Chapter 160: Good Sisters
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Loya felt a pang of embarrassment for stumbling upon Xiao Han in such a vulnerable state, crying and seeking solace. She didn’t want Xiao Han to feel compelled to bow to her, adding to her own intrusion. The mere thought of expecting others to bow before her made Loya feel like a bully.
Nevertheless, Xiao Han adhered to etiquette and bowed to Loya. After the bow, she stood there unsure of what to do, her gaze fixed upon Loya.
An awkward silence hung in the air, suffocating both of them.
Finally, Loya spoke, breaking through the uncomfortable tension. “Don’t be sad. I’ll treat you to some delicious food.”
Xiao Han hadn’t expected the princess to extend an invitation for a meal. She remained in a daze for a moment before hurriedly responding, “Thank you, Your Highness!”
Loya nodded and gestured for Xiao Han to follow. Xiao Han lifted her skirt slightly and jogged after her, not daring to walk side by side but rather maintaining the proper distance dictated by protocol.
“Don’t be sad. Indulge in something delicious when you’re feeling down. It can greatly improve your mood,” Loya spoke up, feeling that the path ahead had never felt so long. Breaking the silence seemed necessary.
“Yes, indeed,” Xiao Han replied, although her heart couldn’t help but recall Henry’s hurtful words.
“I don’t like you. Your affection for me is burdensome.” Henry sat across from Xiao Han at the dining table, delivering those cold words with an expression void of warmth.
Xiao Han felt immense sadness. She couldn’t comprehend what she had done wrong to elicit such a cold rejection from Henry, who had always been kind and gentle towards her. His words about her affections being a burden cut deep.
“Just tell me what I’ve done wrong. There’s no need for you to be so heartless in expressing your dissatisfaction with me. I’m deeply hurt, Henry,” Xiao Han pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes. Despite Henry’s lack of romantic feelings for her, they had been childhood playmates who had grown up together. Henry almost couldn’t resist the urge to console her in her pitiful state.
Henry had made a firm decision, delivering a reason that shattered Xiao Han’s heart. “I don’t have feelings for women. I am attracted to men. I have always treated you well because you’ve been my close friend since childhood. I apologize for any misunderstandings, but please stop liking me. It only makes me feel uncomfortable.”
Xiao Han couldn’t fathom that the person she had cherished for over a decade had an inclination towards men. But why did he choose to reveal this now? And why did he make it seem like she was intruding in his life? They had grown up together, and he knew her better than anyone. He knew that she wasn’t the type to force her affections onto others. So why didn’t he speak up earlier? Why did he always brush off her expressions of love with vague responses?
Initially, Xiao Han thought he was concerned about her father’s reaction, fearing that her father would be angry or disappointed in him if he reciprocated her feelings.
Now, however, Xiao Han finally grasped that his ambiguous answers were solely to gratify his own vanity. He had been using her identity as the daughter of a duke to showcase his desirability, reveling in the fact that a noble duke’s daughter had pursued him for more than a decade.
Overwhelmed with sadness, Xiao Han felt as though her heart had been ruthlessly torn apart. The pain was unbearable, leaving her unable to control her emotions.
Little did Xiao Han expect that someone would find her in this remote corner, and that person happened to be none other than the noble princess of the empire. The thought of the princess approaching her gently, urging her not to despair and offering to treat her to exquisite ancient cuisine for solace, was beyond her imagination.
In that moment, Loya had no inkling of the tender image she held within Xiao Han’s heart. The topic she raised to console Xiao Han and alleviate the awkwardness was simply an attempt to extend comfort.
As for the invitation to indulge in delicacies, it stemmed from Loya accidentally stumbling upon Xiao Han’s secret tears and desiring to make amends through a culinary gesture.
Neither of them anticipated that this awkward encounter would forge a genuine and enduring friendship that would span their lifetimes..
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