With a pile of documents by his side, Lennox went through all the reports in a fast pace. When he is alone, Lennox would use his senses to quickly finish the paper work. However when someone is around, he works in a mild speed as to not frighten them. Which is why when he sensed someone behind the door, he instantly slowed his hands.
However, no one came in. Seeing the door handle moving up and down, Lennox already knew who it was. The only person who would struggle to open an unlocked door could only be none other than Everly.
With sigh, Lennox waved his hand slightly and the door suddenly opened. Everly stumbled for a moment then quickly regained her balance. With a cheerful voice and high spirits, she exclaimed.
" Everly is here! "
" Yes, I can see that "
Holding a big basket in one hand, Everly strode towards Lennox then slowly climbed into his chair. She put the basket in front of them and pulled the cloth at its top, revealing a bunch of delicacies.
" Everly heard that his majesty don't let Lennox eat any candies because we ran away, so Everly stole these from the kitchen "
Seeing her face asking for praises, Lennox couldn't help but feel complicated. These are probably the snacks prepared for one of the concubines' tea party, plus, the reason he can't eat anything sweet is because his medication doesn't allow it, if a normal human were to consume sugar while using this type of medicine, they are as good as dead...
' Well, she is cute others don't matter, and I won't die from this...probably '
With slightly curved lips, he patted her head and praised:" good job, such a caring girl Maitea is, thinking about her grandfather's health "
Everly's eyes sparkled, she raised her chin with a smug expression looking quite funny. Lennox ruffled her hair then took a piece of candy and stuffed it in his mouth before returning to focus on his work.
It did not take him long before he finished all the documents that needs to be done. Looking around his study, Lennox found out that in this short time Everly had built a large castle from all the books in his study room.
' Who's going to return these books back to its shelves? '
after a moment of thoughts, Lennox spoke:" Hey, Maitea, did the general tell you when he will return to the capital? "
Everly poked her head from behind the wall of books and answered.
" Brother Ba called today and said he will go help his majesty in the north "
Lennox fell in silence for a while and Everly crawled out of the book castle. She walked to his desk and pushed the empty food basket aside to climb up the table, staring curiously at the pondering boy.
" What is Lennox thinking? "
" Huh? ", Lennox moved his gaze and looked at her obediently sitting on his desk as if the mess behind has nothing to do with her.
" I was thinking that until either general Egerton or the old man return, we can't go get the manual you want "
" Ah! That's right! His majesty said to protect the palace until he comes back. Where is it anyway? "
" YinYan continent, in my old castle "
Instantly, Everly's eyes sparkled but the next second she dimmed with a look of hesitation.
" But YinYan continent is very far, won't his majesty be angry when he finds out? "
Lennox nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, " Well, it can't be helped "
Thinking about the beating she got a few days ago, Everly dejectedly slumped on the desktop, feeling distressed.
" Everly doesn't want to get beaten again. Last time his majesty beat us, Everly's butt hurted for a whole day! "
Lennox's eyebrows twitched upon hearing her complain about little flesh pain, wasn't he the one who almost died there?
Before Lennox could say anything, the door knocked and one of the two servants' voice came from behind.
" Y-your highness, Earl Alphonsus is asking for an audience "
" lead him to the lounge, I will be there soon "
After the servant left, Lennox stood to head to his room but was stopped by Everly. She held his left forearm with both hands, head hung down.
" What is it? "
Everly stayed silent for a while as she tightly pursed her lips and kept her head down.
" Do you hate me? "
Lennox was stunned for a moment. Everly didn't use the third-person pronoun she usually does, which could mean she is undergoing mental breakdown again. Lennox has seen her losing control last time in the Elves' village, after he left her in one morning she was overwhelmed by the thought that he had abounded her and stabbed him. At that time he didn't have the leisure to think of anything, but now he could clearly see that she has a mental disorder.
' Is it a result of a traumatic experience? Probably her master's indicent got a part in it '
Seeing him standing there in silence, Everly's hands started to tremble. Her thoughts turned chaotic but soon calmed down when she felt a firm hand patting her head.
" There is no reason to hate you "
" But I hurt you many times and always make troubles, one day you will come to hate me- "
Lennox quickly interrupted her, this was also similar to what she said the other day. Although he is not sure what triggers her to enter this condition, he still has a rough guess.
" There is no such a thing, you can destroy an entire realm and that wouldn't be much for me deal with. After all you are my granddaughter, a part of my family so naturally I have to take care of you "
Hearing that, Everly finaly raised her head and looked at him in a daze, mumbling to herself.
" ....Lennox's....family "
" That's right, so keep your head up high "
It took her a moment of silence before Everly quickly nodded a few times. She leaned over and circled her arms around Lennox's neck, demanding.
" pick me up "
" Walk by yourself, you have legs for a reason "
Although he said that,Lennox still carried her like a toddler and exited his study.