Chapter 62

With the majesty of the enormous iron door, she wondered if it could be opened with just the strength of a woman; but it opened more easily than she expected.

Whoosh.

As the iron door opened, cold air from the outside came in through the gap.

She sighed lightly at the unknown sense of freedom and refreshment.

The outside was filled with trees and bushes, and she could see the huge royal palace over her shoulder.

She was really outside the palace.

She spread out the scroll map that Theon had given her before she left the palace. Interestingly, a wooden figure was drawn where it appears to be her current location. Something sparkling was falling on top of it, in a flurry.

“Oh… Is this a magical map?”

Thinking that Theon had given her something quite useful, she rolled up the map again and put it in the bag she was carrying. She also put in a magical instrument that he told her to use in case she runs into a critical situation.

‘I don’t know how to use it, but… I’m going to need it.’

After getting ready, Ayla looked around and froze, with her gaze fixed in one place.

It was nice to go out of the palace and even the magic tools were good, but there was one thing Ayla and Theon overlooked.

Terr District was located at least 50km away from the Royal Palace, so going on foot was absurd.

There was a black horse that was prepared by Theon, in front of her eyes, but…

She flopped to the ground in despair.

Unfortunately, Ayla didn’t know how to ride a horse.

‘Should I go back?’

Ayla turned her steps back to the iron door she had come out of and tried to push it, but somehow, the door that had easily opened before didn’t even budge.

While she was silently shouting while grabbing her hair, Ayla heard footsteps, as if someone were approaching her.

The eyes that opened wide clearly revealed Ayla’s current feelings.

Covering her mouth with both hands, she held her breath and listened to the footsteps.

Finally, a silhouette of what appeared to be a person was revealed.

There was a shadow in front of Ayla, who was trembling in fear, and soon a familiar voice rang in her ears.

“Ayla?”

“E-Eden?”

“I’m a little disappointed that we just call our names between us. But you… Weren’t you not able to leave the palace?”

‘How does he know that again?’

Eden’s silver hair shined brighter in the moonlight.

For now, regardless of the reason, she felt relieved that there was someone she knew here.

“Ah… There’s something I have to do… What about you?”

“I have something to do too.”

Eden shrugged and turned to where the horse Theon had prepared was standing.

“Are you running away?”

“That’s not it, I have to go somewhere… I have a few things to investigate. But, well… I don’t think I can go.”

“Why can’t you go?”

“That…”

Eden’s expression was full of curiosity, as if it were interesting.

Eden brought his face closer to Ayla, who was beating around the bush and couldn’t speak.

Ayla, who remembered their intense first encounter the other day, shook her head firmly. Then, she reached out her hand and stopped Eden from approaching.

“I don’t know how to ride a h-horse! So, I can’t go.”

“Hm. Someone who doesn’t know how to ride a horse prepared a horse? Something doesn’t seem to add up. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

‘What if he tells Grand Duke Ermedi?’

Whether he knew what Ayla was thinking, Eden only grinned without saying a word.

“Excuse… Me…”

“I just happened to be very much free. Shall I help you? Grand Duke Ermedi told me not to come because he must have a private conversation.”

Eden whispered to Ayla, who was hesitating.

As she felt his breath, Ayla’s whole body stiffened.

“Oh, he said it was a secret, but I told you. I’ll keep your secret too, so please pretend you didn’t hear this either.”

“…”

Ayla stared at Eden, who was making small talk, without saying a word.

She felt that Eden told her that intentionally. Ayla didn’t know whether it was to help her or to keep his own secret, but she felt grateful somehow.

“What are you staring at? Ah… Oops. I’m so perfect that I have bewitched another human being. That’s a bit embarrassing… Well, that can’t be helped. This side is more handsome, so make sure to look at it.”

Seeing Eden speaking and turning his face to the right, Ayla’s face gradually became twisted.

And she remembered an important aspect she had overlooked.

That he was a tremendous narcissist…

When she realized that again, only two words came to her mind.

‘Crazy bastard.’

***