Chapter 274 (2/2)

“Please go ahead.”

“Thank you. Whatever the reason, it is you who gave me blessings repeatedly.”

“You’re welcome. It would be better if you gave me your heart, but let me receive your thanks anyway. ” He smiled, slanting his eyes upward, and turned.

When I was carried away with the fluttering of his white robe for a moment, I felt something falling on my head, and soon a soft floral scent surrounded me. I saw a white light staying on his hands between the pink petals falling down one by one.

“Thank you, Your Eminence.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, it’s too late. Let’s go, Lady Monique. I will escort you to your father’s place.” With a faint smile, he reached out to me. Escorted by him. I slowly walked with him.

Was it because of what the High Priest told me? Or was it because I saw the paper on the breakoff of my engagement with him? I felt depressed all along until I arrived home. Watching me get out of the wagon with a frown, my father said, “Follow me for a moment.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

Returning the greetings of the house employees, I stepped into the house and went upstairs with my father. Wondering what’s the matter, I entered the room with a puzzled expression, when he suddenly pulled me into his arms.

“Daddy?”

“Just cry, Tia,” he said, stopping me from raising my head.

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

“Just cry it out instead of smiling feebly like that.”

“But I don’t have anything to cry…”

“It was an engagement that you made with him as soon as you were born. Even though you have refused it all along, it must have been very meaningful to you. You might have taken it for granted just like your breathing.”

I felt like I cried at his gentle push, but I strongly balked.

“No. I never thought so, Daddy. ”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Do you know why I learned fencing? I told you several times that I would be the successor of my family. Everything came true as I wished. As long as I can succeed in punishing those at the next political meeting, who tried to harm me, I don’t have anything more to ask for. So I …”

When I said repeatedly I was okay, tears suddenly dropped from my eyes. I saw the hem of his shirt getting wet little by little. I hurriedly tried to disengage from him in embarrassment, but he stopped me by holding me tightly, and patted my back. In the end, I was choked up with tears and began to cry when he comforted me warmly.

All kinds of emotions poured out from my closed mind. My heart ached. I knew he was so kind and considerate of me, and that I was loved by him so much. I hated myself for not having the courage to come closer to him. I knew he was different from the old him, and I believed that I would not have a miserable future ase I did in the past. But I was still scared and I was so frustrated about it.

I cried out, grabbing the hem of his stiff shirt.

What a fool I am as I can’t reach out to him, nor let go of him for good! In the past, I was very decisive in deciding something, but I am always indecisive now. Even though I feel so heartbroken, I can’t be confident enough to approach and accept his heart. Tears kept flowing endlessly while I was blaming myself for my indecisiveness.

How much time passed? My tears gradually stopped and my rough breathing came back to normal slowly. As I tried to support my drooping body, my father held my shoulders gently and helped me sit down. I blinked my eyes slowly, when I suddenly heard him whispering into my ears, “I’m surprised you resemble your mother even here.”

“Mom?”

“Yes, and I know why the emperor is so desperate to win over your heart. Like father, like son, as they say.”

“Pardon?”

Although I wondered what he meant by that, he seemed to have no intention of answering my question. While stroking my hair silently, he said, “Tia?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“After we are done with all this, let’s take a break for a month or two.”

“Pardon? Really?”

“Yes. I think we had better tour some famed resorts. How about the Dean estate, famous for its large lake, or the Seymour estate famous for its lush forest? Hummm, I think the Herr estate is also good…”

I felt sleepy at the warmth of my father who embraced my shoulders and regularly swept my hair. Blinking my heavy eyelids due to drowsiness, I leaned my head on his shoulders.

I heard him whispering something, but I already fell asleep in his arms.