Chapter 96 - Dreaming Princess

“You’re serious,” said Cladis.

“Yes,” answered Ella.

Cladis closed his eyes after Ella had answered without hesitation and let out a long sigh. He had to accept that what she said was true. Their times of peace were over.

‘The Dreaming Princess.’

Cladis thought of what must come next. The empire was going to be in a state of emergency, so the marriage and succession were going to be pushed forward. ‘If that were to happen…’

He then became surprised by what he realized and looked at Ella. She should know what must come as well. But she still told him the truth. ‘Why did she tell me? Is it because she trusts me?’

He knew that this possibility was lower than all other possibilities to be correct, but just imagining it made him smile. Ella’s eye sparkled as she looked at Cladis and said, “Your Highness?”

She frowned at him, suddenly smiling in the midst of a serious conversation. But to him, even that looked charming.

‘I have gone completely nuts,’ thought Cladis, as he tried to calm himself. He had gone absolutely crazy and tried hard to think about the serious reality here. Then, he reminded himself of the reason why Ella told him the truth and the reason she needed his men.

“Hmph. I guess you can’t ask your family about this. Your father will run straight to my father, His Majesty if he finds out. When word gets out, then our marriage will be enforced,” responded Cladis.

Even when he was speaking seriously, he still had a smile popping up here and there on his face. Ella made a small sigh at Cladis, who tried not to smile. She could easily see his excitement. It was especially obvious when he was talking about marriage. Her voice turned cold as she asked, “Are you happy?”

“Yes. I’m happy that you trusted me and told me the truth.”

A young man’s boldness sometimes came so unexpectedly like this. She didn’t expect him to make that face because of that. Ella was astonished and looked at him for his unexpected answer.

Cladis continued with a tone that he was about to give everything for her, “Good. I’ll let you have what you want. I will send Narwin to you.”

“Is that true?”

Cladis eagerly nodded at Ella, who brightened up and stepped toward him, then he had a troubled look. In his current state, he even wanted to send Dalruas, who she didn’t ask for but couldn’t do that. He had to say something that he really didn’t want to say to her.

“But I can’t send you Histeen.”

“Why not Sir Histeen?” asked Ella disappointingly.

Cladis quickly made an excuse, “Narwin is fine because he’s always on duty outside, but Histeen is with my father right now. He’s helping his father, who also happens to be his superior, while I’m at the Academy. If I send Histeen to you, His Majesty will find out right away.”

There was no need to speak further. If the Emperor found out, he would investigate Ella. Then what was to come next was obvious, ‘I’ll have to marry Cladis right after he graduates.’

Ella decided to give up on Histeen. At least she had Narwin. It was better not to have Narwin while having Histeen, so this was better.

“Do you need both of them?” Cladis asked, warily watching Ella.

It seemed he was going to do whatever he could to pull Histeen out if necessary. It was good if she had both, but it wasn’t to the point where she would pull him out while risking getting exposed to the Emperor. She had to face him eventually, but she wanted to postpone her meeting with the Emperor as much as she could.

Trying to make the most unconcerned expression, Ella shook her head and replied, “No. It would be easier if I had both, but Sir Narwin is more than enough. There’s nothing that can be done at the moment.”

“What exactly is happening?” Cladis asked.

Ella thought for a second. How much should she tell him about the truth?