CH 130

Fortunately, Ella and Vylun, who had a look of surprise on their faces, quickly hid it before the Duke looked at them.

“Is that true?” asked the Duke.

“Coincidence brought us together, sire,” answered Vylun.

“Oh? I never thought I would hear such words from you.”

Vylun was known for his stuck-up personality within the entire empire. The Duke never imagined that he would hear such words from Vylun, whom he had known since he was born. Surprised, he then turned to Ella.

‘I can see that my daughter is worthy enough to make a man like him look back at her.’

The Duke nodded with a proud expression on his face. Then he opened his mouth to speak of the thought that came to his mind, “Ella, you’re beautiful today as well. If only His Highness could s- UGH.”

The Duke, who was trying to remind Ella of Cladis by mentioning him, gasped at the Duchess’s nudge and stopped. The Duchess was viciously glaring at him.

“Hmph. Shall we go then?”

The Duke couldn’t finish his words. He turned and saw Vylun’s face while holding Ella’s hand. That stern man had a smile on his face. It wasn’t his usual crazy cackling with a sword in his hand kind of smile, but one of a man who was like a spring breeze. At that realization, the Duke woke up instantly as if Vylun was pouring cold water over him.

***

Inside the carriage on the way to Duke Tuchizen’s estate, the Duke who had been waiting for this moment where Vylun was on his horse began asking questions. It hadn’t even been 10 minutes since the journey began. “What happened with Vylun, Ella? Do you have feelings for him, perhaps?”

Ella was surprised by his question and looked back at her father. Norland told him that she had met him for the first time today, so why was he going this far with his wild imagination?

“I’ve heard a lot about him, but today was the first time I’ve seen him. And it was a short meeting. I’m keeping my feelings to myself.”

Even with Ella’s clear answer, the Duke couldn’t forget Vylun’s eyes. A long time ago, everything was ruined on the day when his friend, who looked just like Vylun, had the same exact expression as him. He couldn’t let this happen again.

“Ella, don’t ever have feelings for Vylun.”

“Honey!” shouted the Duchess in protest.

But even with her protest, the Duke warned Ella, “I’m not trying to stop you from rejecting the role of crown princess. Do you understand me?”

He seemed more serious than ever before. That’s when the Duchess remembered something as well and stopped speaking.

Although Ella found it surprising to see them acting different from their usual selves, she nodded. There was no way they would give bad advice to her. If the Duchess, who tried to stop the Duke for Ella’s sake, didn’t disagree with him, certainly, there was something about it. She was very curious about it, but neither the Duke nor the Duchess explained what it was.

Ella decided to heed their words as she was busy with Cladis, Xylem, and saving the world. Even without their warnings, she didn’t want another character in her life. She made the expression of an obedient and beautiful daughter and looked back at the Duke.

“Everyone except Vylun. That’s what you’re saying, right?”

“That is what’s best for you and him.”

“I will take heed of your words, father.”

“I trust you.”

“Yes, father,” replied Ella.

When the carriage arrived at Duke Tuchizen’s estate, the Duke and Duchess got off. After they left, Vylun came over to the carriage. He offered his hand with extremely polite movements like a machine and waited for Ella.

The Duke couldn’t hide his concern while looking at his daughter walking down from the carriage by holding Vylun’s hand and Vylun watching Ella doing so.

“Don’t worry. She’ll take care of herself.”