Sage offered his hands to support her exiting the carriage. As Sloan looked up, she saw the big mansion owned by her grandfather where her mother was living right now.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHdNscDf8y
There's security personnel's outside, guarding. When they saw who came, they all bowed their heads. Perhaps, Sloan thought, they have heard the news. It was never a secret to her mother though. Three months ago when she's come to know she's marrying the prince, Sloan rushed to tell her.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacsljqACMp
"Miss, welcome back," The butler smiled at her after greeting the prince. "Madam is inside,"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5etrvSSIJ
Sloan rushed excitingly to see her mother. Prince Sage understand her excitement to see her and walk pace beside the butler.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1fHGiliZa
"Sir," Sage called the butler.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K90tDs3RI
"Y-Your highness, you don't need to call me that..."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ3N6dm1UE
Sage ignored it and said, "I assume you've all heard about us?"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iY3FWQw4Z
The butler slowly nodded. "It's an astonishment for us all, Miss' grandfather almost lost his conciousness hearing that..."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tZy7sQ5Me
"...I see."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPuThaiBe8
When they entered the mansion, Prince Sage saw Sloan and her mother hugging.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBHzzluyG9
As far as he remembered, her mother's name was Gale Fairbourne. Sage saw her once at the palace, but that was two years ago. She looks like she hasn't aged at all. Together, they look like they were just siblings.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXQnZpmQms
Sage knew about Sloan's family situation, that her parents were separated. He never knew the reason why. But he's certain that Captain Shae, the captain of the blue knights and Sloan's father, loved her from all his heart. You'll see all the painting of her and Sloan from his house. All this years he continuosly visit that house, there was never a difference. He'll still say and introduce the woman as his wife. Over this years, he never find someone to be with. It seemed that Gale Fairbourne is the only one he's taking as his other half.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPj0L6iUKA
But...what about her?
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK6yYb1LoH
Sage thought, forming conclusions in his head.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe9L17xlV4
"I greet your highness, the prince," Gale greeted.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ3gO4iRR3
Sage bowed his head too. Sloan held his arms and invited him to the drawing room.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHNze65WtC
"Mother, I'll live...at the palace from now on." Sloan informed.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EG4YEqSIa
Gale sighed and smiled. "I expected this, Sloan..."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mFYAVGq7I
Sloan looked up. "But I'll still going to find time to visit or stay here..."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP63kHpUIo
Gale slowly nodded, smiling. "Have you informed your father?"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgJJuaZmQF
Sloan nodded. Prince Sage narrowed his eyes as he heard her mentioned Shae.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgcsvJMVtI
"Father already knew. I just thought that you would be disappointed if I wouldn't tell you the news personally."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p1Olaot7p
Gale looked down, "I see,"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpppvMVTi4
Prince Sage interrupted, metioning something, "Madam, there will be an engagement banquet for the next two months about our marriage. Can you...perhaps come? It's a special celebration for the both of us,"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzFwkOjhxM
Gale lifted her head and slowly nodded. "That would be great,"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOWMu2m8LG
"Ah, you should come with Father..." Sloan suggested.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWGaEjkt9Z
Gale smiled, "I'll try to talk to him."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuonBfQYH4y
Sloan couldn't help her watery eyes to form when she left the mansion, thinking about her mother. She's looking away at Sage, who hasn't failed to notice her.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavmsYxFtRW
"What are you crying about?"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyL4MAN2PO
Sloan snorted. "Thank you for noticing, your highness. I really wanted to leave there so mother couldn't see."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBYJpiIRQY
Sage looked down, hinting a reason why she's tearful. "Is it about your father?"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5uEDSW4Wp
Sloan's mouth fell slightly open, slowly nodding. "I know she can't talk to him. She's still holding the guilt and grief why she left. I can't just be blunt to ask her why she can't be with him now that after all these years she's deciding to be ready."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgz3GumzGI
Sage gazed at her with pity in his eyes, "Perhaps...we'll never really understand someone. Even if it's the one closest to us,"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VQ8UaqWNR
Sloan somehow get what he meant as she looked away, restraining her tears.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v5a6YqMSl
The carriage stopped at her place, Shae's house, where she was currently staying.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gjAMJ3V6a
Sloan was about to go inside when she heard her name being called.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1r03cTToI
"Sloan,"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYWZ33jhCk
It wasn't the first time he called her name, but everytime he does it, it gives her an unknown bliss feeling.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslvIg9j25C
"Your highness?"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kc5iNFmn2
Sage breathed. "Next week...I'll fetch you."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgrmentXvQ
Sloan nodded. "Then..."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIi0Fwnvuu
She was about to turn around again when she stopped.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNSXzDwjo3
"Ah, your highness!"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hi4BEm8Mf
"Hm?"
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4QBGkh9Dc
"Thank you for today, I'll see you next week."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOsQvKReYI
Sage grinned. "Then..."
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTywclizDP
He watched her back fade out of his sight, slowly smiling.
ns216.73.216.25da2
