I don't want to be loved (Book II)

Chapter 203: Vincent's Return

(♡)

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Lalisa sighed. She recognized this childish content. It was the song Vincent used to sing to make fun of her as a kid.

"Who wrote this letter?"

"He's down there." the girl pointed to the river bank.

"Did you see his face?"

The girl nodded. "It was someone with shiny hair color like you, sister. He was also tall."

Vincent was here.

An overwhelming happiness enveloped Lalisa. She didn't know why Vincent would seek her out like this, but she didn't care. Vincent has always been quite playful, so perhaps he had planned a surprise visit for her birthday.

Lalisa was about to run off to the river bank when she suddenly stopped her steps to look at her guards. Many of them were still busy clearing the path while the rest of them were keeping an eye out in case any suspicious person approached.

Vincent did not officially announce his visit to Arundel, so nothing good would come out of telling everybody that he was here. What's more, Vincent came to her in the stealthiest possible way, so It would be better if she listened to what he had to say in private.

"Children."

The kids who were busy packing the food looked at her. Lalisa smiled.

"Could you lend me a hand?"

***

The swords clashed with a loud sound. It's been too long since they sparred, but neither side wanted to surrender. Raymond could hardly fend off Jungkook's attacks.

For some reason, his stance showed signs of lack of refinement. Unlike the elegant style that was popularly taught to nobles, Jungkook's fencing style was more savage. It was a style mostly used by soldiers who had spent years in the battlefield.

"Did you go out of the Palace without telling me? Where did you learn to fight like this?"

As he finished saying this words, Jungkook's sharp sword barely missed his head, making Raymond shut up immediately. If he kept babbling, he would truly die.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Raymond had spent all these years glued to Jungkook. Whatever he did, Raymond was always by his side, so much so that Raymond knew more of Jungkook than he did of his own wife.

That's why he couldn't help but feel surprised whenever Jungkook acted in a way he had never seen before.

These type of situations were more notorious lately. After Jungkook threatened Viscount Olbach and his wife, Raymond was genuinely wondering whether a fox had disguised itself with Jungkook's skin. He thought that the Jungkook he knew would never be able to do such thing.

Clang!

In that moment, as Raymond was distracted in his own thoughts, Jungkook took his chance and hit Raymond's hand with his sword grip. Raymond's sword fell to the floor, among the autumn leaves.

Raymond rubbed his hand, smiling bitterly.

"Do you feel invigorating after beating me up as much as you wanted?"

Jungkook had been extremely nervous ever since Lalisa left the Palace. He couldn't concentrate in anything at all, as though he was obsessed with something he couldn't understand. Raymond had told him that the best thing he could do was to exercise his body while leaving his mind blank, which was why he brought Igor for a sparring session.