Chapter 34: Father

Masefield knew that Alice was angry, and he knew why.

However, it was obviously not a good time for father and daughter to talk now that they had an important guest.

“Then you can stand first.” Masefield’s expression was relaxed. Then, he smiled at McMillen and slowly said, “Your Highness, this child must be feeling numb in her legs as she came back on a bird.”

McMillen’s golden eyes were staring intently at Alice’s face as he replied to the Duke with a smile, “It doesn’t matter. I just want to say that the Duchess is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say. As expected of the number one beauty in Hilmar City!”

Alice forced a smile and said softly, “Your Highness is joking. Those are just rumors.”

However, McMillen stood up excitedly and immediately retorted, “No, no, no! Of all the beautiful women I’ve seen in my life, you’re definitely the most beautiful one!”

Although ordinary people would be happy to be praised, Alice did not think so at this moment.

She looked coldly at the prince in front of her and suddenly felt unhappy, as if she hated the feeling of being compared to others like this.

However, it didn’t seem as if McMillen had realized this problem. He suddenly laughed and said, “If I’m lucky enough to be married to the Duchess, then I’m afraid I won’t have any regrets in my life.”

Masefield naturally knew how attractive his daughter’s beauty was. However, seeing that McMillen had also said so, he could only hurriedly and humbly say, “Your Highness, my daughter is not as good as you say. She is not worthy of you at all. You must be joking.”

McMullen shook his head and couldn’t help but continue to praise Alice. “Duke Masefield, I only want to say that you have given birth to a good daughter. She is truly too beautiful, which is why I have such thoughts.”

Suddenly, Masefield spoke in a half-joking, half-serious tone. “Since Your Highness is so satisfied, why don’t I report this to His Majesty the King and ask him to sanction your marriage?”

When Alice saw that the two of them were already faintly talking about marriage as they conversed, she finally expressed the dissatisfaction in her heart and angrily said, “Have you said enough!”

The moment she finished speaking, Alice was so angry that she didn’t care anymore. She turned around and left, leaving the two men standing there awkwardly.

Masefield felt that his daughter was really too rude. He looked a little annoyed, but he still habitually spoke up for his daughter. “Your Highness, Alice must have suffered a lot outside, which was why she was so rude. Please forgive her. I’ll get someone to invite her back.”

However, McMillen waved his hand. He actually liked girls like Alice who didn’t play by the rules. Thus, he smiled and said, “It’s alright, Duke. Perhaps I was too abrupt and scared her. Let her rest first.”

Then, McMillen smiled and said with some remorse, “Actually, it’s probably my fault. After all, we just met. I shouldn’t have made such a joke.”

“Of course not. His Highness is so handsome. It’s her fortune to be able to marry you. I think my daughter must be shy. After all, she has never experienced such a thing throughout her life.” Masefield shook his head and laughed.

The two of them conversed and slowly eased the originally awkward atmosphere.

Finally, when McMillen was about to leave, he looked at Masefield and said with a smile, “Duke, then I’ll leave my enrollment in Kerley Academy to you. If possible, I hope that you can arrange for me and Alice to study together.”

“No problem,” said Masefield softly as he personally escorted McMillen out of the castle.

Then, Masefield’s expression suddenly turned cold. He walked straight to Alice’s room, knocked heavily on the locked door, and said, “Alice, open the door.”

Alice did not dare to disobey her father’s orders. Although she was very unwilling, she could only open the door. Then, she saw her father, whose face was filled with anger, and knew that her father was here to settle the score.

Masefield’s expression was cold as he questioned, “Why did you run away from home? Do you know how worried I was about you for the past half a month?”

Alice was stunned after hearing this. She thought that her father came to see her because she had neglected His Highness. She was prepared to be reprimanded, but she did not expect her father to be angry because of this matter.

Hence, in the brief moment of panic, Alice did not know whether her heart was surging with gratitude or warmth. Even her expression and tone became gentler as she replied softly, “I just wanted to go out and take a look.”

“Back then, your mother thought the same, but what happened in the end? I really don’t want you to go down the same old path that she did!” Masefield looked at his daughter and spoke coldly.

Alice looked into her father’s eyes and suddenly said very angrily, “Father, I really don’t want to be locked up by you anymore! I’ve also long had enough of being monitored by your people no matter where I go!”

At the end of her speech, Alice suddenly lost some of her rationality and couldn’t help but say in a fit of pique, “If possible, I’d rather die freely like Mother!”

“Pa!” In his anger, Masefield simply slapped Alice!

After the slap, Masefield stared blankly at his slightly trembling hand and realized that this was the first time he had ever slapped his daughter.

Masefield was a little flustered as he looked at the red palm print on Alice’s face. His eyes revealed a look of pity and remorse as he hurriedly apologized, “A—Alice… I’m very sorry… I didn’t do it on purpose…”

“It’s okay. It’s my fault.” Alice shook her head. This pain was nothing to her.

Furthermore, she had already realized that her words were inappropriate. She said softly, “What happened to Mother is the pain of your life. I shouldn’t have brought this matter up. I should be the one who is sorry.”

Masefield was stunned. He looked at his sensible daughter, and the guilt in his heart became even stronger.

He knew that his morbid protectiveness over the years had unconsciously stripped Alice of her freedom, but he had no other choice.

Thinking of this, a trace of loneliness gradually appeared in Masefield’s eyes. He said softly, “Alice, I have already lost your mother. I cannot lose you again. I love you.”