Chapter 58

It was the same dream again.

Thanks to a vivid dream that seemed to unfold right in front of his eyes, even the subtle scent of tea was getting on his nerves.

Theon touched his forehead with one hand because of the headache that was coming. Then he lifted himself out of bed, letting out a small groan.

“Is something wrong?”

Ayla, who had been preparing the morning tea, gave Theon a worried look, but it seems that Theon didn’t notice it.

“Get out.”

“Sorry?”

“I think I’ve said many times that I hate repeating myself. Until when do I have to say the same thing?”

“Ah… Yes. I apologize.”

Ayla’s expression quickly hardened at his cynical voice.

Theon looked blankly at Ayla’s back, as she slowly bowed and exited his bedroom with hurried steps.

***

“He’s always mad at me for nothing!”

Ayla, who had come down from Theon’s bedroom and was walking down the hallway on the second floor, stopped for a moment and threw a tantrum.

As they say, humans are animals capable of adaptation; she had become quite accustomed to the darkness of the detached palace, which felt strange and scary at first.

The detached palace had a total of 3 floors, but she has never been anywhere else except for the long hallway on the second floor, which connects to the overpass leading to the west palace, and Theon’s bedroom on the third floor.

There was no passage leading to the first floor on the path that Ayla was using, and all the doors at the end of the second floor corridor that she accidentally opened were locked.

It didn’t seem like there was anyone there, other than Theon.

The detached palace; the more she knew about it, the more questions she had.

‘What else is in this place…’

Ayla, who was walking with an unanswered question, reached the entrance and a smile spread across her face.

This moment, where she gives Theon the tea she prepared and comes down, was the most enjoyable moment in Ayla’s daily life.

It was always fun to look at Arin Square, beyond the large window.

Seeing the people moving around busily and living diligently, even in the early morning hours, seemed to energize her.

“Oh?! There is a new store there.”

Ayla said, pointing at a store in the plaza.

As she entered the palace shortly after coming to Stellen Kingdom, the outside world was like a dream to Ayla.

Standing on the overpass and looking at the people, she occasionally dreamed about herself one day being freed from the palace and hanging out with them.

***

“Young Lady!!!”

Lily, who was fast asleep when she left the room, ran towards Ayla, who had come out of the detached palace, with a big smile.

Lily had suddenly left the palace last night, leaving only a letter saying she would return the next day.

It was the first time they met in a long time, so Ayla was also very happy to see her.

“Are you on your way to Grand Duke Arrot’s residence?”

“No!! The Grand Duke wants to oversleep for the first time in a while.”

“Then, where are you going this early in the morning?”

“I’m on my way to have breakfast with the Young Lady.”

Lily said in a lively voice, smiling widely.

‘That’s a great idea.’

Ayla smiled quietly at Lily’s words, thinking that it has been a while since she’s had a nice meal.

Theon’s office was filled with an awkward and heavy atmosphere.

He was edgy in the morning and was in a bad mood all the time during work.

‘He has a talent for making people uncomfortable.’

Thanks to this, Ayla behaved carefully, thinking that even a small noise might annoy him.

When handing over the documents, she did it very carefully.

She was very careful when putting down the teacup, and when opening the door, too.

She was trying to avoid getting on his nerves as much as possible.

‘Where else will he find a loyal subject like me.’

Ayla raised the corners of her mouth and smiled coldly.

Theon glanced at Ayla, who was pouring the tea with an awkward posture, and let out a small sigh.

“Until when will you be like that?”

“Sorry? What? No, I’m not asking you to repeat, I really don’t know…”

Theon frowned at Ayla’s words.

Ayla, who, unknowingly, was very concerned about the temperamental attitude that he had shown, was absorbed in looking at Theon for every little thing in the morning and even in the afternoon.

Although it seemed like she thought she was being careful, she had no idea that her awkward figure was even more noticeable.

***