Worried About How to Explain

"Lily, I still haven't told her," Alexander Hayes said. "First, Sophie White's identity is sensitive—the fewer people who know, the better. Second, I kept Sophie by my side at the border camp. She was just a child then, but still a girl, and I worried you might overthink it."

"So, you planned to keep this from Lily forever?" Dr. Rowan Lin sighed, turning to look at Alexander Hayes.

Alexander Hayes sighed, his face clouded with worry. "To be honest, I didn't want any more trouble because of Sophie. My original plan was to wait a couple of years, find her a good family to marry into, and that way I could give my late friend some peace in the afterlife."

Dr. Rowan Lin nodded, a knowing smile on his lips. "Women do tend to be a bit petty—something that seems trivial can turn into wild speculation. That Miss White, she's a bit spoiled, probably from growing up in the army, picking up some habits from the men. I can tell she's got feelings for you. If she ever butts heads with Lily, you better make sure my daughter doesn't get the short end of the stick! Or else, as her father, I'll be the first to come after you!"

Alexander Hayes felt a headache coming on. "Of course I'll protect my wife. Sigh, Sophie is grown now, her thoughts aren't as simple as before—even I can't always figure her out. But rest assured, Father-in-law, I have absolutely no romantic feelings for Sophie. Her father and I were peers, so I see her as a junior, nothing more."

Dr. Rowan Lin studied Alexander Hayes, sensing no dishonesty. Thinking back to how he acted around Sophie White just now, everything was proper, nothing inappropriate. He didn't seem like someone confused about matters of the heart.

Dr. Rowan Lin stroked his chin, his tone domineering. "Glad to hear it. My daughter must never be wronged. If anyone makes her upset, they'll answer to me! But, Your Highness, now that Sophie White is living at the Lin Residence, word will reach Lily sooner or later. How do you plan to handle that?"

Alexander Hayes replied, "Don't worry, Father. I'll take care of it."

"Alright, I'll trust you this time," Dr. Rowan Lin said warmly. "Let Miss Sophie White stay at the Lin Residence and recover. Have Mrs. Penny look after her and change her medicine every day. I'll go check her pulse and write a prescription—after a while, she'll be as good as new."

"Thank you for your trouble, Father," Alexander Hayes bid farewell to Dr. Rowan Lin and headed back to the manor, pondering how to explain everything about Sophie White to Lily.

In the past, Lily was so understanding—any little misunderstanding between him and Sophie White could be cleared up with just a few words. She'd always forgive him, never making a fuss.

But now, with Lily in confinement, her moods are like a barrel of gunpowder. If he tries to explain, he might just end up tossing a lit match and watch the whole thing blow up in his face.

Whenever Lily was upset and said something harsh, Alexander Hayes never took it to heart.

What really worried him was Lily's mood swings—if she got angry or sad and it made her already weak body worse, Alexander Hayes would be beside himself with worry.

Alexander Hayes was still brooding over all this when, as he walked along, he suddenly looked up and saw Mrs. Penny, heavily pregnant, waiting at the end of the corridor as if she'd been expecting him.

Mrs. Penny saw Alexander coming and greeted him with a respectful curtsey. "Your Highness, are you worrying about how to explain Miss Sophie White to Her Ladyship?"

Alexander Hayes nodded earnestly in response.

Mrs. Penny covered her mouth with a smile. "I knew Your Highness would be fretting over this, so I came here especially to wait for you. Maybe I can help you out."