The Return of the Female Knight

CHAPTER 46

Carlisle was unable to find the words as he stood frozen like a statue and stared at it. However, the ferocity of his eyes, could not hide how unhappy he was with the situation. Elena did not flinch at his gaze and faced him squarely. This is the main reason for their marriage. To keep him close. To make him emperor.

Carlisle finally replied, speaking slowly.

"… What if I don't want you in danger?"

His tone was serious, without the slightest trace of levity. However, Elena had no intention of backing out. His intuition told him that if he were to retreat now, he might not get the chance to protect him as a knight in the future.

She knew Carlisle had a stubborn disposition, so Elena had to carry her will in another way. He felt somewhat regretful of having exploited the weakness he had discovered so far.

"You mean you're gonna breach our contract?"

"…Rest?"

She repeated after him as if she did not understand, and Elena replied in a low voice again.

“Wedding our contract. If you want to break the contract, then I have no choice but to accept it. "

As Elena expected, the light in Carlisle's eyes shook in uncertainty. Although she did not yet know why she cared so much for him, Elena was certainly not alone in wanting the marriage to happen. He bet on that. Unless he explained this now, Carlisle would continue to hold Elena in dangerous situations. He did not mean to be sheltered like a plant in a greenhouse. He had been one of the top knights on the continent in his last life, and now he could do even more by knowing the future.

"Do you mean to cancel our marriage if I don't agree with your actions now?"

"Yes that's right."

Carlisle stiffened at the resolute yet firm answer, and his expression turned cold.

"…… I never thought I'd feel so bad about you being so smart."

They stared at each other, fighting in a silent war of will, neither side refused to give up. But when Elena heard her last words, she was sure she would be the winner of this fight. She does not seriously intend to break the marriage contract with him, but rather risks her intuition about Carlisle's personality. He's sure it'll work. He didn't know what he would do if he didn't.

Fortunately, however, it is not necessary. Carlisle snickered silently for a while before finally speaking.

"… This is the last time I've heard of such a threat."

He nodded a little instead of answering. He did not intend to break the contract so easily, not with such an urgent situation right now. Carlisle didn't know it, but he might be injured on the Flower Bridge or in the worst case, his life could be in danger.

"Don't forget what you just said. Don't stray far from my side. "

"I won't."

Carlisle glanced at Elena's weapon with a complicated expression.

“As much as I allow you this, it won't be easy in the future. Prepared."

"…Yes."

It was one of the things that had bothered him since writing the contract. Giving her one thing she wanted could be a complication in the future, but for now, it was important for her to leave as Carlisle's guard. He'll worry about what happens next.

Carlisle walked towards where his men were waiting, speaking to Elena not as a noble daughter.

"Let's go."

He followed in his footsteps, relieved. He was worried Carlisle would treat him like his real identity, but fortunately he didn't.

Elena followed him silently, her legs trailing her shadow. Until now she had not worried that the attention of all the men of the man was completely focused on her. When he put on the armor and carried the sword at his waist, they were nervous about a possible attack on Carlisle. Some of them wore openly hostile expressions at him.

When Carlisle returned with Elena behind him, one of the guard leaders spoke.

"Your Majesty, why did you bring the disease?"

Carlisle's blue eyes slid towards Elena then turned around again.

"… He's my personal guard for today."

The other man's violent protest died on his lips, and out of embarrassment he had no choice but to look more hesitant.

"We already have a guard, so why suddenly–"

Carlisle ignored her and cut off as if he had no intention of answering her question.

"The one who talks a lot is called Zenard."

Zenard. He was a pretty handsome man with neat silver hair and turquoise eyes. His shirt was fastened high on his neck, giving the impression that he was a perfectionist. If Elena wanted to be part of Carlisle's guard from now on, it wasn't a bad idea to know the faces of her men. Elena spoke, her voice low.

"My name is…"

He gave a rough introduction, and Carlisle, watching him, cut in.

"Len."

Eyes widened. It was a little bit of Elena. That is what his late mother used to call him.

"Len, be careful not to get hurt."

She still remembered her mother's voice calling her name affectionately. Elena did not approve of Carlisle's introduction. Carlisle might have allowed her to call him "Caril," but Elena had no intention of letting him call her by the pet's name.

The smile on Carlisle's face deepened as he looked at his obvious shock. Only Zenard, who was unaware of the situation, was between Carlisle and Elena and spoke in astonishment.

"That's all? Are you saying he'll be with us from now on? "

“Didn't you hear what I said? From now on, Len is my bodyguard. ”

"We're in an important moment here ... and you're going to let an unknown person?"

Zenard gave a broad view, disagreeing. With so many people pursuing Carlisle's life, it's not a good idea to bring in new recruits who are not known for the potential of being spies.

"Don't question my decision."

Carlisle spoke in a commanding tone, quickly silencing Zenard's grievances. Zenard knew she could not overturn the prince's decision, so she protested in a softer voice.

"I'm just .. I'm afraid someone like this is joining us besides Kasha."

Kasha's? Not Kuhn Kasha?

Elena looked at Zenard, her eyes shining on the familiar name. He never thought about how Kuhn was treated in Carlisle's unit. Kuhn seems to be disliked, unexpectedly.

Carlisle replied, his emotions are under control.

"I said stop."

"…My apology."

Zenard stepped back and bowed low, while Carlisle climbed onto his horse again. Carlisle briefly looked at Elena then at one of the other men.

"Give your horse to Len."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

He lowered his head respectfully, lowered his horse and handed the reins to Elena. Then the man left and finished the preparations to move again.

Elena already had a horse, but since it was a waste of time to bring her back to where they were, she rode the horse, which the other man had given her.

Carlisle made a final comment towards her on horseback.

"Tell me every time you run out of strength. I'd be very happy if you stopped. "

All the other men glanced at Elena, finding the prince's words completely incomprehensible. Elena did not reply, but moved her horse to follow Carlisle. No matter what happened in the future, he would never give up looking after her.

That was.

The explosion! The explosion!

Once again, beautiful fireworks exploded in the sky, then again and again. As soon as Zenard saw the screen, he took out a pocket watch and checked the time.

"Your Majesty, it's time to join the festival."

"Let's go."

Carlisle took the lead and dozens of his men followed him. Surprisingly, it was Elena who ended up right behind Carlisle despite her blistering speed. Zenard began to push his horse forward even further, shooting Elena with a displeased look at his excellent riding skills.