chapter 60

" that's all the files you need to review ", silence fell upon them after Carson said that to both Jennings and Bernard.

' the heck is wrong with this atmosphere?!! '

Even though they completed their work as Smooth as usual, Carson could still sense the awkward coldness in the air. In a desperate attempt to ease the tension, he blurted whatever came to his mind.

" ah, general. You brought lady Everly with you?"

Bernard answered with his usual attitude:" I had to, she insisted on coming. Saying that she misses everyone at the palace"

Jennings faintly chuckled as he mumbled to himself:" ah, I miss little Eve too"

In the past month, aside from following Jennings everywhere, Everly allied with Lennox to do all the crazy shit that comes to their minds. Making Jennings worried that he might sleep at night and wake up at the news that his kids summoned a devil or something. Jennings has all the right to be worried about such a thing 'cause Lennox and Everly really did think about doing so, luckily they failed :)

" When are you presenting her officially? You see, dealing with the rumours about lady Everly and his majesty is quite tiring "

Bernard loudly laughed at Carson's sighs, saying:" yeah, I did hear some of them, abandoned Princess? Child of an unfortunate love? Who the hell makes that bullshit? "

With a helpless smile, Jennings sighed at the two men having fun cussing at some old ladies who probably started these rumours.

" why would there be such rumours? little Eve and I are surely close, but it's not enough to say that we are a child and parent"

" well, baby girl has been talking restlessly about prince Lennox. Perhaps people assumed so because they play together a lot"

That what Bernard had in mind before Carson struck him with the most logical explanation.

" I bet it's because she is ten "

"....wait. that actually makes sense "

"....."

After a moment of silence, Jennings couldn't stay speechless for too long and asked the million gold question.

"So what if she is ten?"

No one answered. However, Jennings could see that both Bernard and Carson were internally panicking, which made him even more curious.

" a-haha, such trivial things are for me to take care of, please don't concern yourself, your grace "

" ahem. So I was saying that I will officially present Everly at Fletcher and Catherine's wedding. It's more convenient, ahem".

" answer me. Don't change the subject "

Seeing that it did not play on Jennings, Carson started sweating. well, he was the one who spilt the tea. With stiff limbs, Carson spouted:" AH, general. Did you not say that you will be leaving the Empire after the Duke's wedding?"

Although he has just spilt Bernard's tea, Bernard decided to cooperate with him and cover his back.

"Yes. I, I have some business to attend to at Baranos kingdom"

' FUCK YOU CARSON!!!! COULDN'T YOU HAVE THOUGHT OF SOMETHING ELSE?!!! '

Thankfully, they managed to draw his attention elsewhere.

" you are leaving already? It hasn't been a month since you returned "

Hiding his bothered tone, Bernard said formally:" since master's responsibilities are on me now, I will be travelling more frequently ".

After news of the master's condition spread across the underworld, many of those who were cowardly hiding crawled out of their holes, thinking that no one can stop them. Even with NOAH system organizing the non-humans, without the master, it's more like a barking dog that can't bite.

' oddly, Sitia is way too calm...'

For the largest nation in the continent, and the most advanced in magic technology, to be this quiet was something suspicious. Unlike the other kingdoms and tribes that had already started with their riots, Sitia Empire's peace stayed unwavering.

' ...it's just as master said, this idiot is really capable for a mere human '

While Bernard was having these thoughts, Jennings snapped him out with his words.

"What about little Eve? You can't drag her everywhere around the continent "

Carson looked at Jennings fidgeting as he talked to Bernard with a bewildered face.

' What in the god's name is wrong with this ex-husband tension??!!! '

" I think you should keep her in the palace, it's safer and she won't feel lonely when you are busy with work ".

The moment Carson's voice faded from the air, the door to Jennings study knocked.

"What is it?" Carson asked after opening the door for the umbrella butler.

