Chapter 93 - Preparation

Ella knew Xyle wanted to change the subject and thought, ‘Men and their pride.’

Then she shrugged and looked at him and continued, “I guess so as someone found it eventually. But the problem is… it wasn’t described in the book. The book was written completely from Ella’s point of view. There’s no way to find out what went on when she wasn’t there.”

“Then we must meet him tomorrow.”

“Right?”

Ella nodded and sat down on the pile of books again. She felt it was strangely easier to act as Ranhee in front of him. Then Xyle made a serious look as he looked at Ella and asked, “Was he your follower as well?”

Ella chuckled at Xyle’s jealousy and responded, “Luciella was the protagonist, but that didn’t mean every man in the world fell for her. He was actually wary of her.”

“Why?” Xyle asked.

“I don’t know. He always watched Ella’s every move. He especially reacted sensitively to her mistakes and nagged her on what to do and what not to do. He was like a discipline teacher. Honestly speaking, I would pick him as a character I don’t want to see if it wasn’t for the drought and that tear.”

Ella made an expression of disgust, and Xyle laughed. She then looked at him teasingly, causing him to stop laughing. Then he asked, “When is the Crown Prince coming anyway?”

Fortunately, Cladis came right on time. Xyle contacted his people below, so Cladis was sent to Xyle’s room at once. When the Crown Prince arrived, he frowned as he saw Ella and Xyle looking at each other. He bowed to Xylem and walked over to her.

“Why are you here?”

“I was waiting for you, Your Highness,” answered Ella as she made an innocent look that looked like she didn’t know anything and just smiled. It was as if she hadn’t told him the wrong destination and made him wait.

Cladis almost let out his anger but sighed at the sight of Ella and eased himself. He didn’t make an appointment with her and waited on his own accord. Near the bookstore, he waited quite a while for her because of false information regarding her destination, but that wasn’t Ella’s fault. It was his fault for not ascertaining that information and for allowing her to give fake information.

“Where have you been? I know you have escorts, but it’s not good to roam around without letting anyone know where you’re going. Although the capital has gotten safer, it’s still dangerous for a woman to roam about alone,” said Cladis.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. It won’t happen again.” Ella’s polite answer was flawless, but it was enough for Cladis to feel frustrated. He had been given a chance, but the wall she built against him remained high.

“Everything went alright?”

“Of course. Shouldn’t we talk about our business?” asked Ella.

Cladis then glanced at Xyle. He didn’t want the possibility of ending the engagement to happen in front of him. Xyle smirked as he watched the Crown Prince’s eyes grow wary of him. To Xyle, Cladis was just a boy in a larger body. It was funny that he considered Xyle a romantic rival.

Although Xyle had just realized his own feelings and was alert of them, Cladis seemed to find out about them. It would have been better if he used that skill to know Ella’s feelings as well.

“I’m not leaving my room even if you look at me like that. You can talk if you want. I already know most of what you talked about with Ella already,” said Xyle.

Cladis then turned to Ella. He seemed to be asking her if she had told Xyle about it. Ella glared at Xyle. His kind words were vaguely expressed, which were enough to be misinterpreted as he left an important part out.

“Please don’t look at me like that. I didn’t tell him anything. I just told him that I need the most secure room. I can’t have such an incident like now happen in the future,” replied Ella.

Cladis then accepted that he misunderstood. Xyle’s existence made him stay on edge. He then let out a long sigh, while Ella scolded Xyle.

“How do you know about that conversation anyway? I know Winsrolls have ears on their walls, but those aren’t yours, are they?”