Return of the Female Knight

Ttubeog ttubeog—

After receiving the news of Elena’s state, Carlisle pushed all his work aside and headed for her bedroom. He first spotted the nanny and maid standing worriedly outside the door.

“What the hell happened?”

The nanny gave a troubled glance towards Elena’s room.

“We don’t know, as she hadn’t said a word. She met Lady Mirabelle after the tournament, and I believe something bad happened between them.”

“I see. Everyone, leave.”

The servants bowed nervously.

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

After everyone was dismissed, Carlisle entered the bedroom.

Kkiig—

When he opened the door, the first thing that he noticed was that there were no lights on. Elena had never done this before. Carlisle’s concern grew.

“Wife…”

Before he could say anything else, he heard a faint sob. His footsteps stopped. On the bed, he saw Elena lying with the blanket over her head, and he quickly moved towards her side.

“What are you doing here?”

Carlisle carefully pulled away the blanket, revealing Elena’s tear-stained cheeks. Her eyes were red as if she had been crying.

“Elena…”

Carlisle couldn’t find it in himself to speak as he watched tears continue to stream down her face. She bit her lip to hold back her sobs, but it was a futile effort.

“…Caril, heug.”

Elena couldn’t even begin to express how special Mirabelle’s existence was to her. In her last life, she missed her younger sister to the point it felt like her bones were crushed.

In this life, Mirabelle had always supported her when their father didn’t, and was always there when Derek was absent. Mirabelle was the pillar that supported her for so long, but Elena had never done the same. Not only did Elena not stay with Mirabelle when she was needed, but Elena had reduced her sister to tears.

“I’ve been so selfish. I didn’t even know what was in Mirabelle’s heart…”

Carlisle held Elena’s face in both hands and wiped away her tears with his thumbs.

“You, selfish? You need a new definition of sacrifice.”

“No, I had no idea what Mirabelle wanted. I just thought I had to protect her, but I couldn’t help her when she needed it.”

“My wife…”

“Mirabelle has always brought me comfort, but I tried to force my opinion on her without even knowing it. I just wanted her to choose the right path for her heart. What if I’m doing the same thing my father did to me?”

It was already enough for Mirabelle to harbor feelings for Kuhn by herself, but Elena had tried to stop her instead of supporting her.

Carlisle gazed at Elena’s crying form, and then immediately wrapped his arms around her. He rubbed her back soothingly with the palm of his hand.

“Whatever it is, don’t blame yourself. Everyone knows how much you care about your sister.”

“You’re only saying that because you see me as beautiful.”

“Well, maybe. You’re the only one I can see.”

Carlisle didn’t deny it. Anything Elena did was lovely in his eyes.

“Caril…”

“I know you care about your family terribly. You’ll be able to fix this. If you reconsider your actions, things may change.”

Carlisle was right. Tears never accomplished anything. If one did something that they regretted, it was important to make sure they did not do it again.

Elena settled herself in Carlisle’s arms, and she murmured to him in a soft voice.

“I’m sorry. I must look so foolish right now…”

“You do, which is why in this situation, I’m supposed to hold you.”

Elena felt a little relief from the sadness that shook her body. Carlisle’s presence was as comfortable as a warm fire.

“…Thank you.”

When she met Mirabelle again, they would have an honest talk.

After a while, Elena’s tears abated. Carlisle looked at her calmer form.

“I am greedy when it comes to you.”

“…Hm?”

“You are my only wife, and yet you cry like this for someone else other than me.”

“I…I can’t help it. My family is more important to me than anything else.”

A bitter smile flickered on Carlisle’s face.

“….I want to be the only one in your mind.”

Elena, who still had tears clinging to her cheeks, replied with a faint smile.

“Are you jealous?”

“Very much so…but it’s alright.”

Carlisle’s hand reverently stroked Elena’s cheek. It was just as gentle as the way he touched her back.

“You don’t have to give up everything for love. You have me, and I’ll take care of everything else. If you want to protect your family, I’ll help you, and if you want to reconcile with your sister, I’ll help you too.”

“…Caril.”

Elena’s eyes moistened again at Carlisle’s confession.

“This is new to me. I want to make you happy.”

Carlisle’s hand, which brushed against Elena’s hair, carefully came down and covered her cheek.

“I am very possessive, you know. But I’m doing my best and repressing my dark instincts for you. So…”

Carlisle’s long fingers touched the tracks of her tears.

“…Don’t cry too much.”

Elena tipped her head upwards at Carlisle. She understood the earnest desire he had for her, as she felt it with the same intensity. In a way, while Carlisle’s desperate want for her affection was cute, it seemed to have evolved into something more mature.

It was also a change for Elena. This time, she thought it was touching that Carlisle would act with her happiness in mind. It was as if she had the most powerful ally in the world by her side.

Though the tear marks on her cheeks remained, she smiled.

“Don’t worry. I don’t think I’ll cry much by your side.”

*

*

*

“This is…”

Mirabelle woke up, touching a hand to her aching forehead.

She struggled to remember the events that happened before she passed out. After her fight with Elena, she had fled from the stadium. She had run away blindly, not wanting anyone to see her, before realizing that she had walked into an alley.

She suddenly sensed footsteps behind, but it was too late. Several suspicious-looking men blocked the exit from the alley, their eyes gleaming greedily at the dress and jewelry she was wearing.

— Do you think she’ll fetch a good price?

— Kekeke, you know. It was the tournament I was looking forward to today, but we’ve come across a windfall.

Mirabelle, sensing danger, had stepped back, and then tried to run away in the other direction. She only got as far as a few steps, before the men quickly narrowed the distance. They pushed a harsh-smelling handkerchief to her nose, and it was then that she had lost consciousness.

“No…”

Mirabelle tried to move, but her hands were bound behind her back. She didn’t want to imagine it, but if her intuition was right…

She had been kidnapped.