Ch. 217 You Donât Know Anything About My Wife (2)
Elena was grateful, of course, but even though she was family, she didnât want to take away this opportunity for Derek to be involved with someone else.
Sensing Elenaâs hesitation, Derek spoke again.
âIf my request was unreasonable, then I take no offense if you refuse.â
âWhat will you do then?â
âI donât need a handkerchief from any other woman. I donât mind participating without one.â
It wasnât against the rules of course, but Elena was worried that Derek would be the only one that didnât have a good luck token. She yielded to his request and finally nodded her head.
âVery well. If my brother truly wants my handkerchief, Iâll give it to you at the arena.â
Derekâs expression subtly lifted.
âReally?â
âYes. I would be honored for my brother to accept my handkerchief. Though I might cause the other ladies to become jealous.â
âYou donât have to worry about that. Thatâs not going to happen.â
Elena gave a soft chuckle at Derekâs answer. He didnât realize his immense popularity with women, and Elena felt somewhat sorry for the ladies that had a secret infatuation with him. Derek was a man who would never notice a womanâs feelings unless she directly confessed to him.
âHis Majesty the Emperor said he would personally cheer for you. If you win the tournament for the Blaise family, you will be highly rewarded.â
âIâm grateful for his words.â
In truth, what Elena wanted the most for her brother was for him to simply be safe. Whether it was in an arena or a battlefield, accidents happened when one took up the duty of the sword. She looked up at Derek with warm eyes and spoke in a soft voice.
âI wish you good luck, brother.â
At her words, Derekâs suddenly got up from his seat and fell to his knees before her. Elena was startled by his sudden move, and he looked up at her with a determined expression.
âThe reason why I want to win is because of you, Your Highness.â
ââŠ?â
âNot just this one time. In the future, I will fight for my sister, the Crown Princess, a member of the Blaise family.â
âBrotherâŠâ
âI had made up my mind since you told me you wanted to marry the Crown Prince. I will be your strongest ally, and no one else.â
Derek was already loyal to his family and the Ruford Empire, although he had his reservations about Carlisle. But the moment Elena became a crown princess, the depth of Derekâs feelings changed. When Elena chose Carlisle, Derek also became the princeâs faithful ally.
All of itâŠit was for Elena. In the future, the Blaise family would continue to grow in power and become the pillar that supported Elena.
âSo please tell me anything. No matter how difficult your request may be, I will do it for your sake, Your Highness.â
Elenaâs eyes began to grow moist at her brotherâs words. The memory of him rushing towards the enemies at Blaise mansion that night so she could escape flashed in her mind.
âAre my brotherâs eyes the same as then?â
She looked at Derekâs strong eyes, and thanked God in her heart for her family. She smiled as she held her brotherâs rough hands.
ââŠThank you, brother. You have truly helped me.â
*
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*
Carlisle remained busy in his office. He had put off some work due to Elenaâs injury, and recently began catching up on it. His eyes were fixed on the documents before him, and he was speaking in a low voice to Zenard standing across from him.
âAre you sure you have the evidence?â
âYes. The Casey family has proof that it was the Empress that attempted to destroy Flower Bridge.â
âWhat about a witness from Redfieldâs party?â
âIt was difficult to find the guest list for such a secretive event, but I managed to persuade a noble, whose fortunes have recently been declining, to give me information.â
âWe finished investigating the components of the drug. Are you ready to prove it in front of everyone?â
âYes.â
While the Empress was working to wipe away evidence, Carlisle was preparing to snatch her by the collar.
Carlisle signed the document he was looking at and spoke again.
âHave you also secured Lady Selby?â
âYes. Since youâve sentenced her to life imprisonment, weâve been waiting for the Empress to make a move. You donât have to worry about it.â
Tak. Carlisle closed the documents with one hand and massaged his temple with the other. He hadnât mentioned Marquis Selbyâs death to Ophelia at the family meal. He needed to distract her gaze until all his preparations were finished.
âThe soldiers on the periphery need to be kept as secret as possible.â
âYes. But with so many people, there may be leaks.â
âMake sure there isnât, but I suppose thatâs to be expected.â
Carlisle stood up and put on his coat. He had yet another matter to attend to.
ââThe dayâ isnât until the end of the tournament. Do not forget it.â
âUnderstood. I will make sure it will proceed smoothly.â
After the competition, Carlisle would set off a figurative explosion of everything he had been investigating to bring down the Empress. He would exploit her greatest weaknesses and ensnare her in a net that she could not escape. Armed conflict was inevitable, and Carlisle was fully prepared for it. If everything went as planned, it would only be a short time before Carlisle took over the throne.
Before Carlisle completely left his office, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Zenard.
âAh. As I said before, donât let Elena know as much as possible.â
âAre you worried that Her Highness may make things worse?â
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Carlisle chuckled at his remark.
âYou donât know anything about my wife. Elena is remarkable. You donât have to worry.â
âWhat?â
Zenard looked at Carlisle in confusion, but the prince didnât care to explain anymore. He continued his step forwards.