After interrogating the perpetrator of the second attack, Edwin headed to Genevieve.
“Is the saint resting?”
“Yes...But she locked herself in her room and refuses to eat. It’s obvious that she’s very shocked.”
"Strange. Usually there’s at least more fire in her.”
Edwin turned around.
Standing nearby was Harrison, a knight of the Imperial Guard and part-time husband of the Saint. His face betrayed alarm, and, noticing Edwin’s gaze, he immediately flushed.
“Since you’re the husband, maybe she’ll at least let you in?”
“I...I’m still on duty, Your Highness.”
“Come on. Consider me officially letting you go. Go and comfort our holy jewel.”
Even an innocent joke made Harrison's ears burn like a boy's.
[He comes from the west, from Windsor, without a noble surname or fortune; only his own merits opened the way to the guard.]
[For the younger sons of nobles, who were not given titles, joining the army or bureaucracy was almost the only chance of success or of benefiting the family.]
[Being part of the prince's personal guard is already the pinnacle. This doesn't happen without connections...or exceptional abilities.]
[Harrison was lucky to be with the right person at the right time; Edwin always chose by ability, not by origin.]
“Well, show us how you conquered her, young seducer.”
“No matter how much you tease me, Your Highness, I’m already used to it.”
“Look, progress!”
“Even someone as wooden as me will sooner or later learn to recognize your jokes if he listens to them all day long.”
“Impressive. He deserves praise."
True, the crimson face was a little spoiled.
[Harrison was tall and broad-shouldered; next to him, even Edwin seemed short. It resembled a living shield, and miniature Genevieve looked like a dragonfly landing on an oak tree.]
[For all his impressiveness, his face was beautiful, if not for one detail: he blushed at every hint, especially when Genevieve made another barb.]
[He was three years younger than her and was clearly at a loss when she looked at him with a smile.]
[Edwin often joked that Harrison must have some secret art of seduction. In fact, everything was exactly the opposite: it was not he who captivated the Saint, it was she who once decided that she wanted to be with him.]
[Although, they say, Harrison was the first to confess.]
[If I can just be there, that's enough for me. But I'm a man, and I don't vouch for my feelings. So...please...stay away from me...Saint, I...please...]
[So you love me, Harrison?]
[Yes, lady.]
[Then let's get married.]
[What?!]
[Let's get married. I love you too. Everything is fine.]
After that, Genevieve calmly took Harrison's hand and, without blinking an eye, announced to Edwin that she was marrying him.
[To be honest, Edwin thought then, it was as if she had simply decided to quickly close the marriage issue.]
At the door to the chambers, Saint Harrison called hesitantly:
“Zhenya... it’s me. Can I come in?"
[Although they were already married, there was timid love in his voice.] A few awkward phrases, and the door finally opened a crack.
Edwin patted him on the shoulder, as if blessing his little sister for a date.
[Although, to be precise, he hasn't looked at his real sister for several months.]
He chuckled as he watched the door, which had never been opened before, admit Harrison.
Ever since he first met Genevieve, something elusive hovered between them.
[But then he had a fiancee, even if only nominally. And since Genevieve found out about this, she has not shown any feelings towards him.]
[He had no regrets. I didn't regret it. But seeing how she cared for Harrison... sometimes a slight, caustic envy awoke in him.]
Edwin narrowed his eyes.
[Maybe her sudden surge of strength is the power of marriage?]
[In that case...maybe it’s time for me to think about it?]
[Or maybe it's all about Genevieve being with Adaline again.]