Chapter 37
Startled, El came to a halt and looked at Kalen. It was truly surprising.
Since her father’s passing, no one had reached out to her and her mother. Conversations about him felt almost forbidden. Even Laura, whenever his name came up, would get teary-eyed. Since then, they had barely spoken of him at all.
El never imagined she would hear her father’s story from Kalen’s own lips.
“It must have been when I was around ten,” Kalen began. “I was rather frail then, so I often went down to the villa in Desherville. There was a party at the villa once, and your father attended that day.”
His words painted a vivid image of her father. El’s eyes softened as she gazed at Kalen.
“I see… My maternal family lives in Desherville. I visited a few times. Perhaps I was at that party as well.”
“Do you think you were there, Lady?”
“I’m not certain. Possibly, but my memory is vague.”
“Of course. You were very young.”
Though faint, she still cherished the memories of the happiness she had shared with her father and mother.
“Thank you for sharing that,” she said, her eyes glistening. “I haven’t spoken about my father with anyone since he passed. Hearing about him from you makes me so happy.”
Seeing her watery gaze, Kalen instinctively reached out, then froze. He wanted to gently touch her cheek.
Touch her cheek… The thought made his expression stiffen.
As her emotions settled, El glanced around.
“This place is lovely. The trees and grass are so lush.”
Kalen, regaining composure, lowered his raised arm. He exhaled lightly, unseen by El, and spoke quietly.
“This area is rarely visited. So watch your step. With fewer people walking here, insects abound.”
Startled, El looked down. She saw ants and small bugs, but it was nowhere near the swarming chaos Kalen had described. His face remained calm and indifferent as ever. El studied him intently.
“You knew Lady Grand Duchess would send me to the hunting grounds, didn’t you?”
“You know her well enough. Once she decides on something, she sees it through.”
“Just like you,” she added.
“I take after my mother,” he said simply.
At the mention of Lisa, El briefly fell silent, recalling the events at the last party.
She hesitated before asking,
“May I ask you something?”
“I’m listening.”
“Is it… a problem that you danced with Her Highness the Princess at the party?”
Kalen’s steps faltered at her unexpected question, and she stopped alongside him. Explaining required delving into political circumstances, but her pure, curious eyes gave him the sense that she could handle the truth.
He resumed walking.
“It’s because of the situation at the royal palace.”
“You mean… because of His Majesty’s health and the uncertainty of succession?”
El had correctly identified the heart of the matter, leaving little for Kalen to explain.
“Exactly.”
“But wouldn’t Crown Prince Randol simply become king? He’s already acting as regent.”
“It’s not that simple. The King suddenly fell ill, so Prince Randol became Crown Prince, but Princess Ruena is also handling state affairs. That they are both doing the same work is the problem.”
“I see… no one can predict who will ascend the throne.”
“Precisely.”
Kalen was secretly impressed. He had thought of El as merely a girl skilled in growing cabbages, yet she consistently displayed insight far beyond expectation.
El, deep in thought, suddenly wore a serious expression.
“You’re very influential in the kingdom. So dancing with the Princess… that’s an issue because it looks like you support her.”
“Exactly.”
“Oh… it’s complicated. You can’t even dance freely? Parties are for dancing. Shouldn’t you just dance with whomever you like? But the Princess… seems impossible.”
Kalen’s lips twitched despite himself.
A conversation that began with the kingdom’s fate had somehow shifted to worry over the Princess.
When with El, he often found himself smiling unexpectedly, even when discussing grave political matters.
“Don’t worry. The Princess doesn’t care much for parties, and dancing is even less her concern.”
“How do you know that?”
“She’s bold by nature. From childhood, she preferred swords and martial arts or studying maps for travel plans, rather than dolls or flowers.”
“You knew her as a child?”
“Family.”
“Ah! That’s why you’re also in the line of succession.”
“Yes.”
“But even such a lively Princess must have someone she likes. She’ll pick pretty clothes and small trinkets, feeling her heart flutter over that person.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Love feels the same for everyone. When someone thinks of the one they like, their heart flutters. I hope, someday, someone comes into your life like that as well.”
Someone to love…
Kalen’s gaze naturally fell on El. Startled by the unintentional focus, he quickly looked away.
Then, as if rehearsed from the beginning, he answered smoothly,
“I hope your wish comes true.”
“You speak as if it’s someone else’s story,” she murmured, pouting slightly.
El paused, noticing a beautiful flower. She examined it for a long moment, then turned to Kalen.
“But… can you really just stand here like this?”
Kalen, having quietly admired her view of the flower, managed a calm response.
“Is there a problem?”
“You came to the hunting competition. Aren’t you going to hunt?”
“I don’t particularly enjoy hunting.”
“Then at least converse with the other ladies. That’s how I’ll complete my mission.”
Seeing her determined expression, Kalen’s eyes softened slightly.
“Do I have to converse with other ladies?”
“Not strictly. But I would very much appreciate it. Only then will I safely complete my task today.”
El’s firm tone left Kalen a touch disappointed. He wanted to converse with her. He wished to linger a little longer, yet she kept pushing him away.
Frustrated by Kalen’s unusual hesitation, El finally voiced her thoughts.
“This time, I received an enormous reward.”
“Reward?”
“All these dresses, accessories, shoes, and even jewels. They won’t take any of it back.”
“…Are you going to sell them?”
“They’re of little use to me. But considering Lady Grand Duchess’s wishes, I feel I should keep them. I haven’t decided yet.”
“That necklace really suits you,” Kalen remarked sincerely.
El bit her lip subtly. His earlier hesitation had vanished, replaced by a gaze twice as serious as usual.
Ah… it’s overwhelming.
“I’ll think about it.”
“I trust you won’t sell it.”
Before El could continue, Kalen interjected.
Given her mother’s temperament, she might assign another task if she didn’t have anything to report. Kalen needed to provide just enough for her satisfaction.
More importantly, he needed to understand why he wanted to remain by El’s side.
“Then I will work for your mission. Join me shortly with Barrett,” Kalen said, mounting his horse.
El turned to find Barrett and return to the canopy, but Barrett approached first, not alone.
El gasped as she recognized the man walking beside him.
“Amethyst Count Gore! What are you doing here!”
Both men headed directly toward her, and Count Gore waved. El’s heart raced—there was no escape, no hiding.
***
Randol, having ventured alone, rode far into the hunting grounds. His attendants and other nobles followed, but Kalen was nowhere in sight.
“What’s so appealing about killing living creatures?” Randol muttered. He disliked hunting. He had only come to monitor Baron Hillie.
Pretending to hunt, he tried to lose the others, seeking Kalen instead. That’s when he spotted Barrett.
Approaching with a familiar smile, he greeted,
“Count Ross.”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“And Kalen?”
“He went that way,” Barrett indicated.
“I see.”
Randol turned the conversation toward Kalen’s direction, but Barrett remained unmoved.
“Are you not going?”
“I have other business.”
Barrett’s evasive response was suspicious. For someone tasked with guarding Kalen, being elsewhere was strange.
