Ch. 213 Im Worried That Im Happy (2)

Carlisle naturally a.s.sumed that Elena was resting in the bedroom or already asleep. It was the right thing to do, as her arrow wound hadnt completely healed yet. Contrary to Carlisles expectations, however, Elena was nowhere to be seen, despite the late hour.

Carlisle frantically searched the bedroom before summoning a maid to ask about Elenas whereabouts.

Ttubeog ttubeog

Carlisles swift footsteps echoed in the large palace halls. He didnt like the place where she was now.

Sswiiig!

There was a sharp sound of wind as Elenas arrow hit the bullseye. There were already a dozen other arrows embedded in the target, and her sword was out as if she had been practicing with it.

Carlisles eyes flashed in disapproval.

What are you doing here, my wife?

Ah, Caril. Are you here to find me? It must be late already.

Elena set down her bow and tried to look contrite. Carlisle walked behind her to inspect her back, worried that the wound might have been aggravated and started bleeding into her bandages.

Elena spoke with a rea.s.suring voice.

You dont have to worry. Im fine.

Fortunately her bandages were clean, but Carlisles brow crinkled in dismay.

Its not fine. What the h.e.l.l are you doing here practicing with your injured body?

II thought when I had the free time, I should improve my skills.

You can stop. Do you know how much worry youll cause me?

Carlisle lifted Elena without further comment. She looked surprised, but did not push him away. She had already been in Carlisles arms several times, and had subconsciously adapted to it. A broad smile spread across her face.

Are you going to carry me to bed?

Ill tie you to it as well.

Well, Im not so easily captured.

Carlisle chuckled at Elenas playful words, but then his expression turned solemn.

Dont make me worry. You cant stress your body until your wound is healed.

Elena fully understood Carlisles feelings, but she was too restless to simply lie still.

Im sorry to have troubled you, but the tournament will be soon. Thats when the Imperial Family would gather, and Im uneasy about it.

The tournament was the one Derek had long been training for. It would have been held much earlier, but it was delayed due to Carlisles and Elenas sudden marriage.

The tournament was periodically held in the capital, and it would bring together all members of the Imperial FamilyEmperor Sullivan, Empress Ophelia, Second Prince Redfield, and Grand Duke Paveluc. But could the event proceed without any incident? Whats more, Carlisle wasnt saying anything, but she had seen some suspicious movement from him. It was like the calm before the storm.

Carlisle glanced down at Elena in his arms.

I suppose I still dont have much faith in you. Just listen to me and rest until the wound is healed.

Then let me know what youre up to.

When you are healed.

If you dont tell me anything by then, I might die in curiosity.

At Elenas words, Carlisles eyes darkened momentarily.

Dont joke about that. I still have nightmares about you being struck by an arrow and falling in front of me.

Ah

Elena was speechless. The reason she was so aggressive in her training was to make Carlisle emperor. She also had her duty to protect her family, but she also had a strong desire to do it for Carlisle. However, she hadnt fully understood what was going on in his mind.

Elena lifted her hand to stroke Carlisles cheek, and he tilted his head towards her touch. She spoke in an apologetic tone.

I see. Ill try not to worry you as much as possible.

Im glad.

Carlisle stared down at her with a soft gaze.

Never forget, you are the only person in the world who can hurt me.

Carlisle had never paid attention to what other people thought about him or said behind his back. However, he could not easily pa.s.s by even the smallest thing about Elena. To him, Elenas injuries hurt more than they did, and he gave weight to her words more than anything else.

Im a fool when it comes to my wife. Youre the only one who can ruin me.

There was nothing about Elena that was insignificant to Carlisle. Her small joys were his bursting happiness, and her wounds were intolerably painful. All the more so not only because she was the only love he had, but because they had exchanged their hearts. It made everything both sweeter and more heart-wrenching. Because of a single woman named Elena, Carlisle seemed to soar into the sky several times a day and then plummet to the ground.

Elena grinned and pinched Carlisles cheek.

I know. Only I do that.

As the pair carried on in conversation, they finally arrived in the bedroom. Even though there was a fair amount of distance from the training room to their bedroom, Carlisle showed no signs of tiredness. Elena glanced towards the bathroom.

You can set me down.

To bathe?

Yes. Ive been sweating, so Ill have a wash.

Youre injured, so call the maids for a.s.sistance.

Its alright. I dont want to wake up the maids if theyre already asleep.

Since she had been a knight for decades in her last life, it was easier to do it herself than to borrow someone elses hand. Such experiences had eroded some of her aristocratic thinking.

Carlisle carefully lowered Elena to the floor. He stared at the bathroom door for a moment, and then spoke.

Can I help you?

Elena didnt process the meaning at first, but soon enough her face turned bright red. She patted Carlisles shoulder and hurriedly spoke.

Its alright. I can do it myself.

Carlisle watched Elena hurriedly disappear into the bathroom, and he looked back at their exchange. He made the offer because he thought she would have difficulty was.h.i.+ng alone, but Elenas shyness drove him even crazier. They agreed not to sleep together until Carlisle became emperor, but as the days pa.s.sed, his self-control seemed to wear down even more.

Carlisle looked down at his hands. The feeling of her weight in his arms remained.

At this rate, I might not do it even if she allowed it.