Chapter 189

‘Ah. You’re really imaginative. You’re cute at times like this.’

‘I am pretty cute. It’s not like you don’t have money, so why are you selling the tribute all of a sudden? Even if the list of tributes is top secret, it’s still a risky task.’

‘The Libro Community of Merchants is where you deal with high-ranking people. The tributes that Zenia collected are quite valuable, so if we use rumors, we can come in contact with the association first.’

‘Ah… You’re throwing a bait.’

‘Exactly, I’m going to dispatch some people and secretly spread rumors, so stay outside and come in contact with Libro.’

A shallow sigh escaped Ayla’s mouth as she reminisced about how things went with Theon last night.

‘Will I be able to do well?’

While she was immersed in her memories for a while, the small carriage, which had always given her an uncomfortable ride, had already stopped. Ayla slowly scanned the surroundings and sighed.

“Ha. My destiny…”

It didn’t seem like it took too long to reach, but the area was surrounded by forests, far from the bustling city center.

Seeing the shabby mansion in the middle, Ayla clicked her tongue and slowly got down from the carriage.

Soon, familiar voices rang in Ayla’s ears.

“No matter how much I think about it, the kingdom’s attire doesn’t suit me. I can’t believe I have to wear this uncomfortable and cumbersome thing every day.”

“You have to get used to it. I think it’s pretty and nice. Even if it’s uncomfortable right now, you’ll get used to it quickly.”

At the sound of Elin’s kind voice, Orhan frowned and straightened his messy necktie.

“Oh! Princess!”

Seeing Ayla, Elin smiled and left Orhan grumbling behind her.

A smile spread across Ayla’s face when she saw Elin running towards her, waving her hand vigorously.

A new story was beginning.

***

“Come work for me.”

Eden’s expression did not change, except for keeping a hostile gaze at Theon’s sudden words.

Although he didn’t want any explanation as to why he suddenly came to find him and ask him to work for him, he should have at least started by telling him the reason.

Seeing Theon, who had blown away all the correct procedure, Luke’s face, who had been watching the situation from afar, also turned anxious.

Eden, who had been silent, raised the lowered corners of his mouth and gave a sarcastic smile.

“Hmm. What if I say no?”

“I don’t think you have a choice.”

“It is my personal problem. It is not something for the Crown Prince of the Stellen Kingdom to be involved with.”

Eden expressed his displeasure and emphasized the last words.

No matter when, he was the rudest person. Maybe that’s why he stood out more.

The silver eyes that were quietly glaring at him were somehow not unfamiliar to him. Although he did not know why.

Theon, who gave a small snort at Eden’s appearance, who was showing his bravado while lying on his sickbed, answered as if it was amusing.

“There is someone who cares. Because of that, I am also concerned.”

Eden’s brow wrinkled slightly, as if he knew at once that the concerned person was Ayla.

‘I’m one step too late.’

Eden’s silver eyes gleamed with a cold smile.

He didn’t say it directly, but it was clear that there was something going on between Theon and Ayla that wasn’t before.

Eden, who slowly raised his body, kept his sharp gaze on Theon.

“Do you trust me?”

“That’s an unexpected question.”

“There is nothing more important than trust.”

“Well, I don’t know, but I think you can protect my precious one.”

“You’re talking as if you’re in a special relationship.”

“At least it’s not in the past tense.”

With his last words, the corners of Theon’s mouth rose as if he had won.

There was no mention of who the subject was anywhere in their words, but they could tell by feeling.

A sigh escaped from Luke’s mouth as he looked slowly at the two men who were having a battle of nerves at his place.

There was no place for him anywhere.

With a bitter smile, Luke looked at the two people staring at each other as if they were about to kill each other.

The Crown Prince of Stellen Kingdom and Eden, one of the most powerful among the Royal Knights… He felt dispirited and empty.

He couldn’t help but feel pathetic for having had vain hopes, even for just a moment.

How could he covet the Count’s esteemed daughter.

With a light smile, Luke raised his large hand and put it over his face.

There was a heavy silence between the three men, who were all having different thoughts.

Although their thoughts were different, in the end, they came together in one place for the same reason.

“Alright. I will accept the offer. Rather than becoming unemployed like this, I have to make a distinction between public and private life.”

The suffocating silence surrounding the three of them was broken by Eden’s cracked voice.

“I like your energetic personality.”

“You will like the way I handle things too. I’m pretty good.”

***