WCMBI - Chapter 262: Erroneous Assumption

"It's been a while, my lord."

"Indeed. You seem to be in high spirits, Alex."

"There's no need to address me so familiarly after all this time."

"Hmm, while I don't pretend to be oblivious to your sentiments, it would have been better if you had spread rumors a bit more judiciously."

Alex, who had been scheming malicious rumors about Ian from behind the scenes, found himself unable to say a word in the face of Ian's knowledge. He had been cautious, but Ian seemed to know everything already, making him fearful, though he didn't show it.

Staring down at Alex, Ian raised one corner of his lips and murmured.

"Indeed. You seem better suited for politics or business than being a knight."

"What do you mean?"

"Do I really need to explain? One should know oneself well."

"What is that supp..."

Before Alex could add more, Monica interjected.

"Let's depart, Ian."

"Very well then, if you insist."

He smirked at Alex's scowling expression before turning around. Escorting Monica, he helped her into the carriage. Ian cherished her, as she was his omega, providing her with an opportunity she coveted.

Monica felt her heart tremble, witnessing Ian's tender gesture. Filled with elation that he finally understood her feelings, she had already boarded the carriage without realizing the presence of someone else who had joined them, which she noticed only after the door closed.

"Oh, Monica, my dear. It's been a while," the unexpected guest greeted her.

"Oh, my goodness! What a surprise!"

She failed to recognize the person who greeted her. A completely transformed version of the person she once knew sat in a corner of the carriage, offering his greetings. Monica couldn't help but wonder why the butler had come along.

"Ian, why is the butler here?" she asked.

As she spoke, the carriage started moving. The grand and sturdy carriage provided a very pleasant ride.

"Ah, well. I suggested that we should keep it light, but it seems I couldn't help but be concerned about you."

"What?"

"But still, I thought it would be wise to have at least one extra handmaiden to accompany us. Why?"

"No, if that were the case, you should have brought Jessie along. It would have been more convenient."

"Shall I instruct the coachman to turn back, then?"

Monica, feeling somewhat anxious and unable to dismiss the imploring gaze of her lady-in-waiting, couldn't bring herself to refuse. Despite wanting to start the journey on a positive note, she worried that Alex might intervene if they turned the carriage around, so she decided to proceed as planned.

"No, no, it's alright. I'm sure the lady-in-waiting will take good care of us, won't she?"

"Yes, of course."

"As long as that is your intention."

With those words, Ian reclined comfortably, sporting a drowsy expression. Throughout the ride, Monica couldn't help but keep her eyes fixed on his smiling face, completely oblivious to their destination.

After quite some time, Monica finally inquired about their travel destination.

"By the way, where are we heading on this journey?"

"It's a place you're familiar with."

"Is that so?"

In response to Ian's words, she recalled a famous hot spring resort located not too far from the capital, a place she had frequented since childhood. Just as she was contemplating it, the carriage came to a jolting halt.

"Ah!"

In truth, it wasn't particularly startling, but she pretended to be frightened and leaned into Ian's broad chest. As she entered the open arms she had only seen from afar, her heart raced wildly.

Yes, Ian was the man she had longed for. Not an exaggeration to say that the time she had spent meeting stern men felt like a wasted lifetime compared to him. Cursing Alex inwardly for advising against this, Monica intentionally looked up at him with a demure expression while grasping her own shoulder tightly.

When Monica's eyes met Ian's, they were different from before. His once tender eyes seemed to have disappeared, replaced by a chilling gaze that made it difficult to discern what he was looking at.

"Ian?"

At Monica's call, Ian broke into a smile, with the corners of his eyes and lips crinkling like blooming flowers. Then, he delivered an eerie line in a low voice.

"We've finally arrived, Monica. I've waited so long, truly."