The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 118: Let Me Explain

Ethan held Victoria tightly as they glided down the slope. Victoria shifted slightly, testing the waters. "You can put me down now," she said. 

But Ethan had no intention of stopping. He looked at her in his arms and gave a playful jolt, causing Victoria to grab onto his shoulder in fright. 

"Not a good time," he said calmly.

Victoria, still shaken, stayed silent for a moment before saying, "If you don't put me down, I'm going to get mad." 

Sure, slowing down while carrying her wasn't easy, but was it really simpler to ski while holding her? Ethan was clearly doing this on purpose! 

Seeing that she was genuinely upset, Ethan finally slowed down and gently set her down at the edge of the slope. 

Victoria pushed up her goggles, revealing long lashes dusted with frost. 

She scrutinized Ethan, but his face was hidden behind his mask, making it hard to read his expression.

Ethan tilted his head, curious. She looked kind of cute when she was mad. But thinking about the earlier danger made his heart race. 

He placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in. "Don't put yourself in danger again, or I don't know what I'll do." 

He even thought about locking her away in a high castle to keep her safe. But then, she wouldn't be the girl he admired. So, the thought quickly passed.

Victoria sensed the danger in his tone and took a step back. "Thanks for earlier. But I can take care of myself."

Ethan replied, "What if you can't?"

Victoria shot back, "Then it's my problem." 

With that, she checked her skis and sped off. Ethan didn't say anything more, just quietly followed her. 

Later, they headed to the advanced slopes and ran into Samuel.

Samuel was surprised. "Victoria, you're already hitting the advanced slopes?"

Victoria nodded. "Yep, I'm giving it a try. Worst case, I'll just go slow."

The advanced slopes were steeper but less crowded, with no beginners struggling to control their speed and direction. 

Once Victoria overcame her initial fear, she found the advanced slopes easier to navigate. 

She didn't know any advanced techniques, but simply gliding down the slope made her feel as free as the wind. 

The pristine snow and quiet forests were beautiful and serene.

They skied all afternoon without any more incidents. 

But when Victoria took off her skis, she realized her legs were shaky and she felt a bit dizzy. She stumbled, and Ethan quickly caught her. 

Samuel saw this and teased, "Victoria, you were so into it you didn't notice you were exhausted." 

When you're doing something you love, you can get so absorbed that you don't realize your body's limits. 

Once you relax, the fatigue hits you all at once, which is what happened to Victoria.

Ethan pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket, unwrapped half, and handed it to her. "Have some to replenish your energy." 

Nick came over and said, "Ethan, give me one too. I'm starving." 

Ethan shot him a look. "That's the last one." 

Nick groaned and got a playful slap from Ethan. 

Victoria took a bite of the chocolate, feeling the rich, slightly bitter taste melt on her tongue, giving her a bit of energy back. She smiled and thanked Ethan.

Eric threw an arm around Nick's shoulders. "Let's go get a big meal. I'm so hungry I could eat half a lamb!"

They changed clothes and headed to a restaurant, ordering a large rack of lamb and sampling various local dishes. 

The most unusual was fermented trout, which Nick insisted on trying. 

When it arrived, the sour smell made everyone else cover their noses, but Nick eagerly took a bite and commented, "It's got a strong flavor. You guys really don't want to try it?"

Victoria looked at him speechlessly, holding her nose tightly and said, "I was starving, but after this dish came, I suddenly feel full."

Ethan kicked Nick under the table and called the waiter to take the dish away. 

It took a while for everyone to cautiously uncover their noses, the smell still lingering faintly. 

Samuel tapped the table and declared, "If Nick orders anything that smells like that again, he's eating alone." 

Nick quickly promised it was just this one time and he wouldn't order anything like it again.

They rented a three-story cabin. After dinner, Ethan and the other three guys stayed on the first floor to play cards. 

Mid-game, Eric asked, "Why did Samuel come with us this time? He's usually so busy with work, and I saw him with his laptop."

Nick grinned mysteriously, his eyebrows wiggling. 

Roy threw a card at his face. "Nick, if you know something, spill it. Don't make that constipated face."

Nick raised his chin proudly and said, "I heard Samuel's here on a mission. My uncle and aunt told him he has to bring a girlfriend home, or he can't come back next year."

Eric raised his eyebrows in shock. "Seriously? I didn't think someone like Samuel would have issues pleasing his parents."

Roy added, "With Samuel's reputation, there must be tons of women wanting to date him. He could just pick one and get married."

Nick shook his head. "Aunt Diana set him up on a bunch of dates, but none worked out. You know, Samuel's almost thirty and hasn't had a single relationship. Do you think he might be into guys?" 

Just then, Samuel came down the stairs with his laptop, catching Nick's last words. 

He had come down for coffee but now closed his laptop and walked towards Nick with a not-so-friendly smile.

Roy saw Samuel first and kicked Nick under the table, signaling him to stop. 

Eric cleared his throat. "Maybe Samuel just has high standards?" 

But Nick, oblivious to the danger, continued, "Even with high standards, he should have found someone by now. Some people even think he might be impotent. Not that I believe it, but—"

Nick didn't finish his sentence before he noticed Roy looking at him with sympathy. 

Just as he was about to ask, he felt a heavy slap on the back of his head, leaving him momentarily dazed.

Turning around, he saw it was Samuel! 

Nick jumped up, stammering apologies. "Samuel, I didn't mean it. How much did you hear? Let me explain!"