The Unlucky Bride Is Loved by the Fortunate Desert King - Chapter 7 - One in Eight Billion

“That chest… I thought it was just small, but—you’re a man.” This was bad. I never thought anyone would find out before I met my fiancé.
“No—”
“Smooth, white skin and pale n1pples. They’re shaped in a way that’s arousing, but the form is male. Now tell the truth. Who were you going to marry?”

The tip of the crescent blade pressed hard; I almost foamed at the mouth. No matter how many thugs there were, they clearly felt they could get away—but facing this lion-like man, escape was impossible.

The sword pointed close to my face. There was only one way to save my life. If my fiancé never learned I was a man, maybe I could make it through. It was a cowardly plan, but I had to explain everything honestly to the man and ask for his help.

I only prayed the man in front of me was not my fiancé. Even if I was unlucky, there are nearly eight billion people in the world. As long as he wasn’t the one person I was promised to, that would be fine.
(Of course that wouldn’t happen. No matter how unlucky I am.)

I made a gamble I might never take again.

“My bridegroom is—As’ad of the Al-Aziz family. But I swear, I have no plan to harm him! There are reasons… I became the bride. Please, please keep this a secret…! I will do anything I can, anything except hurt him. Please—” I bowed down in the sand as if in a deep apology.

Silence stretched. I peered up slowly; the man’s eyes widened. “As’ad of the Al-Aziz family…?”

“Yes. Do you know him? I wasn’t told the full name, so I think it’s As’ad Al-Aziz… Could you know him…?”
If he was not the man himself but a close friend, I was already doomed. I would have no choice but to lament my extreme luck.

It had been a long day. I’d come to this country, lost all my money, been attacked by thugs, and then saved by this person. Fatigue blurred my vision.

“May I ask your name? I want to thank you properly—” The man blinked, hesitated a little, then answered shortly.

“My name is Al. I’m not unaware of the As’ad Al-Aziz you mention.” The world felt suddenly small. Could he know my fiancé? My face went pale.

“Al…san—no, milord.”
“Just Al is fine.”
“Umm… I’m sorry to be rude, but could you take me to As’ad?” Al seemed to think, slowly stroking his well-shaped jaw.

Then he gave a sly, kingly smile.
“That’s… not something I can do.”
“W-why not!?”
“Until your identity is clear and your innocence proven, you will stay at my house.”
“W-wait…! I have to go…!” My vision spun. I had no strength left.

“Are you all right?” Al ran up and lifted me easily. (Can he really lift a grown man that lightly?) A little confidence left me.

“If you’re truly As’ad’s bride, I’ll let you go. Until then, you’re a bird in a cage. Understand?” Despite his words, Al’s arms were warm and his voice kind. It was the first kindness I’d seen since I arrived in this country.

Tears suddenly pricked my eyes. Al’s handsome face blurred along with the crescent moon in the night sky. I fell into a deep sleep.