After some thought, Nicole realized that if her father were to do that, those at Wicked Palace would never stop going after him, and the estate would never have peace.
Look at what happened to Evan. How can I let the same thing happen to the estate?
Since it all happened because of me, I’ll bear the full responsibility so that others can have peace.
“Dad, I’ve already promised to marry Levant. We’ll have the wedding soon, so you don’t have to do anything for Evan. Levant’s already promised to let him go.”
Stephen was shocked to hear that. “What are you saying, Nicole? Are you really planning to marry that man?”
“Dad, Levant’s good to me, and I want to marry him.”
“Nicole… “
“Forget about kidnapping Murphy, Dad. Levant’s decided to take him back to Wicked Palace to recuperate. You don’t have to do anything other than attend my wedding.”
Even after the call had ended, Stephen remained in a daze because he understood the relationship between Evan and Nicole. He thought it was too cruel to have the two destined lovers separated.
That was exactly what happened to Rosalie and him, so he was familiar with the excruciating pain of being separated from a loved one.
His relationship with Rosalie was his greatest regret, so he wished for Nicole to spend the rest of her life with Evan without regrets.
Never did the duke expect his daughter to be separated from her love because of life’s cruel circumstances.
Is this her fate?
That evening, Davin and John went back to the estate to see if they could lend a hand regarding the situation.
“It’s my brother we’re talking about here. There must be something I can do to help.”
Stephen smiled somberly at Evan’s younger brother. The former had received news that Murphy had already been taken back to Wicked Palace. It was no longer possible to make a move on the man.
The duke regretted telling Nicole about his plan because he was sure that she had deliberately made Levant move Murphy to stop him from taking any risks.
Stephen also heard that Levant fortified his defense at Wicked Palace. The man gathered almost all of his forces to guard the place and made it near impossible for anyone to get in.
It seems Nicole is determined to sacrifice her relationship with Evan to keep him and the estate safe.
The thought pained Stephen, and he took a deep breath to calm himself down.
“You don’t have to do anything. Just go home and wait.”
Stephen was just as helpless as the two were – he had no idea what to do.
“We do nothing at all? When will Evan be rescued, then? When are you going to make a move?” asked Davin with concern.
“Just… Go back and wait for the news.” Stephen did not seem to want to converse on the topic any longer.
Davin and John felt lost after leaving the estate, but their thoughts were interrupted by Sophia, who called to inquire about the date of their return.
“We ran into some problems here, Mom. We won’t be going back so soon.”
“What kind of problems?”
Davin did not want to worry his mother, so he told her nothing about Evan being trapped in Wicked Palace. Instead, he told Sophia that Nicole wanted to marry Levant and how Evan was trying to win her back.
Sophia felt uneasy after the phone call and wondered why her son had to get involved with those at Wicked Palace.
Wicked Palace is nothing but trouble!
Sophia was sure that her older son would never marry anyone else if he could not marry Nicole, so for her son’s sake, she was forced to go back to the place she hated.
When Jonathan noticed the blank expression on Sophia’s face, he too asked about Evan and Davin’s return date.
“Jonathan, I need to go to Wicked Palace,” responded Sophia when she came to her senses.
Jonathan froze for a second before sighing, “You severed ties with Wicked Palace when you married me. Will they still recognize you as one of their own if you go back there?”
