worth it, you mist-breathing snake—!"

The last word hadn’t left his lips yet when a horse’s wild neigh cut through the chaos.

The townsfolk screamed and scattered as a black steed charged down the cobbled street, its hooves thundering like war drums.

Claude rode it effortlessly, posture straight and unshakable, even as the steed tore past the guards. His hand shot out as he neared Jade—and without slowing, he grabbed him by the back of the coat and hauled him onto the saddle like luggage.

Jade landed across the front of the saddle with a wheeze. "Ow, my spleen—!"

"Hold on," Claude muttered, snapping the reins.

They tore through the streets, dodging barrels, fruit carts, and startled chickens. Behind them, knights yelled orders and gave chase.

Claude raised one hand, and a wall of mist exploded from the horse’s hooves. It was thick and blinding. The town was swallowed in fog instantly.

By the time the gates came into view, the mist had spread far and wide. The guards at the town’s edge were too confused and dazed to stop them.

They burst through the gates and galloped into the open wilds beyond, the sound of hooves fading behind them.

Only once they were far enough did Claude slow the horse. Jade, still sprawled awkwardly across the front of the saddle, groaned.

"Could’ve...," he coughed. "...warned me before playing Prince Charming on horseback."

"Are you okay?"

"Are you seriously asking that? Can we stop and let me sit properly at least? My chest hurts."

Claude complied. The horse slowed. He pulled Jade’s body up and supported him while he shifted his body to sit properly in the front.

Jade unintentionally grabbed Claude’s thigh when he lifted his other leg to sit straddling the horse. Claude tensed under that touch. His face changed, but seeing that Jade was unaware, he pursed his lips tightly and looked away with a sharp intake of breath.

Hearing that laboured sigh, Jade peeked over his shoulder. "Hey, is something wrong?"

Claude answered indifferently, "No."

His eyes darted to the hand that remained on his thigh, his expression complicated. Why was Jade still holding him when he was steadied already? He looked up, and his brows furrowed when he caught Jade staring at him.

"Let go," he said, emphasizing every word, aware that Jade was observing his reaction.

However, the innocent-looking guy pouted. "You run so fast. Where do I grab to not fall?"

Claude pinched the back of Jade’s palm and brought it to the horse’s mane. "Here. Elsewhere and the ride won’t be smooth, I’m telling you."

Jade nodded obediently, a goofy grin plastered on his face after he looked ahead again. Claude took the pace once more. Fortunately, the town knights did not pursue them after the fog vanished.

Jade thought that, now that they’ve got a horse, Claude would even more insist on continuing traveling without resting, but luckily, he wasn’t a senseless and ruthless guy. When the horse’s pace slowed, it was time to take a rest and let the poor fellow drink.

They stopped by the river.

Claude threw a bag to Jade, then he walked away, pulling the horse and tying its reins to the nearby tree. Jade opened the bag with curiosity. He beamed after finding a few gold coins, apples, and a large loaf of bread and jam.

There was also a map, two pairs of clothes, and a blanket. No wonder the bag was so big!

He proudly looked at Claude and raised a gold coin. "How much is this one worth? I think I stole fifteen, but there are still seven remaining! And you bought these things too."

"For someone who stole money, you certainly don’t look regretful." Claude reached into his coat and pulled a small knife. He took the loaf of bread from Jade and nudged the blanket at him. "Go and set it down."

Jade followed. "It’s for survival," he answered as he laid the blanket on the grass. He sat on it, carrying the jam with him.

Claude sat beside him and began slicing the bread while Jade watched him blankly. "So?"

Claude gave him a look. "The horse cost seven golds. All these are less than one gold, but I was in a hurry, so I left the change."

"That’s fine. It’s not ours, anyway." Claude eyed him again. Jade laughed. "Come on, stop eyeing me like I’m some god of stealing or what. Just admit it. You were impressed, no?"

Claude rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth turned up into a smile. He was annoyed at the flirting, but running away with Jade was fun. Never in his life did he imagine he’d do something like that.

Born into royalty and the sole heir to his kingdom, everything was given, offered, or owned by him. He was the epitome of good, righteousness, and justice. Now, all of that seemed far-fetched and just a dream.

When he looked in the mirror, he could no longer find himself.

"Captain, that’s enough!"

Claude snapped from his reverie.

"We need to save food until we reach another town!" Jade exclaimed, snatching the knife from Claude. He spread the jam on the bread using the knife. When he noticed a gaze, he looked up and met those obsidian eyes.

Claude did say that he could no longer recognize himself in the mirror, but surprisingly, looking at his reflection in Jade’s clear and honest eyes...he found himself.