Chapter 161

Ayla, who had been talking while pouting her mouth, gently settled in his arms.

As if he didn’t like her behavior, Theon spoke as he tickled Ayla’s neck with his fingertips, with a pleasant smile.

“What favor?”

“Duke Arrot wants me to serve his tea today.”

“What if I say no?”

Theon, who had been fiddling with the black pearlescent hair that flowed down from her high ponytail, answered, narrowing his eyes.

“You know you have no right to refuse, right? It bothers me that I rejected the Grand Duke’s goodwill. For the time being, I want to help Grand Duke Arrot.”

“Alright. Do that. I was planning on leaving the palace for a while anyway.”

“?”

Ayla, who had been leaning on Theon, with her eyes wide open at his words that he would be leaving the royal palace for a while, stood up.

“Where… Are you going?”

A wave of uneasy feelings came rushing in at his words of leaving the palace, perhaps because they had been through some chaotic events recently.

“I have something to look into. I will tell you the details after I return. I’m thinking of having Orhan accompany me, so don’t worry.”

“Who says I’m worried?”

“It’s written on your face. That you are extremely worried. Miss Ayla Serdian needs to be a little honest. Do you know?”

As if embarrassed by his outrageous words, Ayla cleared her throat and answered.

“Ahem. I want to ask you about everything from yesterday, but let’s take it slow. So, brace yourself. Do you understand?”

“Alright. I will surely come prepared.”

When Theon finished speaking, he pulled the corners of his lips together and approached Ayla’s lips without giving her time to stop him.

Her heart, which had barely calmed down, was beating wildly and thumping as it pleased, but she didn’t care.

As if waiting for the touch of Theon’s moist lips, Ayla wrapped her arms around the nape of his neck and lowered her long, abundant eyelashes.

Carefully touching her body as if he were handling a fragile glass crystal, he supported Ayla’s back and wrapped his arms around her waist.

The two confirmed their growing feelings while exchanging each other’s saliva.

***

Owen’s expression in the office was quite serious.

The beautiful olive-colored eyes moved slowly.

However, his gaze was not directed towards the papers on the desk.

The small mandolin made of maple wood was shining, even though many years had passed.

Owen’s father handcrafted it for his one and only son, so his affection was great.

Owen kept the blank expression on his face, as if he were in deep thought, and let out a deep sigh.

Ding, ding, ding.

Owen plucked the slender string in the center a couple of times with his long, thin fingers.

The small-sized mandolin followed along with his fingertips, making a clear and rhythmical sound.

Owen, who was keeping an empty gaze, put the musical instrument he was holding on the floor and leaned heavily on the chair.

“Ah. What am I thinking now?”

There was a sense of disappointment and pity for himself in Owen’s words, which he spoke after a shallow sigh.

Owen, who soon shook his head a couple of times as if his mind was complicated, turned his gaze to the tightly closed office door.

It was frustrating. Very frustrating.

The white cravat that was tight around the neck and the royal outfit that fit the body perfectly made him feel extremely tired after his daily work.

Owen, who lived freely in Hanan, couldn’t do much in the royal palace.

All he could do was attend social parties and teatimes where he gave false laughter while maintaining the rules of etiquette and refinement.

At first, the new environment and life were interesting, but as time went on, he became disillusioned with the pretentious and arrogant attitude of those present.

‘He’s like a parasite who only has a good-looking face… How he gives an eye smile towards the young ladies, tsk tsk.’

‘He came from a village far away from the city center, so his level is understandable.’

His antipathy towards the nobles grew even greater with the gossip he happened to hear at a social party not long ago.

A bitter smile came to Owen’s lips when he thought of those who badmouthed him as if they were having a snack, saying that he had no sense of composure for the royal family.

And after losing Ayla, with whom he was able to communicate, to Theon, he really felt like he was alone in this big palace.

Did his mother feel the same…?

To be honest, he couldn’t understand his mother’s behavior because Owen and his family had to go through all kinds of hardships after leaving the royal palace when he was young.

Sometimes he resented why he had to leave the royal palace and receive the King’s wrath when he could have lived elegantly and honorably while receiving the attention of his vassals and the people of the Kingdom.

It must have been a dilemma between freedom and abundance.

One of them had to be given up…

After coming to the royal palace, he could now understand his mother’s choice.

He felt like he was walking on a single rope every day in this place, where he couldn’t trust anyone.

It occurred to him that the King might be punishing him on behalf of his mother, not trying to protect him.