(Chapter 10)
When Clarisse Faeloria met Lorcan Frostborne, she greeted him with a warm smile, fully aware that Lorcan's visit was part of his duty as her future husband.
"Congratulations on your victory at the border, Your Highness," Clarisse praised him wholeheartedly.
"Thank you. How are you?" Lorcan asked.
"I'm as usual, Your Highness. I'm well," Clarisse replied.
Lorcan paused for a moment, searching for the words he wanted to say, while Clarisse waited patiently.
"Is something on your mind, Your Highness?" Clarisse asked, noticing that Lorcan seemed lost in thought.
Lorcan smiled, realizing he had been daydreaming.
"No, I was just mesmerized by how beautiful you look," he said.
Clarisse blushed at the compliment.
"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness," Clarisse replied, then invited Lorcan to sit. As usual, they sat in the garden, conversing in a calm atmosphere. However, today something felt different; Lorcan seemed more exaggerated than usual, and Clarisse began to wonder, 'Am I really as beautiful as Lorcan says?'
The atmosphere became slightly awkward when Lorcan fell silent for a moment, prompting Clarisse to break the silence. "Your Highness, are you alright? I've heard a lot about the attacks from the barbarians at the border."
"I can handle it all. They won't attack again for now," Lorcan replied.
"I'm relieved that everything has been resolved. I hope they won't appear again," Clarisse said with hope.
Lorcan smiled, "Things like that are very difficult; they will keep attacking us."
In the history Clarisse had read, the barbarians wanted to conquer all the land and seize the empire. Clarisse couldn't understand why they sought something so impossible; she hoped the barbarians would eventually give up when they realized how outmatched they were by the empire. However, everything Lorcan said showed that this was a harsh reality.
"You don't have to worry about them, I'll defeat them," Lorcan asserted, his gaze showing that his words were not just empty talk.
Clarisse nodded in response. "Your Highness is the most dedicated and strongest figure in the Empire. I truly believe in what you say."
Lorcan smiled. "It's good that you think that way."
Clarisse found it amusing how pleased Lorcan seemed to be by her praise. She began to think that the negative rumors about the Duke of the North were not what she had always heard.
"I really can't wait to marry you," Lorcan said seriously.
Clarisse was taken aback and immediately blushed hearing those words. She felt embarrassed; Lorcan seemed to be getting straight to the point.
"It seems like Your Highness is very eager. However, you'll have to wait until I graduate from the Academy first," Clarisse replied, trying to remain calm.
Lorcan quickly answered, "That's still a long way off."
"Just two months," Clarisse added.
"That's a very long time for me. You've really been occupying my thoughts, Clarisse," Lorcan said.
Clarisse almost choked on her tea, feeling uncertain about the meaning behind Lorcan's words. Was it just a usual flirtation? However, Clarisse tried to remain composed and elegant, though her heart raced a little.
Clarisse paused for a moment, almost staring blankly as Lorcan took her hand and gently kissed the back of it. His lips brushed against her skin, and Clarisse felt an odd sensation, a chill running through her from the gesture.
Clarisse remembered her mother's words, saying that there were men who were very passionate and could become aggressive when it came to romance. Her mother mentioned that their romantic relationship would be hot and full of passion. As Clarisse thought about it, she shivered, hoping Lorcan was not the kind of man her mother had meant.
TO BE CONTINUED