The Reason for Marriage - Chapter 44.1

“…She’s being treated at the Medical department.”

“Medical department? That means she’s hurt. Then I’ll personally go.”

“The Bureau of Investigation has assigned professionals to her already. They’ll be monitoring her status. We also need you to write a report detailing the incident immediately. If you depart now, it will interfere with the flow of work, and Eve, who I know personally, would never want Your Highness to visit her in such conditions.”

Daniel remained silent.

“However, if you still insist,” Kayden looked straight into Daniel’s eyes and assured him, “I will request that they submit the report themselves.”

“Is the damage quite severe? God forbid, if it’s a fatal injury, or if it’s not fatal but there are multiple injuries. This is Eve we’re talking about here, the Medical department should be providing the best medical staff.”

“ Your Majesty.” Kayden smiled slightly, as he was not familiar with Daniel’s blunt yet surprisingly caring personality.

“It’s a treatable injury. There isn’t any cause for concern, so you should be able to see her tomorrow. I’ve already stopped by the Medical department on the way here and made sure that they would provide the best medical staff to treat Eve.”

Having been reassured, Daniel slowly sat back down and began reviewing the report again, but his hand trembled slightly. While observing this, Kayden noticed a small engraving “From E.J.” on Daniel’s pen that he carried everywhere. He knitted his brows. Eve Jean?

After some time, Daniel did inquire on how Eve was doing. However, Kayden felt that the question seemed to have come after much patience and deliberation. It was like he had been holding it in and could no longer endure his anxiety. He thought it queer that Daniel did not pay such attention to other affiliated employees. Meanwhile, Kayden was surprised at Daniel’s rather excessive reaction to Eve’s injury.

He finally decided to ask Daniel about the matter; not as a loyal servant, but as the long-time friend that he had now become.

“Sir, did you have something of a special relationship with Senior Eve?”

“No… there wasn’t anything between us,” he sighed. But Kayden looked as if he didn’t believe him. “We had a meal on Amenity Street and took a walk on Lake Menata. That’s it.”

Kayden stared blankly at Daniel and said with a shudder.

“But such a woman… You’ve never done this before with anyone else, have you? Your Majesty spending time with such a lady alone? Taking a walk around Lake Menata? Is that nothing special to Your Majesty?”

“….I must have been nothing special to Eve.”

“Oh.”

At Daniel’s somewhat sullen remarks, Kayden slowly nodded his head, frowning. “I’m sure that might be true.”

“It pains me to hear you agree so quickly to it.”

“Being honest is a virtue of a good friend. But Senior Eve, well…”

The reason Kayden’s last word was blurred was due to the fact that Eve’s true identity was the third daughter of the Esselburn family. She had never released the magic that changed her appearance. She used to tell him over and over that she would like to live and die as Eve Jean. Thus everyone in her bureau treated her as ‘Eve Jean’, and her views on the matter never went any deeper.

However, if she was the woman on the King’s mind, then it was an altogether different story. Things would get very complicated if he wanted her to be the future Queen. Quitting the Bureau of Investigation would unravel her magic, thus exposing her true identity. On the other hand, it was also impossible to send her back to the Esselburn family out of nowhere. Moreover, no matter how much Daniel thought about it, Eve did not seem to want the Queen’s position.

Daniel saw Kayden’s disheartening dark expression and said, “Do not say it.”

“Say what?”

“Pessimistic words.”

Kayden merely looked Daniel in the eye, no words coming out of his mouth.

“I will make a very important decision soon regarding this matter,” continued Daniel.

In the end, Kayden withdrew from Daniel’s office, only saying that he would send him to Eve tomorrow. Alone and tired, Daniel let out a sigh and took out a notebook from his bookshelf.

[What sort of mission did you get? Where are you going?]

[What are you doing today?]

[The prince is here. What do you think?]

[I want to save the chaotic Kadmin. What do you think? Just in case. Can we go out for dinner when you come back?]

[I should’ve gone to that bar. I think we could’ve talked more about fun stuff.]

[The little boy you were with before was a close junior?]

[I can’t sleep well these days. When do you usually fall asleep? Do you sleep well?]

[Since when have you been so good at throwing daggers?]

[Do you often think about our dinner that night? Like I do? Or was it just another normal day for you?]

After Kayden submitted the comprehensive report and left, Daniel could not help but jot down the questions that came to his anxious mind. He took out the pen he always carried and wrote down another series of questions which reflected his inner thoughts.

[Did you get injured? Where does it hurt? Are you in pain?]

He hesitated for a moment, stared at the “From E.J” engraving, then slowly moved the pen again.

[I miss you, but I know that it would be a nuisance to everyone if I were to see you. You know, I still don’t like the fact that my desire towards you could put you in that terrible seat, do you?]

[But I’ll wait all night for you to come tomorrow. When you come to see me, wouldn’t you consider it a little annoying?]

“Eve…”

He murmured out without thinking.