CHAPTER 102 - THE SUN AND THE MOONLiam enjoyed his wife's red face. Actually, Liam already knew why Harriet might say that.
"Mm, you mean my father, right?" he asked.
Harriet's face became irritated. She narrowed her eyes at Liam who had been teasing her, even though he already knew why she said it.
"The one who spread the rumor was that Crown Prince, right? What does he want from you?" Liam asked then.
Harriet refused to let her brain recount the memory of Ezekiel's humiliation of her that day. So she smiled at Liam's face and shook her head.
"He wanted me to support him to become the Emperor," said Harriet, half lying and half telling the truth.
"Ah. But isn't it obvious that he will be the next Emperor?" Liam asked, remembering the discomfort he felt when he met the man.
"It should be. He was the perfect candidate before he met… never mind," Harriet sighed. She added, "I've spoken to the Emperor, we are thinking of ways to see if he is worthy or not in continuing to carry out his title. Otherwise, we will propose a new Crown Prince candidate."
"And whose idea was that?" Liam asked.
Harriet innocently pointed to herself.
"And Axias agreed?" the man asked again.
Harriet innocently nodded.
Liam laughed helplessly.
"Are you sure Axias is not your father?" he asked half-jokingly and half-seriously.
Harriet shook her head confidently.
"If he was my father, there would be no way he insisted on pairing me with Ezekiel Euclase before," she said.
Liam stopped moving. His face immediately changed drastically.
"What?" Liam looked back at her.
Silence, as the two stared at each other.
"I see," for some reason, everything finally connected in Liam's head.
"I'll have Russell go around and find out more myself. I can, right?" Liam asked softly.
Harriet didn't want to bring up what happened in the capital a year ago about her, Ezekiel and Cecilia. She also didn't want to explain the rumors that made her decide to go from the capital to the West. Even if she was innocent, she didn't need to keep saying it. At times like this, it was better to be quiet and observe the situation.
The woman knew Liam was not a curious person. Unlike other powerful people who were always curious and wanted to know everything behind her back and always wanted to be in control of the situation, Liam was a polite man. He didn't judge someone by what other people said, or by the situation that ensnared them.
Harriet took a deep breath. Even the man still asked her permission before starting to try and find out.
"All right, Milord. You can find out… though I hope you never need to," Harriet answered honestly.
Liam nodded. He pulled Harriet closer.
"I promise I won't let anything hurt you. Even myself," the man put his arm around Harriet and stroked her hair gently.
Actually, Harriet had her doubts. Liam was a man who valued his parents, and to him, his family was everything. The main reason Liam accepted her as his wife was also for the sake of his family.
Harriet had clear similarities and differences with Liam. What they had in common was how Harriet always protected her loved ones, her brother, and her subordinates. But unlike the wise and understanding Liam, Harriet was more selfish and firm in the choices she made to achieve her goals.
What happened seven years ago, when she was only 18 years old was also the best example. Bequeathing the title of Marchioness to herself was something that was planned. Of course, by Harriet herself.
But then, her mother's sudden death became the talk of the town.
After the Emperor made Harriet one of his confidants, the public's curiosity about her mother's sudden death began to subside. But it's been the talk again, much hotter than before, after Cecilia Morganite brought it up last year, backed by Ezekiel. Rumours spread.
It was no longer a question of the suddenness of Harriet's mother's death, but also of whether Harriet had killed her. And even so, it was not fair.
Because Harriet was innocent.
In Liam's arms, Harriet wondered, would Liam be able to get to all the truth by mobilizing Almandine's resources? If he did, Harriet wouldn't mind.
"Once you've found whatever you can about my past, Milord, I'll tell you everything," said Harriet.
Liam kissed Harriet's temple and let go of his arm. "There's no need to rush. You have a lifetime to tell me everything," Liam said calmly.
The man checked the fish they were grilling in the bonfire. After making sure that the fish was done, Liam carefully separated the fatty flesh of the fish from the spines and fed it to Harriet with his own hands. The man's eyes shone seeing Harriet's sweet smile, appreciating the delicious taste of the river fish meat.
"The river near here doesn't have a strong current, and there's a lot of nutritious food for fish to grow there. As a result, all the fish in the river live comfortably, grow so big and the flesh is soft, because of the fat."
Liam spoke while feeding Harriet.
"Next time, let's bring a sleeping bag and a simple tent. At night, this place is just as beautiful, maybe even more beautiful because there are so many stars in the sky."
Liam's words made Harriet realise summer stars would look so beautiful in this place. But Harriet wanted to go back to the Almandine Castle and see the stars in the tower as summer entered the North. Harriet still nodded in agreement. As long as Liam was there, wherever and whenever it was, everything would look beautiful.
Moreover, even now, everything looked like heaven.
Harriet couldn't get tired of saying it. To her, Liam looked the best standing in the sun. So Harriet believed the most beautiful sight was today, right now, right here, where the breeze gently blows Liam's shimmering blonde hair. As his eyes shined reflecting golden light, gazing at her, full of warmth.
Unknowingly, they stared at each other.
"Oh, at night, the moonlight here will make you look like a fae from the moon," Liam muttered under his breath.
Harriet blinked, wondering what Liam meant.
"Aah, I never said it? Madam, in my eyes you are always beautiful. But under the moonlight, it's as if you have a charm all your own. Seeing it made me think as if you were an angel who came down from the moon," Liam explained in a smooth voice.
Hearing Liam's plain and honest explanation, Harriet blushed. "You never said it. Milord must be happy huh, teasing me in this way?" she said shyly. How could that man say such a cheesy thing with a straight face?
"Mm, I understand. Is it because our generation is different? Do I sound like an old man?" Liam asked, looking like he was deep in thought.
It was Harriet's turn to smile mischievously. "Ah, Milord, I see some grey in your hair," she said flatly.
Liam's face paled when he heard that. As it lost its color, Liam's body also stiffened completely. With a broken motion, his hand moved up to his hair.
"Grey... hairs?"