Chapter 211: A Knight’s Devotion
Meredith’s eyes widened as she gazed at the knight’s stern, unwavering face. Throughout their time together, she had often observed his serious countenance and rare smiles, making it challenging to discern his true intentions.
"Do you really mean what you just said?" she asked in uncertainty as she locked eyes with him.
"I do," Alex replied, his voice steady and sincere. "And I would like to ask your permission to call you by your first name if that’s fine with you."
Meredith’s heart raced within her chest, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. She had never anticipated that Alex would make such a proposal. It felt like a wondrous moment had unfolded before her, leaving her in awe and still struggling to process the situation.
"Yes, but... why? Why are you doing this?" Meredith’s voice trembled. "Are you pitying me? Because if that’s the case, I—"
Before Meredith could complete her sentence, Alex interjected with reassurance, "I am not pitying you. On the contrary, I find you incredibly attractive despite your clumsiness and perceived spoiled character. Your ability to speak your mind without reservation and your moments of bravery, even amidst fear, have captivated me, especially when you confronted the prince and stood up for me, though it was unnecessary."
Meredith’s face flushed with embarrassment and confusion. The knight’s explanation left her feeling torn.
"Are you praising me or mocking me instead?" she asked.
"Neither. I am simply stating the fact as I see it. As I mentioned before, I am a serious person."
Meredith let out a sigh, feeling a mixture of relief and amusement. "Well, you’re certainly not romantic!"
"I may not know what ’romantic’ entails, but I have a clear feeling about you. I can’t stop thinking about you, and I can’t accept the idea of you marrying just anyone from Gerhard."