Chapter 40: Ch. 40 A Short Night’s Outing (2)
She stared at Carlisle with a startled expression.
"Are you sure? If you've never hidden your identity and you don't wish to…"
"If you want me to hide my face, then I cannot refuse you."
Elena wondered if Carlisle had some hidden agenda, but she didn't sense an intent to mislead her. And contrary to what he said earlier, he also seemed to have decided to disguise himself under the cloak. And somehow…
The two were close enough that they could feel each other's breaths at the slightest exhale. She was frozen on the spot, unable to move. After a moment's hesitation, Elena decided to do as he wished, at least to escape his simmering gaze. With faintly trembling fingers, she grabbed the hood behind Carlisle's neck and drew it over his head, concealing his handsome face and only barely revealing his sharp jawline. Carlisle was now disguised just as she originally planned, but she didn't realize she it would be by her hands.
"…Is that enough?"
The concealment of Carlisle's intense blue eyes allowed her to released her halted breath.
"I think so, Lady."
Elena felt a blush spread up to the tips of her ears when he addressed her in that way.
"Please don't say that."
"I thought I'd try pretend to be a slave gladiator who fell for the daughter of the Count."
The visible part of Carlisle's face was caught in a sly smile. He seemed to be following Elena's example when created a setting of love at first sight at a ball. Despite his mischievous tone, however, his blue eyes, dimly visible beneath the robe when he looked at her, were serious and subdued. There was a peculiar heat in his gaze towards Elena.
"If the scenario were rule, I would have won every gladiator contest for you."
"…I am grateful for your words."
Winning a gladiator contest was far from an easy task, but strangely, his words did not feel like a joke to her. Elena was left confused. Carlisle was an enigmatic man. Every time Elena met him, her curiosity about him seemed to grow. She still hadn't figured out why his arm turned into that of a monster's. She still had a few other questions as well.
"Shall we go then?"
Even when cloaked, Carlisle's figure was darkly imposing.
"…Yes,"
She replied curtly, then headed again towards the exit of the building. Neither side was one to talk much, and there was not much conversation left to be shared. This was only a short night's outing of them walking silently. Elena never had a night so strange.
*
*
*
"Who is this?"
As expected, the family knights were wary of Carlisle's large, cloaked appearance, and Elena blocked any questions they would have.
"I know him personally. We will travel together to the front of the inn."
Without listening to the knights' responses, Elena opened the carriage door and gestured Carlisle inside. Elena's deferential manner made the knights reconsider speaking out. They could see the stranger was a man, but because his face was hidden, they could not identify which family he came from. The knights could not protest easily at risk of disrespecting someone of high rank.
After a moment's hesitation, the knights soon stepped away from the carriage without a word. They couldn't disobey Elena's order, and the carriage ride was only a short distance anyhow. It was determined he was no threat to Elena's safety.
The Blaise's carriage was designed to keep conversation inside, so long as the window was not opened. However, Elena couldn't help but lower her voice as she spoke.
"Do you feel comfortable?"
"…Yes."
The carriage somehow felt cramped with Carlisle inside. Was it because of his long legs? The carriage wheels began to turn and rattle as the carriage moved forward, and Elena looked straight at the other passenger. His face was obviously concealed by the hood, but she could feel his gaze resting heavily on her.
"…Why are you looking at me like that?"
"How did you know I was looking at you?"
"If you stare at me that hard, I can tell no matter if you're wearing a cloak."
"Really?"
Carlisle's mouth curved into a mocking smile beneath the hood before continuing.
"We're going to part again soon, so let's talk more."
"You seem to care about me a lot."
"In my own way, yes, that's true."
"…Why?"
Elena needed to put an end to her curiosity. It was more than one or two things about Carlisle's attitude that made her feel suspicious, and she knew there was something more between them than just a simple contract marriage. She wanted to know why he was like this.
"You didn't answer me last time, but I hope you'll do so now. Have we met in the past?"
Carlisle's jawline seemed to harden at the forwardness of her question. However, there was no other way for Elena to know if he kept evading the topic, and Elena became genuinely curious as time went by. She wondered if there really was a connection she couldn't remember…
Carlisle spoke in a quieter voice than Elena.
"I'll tell you since you're so curious. You don't seem to remember it, but we did meet a long time ago."
"Ah…"
She somehow felt doubtful at his answer, but at the same time it felt like an important clue.
