The Return of the Female Knight

CHAPTER 96

Harry continued in a friendly manner.

“I guess the rumor was true too. What's the proposal like, Your Majesty? ”

Evans glanced at Harry for his question.

“Oh, it is impolite to ask such a thing. There is no reason to collect personal information. "

Evans turned to Carlisle and Elena with a guilty expression.

"My apology. He's a curious boy, so please understand. ”

Elena hurriedly shook her head.

"Not everything. It's something that everyone wants to know. We can't hide it. "

Although his outer appearance was relaxed, he calculated inwardly what to say. He has been arguing how to seek help with Evans, and luckily Harry's interest in their love story provides a golden opportunity.

However, she and Carlisle never had a proper proposal as they were bound by a contract marriage. For Elena, the moment was when she saved Carlisle's life and asked him to marry her, but he needed a more plausible story that would satisfy people's fantasies.

"Hmm .. My first premonition she prepared something was when I met her and found the place lit up with a myriad of candles."

Harry's expression flickered with interest, in contrast to Evans' restraint.

“It was a very beautiful location with a man-made lake on one side and a garden on the other. From there, we walked along the path and watched the stars in the sky .. and at one point, he extended a ring to me. "

Harry cried out unconsciously.

"Oh—"

Romantic proposals are rare in aristocratic societies where political marriage is common. Harry was not the only one captivated; Evans also looked surprised, though he pretended not to be.

Carlisle seemed to be listening with great interest, especially.

“And then he told me .. he told me that I would be the only friend he would have. And then he proposed. It's a little embarrassing to try to say it. ”

Indeed, there was a slight red hue on Elena's face. He had to make up something that had never happened, and he started babbling. Fortunately, however, no one seemed to notice anything strange, and Elena heaved a sigh of relief. Contrary to expectations, Evans replied to Carlisle first.

"Given your history in combat, I never thought there was a romantic side to you."

Carlisle glanced at Elena and smiled faintly.

“It's the same when everyone falls in love. What difference does it make to me? "

The impact was even greater when Carlisle said these words himself. He played his part better than Elena expected.

Harry agreed.

“I didn't know you would answer my question gracefully. Thank you, Your Majesty. ”

"Not everything. I'm just telling you what happened. Come and visit the palace again sometime. If you are curious, I will tell you more about horseback riding and sword fighting. "

Carlisle's brows furrowed gently, but Elena still smiled gently. Harry nodded, as if he was quite happy with the suggestion.

"Very good. I'll visit sometime if you don't mind. ”

"really. I'll wait for you with delicious food. ”

Elena had already invited many people to the palace, but Harry would definitely be the most precious guest.

Meanwhile, Evans looked at Elena with an unreadable expression, and Carlisle glanced at that moment.

“It's time we took our leave. Mr. Krauss. "

Hearing his farewell words, Evans bowed politely towards Carlisle.

"May we meet again, Your Majesty."

Harry followed.

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

Carlisle ended the conversation, but Elena could not help but feel disappointed. He had reached a decent amount for the first meeting, but he wanted to talk more. However, one must recognize when it is the right time to withdraw.

"Yes .. See you later."

Elena walked out of the reception room still holding onto Carlisle's arm. There were still many nobles gathered at the party, but Carlisle decided they should leave after meeting with Evans. Elena had already seen everyone she wanted, and was not trying to stop her.

So, they finished the last wedding action — reception.

*

*

*

Evans spoke to his granddaughter as she stared at the slowly disappearing figures of Carlisle and Elena.

"Why are you suddenly asking that question?"

"Are you not curious, Grandpa? Is this really a romantic or political affair? ”

"What does this have to do with us?"

"When the princess spoke, I listened carefully ."

Evans didn't criticize him. Indeed she is surprised by Carlisle's romantic side, and Elena's image is not as bad as she thought. But that's all. They were members of the Imperial Family, nothing more.

"Don't go out of your way to be friendly to nobles. You will be thrown into unnecessary chaos. ”

"Didn't you trust me? I'll take care of it, Grandpa. "

A playful smile widened on Harry's face. His tyranny might be due to his young age, but he wasn't so mature that he didn't act without thinking before. If he did, he would never be groomed as the next successor of the Krauss family. He's genius. Evans had a deep belief in Harry's young insight, so he left it to take care of the matter.

"Do as much as you like, as long as you don't harm Krausses."

"Yes!"

The two men were now staring in the direction where Carlisle and Elena disappeared, various ideas swirling in their minds.

