Chapter 437
Since he had already said this much, it would seem deliberate if Michael refused again. He looked at Athena’s slightly protruding abdomen.
Then he looked at the expression on Xander’s face that dared him to refuse, and had no choice but to nod, “Sure, my lord.”
Michael was not afraid of Xander, he just didn’t want Athena to be put in a difficult position. He also wanted to spend more time with Athena. He didn’t need to talk to her, even a glimpse from afar would be enough. Knowing that she was doing well made him content.
In the dining hall, Athena and Elettra sat at a table, chatting amiably. Elettra recounted the interesting stories of following her father at Fouver Pass, while Athena shared tidbits about her pregnancy, interspersed with bursts of laughter. The atmosphere was somewhat delicate among the three men at the other table.
“General Osborne, what do you think of Ms. Huber?” Xander placed a piece of chicken in Michael’s bowl, his tone teasing.
Michael buried his head in his food and mumbled, “Not bad.”
“Not bad?” Xander put down his teacup, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I think you two are quite a match, why not ask the King for an imperial decree to grant you two a marriage?”
Michael suddenly looked up, his face flushed red. “I’m not in the mood to get married right now, why are you forcing me?”
When he said this, he kept his voice very low, for fear of being heard by Athena.
Xander interrupted him and added another spoonful of tofu to his bowl. “Ms. Huber is still over there. If she hears your hard-headed nature, how will she face people in the future?”
“You…” Michael was exasperated and didn’t want to pay attention to Xander anymore. He tilted his head to one side, just in time to meet Elettra’s gaze. The latter hurriedly lowered her head, her earlobes as red as ripe cherries. Michael’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly avoided her gaze.
Athena saw all of this and quietly said to Elettra, “General Osborne looks tough, but he is actually very considerate and upright. If any woman marries him in the future, she will definitely enjoy a good life. Look, he hasn’t even had a woman around him for so many years.”
Gaia listened with an embarrassed smile on her face. Everyone knew about the matter between Michael and Athena. It was known to all that the reason he hadn’t gotten married was because he was still in love with Athena. But she was too embarrassed to say that. She could only force a smile and say yes.
Athena seemed to see what Gaia was thinking and said, “I don’t mind if you laugh at me. Although I had a love affair with Michael in the past, it was all when I was young. Now that I am a mother, Michael and I are more like siblings than friends. As a sister, how can I watch my brother be alone? I would be relieved if he got married and someone took care of him.”
Hearing Athena say this, Gaia looked at her with surprise. She seemed to have not expected Athena to be so open-minded and frank. Athena didn’t avoid those old stories. No one else could say anything.
Gaia looked at her daughter with a smile, wanting to see her reaction. Unexpectedly, Elettra’s eyes were almost stuck on Michael. Gaia’s heart sank. ‘Nothing has happened yet, and my daughter has become like this!’ She gently tugged on Elettra’s sleeve and cleared her throat, “Elettra, have some more food.”
“Mother, I’m not hungry.”
Gaia smiled awkwardly at Athena, who showed no signs of embarrassment. Chasing a woman was hard but chasing a man was easy. They could only hope that Michael, stubborn as he was, would understand Elettra’s feelings towards him.
Xander winked at Athena quietly, and the latter responded with an understanding smile. The two understood each other tacitly. ‘It seems that this marriage is promising.’
When the news reached the palace, the King smiled. ‘Elettra looks like a blessed person, maybe she can really tame this stubborn guy,’ thought the King.
After the meal, Xander excused Athena’s fatigue and left ahead of schedule, giving Gaia a special wink as he left.
Gaia glanced at the sun and said with a smile, “It’s getting late. I have to pray. Elettra, you can see General Osborne off for me.”
Elettra’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she readily responded, “Yes, Mother.”
Michael was about to say that it was not necessary, but Elettra interrupted, “General, please, I’ll see you out.” As she spoke, she had already taken the lead and walked forward. Michael had no choice but to follow.
The two walked side by side in the corridor, Michael was silent and did not speak.
“General, do you often see snow at Ironfang Pass?” Elettra suddenly broke the silence and said, “I heard my father say that the snow at Ironfang Pass can reach above the knees, and even birds dare not cross it.”
“Yes.” Michael nodded, remembering the wind and snow in the Northern Frontier, his tone softened a little. “But when the snow clears, the icicles on the city wall are like crystal, very beautiful.”
“Really?” Elettra’s eyes lit up, and she turned to look at him. The sunlight fell on her long eyelashes, casting fragmented shadows. “I’ve never seen real heavy snow in my life.”
Michael felt uncomfortable all over, as if he had thorns growing on his body. He hadn’t been in contact with women for a long time and didn’t know how to talk to them anymore.
Seeing that the entrance was just ahead, he stopped and said to Elettra, “Ms. Huber, please stop here.”
Elettra looked at him with bright eyes. “General Osborne, can I go to Ironfang Pass with you to see the snow?”
Michael was so startled that he didn’t know how to respond. After a pause, he hurriedly waved his hand. “Ms. Huber, don’t joke. Ironfang Pass is far away from Pidence City. It’s not a place to play around. Don’t say such things again.”
The more embarrassed he was, the happier Elettra became. “I was just joking. Why did you take it seriously?”
Michael breathed a sigh of relief. The two walked to the church gate, where Michael’s personal guards were already waiting with horses. He turned around on his horse, looking down at Elettra. “Ms. Huber, goodbye.”
“General Osborne, take care.” Elettra watched Michael walk away, then she turned back to find Gaia.
Seeing her return, Gaia hurriedly asked, “Elettra, how do you find him?”
Elettra smiled, “Great. Although General Osborne is several years older than me, he is stable and down-to-earth, a reliable man.”
“You silly girl, it’s not even a done deal yet, and you’re already praising him. Aren’t you ashamed?” Gaia said reproachfully, but with a smile on her face. She was also very satisfied with Michael. ‘If Elettra marries him in the future, he will definitely protect her.’
A few days later, the King summoned Michael to the palace.
“Minister Osborne, what was your impression of Ms. Huber during your trip to Guardian Church that day?”
Michael replied helplessly, “Ms. Huber is very good, but I am not worthy of her. Your Majesty, please stop teasing me.”
The King was stunned, “Since she is so good, why don’t you marry her? Do you really want to live alone forever?”
“I am a military general, and my head is always hanging on my belt. How dare I waste Ms. Huber’s youth?” Michael waved his hands repeatedly, “Your Majesty, please don’t mention it again.”
The King was a little disappointed that Michael did not agree to such a good marriage. Yet there was nothing he could do about it.
Seven or eight days passed, and Michael prepared to return to Ironfang Pass. However, not long after he left, shocking news came from the Huber Manor.