Chapter 21
The coldness in that voice was so familiar that Lillan somehow panicked, hastily stepping backward twice.
But in her panic, her knees buckled and she started to fall.
Fortunately, Prince Michael reacted quickly, catching her and once again closing their distance.
From afar, it appeared that he was hugging her.
Henry’s sharp glare darkened, as his eyes were fixed on Prince Michael’s hand, which was holding Lilian’s arms firmly.
That was when Michael asked gently in concern, “Are you alright?”
Lilian shook her head..
For some reason, she felt guilty…
But then again, what did she have to feel guilty about?
For one, she and Henry virtually had no connection to each other–if anything, they were relatives only in name.
Who she was with and whatever she was doing had nothing to do with him.
In fact, Henry might not even care–it was she who confused herself!
Taking a deep breath and dispelling the messy feelings inside, Lilian then bowed slightly at Henry. “Greetings, General Stark.”
Michael turned toward Henry as well. “General Stark. More debriefings?”
His tone had an edge of sarcasm, but Henry finally looked away from the prince’s hand, his eyes on the other man as he slowly advanced. “Reports of the Riverton Bandits‘ activities have increased. With the local fief lords failing to defeat them, His Majesty has summoned me to discuss our next plan of action.”
Forget Michael–even Lilian had heard about the Riverton Bandits, as the maids at the washhouse had been talking about them.
After all, they were no ordinary warriors, but seasoned veterans who had retired years ago. As each of them were more than formidable, not even a proper platoon could defeat them easily, let alone the personal guard of the fieflords.
Still, while Lilian scowled, Michael assured her in his dulcet tone, “Don’t worry. The citizens of Glaston are happy and well–fed–no bandits there.”
Lilian’s lips parted, but she was unsure if she should tell the prince that she was not concerned.
On the other hand, Henry noticed something else. “Are you going to Glaston, Ms. Kerr?”
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And if he remembered correctly, the emperor had assigned Glaston as Prince Michael’s fief….
Still, before Lilian could speak, Michael said, “I shall be taking Ms. Kerr as my wife, after which we will be going to Glaston together.”
He turned back to look at Lilian when he said the last part.
It left her uncomfortable, so she lowered her gaza, pretending that she never noticed.
That also meant that she did not notice the dark look in Henry’s eyes as he kept her eyes on her, his tone suddenly much colder too. “I wasn’t informed.”
Michael could clearly tell that Henry took the news badly and raised a brow provokingly. We’ve just decided. I’ve been planning it for a while, but I naturally still needed Lily to agree to it.”
In other words, he was saying that Lilian had agreed to it, even if Lilian knew full well that she
had not.
Even so, Michael was a good choice.
It might seem a bit of a rush to leave the imperial capital in just three months, but once she headed to Glaston with the prince, she would be completely cut off from the marquis‘ household.
The only person who would give her pause was Madam Lestrade, so it would be best if the prince could allow her to stay with her grandmother for the rest of her life.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 22
