I was finally released by Julian at dawn.
The moment I returned to my own courtyard, my mother sent for me. My eyes were sore and my fingers were swollen from a long night of “piano practice.” I was completely distracted.
My mother’s voice was a constant buzz in my ear. “Elara, you and Kaelen are childhood friends. He’s seen the error of his ways, he’s come to apologize, he’s brought so many gifts… won’t you at least consider it?”
‘Our families have been allies for generations, our status is equal. Besides Kaelen, it would be difficult to find
a better match.”
yawned lazily. “I won’t marry him. I said I wouldn’t, and I mean it.”
[Don’t you dare go back to him, Elara! That trashy psycho is nothing compared to your Chancellor.]
[Don’t worry, everyone. The Ice Prince has already prepared the chains and everything. If she dares to run off and marry someone else, she’ll find herself chained to his bed, with eyes only for him for the rest of her ife.)
shivered. It had taken all my effort last night to soothe the jealous man.
One wrong note, and the punishment was a kiss.
By the end, he was kissing me until he couldn’t stop the tears from soaking the corners of his eyes, all while clinging to me desperately…
He had whispered it over and over into my ear, a sound that was half gasp, half plea.
You can never leave me, Elara.”
‘I’m addicted to you… If I lose you, I can’t guarantee what I might do.”
‘Elara, if you don’t marry Kaelen, who will you marry?” my mother’s voice rose. “Look around the entire capit- al, is there anyone better than the young Lord Kaelen? He has power, he has looks!”
‘Who says there isn’t?” I looked down, unable to suppress a small smile. “Compared to him, Kaelen isn’t even worthy of touching the hem of his robe.”
My mother poked my forehead. “Where in the world is there such a perfect man? And if there were, why wou- Id he choose you? Why would he insist on marrying you?”
“Kaelen has settled down,” she said, her tone softening. “He’s been waiting eagerly for you to say yes. He even promised that if you don’t want him to take a concubine, he never will.”
“If you let this chance slip away, Elara, you may never get another opportunity to marry him…”
That afternoon, Kaelen came to visit again. And this time, he brought Seraphina with him.
She acted as his advocate, her voice as soft and persuasive as flowing water, her words full of earnest sinc-
14/17
17.38
Chapter 2
erity. “Elara, please don’t misunderstand.”
17:38 #w
“Lord Kaelen and I have no secret affair. We have only occasionally shared tea. He sees me as a dear friend a kindred spirit, nothing more.”
Kaelen stood behind her, his gaze fixed on me. When Seraphina finished, he let out a breath and strode for ward, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“Did you hear that, Elara?”
“Seraphina and I are just friends, nothing more. I truly want to marry you!”
The comments spoke for me:
[Yeah, right. You’re just ‘not–quite–lovers.‘ One day your old feelings will reignite, you’ll end up in bed togeth er, and Elara will be thrown to the beggars.)
[An uncertain choice is a betrayal! Elara’s not stupid, she’s not falling for your lies!)
[And now, please welcome, Elara’s protector!]
When Julian appeared, the front hall of my family’s home fell silent for a moment. His gaze flickered to Kael- en’s hands on my shoulders, and a cold shadow passed over his eyes before he coolly looked away.
[Elara, do you not get it? sigh】
[Excellent, the King of Jealousy has refilled his cup!)
