Chapter 271 A Crowded Voyage
<b>Leslie’s </b><b>POV </b>
The banquet drew to a close.
<b>89 </b>
+8 Pearls
I trailed my father as he said his goodbyes one by one. When we reached Kirby, he deliberately lingered at the end.
Father smiled warmly. “Get some rest when you return. Take care of yourself.”
His words carried the weight of an elder’s concern.
Kirby nodded with a polite smile. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good!”
Once he was gone, I turned on Father, incredulous. “Tomorrow? You’ve arranged to meet him again?”
He patted my hand, his eyes alight with excitement. “To celebrate my birthday, he’s nned <i>a </i>twenty–day world tour for me.”
My brows snapped together. “A world tour?”
“You’re not going alone, are you?” I asked.
“Of course not. You’reing too,” Father said firmly, his gaze heavy. “You’re not nning to refuse, are you?”
That look made it clear: if I dared, he’d flip the table right here.
I forced a smile. “Of course not. I just thought it was… sudden.”
Lars chuckled. “Surprises always are. Kirby’s thoughtfulness pleased me greatly, so I epted.”
Thoughtful? To me, it reeked of ulterior motives.
“But <b>I </b><b>still </b>have matters in the west-” I tried onest defense.
“Hand them to Thorbane. If he can’t handle them, give them to Carl. Whatever he loses, let him pay it back himself.” Father dismissed it with a wave, unmoved.
Carl, just walking past, froze in ce<b>, </b>eyes wide in disbelief.
I sighed. No point resisting. Fine–let it be a free vacation.
Chapter 271 A Crowded Voyage
+8 Pearls
Back in my room, I sprawledfortably on the bed, scrolling through my phone. The trip kept circling in my thoughts. Since I couldn’t escape it, I might as well make it lively.
I picked up myms. “Lord Adler, is Eren there?”
The next morning dawned with light drizzle, the air sweet and fresh.
No work, no schedule–so I sleptte. By the time I stirred, it was past nine. After azy wash and light makeup, I didn’te downstairs until almost eleven.
Voices drifted up from below.
Father’s voice: “Our Leslie workedte into the night, then rose early for meetings. It pains me to see her work so hard…”
My steps faltered on the stairs. Having risen well past sunrise, guilt prickled sharp.
Kirby’s reply was patient, courteous. “Leslie’s sesses from both talent and diligence. Her achievements are only natural.”
I winced. What was this, amendation meeting?
I hurried down.
Carl lounged on the sofa, smirking. “Well, well, the princess finally graces us with her presence.”
I shot him a re, then said breezily, “I was finishing a meeting upstairs.” Not a flicker of blush or guilt in my voice.
Eren sat obediently by Adler’s side. His eyes lit when he saw me, but under his father’s gaze, only drooped, quiet and restrained.
Kirby checked his watch. “It’s about time. Shall we go?”
Eren leapt up, grinning. “Yes! Yes! I’m going traveling with Muse!”
Kirby’s face stiffened. “You’reing?”
“Of course!”
Kirby turned sharply toward Adler. “You’d let him go alone? What Alpha would agree to that?”
he
Adler’s brows drew together, voice calm but firm. “You’re right. He can’t go alone. So I’ll join as
well.”
The moment Adler finished, I watched Kirby’s expression turn… colorful. His eyes fixed on Adler,yers of emotion clouding them–shock, irritation, calction.
9:07 Fri, Sep 19 <b>B</b>…
Chapter 271 A Crowded Voyage
Father, however, was delighted. “Excellent! The more, the merrier. Kirby, shall we?”
Kirby’s lips curved, but his answer scraped out through his teeth. “Of course.”
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