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Chapter 21 - Breaking Point
“Will you join me at CafĂ© Montblanc tomorrow? It’ll be your token of gratitude for my assistance today. Tomorrow dress casually, and I’ll let you taste the cake I love the most in Duffspe.”
‘Mont Blanc? That Mont Blanc?’
Cullan’s offer immediately hooked Ella. CafĂ© Montblanc’s famous signature cake Mont Blanc appeared many times in the novel. Cullan loved eating that cake the most. Luciella frequently ordered it for him whenever he was feeling down. She always wondered how delicious it would taste and was curious as to how special this cake would be.
“How can I turn down an offer from the Prince Cullan? I promise I’ll be there. Don’t be surprised if I look different tomorrow,” spoke Ella teasingly, to which Cullan laughed.
This was a different side to Ella. She usually was serious and graceful but now seemed much more charming. Cullan understood why Ethan talked so highly of his sister many times. He, however, couldn’t understand Cladis’s behavior at the same time. ‘Why would he find another woman when he already has a fiancĂ©e like her?’
Clara was also charming, and she had many suitors at the Academy. Compared to Ella, however, she was lacking. Of course, there was no explanation behind love, so Cullan decided to stop thinking about what was up with Cladis. Thanks to the crown prince, at least he was able to flirt with Ella like this. If he had the same mind as him, he would have her by his side and would snarl at everyone that tried to approach them.
“You don’t need to worry about that. It’s not like you’ll look like my sister. I know this is rude to say, but you don’t need to wear it if it bothers you.”
For a moment, Ella couldn’t understand what he meant by it. Eventually, she opened her eyes wide open when she understood what he meant. As he mentioned, it was a rude and unfitting thing to say to a lady. Telling a lady that she could remove her corset was something that even close friends couldn’t say. She had to think for a minute if she should blush from embarrassment or be angry from his rudeness.
“Don’t get me wrong. I just want to treat you to something delicious. I just said that because I didn’t want to see you taking small nibbles because of it. I just feel comfortable around you. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because you’re Ethan’s sister. I’m sorry if I was rude to you.”
Cullan apologized as he realized how rude he sounded to Ella. He wasn’t the type to be ill-mannered so it was rare for him to apologize like this. Maybe he was comfortable talking to her just like he was in the novel. She felt the same. Maybe this time around, Cullan and her were meant to be together. Then, she smiled like she usually did around Evan.
“I also feel the same way, Cullan. It’s almost like I’ve known you for a long time. I guess it’s because you’re my brother’s friend. Because of that, I’ll consider your offer just now like an offer from my brother.”
“Sure, please do. That was also my intention.”
“I will. And I also have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
Ella held back from answering him as he nodded. She wasn’t sure if she should ask him right now. Not only that, she didn’t want it to seem like she was using his friendliness for her own greed. It didn’t help that she felt guilty because she knew how he felt about Luciella. But there wasn’t anyone around her who could escort her besides Cullan.
“Can we stop by the Martinic Glass garden before we go to CafĂ© Montblanc tomorrow?”
He was surprised by Ella’s sudden request, then gave her a curious look and asked, “Glass garden?”
“Yes. Have you been there yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“Why don’t we go there before we head to the cafĂ©? Ethan always told me to go there, but I haven’t had the opportunity.”
“Is that so? Is that place famous?”
“I heard Evan visited the Glass garden at Martin. He said that this place was just as good. I assume it’s worth going there.”
Everything Ella had just said was a lie. Her brother never told her that. To Evan, his sister was like an uncontrollable rugby ball, who could bounce off unexpectedly whenever she wanted to. Although she didn’t have time during the daytime, she could easily run off during the night. In fact, she had already snuck out multiple times. As such, Luciella from the novel didn’t know about the existence of the Glass garden. Ella had a reason for wanting to go there. She had to go no matter what even if she had to lie.