Chapter 49: A Small Gift!
"And then I stabbed him with my sword. The man was writhing in pain but I knew it was all an act to distract me and then..." Edward nodded seriously as if he was hearing about the gruesome competition she had faced to become a knight. But his eyes were looking around.
He was sure Olivia had come this way. He has confirmed it with the maid already. The woman knew that he was going to follow her. This better be worth it.
"And that is how I won, your highness. Till the end, my heart was racing. My hands trembled so hard when I let go of my sword. Isn’t it incredible."
"It is. For sure, it is." Edward nodded with a sincere look. "You are a miracle my lady. The first knight of the empire. I am in awe just thinking about it." Isabella flushed despite her years of training as a knight.
She felt her heart pounding as if she was having a duel. The grip of her hands increased instinctively and Edward groaned. It took all of him to not push her away and endure her grip.
"I am truly amazed, your highness. I thought nobles would never accept this change. But you are so understanding, so kind. So... different from all of them." Edward noticed that the woman was touched. She looked beyond happy and if he proposed, she would accept him then and there without him sending her expensive gifts or taking her to operas.
That woman would cling to him and would be loyal to him. Yet, he wanted to do nothing but push her away and leave. How could she be so dense? He had not even acted this well, yet she did not understand his intentions even a bit. She would be a foolish partner. And he was bound to fail if he chose her.
She could be manipulated too easily. He would never be able to share his secrets with her.
"You are giving me too much credit, my lady. Ah! We have come this far. Are you not thirsty after speaking so much?" Edward looked at her apologetically. "Look at me, I should have brought two glasses of wine with me." Isabella shook her head.