“Father! Aren't you being too hard on her?”
Alphord's brow furrowed with Mirabelle's appearance .
“…You're out of line, Mirabelle . ”
Elena turned to Mirabelle and quickly shook her head . She didn't want Mirabelle to alienate herself from their father . Mirabelle, however, did not heed Elena's objection and spoke her mind .
“My sister really loves the prince! Is it not enough to wish them a happy relationship?”
“Do you think one can be so light-hearted when in a relationship with the Crown Prince? If she wants to be married into the imperial family, how much Elena loves does not matter . It's purely a matter of whether His Highness the prince wants it or not . ”
Alphord's voice had long since turned cold . Elena knew her father's expression well now . He was from a family of knights, and was one who fought for the crown rather than had done housework . At the moment Alphord was not talking as Elena's father, but as a servant of Carlisle, who would one day become emperor . And that was why Elena was terribly upset…
Mirabelle spoke up again furiously .
“So what you're saying that regardless of my sister's heart, his mind matters only? Would they be in a relationship if they didn't love each other? She wanted to tell the family!”
Alphord looked at Mirabelle with an interested expression, then turned to Elena .
“Is it true? Is he also interested in marriage?”
“…Yes . The prince said he'd come by the mansion in the future . ”
Mirabelle hadn't heard of this yet, and she turned towards Elena . For a moment, both Alphord and Mirabelle's eyes were focused on her .
“He said he wanted to say hello to the family in person . ”
Mirabelle looked surprised for a moment, then gathered herself and spoke in a triumphant voice towards Alphord .
“See, I told you . Why wouldn't he want her?”
Elena turned to Alphord, leaving outspoken Mirabelle's words . She was more curious about something else .
“What is your opinion, Father? If I really were to marry the Crown Prince . ”
This was not a marriage to another noble, but to the imperial family . What Alphord thought was very important . If he objected, no matter how much Elena would protest, she could not marry Carlisle . That was the power of the head of a family among the nobles . There was also that prophecy of misfortune to consider .
Alphord answered with no hesitation .
“Didn't I say? If the wedding is what the prince wants, then you may proceed . It is the duty of a servant . ”
Fortunately he didn't oppose, but apart from that, Elena's feelings fell to an endless depth . Alphord expressed no interest about his daughter's happiness, what kind of man Carlisle was, or how well she was being treated . Alphord would have accepted this marriage, even if Carlisle had a terrible personality . It wasn't about whether she wanted this man or not . Her father was a faithful knight even at this moment .
“Now that we're done talking, Elena and I will go back . ”
Alphord hadn't said they could leave yet, and Mirabelle's comment was the height of presumption . He spoke disapprovingly .
“Mirabelle, do you behave like that to your father? Do it again and you'll be in trouble . ”
“…Huh . ”
Mirabelle give a short huff, and then dragged Elena by her hand out of the office . And so they walked down the hallway like that…
At one point, Elena was completely overwhelmed with emotion . She felt a huge loss beyond words . It was not even comparable to when Helen was spreading false rumors, and the blade deeply embedded in her seemed to have torn the wound apart . Until now, her only purpose was to protect her family… and it felt like her purpose was rejected . Feeling concerned, Mirabelle stopped halfway and looked up at Elena .
“Are you all right?”
“…Yes . ”
But contrary to what she was saying, Elena was trembling slightly .
“Sister, are you crying?”
Elena shook her head . She immediately leaned over and hugged Mirabelle, who was shorter than she was . She desperately needed to feel her sister's warmth .
“…I'm not crying . ”
On her heart were ten million cuts and she hadn't cried…So today she did not let her tears fall .
The days passed quickly . There had been many changes since Carlisle and Elena were now officially in a relationship . Once again Elena was flooded with invitations to various parties, and suddenly people who had not been in contact with her began to ask after her . The letter she had sent to Derek brother should have arrived by now, and she was paid careful attention for his reply .
It was impossible to concentrate on that now, however . It was none other than the day that Carlisle said he would visit the Blaise mansion . Every corner of the mansion had been scoured by the servants . In the early hour, Alphord did not leave to see the knights and Mirabelle wore her best dress . No one said it, but they were all anticipating the Crown Prince's arrival .
The clock's hand finally pointed to the promised time . There was a rattling noise, and Elena saw a familiar black coach entering the mansion grounds . At the entrance to the mansion, the carriage stopped and Carlisle exited and stepped down .
“Ah!”
Some of the servants let out an exclamation, while others stared with their mouths agape .
He had a tall height and a solid figure . His face had a sculptural handsomeness to it and his blue eyes contained a cold chill . He looked perfect in every way, and his air of pride struck the female spirit . The Blaise servants thought they had gotten used to seeing Elena and Mirabelle, but Carlisle was something else . Elena took a few steps towards him when he arrived .
“Welcome . ”
Carlisle gave a small as she approached to greet him .
“How have you been?”
Read the full chapter at ShainagTranslations WordPress
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