Chapter 3

“If you get involved with me, you might be in danger.”

The corners of Louis’ mouth, who had been smiling at her low-pitched voice, dropped.

“It’s alright. I do not care. The important thing now is you.”

“Ha… I don’t know what on earth is going on. Mom and Dad couldn’t have done that, right?”

“…”

Ayla muttered, while clutching her forehead with both hands.

She bit on her lips harder, as if trying to hold back the tears that were about to burst out.

Looking at her sadly, Louis carefully held the tearful Ayla’s delicate body into his arms.

“It’s not your fault…”

She wanted to vent her anger, no matter where.

She was resentful about why her life, Ayla Serdian’s life, suddenly had to go down like this.

10 years. I studied hard, replacing my most beautiful and glorious teenage years with loneliness in a distant country.

Although I obeyed my father’s orders that I must work for the King as a member of the Kingdom, I lived making sacrifices and so far, the outcome was hopelessness.

I was upset because I was a fool who only counted the days when I returned to my home country and met my parents and Louis.

“Ayla… Just don’t go to the palace.”

“… So, you want me to live as a fugitive my whole life?”

“I’ll talk to the King’s grandson. Nonetheless, it is a request from the Royal in-laws, so you won’t be able to refuse it without any second thought.”

“…”

Louis’ arms were warm, and his voice was even warmer.

Ayla’s appearance was pitiful, blinking her big, blue eyes in his embrace.

Louis, who was gently sweeping Ayla’s hair as if he were dealing with a baby, continued.

“Mister is not that kind of person… I know better.”

“If things go wrong, even you could be hated by the King.”

“Didn’t we promise as kids? To get married… When we grew up. I’ll keep that promise.”

“That was a long time ago.”

It was a lie to say she wasn’t swayed by Louis’ words.

However, it was ridiculous to marry in these circumstances.

It was possible when her family was of a distinguished Count but, getting married in a messed-up situation like this was just like asking everyone to jump into the fiery pit together.

Ayla, who had been hesitating for a long time, pushed Louis back and spoke.

“No…”

“?”

“I’m going to the palace. I won’t run away.”

“Ayla… If you go in like this, you may not be able to get out.”

“…”

She shut her mouth tight, as if she had nothing more to say.

The eyes of the two people who finished talking seemed the same but were different.

The eyes of a determined girl and a boy who seemed to be in despair were not looking at each other.

***

No matter how depressed she was, time did not wait for Ayla.

The week was shorter than she thought and passed faster than ever.

In the blink of an eye, today was the day Ayla was supposed to go to the Royal Palace.

Born into an affluent family and living a wealthy life, there is no way she has ever worked to serve others.

Even when she was in school, the dormitory managers took care of the meals and laundry, so she lived a life far from what a low-rank maid does.

Now, she was just at a loss on how to live her life.

What should I do at the Royal Palace…

Thinking about what to do, she did not sleep until dawn.

When she woke up, blinded by the sunlight coming in through the window, she found soup and a small bread on the side table next to the bed.

Seeing that it was still warm, it seemed like it hadn’t been long since it had been brought.

“These are my favorite things…”

Knock-knock.

With a knock, an elegantly dressed Louis came in, smiling.

He was so tall that everything suited him well, no matter what he wore, but he had a rather manly appearance dressed like that.

“Did you sleep well?”

She may have been embarrassed by what happened not long ago, but it was clear that she couldn’t tell whether he was acting brazen or if he is just a good person.

“Yeah… Thanks to you, I slept comfortably.”

“Liar, I know you couldn’t sleep until late yesterday. Miss Ayla Serdian.”