Chapter 61 - This Is Who I Am (1) (1/2)

“Haa, haa.”

Elena’s ragged breaths filtered through her helmet. There were more men than she expected, and it was more difficult to capture a few rather than indiscriminately killing them all. It would have been impossible if this was her first time in combat in this life, but because of her training, she fought better than before. She was gradually getting closer to her old skills, but it was still a long way to go until she reached her full potential.

She tied up the unconscious culprits with some rope, then quickly headed over to the bridge. The captives would be interrogated, but first she had to removed the explosives from each pier before they could be tampered with.

Ttubug, ttubug.

Elena’s went back on deck and her eyes swept to the festival site, where she caught eye of Carlisle coming down after exchanging some pleasantries on the podium.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem too late. Carlisle’s eyes where fixed on her as she hurried towards him, and when their eyes met in midair he walked even faster.

“What have you been doing…?”

Carlisle halted. His brow suddenly creased.

“Why do I smell blood?”

She couldn’t help but be surprised at his acute senses. She had washed as much blood from herself as possible at the river.

“Your Highness, I–”

The moment Elena started talking.

Hwiig.

Carlisle’s hand seized her wrist as he looked her up and down. His eyes were frightfully sharp, like beast watching his prey. She didn’t know what he was doing at first, but then she realized that he was searching for any injuries.

“It’s not my blood.”

It was only after that did Carlisle’s fearsome energy abated some. His tone turned dangerously low.

“Then whose blood? I lost you somewhere. Where the hell did you come back from?”

“Well–”

Elena attempted to explain, but Carlisle interrupted her again.

“Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

Although she could tell he was trying to suppress the irritation in his voice, the emotion behind it seemed genuine. Maybe he really was worried about Elena. What she did or why she was bloodied did not seem to matter to him before her safety. He would’ve taken off Elena’s helmet and check her himself if he could.

Elena was silent for a moment at his behavior, then quickly came to herself senses.

“I’m not hurt, so don’t worry. I have something more important to say first.”

“…What is it?”

In the face of his disapproving gaze, Elena urgently whispered to him.