“Nick came to look for you?”
George stopped and heard the voice coming from outside and Claire took the opportunity to escape her father’s questioning. She tiptoed over to the window and secretly looked out and saw that refined man, Nick.
It had to be said, the Holy Light Church’s uniform was very uplifting and Saint Nick’s white robes were quite handsome, and in comparison, the two standing at the door appeared much more normal.
But why did Saint Nick come?
Claire didn’t know and didn’t want to go back to her father’s questioning, so she stayed by the window to see what Nick wanted.
Nick didn’t know that Claire was secretly observing him, and he was currently enraged but doing his best to suppress his anger.
The two guards at the door actually stopped him and told him to go back!
“I’m Saint Nick! Do you not recognize me?”
“Uh… Saint Nick, we naturally recognize you, we know you aren’t an imposter.”
“Then why aren’t you letting me in?”
“We’ve explained it earlier…. the king is ill and princess Claire has to take care of him along with other political matters, so she’s very busy and is not seeing anyone today, so please come back some other time.”
“Nonsense! I heard that princess Claire went to see a general two days ago and was invited to participate in the war meeting the day after tomorrow, so why is she not seeing anyone when it comes to me?”
“Uh… we just received the orders today, as for what you said, we don’t know of it either.” The two guards politely responded and treated him respectfully but just wouldn’t let him in.
It was natural for Nick to be upset, because usually when he comes even if the guards don’t let him in, they would make a report, but unfortunately, today wasn’t a good day…
Claire was still angry because of Lin Xiao, so when she came back she sternly ordered them to not let anyone in otherwise they would be executed! So how would they dare to let Nick in? Since they knew that the princess was angry, they were even more afraid of reporting to Claire, so they could only stop Nick outside the door.
“Are you two really not going to let me in?”
“Saint Nick, we’re just following orders, please don’t make this difficult for us.”
“Damn… okay then, could you at least make a report?”
“W-we can’t…”
“Don’t worry, I have a good relationship with your princess, if she knew it was me she would agree to see me, so please give her a report, it’ll be fine.”
“That…”
The two guards looked at each other and weren’t sure.
Saint Nick indeed did not have a normal relationship with the princess, they heard that Nick once confessed to Claire last year, and even though he was rejected, he should be different to other people, right?
“It’s just a report, she won’t blame you guys, trust me! … If she rejects me, then I won’t bother you anymore and will immediately leave!”
As expected of a refined handsome guy, he was easily able to make a promise and persuade the guards so that they couldn’t reject him.
“O-okay then… I’ll go ask.”
“Much appreciated!”
One of the guards turned and went into the yard and tried to report to Claire, but when he was halfway in, he suddenly saw a small white hand reach out of the window and waved at him a couple of times and then completely closed the window.
“Uh… I understand.”
The guard understood her meaning and turned back to tell Nick.
“Sorry Saint Nick, the princess doesn’t want to see you, please come back another time.”
“What? She doesn’t want to see me?”
He never expected that Claire wouldn’t see him and even declared boldly that she wouldn’t reject him earlier, not it was like a slap in his face. Now he had no other pretext and had to immediately leave like he said he would do earlier.
“So princess Claire is not planning on seeing anyone?”
“Yes, the princess has said that she isn’t seeing anyone starting today.” The guard put extra emphasis on the ‘anyone’.
“Oh, it seems like she’s quite busy, then I won’t be interrupting anymore.”
Once he heard that it was anyone and not just directed towards himself, Nick felt a bit better and then left.
“He left?”
“Hm.” Claire nodded and walked back next to the bed.
“Why didn’t you see him?”
“I already said that I wasn’t seeing any guests.”
“Not even such an outstanding man?”
“This has nothing to do with if they’re outstanding or not, I’m just not in the mood.”
“I heard that he’s interested in you and confessed many times but was rejected… why?”
“I’m not interested in him.”
“Saint Nick is gentle, humble, elegant and capable, more importantly, he’s also handsome, why are you not interested in such an outstanding man?”
“I already said it has nothing to do with being outstanding, if I’m not interested, I’m not interested!” Claire stubbornly responded.
“Oh, then I’m guessing you’re interested in Lin Xiao?” George lowered his voice and pretended to ask casually.
“Hm, a bit, he’s not like other men, I… father! Y-you’re setting me up!?”
“Hehe, it seems like we got an answer for the conversation from earlier.”
“Father, stop kidding around with me, what are you trying to say?”
“Okay, I won’t beat around the bush anymore.”
“Do you like him?”
“W-who?” Claire blinked and pretended to not know.
“Who else, your hero, Lin Xiao.”
“Eh???”
Claire wanted to find an excuse but when she looked at her father’s serious eyes, she couldn’t say anything. Even though he was sick, he was still quite quick-witted and she was never able to hide any secret from him, this time was no exception.
But…. did she really like Lin Xiao? That was one thing that Claire couldn’t admit to.
“Father, why do you think I like him? I just think he’s amazing and someone that can be entrusted with heavy responsibilities.”
Women wanted strong men to protect themselves, that was natural, but Claire hasn’t gotten weak to that point, she just wanted Lin Xiao to help with some urgent matters, not to depend on him. And liking him was out of the question.,
“But if you don’t like him, why did you cry because of him? That’s not your style.”
“I, I…”
Thinking about her overreaction, Claire knew that she was crying for no reason, but she couldn’t find an answer.
“Father, I don’t understand either… can you tell me why?”
“No, that’s something only you can answer yourself, no one else can help you.” George shook his head and didn’t give her answer, “Claire, you’re brave and not afraid of anyone, but you have to learn to be brave to yourself.”
“Be brave to yourself… how do I do that?”
“Hehe, you have to ask yourself that… what do you want to do most right now?”
“I…” Claire bit her lips and contemplated a bit.
“I want to cure you, I want to save my country, and I want those bickering generals to join up against a common enemy and defeat the rebels!”
“That’s good, then go do it.”
“But my strength is limited, and I can’t deal with those scheming generals.”
“So what do you plan on doing?”
“I can only ask for help, and it looks like Lin Xiao is the best choice… but he already rejected me!”
Claire lowered her head but her father smiled and continued asking.
“So, what do you plan on doing next?”
“Next… hm?”
Claire looked up and saw her father’s smile and understood. That’s right! The rejection is unimportant, it only matters what you do next!
“He may have rejected you once, but what about the second time? Whether you like him or not, or you’re just interested in him since you need his help, why can’t you go ask him again?”
“Right! Father, I, I can go again!”
She didn’t have to worry about this, no matter how Lin Xiao sees her, she only had one thing she needed to do, convince Lin Xiao and get him to help no matter what!
Even if she hated, or humiliated, she shouldn’t get angry or cry and should just shamelessly beg him!
“Claire, do you still remember that ancient legend from the Great Qin empire? Is someone like Lin Xiao not worth visiting multiple times?”
“Of course, he’s worth it! I understand father, I was too immature, I’ll go look for him right now! If not two times, then three times, if not three times, then four times, I won’t throw a tantrum this time!”
“Hehe, that’s right!”
“Then father, I’m going!”
Claire got more and more excited and was ready to go look for Lin Xiao, but she was suddenly stopped by her father.
“Wait… you can’t go right now!”
