Chapter 190: If Only
As soon as they were gone, two shadows slipped out from that corner.
Kobe giggled and said. "Miss, did you hear that? His Majesty is arranging a marriage between you and Prince Simon. Congratulations on your engagement!"
Elin’s face turned crimson. She glared and snapped. "You silly girl! Stop saying nonsense!"
"Hehe, I’m not making this up; it’s what the master said!" Kobe dodged Elin’s pinching fingers.
"You wretched girl! Stop it!"
Elin’s face turned even redder, burning with embarrassment. Matters between men and women had always been too shameful for her to discuss.
Kobe teased. "Miss, I’m not joking. You and Prince Simon are the same age; you should have been married long ago. It’s only because the master pampers you and worries about your health that he hasn’t arranged anything. But now that the Emperor himself is proposing the match, how can the master refuse? Besides, all of Eldora is praising Prince Simon’s achievements. Dreamy young girls call him a hero, and since he’s still unmarried, many ministers’ wives are rushing to visit Lady Isolde, hoping to marry their daughters to him!"
News of Dunmere’s victory had spread widely in Eldora, and Elin was well aware of it.
Then she remembered the poem Prince Simon had once written. Now, with Dunmere’s triumph and the Emperor’s marriage proposal, her heart began to pound uncontrollably.
Her eyes drifted to the newspaper on the table. Ignoring Kobe, she picked it up and started reading.
The entire front page was dedicated to the battle of Dunmere, how they defended the city on the first day, how the reavers attacked on the second, and how the city gates were breached on the final day.
The vivid descriptions played out before her eyes like scenes from a play. When she read about Prince Simon personally leading his soldiers in a bloody battle at the broken gates, forcing the reavers into retreat, her emotions surged along with the words. What young maiden doesn’t dream of love? Though Elin had lived a sheltered life, she had often lost herself in romantic tales, secretly weaving fantasies of her own.
Now, faced with this reality, she couldn’t help but freeze in thought.
"Miss! Miss!" Kobe waved a hand in front of her face, giggling. "Are you wondering if Prince Simon is ugly or handsome? Tall or short? Flat or round?"
"Nonsense! What do you mean ’flat or round?’" Elin shot her a glare.
"Who knows? Maybe he’s flat, how else could he block the reavers so well?" Kobe mused.
"You silly girl, stop this! Prince Simon is a celebrated hero now. If you mock him, you might get beaten!" Elin pinched Kobe’s cheek.
Kobe’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Oh? Defending him already, Miss? If you really marry him, I won’t survive!"
"You little!" Elin raised her hand to swat her.
Kobe darted away, laughing.
"Ahem!"
A cough interrupted their play.
Kobe turned and immediately bowed. "Young Master."
Elin looked up to see an elegant young man in white robes watching them, her cousin, Franklin.
"Cousin, what brings you here?"
Franklin’s heart ached. He had overheard everything. His gaze lingered on Elin, full of longing.
Since childhood, Elin had been frail and rarely seen in public. Yet despite her seclusion, her beauty was legendary in Eldora, making her the dream bride of noble sons.
The Baker family’s prestige played a part, but more importantly, every noble who had glimpsed her fell instantly under her spell. Once, a smitten admirer even painted her portrait from memory. When it leaked, it drove countless poets and scholars wild with admiration.
Skilled in music, poetry, and calligraphy, Elin’s talents only added to her fame, ranking her as Eldora’s second-greatest beauty.
The first was Princess Lisa, though everyone knew that was just flattery from her sycophants.
To Franklin, Elin’s peerless grace could never be matched by a painted doll like Lisa.
"I... I..." His mind spun, fixated on the name Prince Simon.
Staring at Elin’s flawless jade-like face, he suddenly spat. "Cousin, don’t be fooled by this newspaper’s lies! You know what Prince Simon was like before, a tyrant who bullied men and harassed women, arrogant and shameless! Three years ago, he fled back to Eldora in fear. How could he change into a noble gentleman in less than a year? If you marry him, not only will Uncle worry, but so will I! Who knows if he’s still a beast in disguise? Look, the paper credits Liam with the victory. Clearly, it was Liam’s doing, not his!
His twisted expression made Elin step back, her face paling. She had never seen Franklin look so vicious.
Kobe quickly steadied her. She had never liked this cousin; he visited too often under the pretence of seeing Hughes, though his real target was Elin.
Sheltered and naive, Elin didn’t notice, but Kobe saw right through him. Franklin was all looks and no substance.
"Cousin," Elin said softly, though her voice carried quiet anger. "Prince Simon’s character is judged by the court and the people. Even a rogue can turn over a new leaf. The entire court acknowledges his role in Dunmere’s victory. How can you slander him so? Even if he was once wicked, saving countless lives surely redeems his past. And if he were truly vile, would the people have welcomed him with cheers?"
Franklin’s heart twisted in agony. "Cousin... Do you want this marriage? Do you think he is worthy of you?"
Elin lowered her eyes. "Marriage is decided by parents and matchmakers. Whoever Father chooses, I will obey. That is a daughter’s fate. As for Prince Simon... If Father accepts the Emperor’s proposal, even if he were a monster, he would still be my husband."
Franklin felt as if a boulder had lodged in his chest. He let out a cold laugh. "If only my father were the Emperor! But don’t worry, Simon won’t always be a prince!"
"Cousin! What do you mean?" Elin gasped. "Such words are treasonous if overheard!"
Franklin opened his mouth, then hesitated. Finally, he muttered. "Cousin... I only want what’s best for you. Prince Simon’s path won’t be smooth!
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