?<strong>Chapter 869:</strong>


    Caught off guard while handling shrimp, Elyse gave him a puzzled stare, then set down the tongs and quietly stepped back.


    Undeterred, Edward pressed on, following her, “Is your interest why you were secretly watching?”


    Ga ln ovels . fuels your imagination


    Elyse’s lips quirked slightly as she retorted, “I was told a certain apprentice was too heartbroken to eat after his loss. Yet, there he was, devouring chicken legs with gusto.”


    Realization dawned on Edward. “I was just ying up for my mentor. He’s overly stern. Without that act, he’d never let me hear the end of it.”


    Reflecting Simon’s earlier demeanor, Elyse doubted the strict image Edward painted. Given Edward’s reputation, she remained wary. Deciding to dismiss the interaction, she headed off in search of hermb chops, leaving Edward behind. Once she found them, she sat down, only for Edward to appear beside her, his te heaped with food, looking pleased.


    Mid-bite, Edward inquired curiously, “When are you nning to leave?”


    Elyse, slicing through hermb chop, looked up in confusion, “Leave?”


    “Thepetition’s over. Aren’t you heading home? Will you go back to your country or stay here?” Edward, unconsciously licking his lips, betrayed his nervousness.


    The question caught Elyse off guard. She hadn’t contemted it, especially after her separation from Jayden, which felt like losing her true home. Her ties to many ces had evaporated, leaving her with no desire to return to them.


    After a pause, she revealed, “I’ll travel for a while, explore a bit. There’s no rush to find home.”


    Puzzled, Edward ventured, “What about your parents? Don’t you want to share your victory?”


    Elyse’s expression dimmed. “My parents have passed away. There’s no one to tell anymore.”


    Edward, caught off guard by her revtion, fumbled for words, rubbing his chin in awkwardness.


    Noticing his unease, Elyse let out a soft chuckle, “Don’t worry. It doesn’t pain me as it once did.”


    “Even if you’re alone in this world, I’ll always treat you kindly,” Edward suddenly leaned in close to Elyse, his eyes filled with deep affection.


    Elyse’s lips twitched slightly as she instinctively pulled away, awkwardly saying, “I don’t need that from you.”


    Recalling the topic he wanted to discuss, Edward set down his utensils, propped his face on one hand, and asked eagerly, “Now that thepetition is over, can we talk about us?”


    Upon hearing this, Elyse sighed deeply and said, “Must we discuss this during dinner? I just want to enjoy my food quietly right now.”


    “Does discussing our feelings disrupt your meal?” Edward clutched his chest, his face broadcasting profound pain.


    After a brief silence, Elyse sighed again and said firmly, “Let’s talk after we eat. I’m worried if we talk now, you might lose your appetite.”


    Edward looked stunned. “Are you rejecting me? Why? Haven’t I been good to you? I’m much more dependable than your ex-husband.”


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