"When did we meet?"
"Well…I'll let you know the next time I see you."
"When is that?"
He seemed about to give an honest answer, but suddenly dodged it at the last moment. Elena's expression turned impatient while Carlisle simply smiled at her.
"Until then, I hope all you will think about is me."
"I'm sorry…?"
"I hope you will look forward to meeting me again."
Elena tried to suppress her frustration. This man was a player. She couldn't believe he wouldn't give her a proper answer after all this…
Elena was about to say something else when the carriage drew to a stop. There was a rapping sound from outside, and when she opened the window, a knight addressed her respectfully.
"We're here, My Lady."
"Thank you…"
Elena closed the window again and turned towards Carlisle seated in front of her. She knew the travel would be short, but they had only exchanged a few words and arrived at the inn before she knew it.
"It's already time to part. You must let me know the next time you will see me."
"…Of course."
After Carlisle's reply, the two stepped out from the carriage. All the knights' sharp eyes were fixed on Carlisle, but he did not so much as blink. Elena bowed her head to Carlisle.
"I'll leave you now. Take care."
Mindful of the eyes of the surrounding people, she only gave him a brief farewell and turned and headed towards the inn. The Blaise knights marched in perfect order in Elena's wake. Carlisle only stood there, staring at Elena's retreating figure, then mumbled to himself.
"…Don't bow your head to me."
Carlisle tried his best to respect Elena's desire to not be seen together until the ball. He had never restrained himself from doing what he wanted, but if it was for Elena's sake, it wasn't a bad tradeoff.
Only after Elena disappeared completely from Carlisle's sight did he turn away, his footsteps echoing loudly on the deserted streets in the middle of the night. He turned into a dark alley with only the moon as a companion, when suddenly a few shadows appeared in the seemingly empty street and approached the crown prince.
They were Carlisle's own escorts.
"The Empress has noticed your absence. Where are you headed now?"
"I must go back to the capital."
Only then did Carlisle pull off the black cloak he had been wearing. The cloudy moonlight revealed his chilling blue eyes and a profile that looked as if someone with great skill had carved them. Carlisle turned around and murmured in the direction where Elena had disappeared.
"…I already miss you."
Chapter 41: Ch. 41 …The Only Time (1)
As soon as Elena arrived at the inn, she was informed that Mirabelle had lost consciousness and collapsed. It was clear that Mary had not been expecting the situation and was bewildered at what to do.
"What? Why didn't you tell me right away?"
"Well…I sent someone but they must have missed you, My Lady."
"Did you call the doctor?"
"Yes, she's already seen the doctor…"
"Which room is Mirabelle in now? Take me to her right away."
Following Mary's lead, Elena rushed to the room where Mirabelle was. Nobles rarely ran, but Elena did not bother with dignity now. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest at the thought of Mirabelle getting hurt while she was away. The screams of Mirabelle being defiled in her last life echoed loudly in Elena's ears.
Bang!
She flung open the door and ran inside–
And saw Mirabelle lying on the bed breathing evenly. Elena gave a gasp of relief.
"…Thank God."
Fortunately, Mirabelle didn't look like she was in pain. Elena approached her sleeping sister, drawn to her like a magnet, and gently brushed her hand against her face. Mirabelle's warmth brought tears to Elena's eyes. Elena looked at her dear sister's face, anxious to find signs of any hurt when something that wasn't supposed to be there caught her attention. It was a coat. The blankets covering Mirabelle had mostly obscured it at first, but now Elena could see her sister wearing the oversized piece of clothing. Mirabelle clutched to it tightly, and Elena had no choice but to ask questions.
"…Where did this come from?"
However, a keen memory informed her of the owner of the coat.
Kuhn Kasha.
Why would Mirabelle have his coat? Elena turned towards Mary standing behind her. Mary immediately noticed what Elena wanted to enquire about and opened her mouth to speak.
"Well–!"
"Shh."
Elena lifted her finger to her lips, then pointed to the door and nodded that they should go outside. The two women quietly left the room and only spoke after they were some distance from it.
"Whose coat is that?"
"I don't know. Actually…It was when I left to room to ask the inn clerk to raise the heating that I heard that Miss Mirabelle had collapsed."
"You heard? From whom?"
"I think it was an employee, but I was too busy to remember."
After listening Mary's account, Elena remembered where she had asked for Kuhn to wait for her.
