“After much consideration, Father also agreed.”
Edward stopped massaging his shin. He continued, “Let’s go back, Yelena. I’d like to leave right away without a moment’s delay. Do you have a lot of things to pack?”
Yelena didn’t answer. She couldn’t answer, to be precise.
She had been rendered speechless because she was so astonished.
‘…Goodness, that’s why I didn’t receive a reply!’
Everything clicked together. She felt as if someone had dealt a heavy blow to her head.
She thought it had been strange that it was taking so long for all but one letter to arrive. But who would have thought that it would be not a letter, but a person arriving! The person being Edward, at that, bringing with him such a preposterous response!
“Wait a minute, Edward. So…”
Yelena pressed her index finger to her temple. Then she asked, “When you say ‘go home,’ you mean permanently, right? Not for a brief visit, but a permanent return after ending my marriage?”
No matter how she saw it, the tone and attitude with which Edward spoke did not seem like he meant for Yelena to live at home just for the time being.
“Right,” Edward affirmed immediately, leaving no room for doubt.
“Wow, what the…” Yelena softly bit her lip. She had almost let out an ugly word, forgetting where she was. She took deep breaths. After her emotions settled down, she spoke again.
“Don’t speak such nonsense. Why would I go back?”
“What?”
“I think you’re terribly mistaken. You want to take me home for my own safety? Don’t you think that that would accomplish the complete opposite?”
“What do you mean, ‘the opposite?’”
“I’m safer here than at home. That is certain, no matter who sees it.”
Edward raised his eyebrows, as if asking what she was talking about.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Yelena. Have you forgotten? Just the other week, you were almost kidnapped.”
“So you mean to say that I experienced that because I live here?”
“Yes.”
“You’re the one who shouldn’t be ridiculous, Edward. Do you know where the criminal who tried to kidnap me was from?”
“What?”
“He was from the capital.”
“…”
“It was an incident due to my bad luck, not because I have been residing in the duchy. Who knows, it could have been worse if I was in the capital.”
“…That’s speculation, Yelena.”
“I’m just pointing out the slightest possibility of that happening. And I’m refuting your opinion that I’m in danger living here.”
Yelena sighed. She never thought she’d be saying all this to Edward. She could have never imagined such a scenario occurring.
“If you’re really doing this for my safety, just go back. I’m safest here.”
“On what grounds?”
Instead of answering, Yelena beckoned with her hand. A maid who was waiting by one side of the room immediately approached.
“Bring me ‘those.’”
“Yes, Madam.”
The maid left the parlor and quickly returned.
A mountain of various accessories piled on the table where Yelena and Edward sat across from each other.
“What’s all this…”
“They’re magic artifacts.”
“…!”
“It’s your first time seeing so many, isn’t it? I saw so many for the first time here too. They’re all mine. They’re for my safety.”
Edward alternated between looking at the artifacts on the table and at Yelena. All he could utter was a pathetic, “You’re lying.”
“Why would I lie about something that could be found out so easily? If you’re really suspicious, we can go outside and I’ll show you how they’re used.”
Edwrad instantly went quiet at Yelena’s confident attitude.
In the meantime, Yelena called the maid again. “Tell the three people who are outside to come in.”
Promptly, the three knights who were guarding her door entered the parlor with lightning speed.
Colin, Thomas, and Max stood in a line.
Yelena gestured at the three men and said to Edward, “My bodyguard knights. As you can see, there are three of them and they follow me everywhere I go. They are incredibly loyal and their skills are outstanding.”
The three knights were simultaneously overcome with emotion. They looked like they lived solely for this day to come.
Edward furrowed his brow with a sour expression. “I find that hard to believe.”
“What’s hard to believe? Their loyalty? Their skills? I don’t know how they can show their loyalty, but they can definitely show their skills. You’ll get the idea once you see them sparring.”
“I’ll go first!”
“No, I’ll go first.”
“Please allow me to!”
Each knight spoke up so that they could be the first to prove their skill.
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