Return of the Female Knight

“You have to say it right. It’s not just love, but an outpouring of so much love. Can’t you see I’m drowning in it for you?”

Elena’s heart pounded as she stared at Carlisle’s fiery blue eyes in front of her. She knew she had a lot of work to do. At the same time, Carlisle’s touch made her body burn like a woman’s.

“So just stay back for once, and watch what I do. All I need from you is praise that I have done well.”

“…”

“Ah. If you don’t want to say it, then perhaps a slightly better reward.”

Carlisle’s finger traced Elena’s lip. She looked at his darkened eyes, and realized without words what he wanted. Her mouth was dry as she spoke.

“When you say it like that…”

Hwiiig—

Elena swiftly wrapped a hand around Carlisle’s neck and pulled him towards her. She pressed her lips against his, and his eyes widened momentarily in surprise, before he responded back with the same amount of enthusiasm.

Carlisle wrapped his hands around Elena’s slender waist and pulled her towards the desk. There was a crash as something fell off the desk and onto the floor, but neither of them cared. They kissed each other long and desperate, until they finally surfaced for air, breathing hard. Elena cleared her throat, but her voice was still hoarse when she spoke.

“I just remembered to say…being a knight isn’t my only talent.”

Elena was an elite soldier, true, but before that she was a high-ranking woman, the Crown Princess of the Ruford Empire.

“As soon as dawn breaks, I will send invitations to society’s ladies to come to the Crown Prince’s palace. The number of eyes watching here will naturally increase, so the Empress will not be able to break through the palace easily.”

There wouldn’t be as much attention as the National Founding Day, but if there were rumors that the Empress was trying to assault the Crown Prince’s compound, there would be questions why. Then it would become known that Redfield was being held by Carlisle, due to charges related to drugs. Carlisle wanted to spread the truth, while Ophelia wanted to hide it, leaving her unable to make a move.

From the beginning, Elena planned to use her status to attract public attention, rather than use her sword. Carlisle’s eyes brightened at the plan.

“That’s a good idea. My wife can really do anything.”

Elena blushed faintly and smiled. They had been kissing each other hotly just a moment ago, and so their faces were near each other. Carlisle stared down at her eyes with a heated expression.

“It’s not just me that deserves praise, but my wife as well.”

“Is that so—?”

Before she could finish, Carlisle leaned in and pressed his lips against hers again. He peppered her with playful bird kisses and whispered sweetly in her ear.

“So one more time.”

Carlisle once again gave Elena a deep kiss under the pretext of an award. Elena was briefly taken aback, but she soon put wrapped her hands around Carlisle’s neck with a pleased look.

*

*

*

As soon as the sun rose, Elena sent invitations for a dinner party at the Crown Prince’s palace. It would be held that very same evening. Because of the suddenness of the event, numerous maids and servants were striding up and down the halls, frantically preparing for the guests.

Carlisle decided to hold off the Empress’ soldiers outside the compound, while Elena did her best to prepare for the dinner party. She scanned the list of guests, then she paused at the name “Countess Viviana.”

“How many people will attend the surprise event? It would not be an exaggeration to say that it all depends on her.”

Stella Viviana. A towering social figure in the capital, a woman who walked on the path of misery because of the son she had in wedlock. Elena, who had knowledge of the future, blackmailed the countess with knowledge of it. Although they had somewhat become friends after several exchanges, Elena had never really been able to guess what Stella really thought. Elena hoped that Stella was on her side, but her loyalty was uncertain.

“Will she attend the dinner party?”

If Stella knew of the standoff with the Empress’ soldiers, she may refuse the invitation. And if Stella, one of the most influential people in society, did not come, the number of people attending the dinner party was likely to drop significantly as well.

The nanny looked worriedly at Elena before offering her counsel.

“You have done everything you could, Your Highness. It is up to the will of Heaven now. Do not worry about outcomes you cannot change.”

Elena gave a faint smile and nodded towards her nanny.

“Yes. I have no choice but to wait for the results.”

It would be a waste of time to think about things that were no longer in Elena’s hands. She cleared the thoughts that floated in her mind, and turned her attention to preparing for the dinner party.

At the time, Elena did not know of the unexpected guest that would come.

Time flew by in a flash.