Chapter 390
Ella is leaving for a dangerous place. And I’m staying here.
The imagination that he feared has finally returned to reality. He immediately put into practice the plans he had been thinking about. The reason why the magic circle was drawn in this Black Forest was to put the bracelet on Ella’s wrist.
“I will give up Ella like a cool guy, so you do your job by persuading Ella so she will keep the bracelet on her. If not, I’ll be lingering around Ella stubbornly.”
“Xyle!”
After pouring out everything he had to say to Cladis instead of Ella, Xyle returned to the magic circle. And Cladis blocked Ella, who was belatedly trying to follow him.
“Tilly! Let go of me. This doesn’t make sense. I can’t accept it.”
“But I also understand him. If I were him, I would have done the same thing.”
“I would have not. I didn’t choose him, so why is he sacrificing for me? I wouldn’t if I were him.”
“Really?”
“Right. I would have not. Never! I would have hated it, so I don’t understand him.”
Tears welled up in Ella’s eyes as she spoke stubbornly. The more she poured out mean words, the more her face contorted as she felt sad. Cladis understood Ella’s feelings. If he would have disconnected himself from Ella just because Ella’s heart was going towards Cladis, it would not have been that hard to face his sincerity. Cladis carefully held Ella in his arms.
“As long as you are safe, I’ll be fine. I will try my best to protect you, so nothing will happen.”
“I would have not followed if I knew.”
“I know. You did your best.”
Cladis smiled and held Ella’s hand. The accessories on her body were different in shape and size, and none of them matched well. Normally, she would have not worn them, but she willingly put them on her body to make everyone feel safe and to protect herself. But her effort wasn’t enough in reality. She was reminded of the fear and pressure she had felt when she had entered the Black Forest.
“Ella, the level of danger you can think of and the danger the Crown Prince anticipates will be different. And what that friend thinks about danger might be different too.”
Maybe because all of the disclosures have been achieved, Madilco, with a calmer expression, approached them.
“Don’t forget that everyone’s standards are different. Ella, you shouldn’t forget that his standard is especially different from those of ordinary people.”
“Can you convince him?”
“Do you think he will listen to me? More than that, Ella, I don’t want you to take it off.”
“Then?”
Madilco looked at Ella and Cladis with a friendly smile. He felt sorry for his friend, but those two looked great together as if they were meant to be together since the beginning.
“This world is safe when you are safe. Remember that. If we lose you, there’s no hope for us. Please value yourself.”
“I do.”
“I know. However, always remember that this place is more dangerous than you think. His Highness’s shoulders are heavy.”
“Don’t worry. I will protect Ella.”
“Of course you should. You are Cladis of the Duffspe Empire.”
It seemed that he was recognizing Cladis as the Crown Prince, but he also sounded sarcastic. Noticing that Cladis’ eyebrows were furrowed, Madilco smiled coolly as if he said everything he wanted to say and disappeared to where Xyle was heading. Cladis looked at Ella with eyes full of words.
This world is safe when Ella is safe.
Does Ella bear that responsibility as the princess? Cladis wondered as Madilco’s words sounded all meaningful so he was bothered by it. He was bothered by everything now, which made him question whether Ella has a secret that he doesn’t know about. Reading the displeasure in Cladis’s eyes, Ella covered his eyes with a deep sigh. Xyle’s gift was already burdensome, so there was no energy left to handle another exposition battle here.
“Let’s talk about what you want to know when we have a chance to drink tea after this is over.”
“Are you going to tell me everything then?”
“Everything. Yes, okay. I will.”
“Promise?”
“Yes. I promise.”
Ella let out a sigh as she looked at him smiling brightly with his eyes covered and asking ‘Promise?’ Looking at Ethan on the side, his eyes looked like he was full of questions as well. IT wasn’t a good feeling. She didn’t like it. However, it was difficult for her to hide it any further, so Ella promised in a slightly sad voice.
“Great. Then, for the sake of the promise, I must finish it safely.”
Cladis carefully lowered Ella’s hand that was covering his eyes, then noticed her frightened look and stroked her cheek. His dissatisfaction disappeared after seeing Ella’s. He changed his mind and thought he didn’t need to know about it. Ella wasn’t going to hide it forever anyway, so Cladis believed Ella’s promise.
“Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Take a rest.”
“I will. Thank you, Tilly.”
Cladis, who escorted Ella to her barracks where she would stay, kissed her on her forehead and let her in. When she turned around, her shoulders were lowered. There was no brightness she had shown when she first came out of the secret passage. Seeing her like that, Cladis’s heart ached. After letting Ella in, he was about to head to his barracks, but turned around.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to see the Tower Master.”
“Now? Can’t you see him tomorrow?”
“No.”
“Didn’t you speak nicely in front of Ella? What more do you want to know? You said you’d wait until Ella tells you.”
Ethan followed, worrying about his sudden move. Ella considered the promise between herself and Cladis importantly. If she finds out that Cladis didn’t wait for her chance to grant his promise, she will be disappointed. But contrary to Ethan’s worries, Cladis was immersed in other thoughts.
“The words of the owner of the Magical Tower of Minas are not leaving my mind. I need to know what dangers the Tower Master is worried about.”