Chapter 97

Ch . 97 Come Here (1)

Elena didn't like the way Carlisle deceived her, nor was she amused at the pleased expression on his face .

'You don't know how much I've been looking for you…'

As a child, Carlisle seemed to be in danger of something, as if he would suddenly vanish if she didn't reach out to him . And so she made that promise to him when they were young . When she returned to the palace, she searched among the servants of similar age and was disappointed she couldn't find him .

'Then this bead ring was given by Caril . '

She looked down at the ring with new understanding . It was the same blue as Carlisle's eyes, and the detail made her feel ashamed for some reason .

“This ring, didn't you say it belonged to your mother?”

“I did . ”

“I may be late, but I'll return it now . ”

As she made to pull off the ring, Carlisle raised a hand to stop her .

“You keep it . ”

“But–”

“I don't intend to take it back now . You will be my princess anyway, and it's the same as me having it . ”

Elena also had a sentimental attachment to the ring as a reminder of her last life . But somehow it felt different knowing that it belonged to Carlisle's mother prior .

“Are you sure you want me to keep it?”

“I'm relieved that you have the ring . So I'd like you to keep at as close to you as much as possible . ”

“You're relieved?”

“Yes . It's hard to believe, but I feel like it's some kind of talisman . When something dangerous happens, it will protect you one time . ”

She gave him a questioning look at the vagueness of his words, but Carlisle smiled as if he didn't intend to explain .

“I have a few questions that I can ask you now . After you left did you come back to find me?”

Of course she did . She searched for Carlisle for days and days and met with each of the palace servants . But Elena did not intend to tell the truth .

“No . It was a promise from my childhood, but I quickly forgot it . ”

She felt hurt at all the times Carlisle lied and hid himself from her . In the meanwhile, Carlisle's expression turned bitter .

“…I see . ”

There was a subtle change in the atmosphere, but Elena glanced over it . It was strange to think that the child at that time was Carlisle . He seemed a little shabby before, but even then he was still rather good-looking . However, his personality before felt quite different from the arrogance of Carlisle now . At that time, he was small and delicate enough to stimulate her protective instincts, but now she felt sad that that boy had turned into a haughty and cruel young man . What happened to Carlisle all those years? How did he grow up? She was flooded with curiosity all of a sudden, but she had no idea if he would answer if she asked him directly .

As Elena was staring at Carlisle, she was startled by a sudden realization .

“Oh, that's right . ”

She had left Mirabelle outside when she came running to Carlisle . Elena had wanted to see him immediately, but Mirabelle couldn't run with her, and so Elena had told her sister to wait . It was impossible for her to forget her sister even for a moment .

“I just remembered that I left Mirabelle waiting . I'll be right back . ”

“Of course . ”

Elena rushed towards the door, then paused and turned back towards Carlisle . He remained the same as usual, but at that moment she thought again of her hidden memories of him .

“Caril…”

At her voice, Carlisle turned his blue eyes towards her . As their eyes met in midair, Elena spoke softly .

“Thank you for being so sweet to Mirabelle and inviting her to the Imperial Palace with me . Anyway…it's nice to think we've met again after we grew up . ”

Carlisle smiled back .

“I told you last time, if you're thankful, just pay me back later . ”

“I see . I'll be sure to pay this debt . ”

Elena granted him a faint smile and hurried back to where her sister was waiting for her . Carlisle stared at Elena's gradually receding figure . Soon after, Zenard, who was waiting outside, came back into the room .

“Your Grace, shall I prepare a room for the ladies, as you said earlier?”

“Yes . ”

Elena and Mirabelle had arranged to view and stay overnight at the palace . Elena had said, “I'll live here when I get married, so it's not a bad idea to become familiar with the grounds . Mirabelle said she wanted to see the palace as well . ”

“…Sweet, huh . ”

Carlisle smiled without realizing it, remembering what she had called him . There are many words in the world to describe him, but the word “sweet” was not one of them .

“You don't know how dark I am . ”

He was smart, not sweet . He wasn't so ungrateful enough to hate Elena's family .

'If you knew how much I wanted you, you would be surprised…'

Carlisle would be both an angel and a devil to have Elena .

Elena quickly followed her guide before remembering something else .

'Come to think of it, was Caril treating me so generously because of that past meeting?'

Until now, she thought the reason for the treatment was because of a past relationship that she couldn't recall . She a.s.sumed it was some tremendous affair, even though she did not have any memories related to him . On the contrary, their relationship was very trivial . All they did was meet as children and play together .

'But…is that reason enough for him to be so good to me?'

It was true that Elena desperately searched for Carlisle at the time . However, she did not ask around for months or years, and had given up looking once she learned there were no servants like Carlisle in the palace . It was inevitable, of course . She didn't know anything about him except his appearance . Although the brief encounter at the time remained fond in Elena's memory, it didn't seem enough for Carlisle to treat her the way he did .

'What is it? Is there something else I don't know?'

She thought she'd ask Carlisle if she had another chance .

It was then .

“Sister!”

Elena was in her own thoughts as she followed the servant, then she realized she was where she parted with Mirabelle . She turned her head toward Mirabelle's voice, and saw her sister smiling brightly and waving into the air . Elena returned the smile as soon she saw her .

“What were you doing while I was gone?”

“I've been looking around at the amazing things in the palace . Did you have a good meeting with him? What was the rush?”

“Oh, well…I just remembered something I had to tell him . ”

Although Elena was scarce on the details, Mirabelle nodded in understanding .

“Yes, there are stories that are only meant to be between lovers . ”

“That's not what it is . ”

Elena yelled at her hotly, but Mirabelle just smirked . Ever since she found out about Elena's relationship with Carlisle, Mirabelle enjoyed making fun of her like this . Elena spoke quickly, her face flushed .

“The prince is waiting, so let's go and say h.e.l.lo . ”

“Alright . Do you miss him already?”

“No . ”

Elena's cheeks reddened even more, and Mirabelle wordlessly pressed down a smile . Elena had no idea that Mirabelle was making more fun of her because she liked to see her so embarra.s.sed .

And so the sisters strolled happily in the glorious palace gardens, where the sun shone warmly .