Chapter 178: The Past of the Holy Knight Princess

“For a long, long time, Yulrin was my only playmate. Plus, with the relationship between the Cecelia and Ulysses families, it seemed like many at the Academy thought we would eventually become engaged or something…”

Edwina laughed slightly and shook her head.

“Of course, at that time, Yulrin and I were just over ten years old—two clueless little kids, and I didn’t really care or pay attention to those rumors at all.”

“But as time gradually passed and we began to grow up, things became more complicated.”

“Yulrin’s personality was just the opposite of mine. As I mentioned earlier, he was very confident, good at communicating with others, and would immediately point out anything he thought was wrong. He might tone it down a bit around outsiders, but with close peers, like myself at the time, I would often get lectured for many little things.”

“Since I always just listened quietly, this behavior became increasingly apparent as we aged and our personalities formed.”

“The key was that he seemed to think it was only natural to take on the role of my guide and even guardian. To put it bluntly, he treated me like his property, as if he thought I couldn’t do anything right or even communicate normally without him.”

“But I actually had my own opinions; I just wasn’t good at expressing them, and Yulrin’s overwhelming dominance naturally made me start to feel annoyed.”

“So, our relationship gradually declined. I didn’t want to see him or engage with him, leading to a huge gap that made it impossible for us to even be friends now…”

Seeming to find it difficult to speak, the blonde girl hesitated for a moment before bitterly smiling and putting a hand to her forehead.

“Miss Xī, do you know? When I was seventeen, right as I was about to reach the coming-of-age standard for my divinely descended family, Yulrin Ulysses went to my mother without my permission and even without discussing it with me—not even a single word—to formally propose marriage… As for the one he wanted to marry, you can guess without saying.”

“Wow…”

Upon hearing this, Miss White Fox let out a sound of astonishment from beneath her mask, while the Holy Knight Princess, telling her past, wore an expression that seemed both incredulous and humorous, as if even now she found it particularly ridiculous.

“Yes, a marriage proposal. He wanted to marry Edwina Cecelia when we were both eighteen, the year we graduated from the Holy Academy together.”

“When I heard this from my mother, I was truly shocked for quite a while because, throughout my life, I had only seen those idle rumors as jokes and viewed Yulrin as a peer—a friend at best, maybe a brother. I never considered anything romantic, but Yulrin Ulysses seemed to think differently.”

“It was only after I confronted him that I learned Yulrin had apparently seen me as his predetermined wife since we were kids and unilaterally believed… that I thought so too. When I clearly rejected him at that time, he acted even more shocked than I was?”

“Ha…”

The girl sighed deeply.

“We had quite a big argument, and it ended badly. It’s also why I accepted my teacher’s suggestion to temporarily set aside my studies and travel… This was to improve my reclusive nature and to avoid Yulrin for a while because, honestly, his overwhelming dominance and treating me like his property left me with no idea how to handle things besides cutting off all contact completely.”

“I just never expected that the guy who should have graduated from the Holy Academy the following year would still be here studying and happened to come to the Bamboo House for a meal… What on earth does he want?”

“Mm~ What a character he is.”

Though saying this, Miss White Fox, as an observer, saw things that Edwina herself didn’t notice.

Just as Alwen had said before, despite Yulrin being a bit overly assertive and blunt, he seemed to harbor no malice towards Edwina.

It was like, after being rejected, he didn’t cling to her or chase after her, and even that earlier comment, while a bit harsh, could also be understood as concern for Edwina’s reputation and future should she be seen socializing with unfamiliar, strange characters during such a critical time…

Of course, that’s just Vilyric’s perspective, judging and understanding from an objective standpoint, but for Edwina herself, subjected to such hard demands and reprimands, it’s hard for anyone to accept.

However, it was a bit surprising for even the usually gentle and polite Holy Knight Princess, who could tolerate even the difficulties posed by Chromans, to exhibit the same cold demeanor and attitude as she did when she abruptly drew her sword just now.

Or perhaps even Vilyric hadn’t anticipated that she would suddenly attack Yulrin.

While glad that Edwina could display the authority expected of someone in her position and acknowledging her growth and changes, Vilyric still agreed with Alwen’s previous remark—drawing a sword against a familiar person to this extent might indeed be over the top.

Yet, she wouldn’t voice it.

*Clatter.*

Several steaming dishes and soups alongside four bowls of rice were delivered to the table on a tray. Alwen distributed the utensils she held in her other hand and naturally chimed in, as if she had been listening to the conversation the whole time.

“That Yulrin stayed behind specifically for you. Although he hasn’t mentioned marriage since that incident and even publicly clarified your relationship, stating he would continue studying at the Academy…”

“But ultimately, given the Ulysses family’s background, there’s no real need for the heir to be getting further education at the Academy. Let’s be honest, isn’t he just worried about you being reclusive and getting ostracized when you return?”

The seemingly youthful proprietress made her comment, tapping the table with her bamboo chopsticks.

“During the two or three years you were away, he came to the Bamboo House almost every day to eat, sitting in the same spot you both used to. Even if his temperament is a bit extreme and unsuitable for being a partner, shouldn’t they at least manage to remain friends?”

“At the end of the day, what exactly were you so angry about, little old-fashioned girl? Did your temper soar as high as your skills after those two years of training?”

“Aiya… Alwen, just don’t meddle in our affairs…”

Taking the bamboo chopsticks and spoon handed to her by the proprietress, Miss White Fox softly thanked her while eyeing her outfit.

A Qi Pao, with a bamboo flute tucked into her waist… Yeah, looks like she’s the ‘Alwen No. 3.’

Speaking of which, when Edwina introduced this mysterious proprietress of the Bamboo House, she was cut off by Yulrin when she was about to get to the key points.

But now, in front of the person herself, especially after finding out that the proprietress seemed to monitor everything happening in this bamboo house in real-time, Miss White Fox was reluctant to restart the previous topic in such a bold manner.

In the end, Vilyric could only watch as the proprietress, who seemed to be around the same age as Edwina, casually sat down beside the Holy Knight Princess and took the rice that was clearly prepared for her…

Disregarding the business of the Bamboo House, she naturally began eating and chatting with the three of them.

   

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