Harry continued pleasantly.
“I suppose the rumor was true, too. What was the proposal like, Your Highness?”
Evans glanced at Harry for his question.
“Oh, it’s rude to ask such a thing. There’s no reason to pry for personal information.”
Evans turned to Carlisle and Elena with a guilty expression.
“My apologies. He’s a curious boy, so please understand.”
Elena hurriedly shook her head.
“Not at all. It’s something that everybody is curious about. We can’t hide it.”
Despite her outward relaxed appearance, however, she was calculating inwardly on what to say. She had been debating how to curry favor with Evans, and fortunately Harry’s interest in their love story provided a golden opportunity.
However, she and Carlisle had never had a proper proposal as they were bound by a contract marriage. For Elena, the moment was when she saved Carlisle’s life and asked him to marry her, but she needed a more plausible story that would satisfy the people’s fantasy.
“Hmm…my first inkling he prepared something was when I met with him and found the place lit with a myriad of candles.”
Harry’s expression flickered with interest, in contrast to Evans’ restraint.
“It was a very beautiful location with man-made lakes to one side and gardens on the other. From there, we walked along the path and watched the stars in the sky…and at one point, he held out a ring to me.”
Harry gave an involuntary exclamation.
“Oh—”
Romantic proposals were rare in aristocratic society where political marriages were common. Harry wasn’t the only one captivated; Evans seemed surprised as well, although he pretended not to be.
Carlisle seemed to be listening with the greatest interest, most of all.
“And then he told me…he told me I would be the only companion he would ever have. And then he proposed. It’s somewhat embarrassing trying to put this into words.”
Indeed, there was a slight blush on Elena’s face. She had to make up something that had never happened, and she had begun to ramble. Luckily, however, no one eemed to notice something strange, and Elena gave a sigh of relief. Contrary to expectations, Evans replied to Carlisle first.
“Considering your history in battle, I never thought there was such a romantic side to you.”
Carlisle glanced at Elena and smiled faintly.
“It’s the same when everyone falls in love. What difference would it be to me?”
The impact seemed even greater when Carlisle said these words himself. He was playing his role better than Elena expected.
Harry nodded approvingly.
“I didn’t know you would answer my question with such grace. Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Not at all. I was only recounting what happened. Come and visit the palace again sometime. If you’re curious, I’ll tell you more about horseback riding and sword fighting.”
Carlisle’s brow furrowed gently, but Elena still had a soft smile. Harry nodded his head, as if he were quite pleased with the suggestion.
“Very well. I’ll visit sometime if you don’t mind.”
“Absolutely. I’ll be waiting for you with delicious food.”
Elena had already invited many people to the palace, but Harry would definitely be the most valuable guest.
Meanwhile, Evans was staring at Elena with an unreadable expression, and Carlisle glanced at the time.
“It’s time we take our leave. Lord Krauss.”
At his parting words Evans bowed politely towards Carlisle.
“May we meet again, Your Highness.”
Harry followed after him.
“Thank you very much, Your Highness.”
Carlisle ended the conversation, but Elena couldn’t help but feel disappointed. She had accomplished a decent amount for a first meeting, but she wanted to talk more. However, one had to recognize when was the perfect time to withdraw.
“Well…I’ll see you again.”
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Elena exited from the reception hall still holding on to Carlisle’s arm. There were still many nobles gathered at the party, but Carlisle had decided they should leave after meeting with Evans. Elena had already seen everyone she wanted to, and did not try to stop him.
And so they completed the wedding’s final act—the reception.
*
*
*
Evans spoke to his grandson as he stared at the gradually disappearing figures of Carlisle and Elena.
“Why did you ask that question all of a sudden?”
“Aren’t you curious, Grandfather? Is it really a romantic affair or a political one?”
“What does that have to do with us?”
“When the princess was talking, I was listening carefully.”
Evans did not criticize him. Indeed he was surprised at Carlisle’s romantic side, and Elena image wasn’t as bad as he thought. But that was all. They were members of the Imperial Family, nothing more.
“Don’t go out of your way to be friendly to the royalty. You will be thrown into unnecessary disorder.”
“Don’t you trust me? I’ll take care of it, Grandfather.”
A playful smile widened on Harry’s face. His mischievousness was probably because of his young age, but he was not so immature that he did not act without thinking beforehand. If he did, he would have never been groomed as the next successor of the Krauss family. He was a genius. Evans had deep faith in young Harry’s insights, so he left him to take care of the matter.
“Do as much as you like, as long as you do not harm the Krausses.”
“Yes!”
Both men now stared in the direction where Carlisle and Elena disappeared, different ideas swirling in their minds.
*
*
*
Elena suddenly realized that she was still clutching Carlisle’s arm and quickly released him.
“O-oh…I’m sorry.”
“If you’re apologizing for holding my arm, don’t. Personally, I like it better.”
Elena glanced at him when she heard his playful tone. Come to think of it, they had walked quite a ways away from the reception hall.
“Where are we going?”
“Where are we going? We’re going to our bedroom.”
“…!”
She suddenly remembered that she had to share a bed with Carlisle starting from today. She did anticipate it, but it had slipped her mind once wedding planning overwhelmed her. After overcoming various challenges one-by-one, now she felt like she was facing the final boss. Her face darkened.
‘…This is serious.’
She had been meeting people all day, and her whole body seemed drained of energy. But one night with Carlisle…it was unlike anything she had done today.
With a tense silence, Elena and Carlisle finally arrived at the bedroom in the Crown Prince’s palace.
Kkiiiig—
Carlisle walked forward first and opened the door, and the room came into view.
“…Ah!”
Elena’s mouth dropped open.
She had seen Carlisle’s room several times already, but now it had been transformed into the perfect honeymoon suite. Red petals were scattered around the room, a bottle of wine sat on a table, and even the lighting seemed to be suggestive.
Elena took the scene with wide eyes. Finally, Carlisle spoke, his voice pitched low.
“Come in.”
What? Elena swallowed dryly.