If someone were not loyal from the beginning, a marriage would not change it.
"I don't have anyone I like," Noelle said softly to Jane.
Laurence led the two elders into the house. Noelle deliberately slowed her pace, as was her habit. As a bodyguard, she did not walk side by side with her employer.
However, after falling behind by only two steps, Lilian and Jane each grabbed one of her arms and pulled her forward, placing her between them as they walked inside.
Lilian said, “If you don't have anyone you like, then I will pick a few candidates for you. Since you're living in Havenmill long-term now, we'll find someone suitable here. While Jane and I are here, we'll help screen them for you."
Noelle had nothing to say.
"I already have someone I like. There's no need to introduce anyone to me." Afraid that Lilian would start playing matchmaker, Laurence quickly declared that he already liked someone.
Everyone already knew how he felt, but when Lilian was bored, she really was capable of arranging random matches. Laurence decided to make his position clear first, lest she start pushing women toward him.
What if Noelle became jealous?
This girl was incredibly stubborn. If she got jealous or misunderstood something, she would be even more difficult to deal with.
"You have someone you like? Have you confessed? Have you taken any action? If you haven't confessed and haven't done anything, how is she supposed to know that you like her?"
After helping the two elders take their seats, Laurence hurriedly poured each of them a cup of water. "Mom. Master. have some water first."
"Water has no flavor. Noelle, go brew a pot of tea." Lilian sent Noelle away to make tea.
Once Noelle had been sent away, Lilian signaled with her eyes for Laurence to sit down, and specifically beside her.
The mighty and imposing Laurence, who commanded respect outside, did not even dare raise his voice in front of Lilian. Wherever she told him to sit, he sat.
“Master.....” Laurence smiled ingratiatingly. “You rarely visit. You must give your dearest disciple here some proper guidance."
"In medicine and poison techniques, you've already surpassed me. There's nothing more for me to teach you there.
"What really needs fixing is that wooden head of yours. You and Noelle are practically childhood sweethearts. You've spent eighteen years together, and your bond is deep. You love her, so why haven't you confessed?
"Are you worried that your background will drag her into danger? Worried that confessing will interfere with your revenge?
"Or are you worried that you're not capable of protecting her? She's more than capable of protecting herself. For all these years, she's actually been the one protecting you. You don't need to worry about being unable to protect her.
"She is your personal bodyguard now and stays by your side every day. Your quest for revenge has already dragged her into all of this. Even if you never confess, do you really think your enemies will spare her?"
After a moment of silence, Laurence said softly, "I'm scared. What if I die? What will happen to Noelle?
"She has a terrible temper and is incredibly stubborn. If I confessed to her and then died, she would never marry anyone else for the rest of her life. I love her, and I don't want her to spend her entire life alone because of me.
“Once I've dealt with those people, stabilized the Longbottom family, and no longer have to worry about my life-once I can give her a peaceful and stable future-then it won't be too late to confess.
"In this lifetime, she belongs to me, and I belong to her."
Laurence was not worried that anyone could take Noelle away.
No one could.
Noelle would be his for this entire lifetime!
"Do you think all of us are dead? Do you think we'd let you die? You really are a coward. Stop making so many excuses."
Laurence could not refute her.