Return of the Female Knight

Elena nodded with a satisfied smile at Isaac’s prompt attention to duty. He gave her a pen and paper, and Elena wrote a message for the Emperor’s nobles allies that Carlisle was alive and well. She turned her attention to composing a letter for her family next, but she scrapped it several times. She felt it was not enough to deliver them simple news. In her last life, Paveluc had destroyed her family and seized the throne. This time, as long as Elena and Carlisle were safe, she would ensure it would never happen, but she always had to consider the worst in mind. Carlisle and Elena could unexpected be killed or injured at any moment.

Elena finished composing her letter for the noble families instead, then handed it over to Isaac.

“Secretly inform the allies listed here that the Crown Prince is still alive. I’ll write a separate letter for Blaise family.”

Isaac gave a respectful bow.

“Yes, Your Highness. Let me know as soon as you finish writing it. For now, I will deliver your message to the noble families you have indicated.”

“I look forward to working with you.”

Once again Isaac bent at the waist, then hurried away.

Elena contemplated blank white sheet of paper in front of her for a few moments, before setting pen to paper. The recipient of the letter would be her father, Alphord. She wrote of how she and Carlisle were safe, and that the troops needed to be moved soon to stop the Empress. Then finally, she wrote her last request.

[For the sake of Mirabelle’s safety, I urgently ask that you send Mirabelle to the Freegrand Kingdom to study abroad. The situation in the Ruford Empire may soon turn chaotic.]

Elena had always intended to help Mirabelle as much as she could, but now there was no better time to send her sister to a safer place. Her father and brother were in no position to leave the country as part of the Fourth Order of the Imperial Knights. Rather than try to avoid an unfortunate future, Elena would try to fight back, but her heart could rest easier if she could protect at least one family member. And so, Elena managed her best.

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***

Time flew by swiftly as Elena made her preparations. She knocked on Carlisle’s bedroom door, carrying medicine and bandages, and a voice replied from within.

“Enter.”

Permission given, Elena carefully pushed open the door and went inside. Carlisle seemed to have already anticipated her appearance. He looked much more relaxed than before, but Elena was able to see the subtle changes in his emotions.

“You’re seriously injured, and you haven’t been treated properly yet. Show me the wound.”

Carlisle undid several buttons without hesitation, then crossed his arms and pulled off his shirt. It was a brazen action, and soon his hard abs and tight torso came into view. Elena become momentarily dizzy at the sight. His slim waist was still wrapped by the makeshift bandage made from Elena’s dress.

She lowered herself before him and carefully unwound the torn cloth.

Seug, seueug.

The wound was finally revealed, and she frowned deeply as she saw the angry red flesh. It was worse than she expected.

“It must hurt a lot.”

Despite his injury, however, Carlisle’s expression remained unchanged. Even Elena had forgotten for a while that he was hurt. His injury was hers too, and her heart throbbed at the sight of her wounded husband.

Sensing her worry, Carlisle lifted a hand and stroked her hair in gentle reassurance.

“It’s alright. It would be far more painful to see you get hurt.”

At his warm tone, Elena looked up at his face. She was touched. Although he must be heavily burdened by Sullivan’s death, Carlisle still felt a deep concern for her. She hurriedly broke eye contact with him and took out the medicine she brought.

“…This might sting a little.”

She dabbed the medicine on his wound, but he did not flinch. Elena watched his face carefully for any sign of pain, but he showed no hint of discomfort. Finally, she meticulously wrapped the wound in clean bandages, feeling a little more secure in Carlisle’s condition.

“It’s all finished.”

Elena stood up, and Carlisle pulled her into his arms. She was surprised by his unexpected gesture, but she lifted her hand and rested it on his back. Perhaps he needed some warmth and reassurance today.

“Is the wound on your right arm treated?”

“Yes. I had it done before I came here so you wouldn’t worry.”

“Good. I should have paid attention to you first. I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. After hearing the news about your father…it’s natural to be confused.”

Elena knew from her last life how it was like to lose family members. Of course, she couldn’t read Carlisle’s mind, but she could guess at the grief what he was feeling. Before she could say a word of comfort, however, Carlisle spoke first in a calm voice.

“You don’t have to worry too much. My father and I…we didn’t have a close relationship.”

Although Carlisle was Sullivan’s firstborn, Carlisle grew up in the maid’s quarters with his mother until the Dragon’s Orb emerged from him. He had a lowly birth, and if Carlisle had not inherited dragon’s blood, Sullivan would never have recognized him as his son. Carlisle understood that very well. He hadn’t had a good memory since he became Crown Prince either. His mother abandoned him and left the palace, and he was sent away to the battlefield after countless assassinations threats.

“My father didn’t like always seeing me. Perhaps it was because I strongly inherited the curse of the dragon’s blood, and my power outstripped almost anyone else’s.”

Elena listened silently to Carlisle. There was some unknown, bitter pain in Carlisle’s voice.

“I was never allowed to complain. In my father’s eyes, I had everything. At first, his expectations weighed on me, but soon it became obvious. I began to resent him when I saw him, like a poison eating away at me.”

From the start, the two were not given the time and space share any affection. Carlisle was sent away as a child and couldn’t see his father again after he became an adult. Perhaps there was always some resentment in Carlisle’s mind against Sullivan. They had something of a mixed relationship, and the only thing Carlisle could do for Sullivan was to inherit the throne as he intended. And so, Carlisle wanted to prove to Sullivan as much as possible that he could be emperor before he died. It was because of this that Carlisle decided to spare Redfield’s life, but only as a last resort.

That was all. Carlisle’s and Sullivan’s relationship could not be defined as either hot or cold.

“I didn’t realize until Father was dead that I wanted his praise.”

“Is that so?”

“I didn’t know it then, but now that I look back, I do.”

His eyes were heavy with regret, and he gave a self-mocking laugh.