Chapter 8

Owen’s expression began to harden slowly at Theon’s question, who seemed to know everything.

When it came to rumors about the Prince, he was famous enough to even be heard of in the distant ‘Fencers’.

As rumored, he is very handsome.

She did not understand why the words cold-hearted man were attached to Theon Ermedi, but when she faced him in person she completely understood.

At a young age, he was intelligent and level-headed enough to surpass his brother and be appointed as the Prince, but Theon’s voice was so unchangeably stern to the point it was cold.

“The child behind you. I don’t think you don’t know.”

Theon was talking to Owen, but his gaze was fixed towards Ayla’s direction.

Nervous by Theon’s question, Owen swallowed dryly.

It seemed meaningless to hide pretending not to know.

If you hold out and get completely exposed, things will get worse.

That’s right, you may be beaten less if you quickly apologize.

Ayla hesitantly stood up, as if she had cleared her thoughts.

Soon, she bowed her head towards Theon.

“Y… Your Highness. My greetings are late. I am Ayla Serdian, who works in the west palace.”

“This is the first time I’m seeing you.”

“It hasn’t been long since I came to the palace. Because Your Highness was not at the palace, my face won’t be familiar.”

“Ayla Serdian?”

“Yes, that is correct. Your Highness.”

She continued to speak carefully, without trembling, but her heart throbbed with fear.

Theon was staring at Ayla, expressionless.

As if he wanted her to confess everything.

“Theon! It’s been a while since I’ve been in the palace, so I asked her to show me around.”

The heavy silence was broken by Owen’s voice.

The gesture of scratching his head with embarrassment was natural enough to be called an actor.

However, his opponent was Theon Ermedi, known for his cool headedness.

Theon didn’t react to the overly chatty Owen.

“Not Theon, but Your Highness.”

“?”

“Next time, address me correctly. Even if we are from the same royal family, you have to be responsible.”

“Ah… Yes. I will be careful. Your Highness.”

“Well, look around then.”

‘I’m safe…’

When Theon had finished talking, he turned around and walked, and without taking a few steps, he turned again.

When they made eye contact, Ayla quickly lowered her eyes, but his gaze was fixed on Ayla Serdian.

“If you eavesdrop on the royal family again… You won’t come out unscathed.”

***

The silence between the two that were left behind lasted quite a while.

Theon’s sudden appearance was powerful enough to mesmerize her.

The last words he said didn’t seem to be empty, nor did his personality.

Theon’s cold eyes, looking at her, still lingered in Ayla’s head.

“It looks like I saved you.”

Turning her head to the resonant voice, Owen had a triumphant look on his face.

She wanted to say honestly, ‘It wasn’t helpful at all.’, but she had to keep in mind that this man was also royalty.

“I think it would have been better if the Grand Duke had stayed still.”

She tried to answer kindly, controlling her heart as hard as she could, but as expected, it was a failure.

“Thanks to you, it looks like I’m going to be hated too. Oh, I’m hurt! Still, I’m glad it was Theon. It could have been a disaster.”

“So, who told you to recklessly meddle in other people’s affairs? Because of Grand Duke Arrot’s interference, things got out of hand.”

Ayla said to the talkative Owen, in a small voice he could barely hear, holding her splitting headache with her hands.

“You asked me to kill you earlier, but… Aren’t you being patronizing now? Miss Ayla?”

At Owen’s sarcastic remarks, Ayla looked away, embarrassed.

Soon she said, ‘Thank you for your help. Grand Duke.’ and ran away quickly.

“Pfft, thanks to you, looks like life in the palace will be very interesting.”

***

When Ayla returned to her room after her daily work, the room was full of luggage she had never seen before.

From the blankets and luggage on the empty bed, it seems like a new maid has arrived.

However, she couldn’t see where the owner of the luggage went.

Ayla, who was looking around, shrugged and entered the private bathroom in the room.