Carlisle let out a low, self-mocking laugh. But Elena could not even bring herself to smile. She herself had a strict upbringing in Alphord’s household, and she had always desired to be recognized by her father. Although hers and Carlisle’s circumstances were not the same, she could empathize with his situation.
“It’s alright. While I cannot show my father that I inherited the throne, I don’t want to simply sit here and mope.”
Elena lifted her head from Carlisle’s shoulder and studied his eyes. This was the first time she looked at him since he started telling his story. He didn’t look as aggrieved as she expected, but she could sense a grief hidden behind his smooth veneer. To him, pretending to be fine may be better than crying, but she was saddened to see him suffer silently.
“Caril, sometimes…sometimes I wished that I could be someone who could cry loudly. I always hid my emotions, even when I felt like I would burst.”
Carlisle looked carefully down at Elena as she continued.
“I see so many parts of you that are the same as me. But you don’t need to hold up a facade…if you are sad, don’t hold back.”
Elena wished she could give him greater consolation, but this was the best she could do. She watched him for a moment, and then hugged him, their positions completely reversed from earlier. She murmured into his hair in a soft voice.
“I will stay by your side for a long time. I will listen when you want to talk, and I will praise you when you have done good work.”
At her words, Carlisle let out an amused chuckle and he gripped her tightly in return.
“That is all I need, my wife.”
Elena felt a little insecure at her frail attempt of comfort…but Carlisle smiled all the same. He closed his eyes and leaned comfortably into the warmth of her embrace.
***
Elena and Carlisle moved into a temporary residence prepared by Isaac. It was simple lodging, but they did not complain so long as the Empress did not find them. Anywhere they stayed was more comfortable than the natural caves they had been in. Carlisle was surprised to hear all that Elena had been up to.
“You’ve already informed the noble families of the news.”
“Yes. Here is a list in case you want to look over it. I’ve only chosen a select few, so tell me if there’s anyone else you wish to add.”
Carlisle skimmed over the paper Elena handed to him, then shook his head.
“No, these are all sufficient.”
“I’m happy that you approve.”
Elena gave a casual smile, but Carlisle’s surprised look did not fade away. That wasn’t all that she had done. Not only had she contacted the Krauss family, but she had greatly increased the wealth Carlisle had given her several times over.
“It’s not easy to create such wealth in such a short amount of time…my wife is incredible at everything.”
“I have my knowledge.”
Elena knew what would happen in the future, and thus had a general idea of which businesses were emerging and which products were popular. With even stronger application of her wealth, the amount she could make was astronomical.
“What’s the knowledge?”
He smiled at her playfully, but Elena’s red eyes turned grave. In truth, she had been trying to tell Carlisle about her past for some time, but the ambush had interrupted her. Now seemed like a good time for a second honest attempt.
“Caril. I’m going to tell you something, and please don’t be shocked.”
“Is it the secret knowledge? I’ll listen intently.”
Carlisle’s expression was light with humor, but Elena’s muscles were tense. She kept fingering the blue bead ring he had given her. It was the first time she had spoken to anyone about this.
“…I died once.”
“…?”
“And you should have died the night I came to rescue you. In my previous life, it was Lord Paveluc that had taken the throne and destroyed the Blaise family.”
Carlisle’s blue eyes widened as Elena spoke. However, he did not interrupt her.
“Only I survived, and over the years I learned to fight so I could take revenge for my family. When I finally confronted the Duke of Lunen, I lost.”
“…Do you mean he killed you?”
“Yes. But then I woke up, and found that I had returned to the past. Perhaps you had been curious before—how could I be so skilled with fighting? How could I reap such great returns on investments in such a short period of time? It was all because I once experienced the future.”
Carlisle stared silently at Elena, his brows furrowed in conflict. It was a shocking tale to anyone. Elena squeezed the finger with the ring on it, and continued to speak with a stronger tone than before.
“I believe I returned because of the wish you made on the Dragon’s Orb as a child. You saved my life. That’s why I…”
Carlisle’s wish for Elena had massively changed the course of their lives. Most miraculously of them all, they finally met again.
“I am in front of you.”
