Chapter 28 - Are You A Philanderer? (2) (2/2)
“I have someone to introduce you to before you go back.”
“Who is it?”
“One of my subordinates. His abilities are commendable. You need to conceal your skills, so if someone follows you like today, let him deal with it.”
“You don’t have to be so attentive…”
“Anyone would do this for their future wife.”
Elena tried to refuse Carlisle’s excessive kindness, but he blocked her with a single motion. In the end, it was such a good offer that she decided to accept it.
“Thank you. I won’t forget your kindness.”
“Make sure you don’t.”
Normally, one would humbly say that it was not necessary to do so. An amused smile spread on Elena’s face.
For a moment it felt like Carlisle was hesitating about something, but soon the expression on his face cleared. Elena thought it must have been a mistake and dismissed it.
It was then.
Before she knew it a man suddenly appeared before both of them.
At first sight he had dark blue–almost black–hair. His pale skin, stone-gray eyes, and long fringe gave an air of gloominess about him. It was a graceful yet ordinary face, something that didn’t catch her eyes at first glance and could easily be forgotten. Elena’s instincts from a lifetime past told her this man was as dangerous as a sharpened blade.
He addressed Elena with a stony expression.
“How do you do.”
There was something very unique about his flat voice. Rather than a knight who showed his face in the open, he was like an assassin lurking in the dark.
“Say hello. This is Kuhn Kasha. This is my subordinate I told you about earlier.”
“Hello, Sir Kasha. I hear you’ll be the one to protect me. I’m Elena Blaise.”
“…”
Kuhn stared wordlessly at her. As far as first impressions went, he seemed a little arrogant.
There was a blunt sound. Carlisle had swiftly kicked him in the shins.
“Do it right. The moment you run from her side, you die.”
“I’ll keep it in mind, General.”
There was not even a grunt of pain from Kuhn Kasha, as if he was accustomed to this kind of treatment.
After hearing Carlisle’s chilling tone, Elena saw at him with different eyes. He was completely different from when he spoke to her earlier. Carlisle seemed to notice her gaze on him and spoke up.
“There are some people under my command who don’t listen to my words at times.”
“Ah…I see.”
She wanted to say “Is that an excuse?”, but she thought it better to simply nod.
“At least it’s easy to become comfortable with his silence. We can’t go into Blaise Castle, but Kuhn will still be somewhere nearby so you can summon him if you need to.”
“I understand.”
Perhaps it was because Carlisle delivered a kick to his shin earlier, Kuhn spoke up.
“Then I’ll call the carriage.”
Carlisle nodded silently. Despite his good looks, he seemed to have a rough side, possibly from his time on the battlefield.
As soon as the carriage arrived, Elena gave a brief farewell to Carlisle before stepping inside.
“I’ll be leaving now.”
She was just lifting her feet to board the carriage when Carlisle held his hand forward to help her inside. She accepted it as good etiquette dictated.
When it came time for their hands to part, Carlisle didn’t seem to want to let go.
“…?”
Elena turned her head in puzzlement.
Carlisle was looking straight at Elena with deep eyes, then he slowly pressed his lips on the back of her white hand. It was a common greeting among the nobles, but this was something different. This was from a prince to a young noblewoman.
The area where Carlisle’s lips touched her skin seemed to burn. Carlisle spoke to the stunned Elena.
“Stay safe.”
*
*
*
Elena’s body was flushed as she rode in the carriage. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but she couldn’t get out of her head the fact that Carlisle kissed the back of her hand. Kuhn had been watching the scene from the side too, but he had not spoken a word. Carlisle was right about his reticence.
“Is His Highness playful by nature? “
Carlisle had smiled at her pleas today, and had seemed to enjoy teasing her by kissing her hand.
Kuhn, who had been watching Elena, replied in a low voice.
“In my assessment of the General, he is never playful.”
“Oh, I see…”
Somehow it was strange. It was as if he was only showing that side of himself to Elena.