Derek suddenly stood from the sofa. Reading the book further, it surprised him at what happens in the past during the time Quinn, Levi, and Madison traveled back in that era. It gives them more ideas about what happens about Doctor Charles Montfort.

He holds the secret of the future. The meeting of the past and the future. Back then, Madison who made the requests.

"No way!" he bursts out that made the butlers nervous. It worried them if something happened to their masters and the Madison.

"What happened, Doctor Williams?" worriedly, asked Pete.

Derek took a seat before he replied. "Madison and Charles did a promise."

"What promise?" Marie asked curiously, she who just entered the library to inform them for lunch. She spent most of the time to accompany and watch the Ca.s.sie they have now.

"Miss Marie, it seems Madison who requests to hide her from the Williams, and not because Marivella asked of it."

"Is that so? Then, this is the truth about Charles and Carlene's story in the past. The reincarnated Carlene is the one who made requests to hide her away," Marie's conclusion.

"It seems she grows the hate after the d.u.c.h.ess kidnapped her mother, Marivella… and so, she doesn't want the d.u.c.h.ess to find her," Derek affirmed.

"Hmm... one thing of many reasons Charles hid Carlene after her parents died. No one knows about this, but Doctor Charles Montfort. Now, this is very interesting facts," she presumed.

"All right, gentlemen, it is lunchtime. I requested the kitchen to send a set of lunch for Ca.s.sie. I wanted to invite her to the dining hall, but we should keep her in the room to avoid discovering that something is going on."

"Best idea, Miss Marie!" the butlers replied at once.

"All right, gentlemen. Notify me if something is going on with my niece," Marie glances at Madison. She's been so worried about her.

* * * 

Back in the 18th Century...

Now the Hall filled with chatters, as the crowd making a lot of noises; gossiping, whom one person doesn't like the revelation at all. The d.u.c.h.ess pinned to her seat and flashes a glare to her son who was standing silently in the balcony, observing everyone from above.

Carlisle heard everything. It also surprises him, although he already heard some talks regarding the Chen family in the port and the market. Tonight, he confirmed it was true.

Anyway, he does not care whether which family Marivella came from. It is not important for him if she's from a poor family. He loves her, and that's all matters in their relations.h.i.+p.

But not to his mother. The family's name and reputation are important to her. Something she could use for her agendas. Carlisle meets his mother's glare. But he's also curious to know if what she's thinking right now.

"Captain!"

"Gene? What's the matter? Did something happen?"

"Captain, someone picks up Miss Marivella," Gene reported to him.

It confused him. Why there are other people knew that Marivella was here? "What do you mean, someone, picks her up?" Carlisle asked further.

"It was the Korean soldiers, Captain. They said, Miss Marivella will present tonight, they want to take her and put her into their care as she has to dress well tonight."

"And did you allow them?" his gaze darkened. He does not permit this.

"Don't worry, Captain. I think they won't harm her... they actually treated her like a princess, and they allow me to escort them to the room."

"Is that true, Gene?" the least, he hopes she is safer with them.

"Yes, Captain. But then, what will happen now? Are we completely entrusted Miss Marivella to them?"

"You can speak to them, right?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Let's go to where they brought her. I want to talk to her."

"But Captain..."

"Is there a problem with it?"

Gene stays a moment of silence before he replied. "They prohibited anyone to come nearby in the room where they keep the Miss, Captain. Especially any French whom a soldier."

"What? Why?" black lines showing on Carlisle's forehead. They can't do whatever they like in the land which not their territory.

"Said, it was the Prince orders. He heard about what happened to Miss Marivella. Said, it was a threat to all the people of Korea."

"What do you mean, Gene?" he asked his soldier.

"It will affect the good trading with them," Gene replied.

"You were saying they will cut the ties between our countries?"

"That would be, Captain."

Carlisle takes a silence, then flashes a glare to his mother. She's the one who put France in a great crisis.

"Also, I heard something. The King of Joseon Kingdom is Monsieur Chen's first cousin."

"Then, Monsieur Chen is not an ordinary citizen of his country, but he is also from the royal family."

"Harming the Chen is like raising war against them, entire Korea," Gene phrases.

This is not good… for his mother, for him, and for the country he loves. Carlisle clenches both of his fists.

In the middle of the crowd's commotion, they heard the Greeter hitting the floor trice to get everyone's attention for his important introduction.

"Second Prince of Joseon Empire, Prince Yoo Joon!" end of his introduction.

Everyone gasps and enthralled at the man now walking toward the King and Queen of France. He halted in front of the royal family.

On the corner, Quinn, and Levi surprised seeing this person in this era. Glancing at each other, it puzzled them about what this means of his appearance. Could it be that Kenneth or Ken also reincarnated in the present time? Could possibly that they have entangled with him since the beginning?

"Greetings, King Philip, Queen Mary." Prince Yoo Joon bowed elegantly, placing his right arm to his chest.

The king pleased that he could speak to their language. "Welcome, Prince Yoo Joon! It is my great honor to have your acquaintance, tonight!"

"Thank you very much, King Philip. However, I am disappointed that my cousin puts her life in danger. If she hasn't escaped from her kidnapper, I cannot imagine what happen to her by now in the hands of the people who want to harm her."

"Who are you talking about, your highness?" The king's attendant who raises the question. It confuses everyone why the prince sounded accusing.

"I don't have any relatives who live here, but only the Chen family. Have you not know that?" Prince Yoo Joon replied sharply.

"What? Did you hear that?" 

Once again, whispers filled the room. The guests chattering once more.

"Hmm… then, your highness, Master Chen has also related to the King of Joseon?" the king's query. "However, I do not understand your accusation, your highness. It must be gossip among the commoners!"

"Well then, you haven't heard from the commoners that my father and Uncle Louis are first cousins?" 

"My grandmother, the Mother Queen, and Uncle Louis's father are siblings," the prince explained further.

"What?"

"Is that true?"

"I never imagine!" Gossip arises once more. The guests cannot take all these revelations they have heard.

"I've heard the mistreatment toward my family. That is why I am here to take them and cut ties between our countries."

Hearing the prince's statement, King Philip alarmed to what he said. He must do something quick. The good trading between the two countries would have a great impact.

"My prince, it seems, you are making bold actions in front of the king." The king's attendee attempts to negotiate.

"Can I be wrong, your highness?" Prince Yoo Joon keeps his gaze toward the king.

"Perhaps the prince would appreciate a closed-door dialogue?" the King's invitation.

Prince Yoo Joon ponders a moment. Councilor Dae-Ho speaks to him, and then someone appeared in the gathering.

Every pair of eyes keenly watching the arrival of this person, most especially the d.u.c.h.ess and Captain Carlisle.