Chapter 178 - Her Own (1/2)

She knew reasonably that it was not Carlisle’s fault if he chose another woman as his second wife. Carlisle, like Elena, had made a contract out of necessity, and he was still faithfully fulfilling his terms. It was Elena’s fault that her heart was uncertain. They were married before she realized that she liked him, and now she could see him welcoming another wife before she even expressed her feelings properly.

‘…I don’t like it.’

She tried to soothe her nerves countless times. She didn’t want to share Carlisle with anyone. Her greed for him crept up unexpectedly, and she had not taken it into account when she first drew up the contract. Elena’s mission was to protect her family and make him emperor. Only then could Paveluc be eliminated and everyone’s future changed.

‘Caril may never be my own.’

An emperor had to secure his position with many alliances, which naturally led to marriage. It was unheard of for an emperor to marry only one woman. Elena wrestled with the idea of wanting Carlisle to be emperor, but also having him solely as her own. However, no matter her heart’s protests, there was only one answer. Carlisle had to become emperor. She simply needed a little time to kill the feelings inside of her.

Carlisle looked at her worriedly.

“If there’s anything wrong, tell me.”

“N-nothing…”

She couldn’t bring herself to confess that she feared him marrying another woman. What would he say if she was honest with him? A bitter smile spread on her face as she imagined it.

“Hmm.”

Carlisle gently stroked her chin with his hand. After taking in her troubled expression, he spoke in a low voice.

“Shall we talk over a drink?”

“…?”

Ever since Elena drunkenly said she wanted to kiss him, Carlisle had been offering to drink with her. It was obvious he thought that kissing was her drunken habit, but she couldn’t understand why kept making this offer.

“I’m fine. I’m not distressed enough to need a drink.”

A small smile of regret passed Carlisle’s face at her rejection.

“Call me whenever you need a drinking friend. I’ll drop everything.”

“Thank you for your words.”

Elena set down the sword in her hand, then picked up a bow and arrow and stood in front of a target. She had used a crossbow before when she saved Carlisle and had less muscle strength, but now she was considering returning to her main weapon.

Hwiig!

Her shot landed dead center of the target.

Hwig! Hwig! Hwig!

Each arrow she let fly had the same result. Eventually, dozens of arrows tightly packed the center, and each subsequent arrows split the wooden shafts. Meanwhile, Carlisle observed her practice with an interested expression.

Elena pulled another arrow in the bowstring, and her worries about Carlisle taking a second wife flashed in her mind. Her focused calm seem to unbalance.

‘… Don’t be greedy.’

There was only one option for her. She didn’t need to worry about something useless—

Taang!

Elena was jerked out of her thoughts. She had pulled the bowstring incorrectly, and it almost whipped onto her face.

In a flash, Carlisle shot to her side and covered her face with his palm, preventing an accident.

“Ca-Caril!”

Elena looked up at him in amazement, and he returned her a scowled look.

“What were you thinking? You almost got hurt.”

“Is your hand alright? Let me see.”

Elena quickly took Carlisle’s hand and inspected it. Though his skin was reddened, the injury was not deep enough to bleed or cut through the bone. She looked up at Carlisle in relief.

“I’m sorry. I was thinking about something for a while…”

“Your beautiful face would have been scarred. Last time you already burned yourself by spilling tea. How can I not be worried about my wife?”

Elena had burned herself when she was talking to Log, and even that minor injury was treated with the same care as her ankle. Of course, if Elena had been cut by the bowstring this time, the injury would be so severe she couldn’t attend the party. She couldn’t believe that she let herself make such a clumsy error.

“I didn’t realize I would make a mistake.”

“I know.”

Carlisle continued, gazing at the center of the target that was packed with arrows.

“Normally you wouldn’t have made a mistake. Well, there are days when monkeys fall from trees too, right?”

“…I’m sorry anyway.”

Carlisle saw no need for her apology. He stroked her hair and spoke in a softened voice.

“I don’t know what you’re worried about, but let it go. If it doesn’t work, talk to me. I’ll make it whatever you want.”

She gave an involuntary smile. He didn’t even know he was the source of her worries…

But one thing was clear. She was greedy, and she was incapable of throwing away the greed that filled her heart. That was how much she wanted him.

Elena took Carlisle’s injured hand and bent down on one knee, in a gesture knights made when they formally gave their vows to their lords. Although she was slender, an intense aura came out of Elena’s small frame. She pressed her lips against the back of his hand, then lifted her head and looked straight at him. Her deep red eyes fixed on his without so much as a flinch.

“I’ll protect you from getting hurt again.”

Her feelings would not change, no matter if Carlisle took another woman as his wife. So she had to make concessions. She would place Carlisle in the emperor’s seat, and be with him until he didn’t need her anymore. She didn’t know how long it will last, but if Carlisle looked at her as kindly as he did now, she could live on with those memories. There was only one path, but she was able to accept it all again. For her and her family. She will make Carlisle emperor.

For a moment, Carlisle looked surprised at the spirit and resolve emanating from Elena. However, he leaned down as if he could no longer endure it and hugged Elena’s small body.

“Oh.”

Despite Elena’s stunned reaction, Carlisle did not move. He squeezed her tightly, before speaking in a hoarse voice.

“Where have you learned such a wonderful words?”

“Y-you’re saying I learned them.”

“No matter how much you make me fall for you, the difficult one is you.”