Chapter 121

She became Delia’s exclusive maid and stayed by her side, but it seemed that it was impossible to appease the girl’s loneliness and solitude.

In the end, not long before her 21st birthday, she became a star in the sky, of her own accord.

How much she blamed herself for not being able to protect her child…

The amount of tears she cried while holding the girl who was getting cold in the bathtub wasn’t even possible.

And he was the one who suffered his sister’s death as much as she did, more than anyone else.

It must have been devastating for the young boy, who only had his father, blinded by greed, and his sister.

That child was now coming to her, looking quite mature, and asking her for a favor.

‘… Please help Ayla.’

He was pleading with her with tears, asking her to protect the person he loved for his sister’s sake.

Rose, who had been silent for a while with her eyes closed, as if to organize her thoughts, carefully raised her eyelids.

***

Fortunately, Lily had been somewhere else the whole night and didn’t return to their bedroom.

“It’s better like this.”

Ayla muttered to herself with her eyes closed.

The thought of being in the same room with that crazy bitch made her feel like she was out of breath, so it was a good thing in the midst of misery.

Although it was early in the morning and the sun hadn’t risen yet, Ayla stood up as if she were now accustomed to it.

Trudge.

Soon, she turned to the old iron hanger, powerlessly picked up her maid uniform, and changed her clothes.

Her reflection in the mirror was beyond pitiful.

Ayla’s eyes were red and bloodshot, and there were marks on her cheeks from where the tears had dried up.

Ayla, who had been staring blankly at herself, turned around and walked towards the bathroom.

She felt her mind wander as the cold water touched her skin.

She couldn’t tell whether she was feeling a sense of loss from the shock she received from someone she treasured, or if she was feeling insulted from the absurd rumor.

However, if there was one thing she was certain about was that whatever it was, it felt extremely dirty.

Ayla, who cried all night long, had made up her mind, saying it was now time to fight back.

It didn’t suit Ayla Serdian to just sit still and cry.

She didn’t want to be fooled anymore. Not long ago, she decided not to live like a fool.

If she were going to obtain such a ridiculous title as the Crown Prince’s concubine so easily, she wouldn’t have kept him away while commenting on the morals and conscience of a human being.

‘You can do it. Ayla Serdian.’

She reminded herself in the mirror to reveal the truth if it were not true, and to maintain her dignity even if the truth could not be revealed.

Click.

With the heavy metal sound, Ayla put on a resolute expression.

As she came out through the bathroom door, vowing that she would no longer be the prey of others, her eyes widened as if she had discovered something.

“Head… Maid?”

Through the thin rays of light, there was Rose, keeping a neat posture.

“Make sure you’re not late for breakfast this morning.”

“Sorry?”

“You always seem to come after the mealtime is over. Now, go. Shouldn’t you prepare the tea for His Highness?”

“Ah… Yes. I understand. Head Maid.”

Ayla, who was extremely nervous at Rose’s appearance, slowly bowed to her and left her room.

‘She came here this early in the morning just to say that?’

She didn’t understand Rose’s behavior, but she had to do her job anyway.

It’s enough to think about it after work.

With a low sigh, Ayla headed to the dining room to prepare Theon’s tea.

“Young Lady!”

An unwelcome person appeared in front of her. With a loud voice.

How is she supposed to deal with that child, who is running towards her as if nothing happened?

Lily was a little scary now.

Doesn’t she have any shame?

On the one hand, she wondered what on earth was in that child’s head; however, she didn’t want to know.

Ayla walked towards the table, ignoring Lily who had gotten closer. Lily’s attitude, as she looked at her with her shoulders drooping as if she had been hurt by that, was perplexing.

“I…”

Ayla tried hard to avert her gaze from Lily, picking up the water kettle and a teacup.

“Young Lady. Are you mad at me?”

“…”

At her words, Ayla turned her gaze towards Lily, who was guilt-tripping her, as if she were dumbfounded.

She tried to remain expressionless as much as she could and not be swayed by emotions, but there was nothing she could do about her wrinkled forehead. A sharp voice came out of Ayla’s mouth as she looked at Lily.

“Then, should I laugh with you in this situation?”

“Lily doesn’t understand why you’re being like this.”

The child in front of her was making an innocent expression as if she didn’t really know what she had done wrong.

In the eyes of people who didn’t know, it was like Ayla was tormenting the innocent Lily, who had tears in her eyes while making an expression as if she was being wrongly accused.