Free Web NovelChapter 428: Substitute Bride of the Demon King (32)
He obviously liked Ellie, and the person he wanted to be with was Ellie— forever and always. No matter how much Leila pretended, she was just a fake, a substitute. How could a fake ever compare to the real thing? Even if she did a good job, she could not even compare to one of Ellie’s fingers. She was just a stand-in.
Leila was just a stand-in. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Just a stand-in...
Silas told himself this over and over again. But for some reason, the dull pain in his heart did not disappear, as if something important could no longer be grasped.
Therefore, Silas’s expression was not very good. In the eyes of a third party, he was simply angry about Ellie and Andre’s marriage, which would be held soon.
...
When Leila stood gracefully outside the imposing castle walls waiting for him the next day, Silas’s expression turned a little strange, and a flicker of confusion flashed in his eyes. Dressed in a flowing green gown that danced gently in the breeze, she appeared almost ethereal, surrounded by a tapestry of wildflowers that swayed in harmony with her presence.
The man thought that the young woman should harbor deep resentment toward him. After all, he had belittled her and even forcing her into a marriage with another man, which was really too much for her. Yet, as he studied her, he was taken aback; the young woman in front of him did not look like she resented him at all.
The young woman in green standing among the wildflowers was elegant and agile. She resembled a figure sprung to life from an exquisite oil painting— timeless and captivating, her beauty was enhanced by the golden glow of the sunset. She gazed at him with clear eyes, as if the previous unpleasant things had never happened before.
Silas could not tell how it felt in his heart, especially when he met those eyes. In an instant, he felt an inexplicable emotion rolling in his heart. He unconsciously asked her, "Why are you wearing this dress?"
He had always thought that this young woman liked to wear red dresses, just like Ellie, looking all bright and outgoing.
In the past, whenever Leila entered the study to find him, she had a particular fondness for donning a striking red dress that hugged her figure elegantly. The vivid color and her graceful mannerisms would inevitably overlap with Ellie subconsciously. However, now that Leila had opted for a different outfit, he found himself caught in a sense of trance, as if time itself had come unmoored from the constraints of reality, leaving him in a disorienting limbo.
Yue Ran could roughly guess what this person was thinking from his expression. Since she wanted to gain his affection, it was not a good strategy to cry and whine for sympathy like a normal person would. This cold, formidable figure known as the Demon King operated under a logic entirely different from the empathetic norms of ordinary folks; tears alone would not soften his hardened heart.
She had to leave a lasting and distinctive impression on him. So, she had to play her cards out of the ordinary, which could be considered as another type of routine.
The young woman pursed her lips, then allowed a soft chuckle to escape her. Her smile blossomed like the very first bloom of spring, gentle yet decent.
"Does it look good?" Yue Ran asked. "In the past, I lost myself in order to imitate others. I always forced myself to wear red dresses that I did not like. In fact, I prefer this green color, which is beautiful and full of vitality."
Silas pressed his lips together. He naturally knew who she was imitating others for. But what did it matter? No matter how closely she mirrored the gestures and expressions of others, it would never capture the essence of authenticity. Imitation, no matter how skillfully executed, remained just that—an illusion.
As Yue Ran glided toward him, the hem of her willow-green dress danced gracefully with her every step, reminiscent of leaves swaying in a gentle breeze. The delicate fabric caught the light, enhancing the soft hues that enveloped her, while the belt ribbon tied around her waist swayed rhythmically, rising and falling like the tide, making her appear particularly beautiful and lively.
Silas looked at her face. It seemed as if the young woman really did not remember what happened that day.
Silas avoided her gaze and said coldly, "It is up to you. Whatever you like to wear has nothing to do with me. After today, we will no longer have any intersection."
After today, he would be with Ellie, and they would be a perfect pair of husband and wife.
Since the condition Leila had made could not be changed, he should have just accompanied her for a day as she desired.
After saying this, he clearly noticed that the other party’s body stiffened for a moment, and her face turned a little pale, but she soon recovered.
"I know, but... Your Majesty should also remember your promise," Yue Ran said. "You can’t treat me as a substitute for anyone when you accompany me today."
Looking into her calm eyes, Silas felt a little uncomfortable for some reason. Unable to help frowning, he said, "So, what do you want me to do?"
Finally, he got to the point.
Yue Ran smiled at the man tenderly, then stated her request, "Your Majesty, you do not need to do anything. Just accompany me to play in the capital for a day." freewebnoveℓ.com
What kind of strange request is this? Silas could not figure it out, but what puzzled him even more was that he actually agreed to her request.
It was not until he arrived reached the bustling capital that Silas realized that today was the Lantern Parade, which he had not been aware of.
As a magician consumed by his craft, Silas basically would not waste his time on such trivial matters as holidays and celebrations.
