Chapter 490: Secrets On Thin Ice
Morning arrived with a new hope, challenges, and whispers of possibilities.
As the world awakened to a fresh day, so did the mansion’s occupants, all brimming with anticipation, whether the lowly servants or high-ranking officers.
However, the promise of a new start quickly soured. Despite the day just beginning, an altercation had already erupted in the hallway.
"I’m only asking! Why do you have to reply so rudely?" Athillia exclaimed, her anger directed at the young knight assigned to her.
Instead of being an escort, Athillia felt Eli was merely there to monitor her every move. Since her arrival at the mansion, he had followed her everywhere, unlike Sir Ashburne, who was not assigned any guard—an arrangement explained by the fact that she was a girl.
Eli wore a long face. After Eric expressed his suspicions about this ’unknown guest’ possibly being a new love interest of Kyren, a cloud of negativity settled over him.
Although it was mere speculation without clear evidence, Athillia’s interest in the grand duke rendered the guess plausible.
Tasked by the second-in-command knight to observe and investigate the southern princess discreetly, Eli had shadowed her throughout the days. Yet, he had obtained no useful information.
At nineteen, the knight lacked the ability to maintain a poker face and conceal his disdain for her, viewing her as a potential rival to Anna. His loyalty to Kyren’s wife fueled his animosity towards Athillia, whom he saw as a threat to the lady’s happiness.
He was confident that if the southern princess were to become another concubine for the grand duke, the mansion would not support it, as their lady had long won their hearts.
"I told you I have no idea! I’m right here in the mansion, and he’s in the palace! How am I supposed to know?" Eli shot back, glaring at her.