Chapter 370: For holding affection

Sylvian walked over to Iliana and took her hand in his. "Tell me, how do you wish for them to be punished? I believe thirty lashes each for speaking such falsehoods against you would be appropriate," he asserted smoothly.

"Please have mercy on us, Your Highness! We were in the wrong, but we meant no harm," the women cried out in unison.

One of them turned her desperate gaze upon her. "Iliana, please, tell His Highness to forgive us this time. We are your neighbors."

"Do you truly wish to forgive them?" Sylvian asked, searching her face for an answer. "They pointed fingers at your honor."

"They questioned my family’s upbringing," Iliana said, her voice trembling slightly with anger. "I have lived in this neighborhood my entire life. I have never once done anything disgraceful to bring shame upon my family’s name. I cannot forgive them."

"Iliana, how could you say such a thing?!" The woman who had insulted her upbringing raised her voice in outrage. "We were simply trying to teach you proper conduct!"

"You have said quite enough," Sylvian interjected, stepping forward to shield her. "And you will not address her so casually. When I state that she is my fiancée, it means she is entitled to respect. None of you have the right to malign an honorable woman’s name based on mere suspicion. And what proper conduct are you talking about, lady?"

Sylvian’s bodyguard arrived shortly after—a bit late, but he made his way inside without delay. He offered a low, formal bow to the prince as Sylvian briefly outlined the situation to him.

"Contact the local inspector of this district, Aiden. Have these women taken to the magistrate’s office to receive their proper punishment," Sylvian ordered, his tone leaves no room for debate.

"Right away, Your Highness," Aiden replied smoothly.

Turning to the cowering women, Aiden signaled for them to clear the doorway. Knowing that any further hesitation or resistance would only incur a far harsher sentence, all five women scrambled to their feet at once, hurrying outside under the bodyguard’s stern gaze.

"Forgive me," Sylvian said immediately, the tension in his posture easing into concern. "This humiliation came upon you because of my presence here."

"No," Iliana shook her head gently. Walking to the open door, she pulled it shut, shutting out the lingering gazes of the neighbors who still lingered near the gate.

She turned back to face him, her eyes soft with genuine gratitude. "I am thankful that you stood up for me." She paused, her cheeks warming slightly. "Though... I did not expect Your Highness to declare me your fiancée so openly."

"Neither did I," Sylvian admitted quietly, closing the distance between them with a few slow strides.

Reaching down, he unclasped a fine signet ring from his pinky finger. Taking her hand in his, he gently slid the metal onto her middle finger, the only one it would properly fit.

He held her hand firmly, his eyes fixed on the ring resting against her skin. "I should have done this long ago," he murmured, his thumb stroking her knuckles.

"I waited and waited for a proper timing. But do you truly wish to remain here? I do not think it is safe for you any longer. It will only become more dangerous as word spreads. Come with me to the Duke’s estate; we can head to the capital from there. I am sorry to take you from your home so abruptly, but I see no other way."

Iliana fell silent, her gaze lingering on the signet ring before she finally nodded in quiet understanding. "I understand. The news will spread through the district by noon, and rumors travel quickly."

She glanced around the small parlor, taking in the hand-woven textiles, her embroidery frames and paintings and the years of labor tied to the cottage.

"However, what if Your Highness leaves guards posted around the house? I have far too much to pack and arrange, and I cannot simply abandon everything my family built."

"I will send maids from the estate to handle the packing," Sylvian suggested softly. "However, if you insist on remaining here for now, then I will stay with you. I have no intention of leaving without you."

"I wish to pack these things with my own hands, Your Highness," Iliana replied, her voice faltering as she looked around her small house. "Every object in this house holds a memory. I never imagined the day I would have to leave this place behind, and..." She broke off, her throat tightening as her eyes grew misty with unshed tears.

"It is alright," Sylvian assured her, his expression softening as he reached out to gently pat her cheek with the back of his hand. "Take as much time as you need. I will see to the necessary arrangements for our security while we remain here."

"Your Highness need not remain here," Iliana stated, her eyes searching his face. "I am certain the townspeople will speak ill of you if you stay in a place like this. You are a prince; you should return to the estate."

"Do not concern yourself with their gossip," Sylvian replied calmly. "We have done nothing improper, save for holding affection for one another. I promised I would stand by your side, Iliana, and that holds true regardless of the circumstance. Take all the time you need. Go upstairs and freshen up first."

Iliana nodded quietly and made her way up the wooden staircase.

Once she was out of sight, Sylvian stepped out through the front door into the morning air.

A small detachment of armed soldiers was already marching down the narrow lane toward the cottage.

Aiden had already seen to the perimeter, ensuring the royal guard took control of the surrounding path before any further townspeople could gather.

He saw the people were no longer near the gate. But what still angered him how those women said pathetic things for Iliana.

~~~~~

"My lord, thank you for allowing me to stay the night in your residence. I shall take my leave now," Elodie said, bowing her head in a humble gesture.

"Here, take this," Louis replied, glancing at his butler, who immediately stepped forward to hand a neatly wrapped package to Elodie.

"What is this, My Lord?" she asked, looking at the parcel with curiosity.

"You will find out once you open it at home," Louis replied.

"Thank you." Elodie accepted the package when the butler showed her the way out to the waiting carriage.

"Thank you," Elodie murmured, accepting the package as the butler escorted her toward the waiting carriage.

Michael returned to the study shortly after. "My lord, Lady Elodie has departed safely. Though... I must confess my curiosity. My lord has never permitted a woman to stay overnight in the estate before."

"And why, precisely, did you admit her into the house in the first place?" Louis asked, his gaze drifting back to his desk.

"Ah, well... she insisted she had matters of urgent consequence to discuss with you, and she was carrying your coat," Michael replied smoothly. "Since my lord previously instructed me not to turn away ordinary folk without cause, I permitted her to wait inside."

A skeptical smile touched the corners of Louis’s mouth, though he looked entirely unconvinced.

"Michael, how long have you served in this household?" Louis inquired quietly.

"Fifteen years, My Lord," Michael answered without hesitation.

"Just so. You were curious to discover whether Lady Elodie held any special place in my heart. That is why you let her pass the threshold," Louis stated.

Michael could not entirely suppress a slight smile. "Pardon me, My Lord. I am merely eager to see you suitably settled."

"That is not happening anytime soon," Louis answered. Rising to his feet, he added, "You will see me roaming the halls of this house alone for quite some time yet."

Giving Michael a reassuring pat on the shoulder, Louis walked out. "Take me to the Duke’s estate," he instructed the coachman before stepping into the carriage.

He leaned back against the seat and frowned, his thoughts turning inward. ’I wonder how the Duchess will react when she sees this ledger.’ His hand drifted instinctively to the inner pocket of his overcoat, where the sensitive ledger lay hidden.

At last, he arrived at the estate. The first sight that greeted him was young Roman playing with a group of attending maids. His smile widened as he stepped inside.

"My humble greetings, Your Grace," Louis said, bowing slightly deeper than protocol strictly required.

Eilika, who was instructing the head servants on estate rationing, turned and dismissed them with a wave of her hand.

"Good morning, Louis. You seem unusually cheerful."

"Ah, I make it a point to remain cheerful, Your Grace," Louis replied with a light chuckle to which Eilika smiled too. "Though I do bring matters of some importance to discuss. Might we speak in private?"

"Of course. Let us use the Duke’s study," Eilika agreed, leading the way.