*

*

*

Elena suddenly realized that she was still holding Carlisle's arm and quickly let go.

"O-oh .. I'm sorry."

"If you apologize for holding my arm, don't. Personally, I like it better. "

Elena glanced at him when she heard his playful tone. Come to think of it, they had walked away from the reception hall.

"Where are we going?"

"Where are we going? We go to our bedroom. ”

"…!"

She suddenly remembered that she had to share a bed with Carlisle from today on. She did anticipate it, but it flashed through her mind once the wedding planning overwhelmed her. After overcoming various challenges one by one, he now felt like he was facing the final boss. His face became dark.

'…It's serious.'

He had been meeting people all day, and his entire body seemed to be running out of energy. But one night with Carlisle ..it was not like what he did today.

With a tense silence, Elena and Carlisle finally arrived at the room in the Crown Prince's palace.

Kkiiiig—

Carlisle walked first and opened the door, and the room was visible.

"…hhhh!"

Elena's mouth gaped.

She had seen Carlisle's room several times, but had now been converted into a perfect honeymoon suite. Red petals were strewn around the room, a bottle of wine sat on the table, and even the lighting seemed suggestive.

Elena took the scene with wide eyes. Finally, Carlisle spoke, his voice low.

"Please come in."

Whahuh? Elena swallowed.

“I-it looks very ready. It's a shame about red flowers .. There are still many lavender flowers left in Bellouet Square, and I'll send some here if I find out. ”

Elena blabbed at the first words that appeared in her mind as she picked up the red petals scattered throughout the room. He didn't want to tell Carlisle that he was nervous. Carlisle slumped onto the luxurious sofa with an indifferent expression and replied in a low voice.

“Is that lavender that adorns Bellouet Square? I didn't know that. ”

He could not believe he completely missed that salient detail. Purple is not a common wedding color.

"Lavender is everywhere, don't you notice? What do you see at venue—? ”

Elena stop. A scene floated in the front line of his mind, the moment when Carlisle's blue eyes were glued to him.

'He must be kidding …'

Elena's red eyes were sparkling in astonishment.

“You don't know what I saw. ”

"I…"

Elena didn't need him to tell her. The answer was likely that the wedding decorations were irrefutable and he just looked at Elena. His face was hot with embarrassment thinking about it.

“Ah, stop. It's just a flower at the wedding ceremony. ”

Elena hurried to answer before Carlisle could say anything more. But he noticed the sudden embarrassment, and a smile fell on the corner of his mouth.

"How long will you be standing there?"

"Well…"

She suddenly realized that she remained standing by the door, and reminded herself that this marriage was the path she had voluntarily chosen. He eased the tension on his shoulders, and with a determined look, went inside. The size of those few steps was incredible.

Kkigeu—

He closed the door, and soon he was completely inside the room. After a deep inhale, Elena turned as leisurely as possible and approached the end of the sofa where Carlisle was sitting. He watched her speechlessly, then picked up a bottle of red wine on the table.

"Do you want a drink?"

"…I'm fine . ”

He considered it for a while, but then thought it was not a good idea at the moment. Carlisle poured a glass for himself and took a sip without commenting further. Elena could not help but notice how attractive she was as she did so, and continued to steal a glance at her. Carlisle, unaware of his interest, emptied his glass and spoke again.

"Please don't be nervous. When I feel it .. I get a thought. ”

"…!"

She seemed to have noticed the tension that twisted Elena's mind despite her calm outer appearance. Without a specific answer for her, she sat down and listened as she continued in a calm voice.

“Try to hide as much as possible from now on, even in this room. If I feel a gap, I want to break through it. ”

Words that sound like warnings can be interpreted in many ways.

'Opening …'

The conditions in their contract state that they did not sleep together until after she became empress. It is almost unreasonable to expect men and women to stay together and hope nothing happens between them.

Just because Elena is inexperienced about romance, doesn't mean she's stupid. Finally, the time came where he had to lie down with Carlisle. But it can't happen now. Before Carlisle became emperor, he would be his weapon, not a woman.

Finally, the strange feeling that flowed in his body subsided, and he could remember what he had to do.

"Are you saying you can't keep our contract?"

Elena spoke to him sharply, but Carlisle shook his head.

"Of course not . I would not have agreed to a contract otherwise. I mean ... don't make it difficult for me. ”

It difficult? Wh why? Elena looked at Carlisle, and she smiled faintly.

“Sometimes nervousness seems like anticipation in the eyes of others. And with anticipation comes the desire to fulfill it. ”

Elena raised her voice in protest.

