Return of the Female Knight Chapter 90

Ch . 90 One Small Bud (2)

Fortunately, the generous lunch ended in a pleasant atmosphere . Carlisle was the same as before, Alphord was polite, Mirabelle was calm, and nothing of huge consequence had happened . The worries which kept Elena up the previous night seemed to be founded on nothing .

“Your Highness, would you care for a game of chess?”

Carlisle nodded in reply to the proposal .

“Of course . ”

The two men made to move to Alphord's study . As a rule, women's and men's gatherings were divided at parties . Men gathered together to share conversation on topics such as politics and economics, and while the women gathered for news and family gossip . It was not unusual for the sexes to separate after the meal . Carlisle followed Alphord, then turned back to look at Elena .

“I'll be back in a while . I'll see you soon . ”

It was a simple farewell, but it was loaded with affection . Elena smiled awkwardly and nodded, while Mirabelle and her maids pretended to swoon in the background . As soon as Carlisle exited from the room, Elena was immediately hounded with questions from Mirabelle and the maids .

“Sister, you've been calling him by a pet name this whole time!”

“The prince is so handsome . ”

“You two look wonderful together!”

Elena was completely flustered at their enthusiastic reactions .

“Oh, it just happened–”

The maids kept jabbering away that Elena had no time to answer .

“Show the prince to your room later . We'll bring you a delicious cup of tea . ”

“What are you talking about? We mustn't disturb them! Try to save those two some quality time . ”

“Oh! I'm so excited!”

Elena left the maids to their gossip and slipped away . She had prepared a rough outline of the story when she met Carlisle, but this didn't seem to be the right time to mention it . She left the room, and Mirabelle quickly followed her .

“Sister!”

“Hm? Oh, Mirabelle . ”

Elena turned her head to find her sister approaching her . Elena was planning to go back to her room, but Mirabelle took her hand and dragged her in a different direction .

“What are you doing? Where are we going?”

“Shh! Follow me quietly, sister . ”

Mirabelle glanced around and gestured at her to stay silent . As Elena looked down with a questioning look, Mirabelle replied in a whisper .

“Don't you wonder what Father and the Crown Prince are talking about?”

Elena's eyes widened at the unexpected question . Of course she wondered . To say otherwise would be a lie . She was worried about what her father would say, and she worried what Carlisle would do . Mirabelle smiled as if she understood Elena's feelings .

“I found a place where you can secretly listen to them . Let's go!”

“What? Really?”

With a puzzled expression, she allowed herself to be led by Mirabelle's hand towards the study . Unlike the first time she was unexpectedly dragged away, Elena moved cautiously . Alphord held a prominent position as the head of the knights, while Carlisle held years of experience at the battlefield . A clumsy approach would easily reveal her .

Hwik–

She easily jumped the waist-high fence with one hand .

“Wow, sister . You're amazing . ”

Even to Mirabelle's inexperienced eyes, Elena's nimble moves were something impressive .

Alphord's study was located on the first floor, and the windows were relatively low and easily accessible . However, with its large windows she didn't have a place where she could easily eavesdrop unnoticed, and there was also no guarantee that they would talk with the windows open either . However…

There was a small ventilation window for the book that always remained opened, and was located in a secluded area . As she moved through the path to approach the window, Elena stopped and looked at Mirabelle .

“Mirabelle, you keep watch here . It might be too difficult for you to see . ”

While Mirabelle had brought her this far, it was likely that anyone would notice her footsteps if she came any closer . The window was located higher than the others as well, and it was not easy for Mirabelle to reach with her short stature .

“Alright . Tell me about it later . ”

“Yes, I will . ”

She was grateful to Mirabelle for finding this place for her sake . If Elena wanted to eavesdrop she could have found a suitable place herself, though not necessarily this one . But before she had no intention to do so, and thanks to Mirabelle her curiosity was stoked .

Sasak–

Elena approached the small window quietly and peeked inside the study . Alphord and Carlisle were seated facing each other as they played chess . Alphord was white, and Carlisle was black . The chaotic situation on the board seemed to indicate a tight struggle .

“You're better at chess than I anticipated . ”

“I've been working on a tactic, and I've never lost a game like this . ”

Their voices were clear enough that it was easy enough to overhear them . In case she could be seen, she lowered her head and listened to them talk . However, no specific conversation was forthcoming .

'Was this really necessary? They're only going to play chess . '

Elena was debating whether she should go back to Mirabelle when Alphord's stern voice cut through her thoughts .

“What do you think of my daughter? Please be honest with me . ”

“You said you would give her to me . Do you intend to take back what you just said?”

“No, but she's…she's not suitable to be a princess . ”

Elena's expression hardened and the question of “Why?” ran through her mind .

“It is not for Lord Blaise to judge . I decide whether she can live up to the position . ”

Tak .

He set down a chess piece louder than before . Elena swallowed her breath subconsciously . Indeed, Carlisle was fulfilling the contract amazingly . This act could fool anyone .

“My daughter…do you care about her?”

“The word care is an understatement . I'm driven mad with desire your daughter . ”

Elena's heart thumped wildly in her chest . Until now, she couldn't consider his words to be completely true . But for this moment, even Elena seemed to almost believe it .

“She is not just your daughter, but a crown princess . If you make such disparaging remarks like now, I will not tolerate it even if it comes from my father-in-law . I hope you don't forget that from now on . ”

Carlisle's voice was like a spring breeze on Elena's frozen heart . She clutched a hand to her chest . This was a strange feeling . It was something she had never felt in her past life or present life . It was as if in her heart, which had been parched like a drought, a small bud grew .

Chapter end