" There is an urgent matter to report to his majesty "

" let him in, Carson "

Jennings's voice came from inside the study. With the Emperor's permission, the umbrella butler entered the room and bowed deeply toward Jennings.

" your majesty, his highness and lady Everly had escaped from the palace. following the direction they went to, it seems that they are heading to the forest outside the capital.....again"

"..."

*****

Tak

Tak

Hearing the knocks on the terrace's window. Annasophy, who was pretending to be asleep, quickly jumped from her bed to open the window.

" Why are you late, Roan?!", said Annasophy with a low scolding voice.

She gently pushed the candle closer to the robed man, revealing his azure eyes and platinum golden strands that escaped from his hood.

" sorry for real!! I had trouble sneaking in"

" Did something happen?"

Startled, Roan Esterházy quickly waved his hands and explained: "no, nothing, don't worry. It's just, there have been a lot more gourds than usual because the crown prince ran away...again "

With a deep sigh, Annasophy took the cloak in Roan's hand and covered herself with it.

" To hell with it. Let's just get going "

She said that then both of them climbed down the terrace and stealthily sneaked out of the palace, to what people call nowadays a " date".

She said that then both of them climbed down the terrace and stealthily sneaked out of the palace, to what people call nowadays a " date".

.

.

.

As the couple walked away from the scattering crowd, their laughters took a while until it subsided. Annasophy swung the hand holding into Roan, saying with a tear hanging at the corner of her eyes.

" man, that was hilarious. How did you find about that show "

" I saw them years ago on an academic trip with my friends. And after hearing that they will perform in the capital, I really wanted to show you "

Annasophy's eyes widened before turning crescent along with the sincere smile she had. She leaned her head on Roan's shoulder as both reached a place less crowded.

" I like this side of you "

" wh-what side? "

Roan's face turned beat red, he was startled by the sudden compliment he received. Annasophy chuckled at her lover's cute reaction, she hugged his arm saying.

" you always think of me at your happiest moments. It makes me realize just how important I am to you "

Usually, when men tried to court her with gifts behind the Emperor's back, Annasophy would always get disgusted by the way they keep talking about how expensive and rare the items they brought. Roan, on the other hand, was rather different, he was stuttering, fidgeting and looked as he would faint from nervousness. And that what caught her attention.

Roan's steps came to a halt. He moved Annasophy from his side to his front, holding both her hands, he said with a serious tone.

" Anna, I love you "

Annasophy looked surprised but still waited for him to say what he had.

" I want to stay with you, to cherish and protect you for the rest of my life. I know that I can never please his majesty with whom am I- "

" no! Daddy's standards are way too ridicules!! "

She quickly exclaimed to correct him. However, Roan shook his head and responded calmly.

" his majesty has all the right to do so. Princess is such a wonderful person, you deserve no less "

Annasophy frowned the second he called her princess. She felt as if he was drawing lines of distancing himself.

" I know this might sound shameless, since the crown prince is the one doing most of the work, but I want to be someone more reliable. I want to be the one who is in all of your memories, the one to make you the happiest in the world! "

Annasophy did not smile, instead, she had a serious face as she responded to Roan's honest words.

" I love you too. As for the rest....I am satisfied with whatever you do, as long as you are by my side. Plus, if things went down hell, we can just flee somewhere "

Roan scolded with a determined look on his face. He grabbed her shoulders saying:" I can never be the reason for you to separate from his majesty! he will be so heartbroken... "

" hehe, you are so cute. Not as much as little Eve, though "

" Please don't compare me with an angel. And it's embarrassing describing a grown-up man as cute "

Annasophy buried her face in Roan's embrace, the later hugged her back and both stayed silent for a moment until Annasophy raised her head with a cunning smile.

" baby~ why are you nervous "

" I-I am not "

" really? then why does your heart seem like it will burst out of your chest at any moment? "

" *nervous in Japanese* "

" you are still shy even after seeing me naked and doing this and that~ "

" A-Anna!! "