章 22: Having A Picnic With Howland And Aslan
Aslan and Howland were silent for quite a long time while looking at Rosie, who looked serious about her question. Aslan had never been in such an awkward position. So, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. Hoping that after he woke up, the princess's strange conversation would no longer continue.
"But, Ro… it would be very awkward. I mean, I've known Aslan for a long time, and Aslan suddenly becomes my brother-in-law? It feels a little weird."
"But if it's allowed, can I marry Duke Aslan?"
Aslan felt he couldn't keep silent any longer. The two of them talked as if he wasn't there. It seemed that Rosie wasn't feeling the awkwardness between Howland and Aslan either. The girl just tried to figure out how her brother would react if she married his best friend.
"Princess, the marriage of a member of the royal family cannot be as easy as turning the palm of the hand, especially a royal princess like you. I'm sure the king and the rest of your family already have their own criteria for your future husband," Aslan replied firmly.
Rosie knew that too. After watching a lot of dramas and reading historical romance novels, he wasn't too surprised by such things. So, Rosie looked for a way to get married to Aslan.
"If it's Aslan..." Howland was in deep thought. His face looked very serious, thinking about what answer he would give to his sister.
Aslan was a nice guy and Howland admitted it. However, like what he said earlier, Aslan was cold-hearted. Howland didn't want his sister's married life to be as cold as the man's demeanour.
He had imagined Rosie would be able to laugh every day with her future husband, so it was very difficult for Howland to imagine Aslan laughing with his sister.
His head felt like it was going to explode, thinking about whether he would allow Aslan to marry his sister or not.
"Was your question just a joke?" Howland asked to make sure Rosie wasn't seriously thinking about marrying Aslan.
Rosie laughed as she slapped Howland on the shoulder. "Of course, it's just a simple question. I wasn't serious at all when I asked it, ahahaha."
Seeing Rosie laughing heartily, Howland was relieved. He rubbed his almost sweaty forehead after thinking about the answer to Rosie's question earlier. Howland laughed too, feeling funny with his own worries.
Howland patted Aslan on the shoulder as he clutched his stomach, which was starting to hurt from laughing too much.
"I'm sorry, Aslan. I didn't mean to offend you. I just wanted the best for my sister, but to be honest, you two seem to be perfect for each other." Howland's answer lightened up Rosie's face.
"Really-really-really-really-really?" Rosie asked too happily.
She bit her lower lip at Howland's answer, holding the corners of her lips from smiling. She knew Howland said it only to reassure his friend so that Aslan wouldn't be offended, even if Howland said he didn't allow Rosie to get married to Aslan.
Howland nodded. "You two also look like a good brother and sister"
"Brother and sister? Not husband and wife?" Rosie asked, losing her spirit.
Howland patted Rosie's head lightly. "Ahahaha, whatever it is, my Roseanne can definitely bring light to Aslan's gloomy life. That's why I said you two would be perfect for anything. But, I hope you two can become close friends in the future."
Rosie nodded like an obedient girl. "Sure! Aslan is my brother's friend. Of course, I must also treat him like my own brother."
"Smart girl," Howland said, making Rosie smile widely.
Aslan, who had listened to their chatter in silence, felt strange about the interaction between the siblings. He didn't understand the result of their conversation at all. Aslan could hear two distinct intentions from the two of them.
Howland clearly didn't want Rosie to marry him. Even though Howland wrapped it in the words that Aslan was perfect for his sister, he knew Howland only wanted Rosie to be close to him as a friend.
As for the princess… Aslan glanced at her and let out a long sigh. The girl's sweet smile seemed to have another meaning. He didn't know if it was malicious intent or not, but Aslan hoped it wasn't directed at him.
Rosie turned to him, making Aslan's heart beat faster. No, Aslan wasn't in love with her. He just felt nervous because the princess suddenly sat beside him.
The girl raised her hand to cover her mouth, then whispered to Aslan, "Duke Aslan, don't worry. I'll find a way so we can get Howland's approval for our marriage."
Aslan immediately coughed loudly from choking on his saliva.
"Oh, Aslan? What's wrong with you?" Howland asked, wondering why his friend suddenly coughed.
Rosie helped Aslan by patting him lightly on the back. Aslan couldn't think straight. He couldn't stop coughing and his breathing was getting shorter.
"Howl, please pour some tea for Duke Aslan!" Rosie ordered his brother. She panicked because the man's cough didn't subside.
Howland took out a teapot and a porcelain cup from the wicker basket containing their picnic utensils and foods. He poured the lukewarm liquid and gave it to Rosie.
"Here, Duke Aslan. Drink it." Rosie passed Aslan a cup of tea as the man's cough subsided a little.
His exotic face darkened and reddened from choking. Rosie was still patting the man on the back, trying to calm Aslan out of coughing again. Aslan didn't want to admit that the princess's touch behind his back helped him calm down. He could breathe normally right now.
He didn't think that a single sentence could almost kill him. The girl's words were much sharper than the rifle of a bullet or the tip of a spear heated by the flames of a volcano.
Aslan drank the tea, then took a deep breath.
"Are you all right, Aslan?" Howland asked. He was worried about his friend's condition.
Aslan just nodded and lowered his teacup. Rosie took the teacup and placed it beside her.
"Is something bothering you?" Rosie asked with her innocent face.
Aslan shook his head.
"Nothing to worry about," he replied, then leaned back against the tree behind him.
Aslan closed his eyes again. He didn't understand the way the princess thought at all. In the first place, he should have stayed out, and let Howland and his sister do whatever they wanted.
"Aslan, about tomorrow night's party..."
"I'll do whatever you want to do. I've followed every order you gave me," Aslan replied, still with his eyes closed.
With that, Howland stopped talking to Aslan and turned back to his sister. Slowly, while deafening himself and enjoying the breeze, Aslan fell asleep.
***
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