Chapter 493 - SECRETS: PART IV

Elder Lord Knigthley smiled innocently as he responded, "Aren't you going to invite me in?" 

Professor Neil wasn't in the mood to serve the old man tea at this hour s since was busy working on what the Young Princess asked him. Who would have thought the old man would suddenly be interested in getting involved with his granddaughter's situation. When he has always been watching from the shadows just like him. 

"Fine, let's go." 

The two headed to his office where Elder Lord Knightley noticed the pile of books piled on the man's desk. He could only smile because he already knew what those books are all about. He may have never visited the old library, but he was aware of what types of books are hidden away there. Just like his granddaughter, he too was curious about the place and had ventured around and discovered some of their family secrets thanks to the library. 

"So, has she remembered?" Elder Lord Knightley asked as he checked the books on the old man's desk. 

"Who knows…" Professor Neil replied as he started boiling the electric kettle to prepare their tea. "Seeing she does not even know my own name, seems like she really lost her memory." 

"You mean someone played around with her memory." Elder Lord Knightley responded without sugarcoating his words and expressed how much he despised what happened. "Seems like those b*stard have lost their mind."

"Hmm, don't say that." He responded as he put some tea leaves on the teapot whilst contemplating about the man's words.

"I'm not a fool, my son may be keeping things from us in fear that something might happen. But remember, I am still the head of this family." 

"You mean the patriarch." He sighs as he poured the water on the pot and carried the drinks to the table. "Seat, stop touching those." He demanded as he didn't want any of the work he had done go to waste. 

"I'm sure you agree with me. Only those b*stard can do such a thing to my granddaughter." Elder Lord Knightley continues to protest about the involvement of the major family with Elizabeth's situation. 

"We don't know that yet…" 

"Ha- I ain't a fool. Then why are you checking on them if they aren't involved." 

"That's none of your concern." 

"Well, technically it does since it has something to do with my granddaughter. So stop being such an *ss, I ain't that old to be played around with." 

Professor Neil didn't say anything as he served tea to the old man. As he finished pouring tea for both of them, he took a sip of his tea first before answering. "Since you already know, finish your tea and leave." 

"Fine, just tell me. What did she ask you about?"

"You already know the answer." He responded whilst glancing briefly at the old man as he continued enjoying his tea. 

"I know, but specifically, which family was she interested in?" Elder Lord Knigthley put down his tea as he aggressively asked. 

"Well, she didn't ask anything specific, but she was curious about one thing which surprised me." 

"Why? Does it have something to do with them?" 

"Hmm…" 

"Good Lord, what has our family done to be in such a situation." Elder Lord Knightley regretted asking and he now realizes things are about to go downhill for all of them. "Then, she must think they are involved with them? Since..." 

"I think not," He answered right away without even letting the old man to explain. 

"What makes you say so?" 

"I may be wrong, which I hope I am…" 

"Old man, stop delaying things and tell me, what do you know?" 

"I think she has found the person she is looking for?" 

"WHAT?" 

That evening, things didn't go too well for Elder Lord Knightley. As he continued conversation with Professor Neil that night. He just realized what a big mistake it was to have spoken with him. Now that he knows the truth, it hasn't yet been proven. He fears that they won't even be able to keep things a secret to the girl before explaining the truth to her. 

....

The next day, Elizabeth was up early in the morning as she went for a jog with her father. Both of them enjoyed the time they had together as she explained her plans later. Her flight to the state was in the afternoon, so she still had some time left to spend and rest. 

"Hmm, tell me if you're having a hard time there." Lord Knightley said as the two walked back to the main house. 

"Don't worry, Jackie will be there. Plus, everyone fears Jackie a lot." 

"They do, but they don't know who you are. Plus, people are still unaware that you have returned. Some of them might not recognize you." 

"Hmm, if something does happen… Then, as the Young Princess of the Knightley family, I must stand tall and not let them degrade me. I have been hiding in the shadows for too long and I think it's time." 

Lord Knightley looked shocked from what he was hearing. He was unsure if he was dreaming or not. Who would have thought her daughter would finally agree to reveal herself. "Then, when do you plan to announce your return and identity?" 

"After our contract, since I promised to anyway. Even if I find or don't find Yun Shen, I promise to keep my promise to you and agree to reveal myself. If ever I have made any promise in the past before I left, which I failed to do, I promise to agree to them as well." 

Lord Knightley was worried with his daughter's words. He ponders whether he has given up in finding the person whom she is looking for, or has she found him? The reports he received showed that she has not found a single clue of the man's whereabouts, and he too has not found a single clue about them. As if they never existed at all.

"Very well, I hope you keep to your words." He smiled bitterly because he felt guilty about everything. Since his daughter's return and awakening, he has kept something important from her which he fears might cause him her daughter's truth forever. 

"Daddy, is something wrong?" Elizabeth asked, noticing how deep in thought her father looked and he was no longer listening to what she was saying. Especially when he was calling for him. 

"Yes, everything is fine. I was just thinking about my schedule for later whether I can send you to the airport or not." 

"Don't worry about that, granny and grandpa are sending me to the airport anyways. You have nothing to worry about." 

"Then, I'll see you in a week's time." 

"Hmm," Elizabeth agreed as she held tight in her father's arms as they both walked inside the house.

That morning, Elizabeth was left all to herself again. Her mother had business to do and her grandparents were resting. 

Since it was her last day in the estate, she hurriedly went to visit the old library to find out if Professor Neil had done what she had asked. 

"Darling, where are you heading?"