"The nervousness and anticipation are completely different!"

"I know . But don't make an unhappy expression like you are now. If you do, it will make me want to tease you. And then it might get to the point where it can't be stopped … "

Why so complicated? Elena became less certain the more she looked at him, but her eyes were filled with hungry gazes.

“Because I uphold our contract faithfully, don't forget the other parts of our agreement. ”

"…!"

Their contract stated that they would not sleep together until after Elena became empress, but instead, when she became empress, they would. Carlisle was clearly trying to get to that point now. Elena was silent before she replied.

"…I know . ”

For now, he has a grace period. When Carlisle becomes emperor and the survival of the Blaise family can be secured, then a completely different future will be revealed from the latter. He was not sure what their relationship would be like when it happened. Saving his family was his top priority now, so he could think of the rest later.

"I didn't have time to see anyone else before that. '

So far his plans have progressed smoothly, but his current happiness does not mean he has forgotten the pain of the past. The years of being a knight were long and hard, and she was only a princess now. There were still many mountains to cross before she could become empress.

Carlisle set the wine glass back on the table.

"Good . If You keep Your Promise … "

Carlisle slowly got up from his seat, then picked up the decorative sword hanging on the wall.

Srung

Carlisle quickly pulled the knife in his palm.

Tugttug.

Blood started flowing in her hands, and Elena jumped up from her seat with a stunned cry.

"Norris!"

However, Carlisle's expression remained calm. He would ask what he was doing, but after a while it became clear.

Tog tog—

Carlisle let the blood drip from his palm onto the bed. There was a long-standing tradition among the imperial family to put white sheets on the bed for the wedding night. The superstition says that if the blood-stained sheet is burned the next day, the bride will give birth to a healthy child.

Elena remained silent. He looked at Carlisle with a conflicted expression on his face, and he smiled first.

"You don't have to say anything. ”

Elena wanted to protest. There was no reason for him to do this. It was just a formality, and it was not like a marriage that could be annulled due to the absence of virgin blood. And even there should be blood, it should be Elena's blood.

Her complaint was spreading down her throat, but she could not say it. He really cares about her.

“... My debt continues to increase. ”

He had mixed feelings about her again. She repeatedly promises not to be blinded by him until the safety of her family is assured, but she feels Carlisle is slowly rolling her in.

Carlisle observed Elena's conflicted expression and gave a strange smile.

“I'm glad to hear that you feel more indebted. ”

Surprisingly he seemed happy in this situation. Elena rushed to Carlisle and took a handkerchief, then wrapped it with her hand.

“I'll treat him right tomorrow. ”

He looked at Carlisle's wounds desperately without him noticing.

“Don't look at me like that. ”

"…What?"

"As you are worried. I want to get hurt more. ”

Elena's eyes widened.

"You ... You want me to worry about you?"

“More precisely I want your attention. ”

“Then you don't have to worry. ”

He replied calmly, and he curiously looked at her. A smile flickered on his face.

"Don't you know that my biggest concern is Caril?"

Carlisle's blue eyes lifted at his words. His mouth twitched as if he did not know how to react.

"That sounds good in my ears. ”

“Before I became your wife, I was the bodyguard responsible for your safety. ”

Carlisle's smile faded.

"I wish I hadn't heard it. ”

"…What?"

“You must be tired, so go to sleep. ”

Elena froze at Carlisle's suggestion. He would sleep in this room, naturally, but where and how they would sleep had yet to be decided.

'What are we doing? I don't know if I should sleep on the couch … '

As Elena's thoughts raced through her head, Carlisle walked towards the sofa and laid himself down without a word. The sofa was long enough to accommodate a few people, but its legs were rather narrow due to its height. Elena quickly recovered and spoke.

“I'll sleep on the sofa. You're too tall, and it's uncomfortable for you to sleep there. ”

"You slept there, and I slept here. That can't be bargained for. ”

Carlisle raised his arm to cover his eyes as if he would not allow any further quarrels.

He stood on the spot and argued with himself for a moment, but in the end he decided he would not be able to force Carlisle to stand up. He looked at the bed, which was too big for one person, then forced himself to speak.

"Good . Then I'll take a shower first. ”

"…The bodo period . ”

She had to take off her make-up and change her clothes before going to bed, so she rushed to the bathroom.

After a few minutes, the sound of water echoed throughout the room. Carlisle, who was lying on his back on the sofa, pulled the cravat from his neck.

"… I don't think I can survive until I become emperor. ”