Chapter 102 - She Wanted To Protect Him (2) (2/2)

Elena couldn’t do anything else but nod for now, if only to reassure him.

“I understand. I’ll be careful not to get hurt.”

“Good.”

Carlisle gave her a faint smile, and Elena continued.

“Just as long as you’re not in danger. Because as soon as you are, I can’t help myself. Your safety is more important than anything to me.”

Carlisle’s eyes widened slightly, and he turned his head away and covered his mouth with one hand. Somehow his ears felt a little red.

“…You say such sweet things so casually.”

“What?”

Elena was surprised at his reaction to her remark. When she thought about it, she had said she would make him emperor because she wanted to become an empress, but she never openly said that his life was important to her. Elena debated with herself whether she should explain herself more or not.

Carlisle, however, had no intention of continuing this lengthy conversation, and pointed to the wall opposite of Elena.

“There’s some armor over there, so you can choose something you like.”

There was a strange tension in the atmosphere, but Elena nodded her head.

“Alright, then–“

As she walked in the direction he pointed, she somehow felt hot in the face. She was embarrassed because he was.

‘…With just those little words.’

Elena was unable to adjust to this sudden shift in atmosphere from serious to strange.

She looked at the row of armor. Perhaps because his room was near the training site, Carlisle’s armor was ready to wear. Elena chose the smallest of them and placed a helmet over her head. She was grateful she could hide the blush on her face.

*

*

*

Carlisle and Elena arrived at the outer area of the Crown Prince’s palace, where Kuhn was believed to have last been seen. Zenard, who had been waiting there, quickly approached Carlisle and bowed.

“Who is this by your side?”

“You’ve seen him before.”

“From Flower Bridge…! Since when have you been inside the palace?”

Carlisle glanced at Elena and spoke in a quiet voice.

“He’s been doing some secret business for me for some time. That’s why he has to always cover his face.”

“Oh, I see.”

Zenard answered affirmatively, but his eyes were still wary. It had been a long time, but Len was so different from Elena that Zenard didn’t notice.

‘You must hate me.’

It was when she was thinking about Zenard’s disapproving eyes did she notice dozens of the Crown Prince’s other men were approaching. Among them was Morgan, a tall, powerful man who tried to argue with her at Flower Bridge. He waved at Elena when he noticed her.

‘What? I thought he’d start arguing again…’

The group moved quickly to Carlisle’s side and the leading man reported to him.

“Your Highness, we searched southwest and we found no sign of him.”

“Then let’s go northwest. “

Carlisle took command, and the others followed after his lead. Among them was Elena, who was right behind Carlisle.

Her red eyes gleamed beneath the helmet. It was the beginning of the search.