Page 120 of King of Ruin

"Maybe," she murmured after a long moment.

Then she lifted her eyes again.

A small, almost wistful smile curved her lips.

"But... I think this is the real Xavier."

Astrid looked at her, curiosity flickering across her face.

Elise held her gaze.

"Because he doesn't want to marry me."

There was no resentment in her voice. No bitterness. Only quiet acceptance, as though she had long since made peace with that truth.

"He has never tried to impress me." Her fingers absentmindedly brushed over the cuff of her sleeve as memories surfaced one after another. "From the very beginning, he made it clear that he had no interest in marrying me.”

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"That's why I don't believe the things he does are meant to make me like him." She looked back at Astrid, her eyes calm. "He doesn't need to impress me. He already showed me exactly how he felt. So when he does something kind... when he quietly looks after the people around him... I know it's genuine."

Her gaze drifted downward for a moment, warmth softening her expression.

Astrid remained silent, studying Elise's face for a long moment. Admiration slowly crept into her eyes, but it was accompanied by something else—something heavier.

Sadness.

"You must have suffered a lot after getting together with him."

Elise didn't answer immediately.

"It sounds like you truly loved him..." Astrid continued gently. "...but he didn't feel the same."

For a few seconds, silence settled between them.

Elise simply smiled and gave a small shrug. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before picking up another bite of food, chewing thoughtfully before speaking.

"Maybe."

The single word came with a quiet laugh.

"But it was my choice."

She lowered her eyes to her plate, gently turning it with her fingertips.

"My parents introduced me to him, and after that..." A fond smile touched her lips as thoughts of her family crossed her mind. "I felt like it became my responsibility not to disappoint them."

She paused briefly.

"The last thing I ever wanted was to let my parents down."

Looking back at Astrid, she continued in the same calm voice.

"So I tried my best. I wanted Xavier to see the kind of wife he would have if we ever married. Even though the marriage had been arranged, I wanted him to know I'd give it my all."

A bittersweet smile settled across her face.

"I stayed beside him. I learned his routines, his likes and dislikes. I tried to understand the kind of person he was."