"Was it my room where Mirabelle collapsed?"
"Yes, that's right! It was in your room, Lady Elena. Maybe she went there herself."
"I see…"
Maybe it was Kuhn who helped Mirabelle when he saw her collapse. But that didn't solve the mystery why Mirabelle was wearing his coat, or why she was holding on to it so tightly. Elena would ask Kuhn in person and find out. Before doing so, however, Elena had to confront Mary.
"Mirabelle has a weak consitution, and you left your position without leaving someone to take your place. What if something more serious had happened to Mirabelle while I was gone?"
"…I'm sorry, My Lady."
"I will let this pass this time, but if this happens again, you must be prepared."
"Yes, My Lady, I will never leave Miss Mirabelle unattended."
Mary's face, too, was quite tired-looking. Of course was Mary's fault that she left Mirabelle alone, but Elena knew that it was difficult for the maid to attend to everything on her own during the trip. There were a few other servants besides Mary, but she was responsible for leadership and communication. But despite Elena's cold-hearted reasoning, Elena couldn't help but notice Mary's drooping shoulders and her remorseful eyes.
"Mirabelle is very frail. I ask you to pay attention next time."
"Yes, yes! I will. I'm truly sorry…really."
Mary was not particularly quick or intelligent in her last life. However, Elena kept her close because she was pure and kind-hearted. No matter how competent one may be at their job, Elena couldn't keep an opportunist who would change their position depending on the type of situation.
Elena wanted to allow Mary another chance, so she patted the maid's shoulder without saying anything another word. The intent of her heart was conveyed to Mary entirely. Mary bowed her head, moved by Elena's warm forgiveness of her mistakes.
*
*
*
*
Elena returned to her room where she promised to meet Kuhn. The room was still as dark as it was when she left, but Elena sense Kuhn's presence at once.
"…What happened to Mirabelle?"
Elena's words seemed to fall in the empty blackness, until the figure of Kuhn slowly emerged from the shadows. He fixed Elena with a curious stare. As usual Kuhn answered in his flat, businesslike tone.
"She collapsed in this room, so I helped her."
"Why did you leave your coat?"
Kuhn's normally distant eyes shimmered slightly. He quickly wiped his emotions before Elena noticed.
"She wouldn't let go of it."
"…Mirabelle?"
"Yes."
Elena looked at Kuhn with an incredulous expression. Mirabelle may seem like a little girl, but she was never a bother to others. She wasn't the type Mirabelle grab Kuhn's clothes and not let go.
'…Was it because she was sick?'
Elena couldn't know Mirabelle's inner thoughts, so Elena simply had make her best conclusion.
She took stock of Kuhn standing there in the darkness with his shirt and no jacket. Somehow, she felt like she understood him a little more from this short encounter. Kuhn was not uncaring enough that he wouldn't help someone.
"I apologize in being late to give you my gratitude. Thank you."
"…"
"Was it you who disguised yourself as an employee called the maid and the doctor? Because of the swift treatment, Mirabelle was able to get better without any complications."
"…It just happened. You don't have to say that."
"No, really, thank you very much. My sister is the most precious person in the world to me."
Mirabelle was all Elena thought about and would proudly tell anyone that. When she heard that Mirabelle had collapsed a little while ago, it was if her heart had plunged to the floor. She only had one goal when returning to the past. Peace for her family. For her father, her brother, and Mirabelle. She would keep them from getting sick or hurt.
After a brief moment of silence, Kuhn unexpectedly spoke first.
"When will you look at the information about the Krauses?"
"I need to take care of my sister so finding time will be difficult. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"No, I understand. Then I will see you next time."
Kuhn turned away with missing a beat, as if he expected her answer.
A sudden thought came to Elena's mind as she watched Kuhn make for the window.
"If something dangerous happens to my sister like today, please help her."
"…This is the only time."
Leaving her with only that curt reply, Kuhn then swiftly opened the window and disappeared from Elena's sight.
Kuhn's abilities were well known to Elena and she wanted him to protect Mirabelle, but unfortunately Mirabelle was not his charge. Kuhn had no reason to obey. Elena's felt dejected, but at the same time, she knew it was reasonable. She had to be satisfied with what Kuhn had done for her sister already…
Tonight all the relationships were going in a completely different direction than Elena expected. She wondered how they would all turn out.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment