CH 300

Trudge, trudge.

Soon after, Count Serdian’s steps headed to the living room, where the visitor was taken.

His daughter and wife seemed to have gone to the square, as the interior of the mansion, which was always noisy, was quiet as a dead mouse.

“This way…”

Count Serdian, who was following Elin, stopped in place as if he had found something. With an embarrassed gaze.

“Your Highness… What brings you here?”

“If the Count doesn’t summon me, I’ll come here myself.”

“I apologize if I upset you. There are a lot of things that need to be sorted out… I was careless.”

“I’m meeting you here, so it’s fine.”

Theon smiled softly at Count Serdian.

Seeing that, the Count let out a short laughter and smiled awkwardly.

“Let’s have a cup of tea. Though it will be a lot poorer in comparison to the one you usually have at the Royal Palace… The tea leaves I brought before from Raff are very fragrant.”

The Count’s intention to turn the topic around was relentless.

Despite the Count’s efforts, Theon only shook his head silently, not saying anything.

Then, after remaining silent for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.

“Forget the tea, I’d like to have the conversation we were going to have the other day.”

“The conversation we were going to have?”

“Please give me your daughter, Count Serdian.”

After speaking, the corners of Theon’s mouth rose and drew a charming smile.

***

The expressions of the two men, who were facing each other, seemed different.

From the stubbornly closed mouth to the frowning, downwards gaze.

They had different thoughts, but only one target.

The only daughter of Count Serdian, and the lover of the Crown Prince Theon Ermedi.

The owner of the voice that was heard from afar.

“Dad, we’re here!”

“Be careful, Young Lady Ayla!”

Theon frowned slightly at the familiar male voice that followed the cheerful voice coming from the front door.

Soon, the steps of the two people that were heading to the living room stopped when they saw Theon.

Theon’s eyes curved slightly as he found his lover smiling like a child.

Unlike him, who was antsy because he hadn’t seen the face he wanted to see every day in a while and had to suppress his heart, Ayla looked very good.

Instead of the maid’s uniform she wore in the royal palace, the blue dress decorated with a fluttering frill suited her very well.

On top of the neatly arranged black pearl hair, there was a beautiful blue ornament that resembled Ayla’s eyes.

He wanted to hold that small body in his arms right away.

However, he had to control his actions because of Count Serdian, who was glaring at him without saying a word, so he couldn’t do so.

“I was wondering where you went, and it seems you have found a new job.”

Theon’s gentle gaze passed through Ayla and headed towards Orhan.

At the same time, his forehead was crumpled as he looked at Orhan.

“Hahaha. The Young Lady wanted us to be together. Isn’t that right? Young Lady Ayla?”

Orhan looked troubled and turned to Ayla for answers.

Ayla, who was looking at the two, gave a pretty smile.

Then, as she was about to open her mouth to help Orhan, who was in a tight spot, instead of Ayla’s voice, the Count’s formal voice echoed inside the living room.

“Go up now.”

“What? But…”

Ayla pouted, blurring her words.

Count Serdian’s stern eyes quietly contained his daughter.

She could feel an implied pressure directed at her over the Count’s slightly frowning face.

Ayla’s blue eyes glanced at Theon, who was looking at her.

As their gazes met, Theon gave a small nod as if telling her to follow the Count’s words.

***

A long silence flowed between the two people who were left alone.

Theon, who was silently fiddling with the teacup, turned his gaze to the Count.

Soon, he opened his mouth with a heavy voice.

“You don’t like me that much?”

“Do you want me to give you an answer as Your Highness’ vassal? Or as my daughter’s father?”

“I’m curious about both.”

“Your Highness is clever and talented. You have a careful and warm nature, so you don’t lack any of the virtues a king needs to have. The people of the Kingdom will be glad to serve Your Highness as their King.”

“That’s good to hear. And as a father?”

“…”

The Count hesitated for a moment at Theon’s direct question, holding back his answer. Then, as if he had decided, Count Serdian, who was staring silently at Theon, slowly opened his mouth.

“I know what kind of feelings you have for my daughter. I also know that those feelings are not exclusive to Your Highness.”

“Speak comfortably. I have come to the Count not as the crown prince of the Stellen Kingdom but as a man who loves a woman.”

Was it because of Theon’s honest words?