Chapter 156 - The Name Of The Emotion (1) (1/2)

Silence hung over Carlisle and Elena after they left the palace. It was only when they reached a fork in the path did Elena shatter the quiet.

“I’ll go this way. “

She turned away, when—

Tak.

A hand captured Elena’s wrist. She looked questioningly back at Carlisle, who responded in a firmer voice than usual.

“I don’t know what she gave you, but whatever it is, dispose of it now.”

“If I dispose a gift from the Empress, there will be gossip. Don’t worry, I have a plan in mind.”

“…You make me worry about you.”

“You needn’t be concerned about me.”

Carlisle’s eyebrows lifted at Elena’s over-confident answer, but she refused to retreat. She knew Carlisle was worried, but he didn’t understand her position right now.

“I am not a little girl hovering at the water’s edge. Are you going to be angry simply because I hadn’t yet told you about the Empress’ gift?”

His jaw clenched, but he had nothing to say about it.

“Don’t forget our contract, Caril.”

It wasn’t as if she had made the decision so easily. After receiving the plant from the Empress, her first course was action was to come up with a solution, not to go running to Carlisle at the first sign of danger. She didn’t come to the Imperial Palace to depend on him, but to ultimately make him emperor and save her father, brother, and Mirabelle. She couldn’t bear to lose them again in this lifetime. As her heart became more desperate, so did the burden on Elena’s shoulders become heavier.

“…Are you telling me to leave you alone, no matter what you do?”

“I’m not saying that. I just want you to trust me.”

In less than a year, Paveluc would attempt to seize the throne. When Elena had returned to the past, it was as if her blood dried up when she realized that she had so little time left. She threw herself into doing everything she could for Carlisle—sword fighting, power games, living in the palace. Sometimes, however, Carlisle’s overprotectiveness threatened to obstruct her path.

“…You’re mistaken. It’s not that I don’t believe in your ability. In truth, I’ve admired everything you’ve done so far.”

Elena’s ruby eyes shimmered at the unexpected answer. She thought he didn’t believe in her decisions, as he always tried to stop her every time she tried to do something.

Carlisle continued, his voice soft.