Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The cake was only the beginning as Nina told Adrian stories about the New Year’s party that the servants held.

How much money the Duchess spent on this year’s New Year’s party, and how much the butler took away. It was the same story of how much food was left at the banquet.

Nina mentioned how much she enjoys the title of ‘kitchen maid’, in which Adrian had no choice but to nod.

“Because Nina can eat.”

“No? Did I say that? I can’t deny it though.”

Nina readily admitted as they both laughed again. At the end of her story, Adrian revealed to her about the stories that he had read in his books and his worries. Worries that his swordsmanship was not improving well.

It was a pleasant New Year’s Eve. Now that it was late, with a face full of regret, Nina got up.

“I’ll see you again next time.”

“Good night.”

“And you too.”

Nina, now feeling much better, took the bowl and went back out into the hallway.

Humming as she went around the corner, Nina bumped into someone.

“Ah, so you were the rat.”

Elegant and smooth. An aristocrat’s voice.

Staring blankly at the woman in the gorgeous green velvet dress, she fell.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there, Madam.”

The Duchess smiled and looked down at Nina.

“Oh my, so there was a mouse in my house. This dirty child.”

The Duchess added in a girlish voice.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you’d just shave it all off and bathe?”

Nina shivered upon hearing those harsh words.

However, she had no intention of causing a fuss of yelling at the Duchess.

Adrian will hear you if you do that.

“You’d better do it by the well.”

The Duchess said as she turned and went back the way she came from.

***

After that incident, things became hectic.

Given that it was January, Nina was only able to survive since she had formed a contract with spirits.

For a 12-year-old girl, the shame and pain were unbearable.

Perhaps she did not think that she would be able to survive, luckily, the Duchess forgot about her existence after giving orders.

The servant who favoured Nina did not spray water on her naked body and even left her underwear intact.

Wearing clothes would cause your body temperature to drop faster, but it was much better than getting naked in front of people of the mansion who watched them all.

To cover a well with ice in their underwear was an experience that people could not do twice, especially in January. It was an experience that she could not dare do.

Adrian did not know what had happened to Nina who did not come to visit for a few days, so he decided to finally go to the kitchen to personally find her.

When he found Nina trembling with a fever whilst wearing a towel on her forehead, he was at a loss for words.

The kitchen maids who were taking care of Nina went to Adrian.

Please stay away from Nina.

Without another word, Adrian returned to his room.

When Nina finally came to her senses,

Adrian did not talk and ignored her.

Moreover, he often threw sharp words to her.

Eventually, Nina’s hand was forced and she proceeded to hide in his bedroom in the middle of the night.

“Adrian!”

Adrian was embarrassed as she was practically climbing on him as she jumped onto the bed.

Nina said.

“I know Adrian does not want to lose me. But if Adrian were to continue doing this, Adrian will lose me in the worst possible way.”

Adrian was silent. Nina turned and looked into his beautiful eyes which seemed to glow.

The confrontation did not last long as Adrian eventually surrendered and gave in to Nina.

He closed his eyes tightly.

“But, Nina. But…”

Seeing him struggle to respond, Nina suggested a compromise.

“Well, let’s pretend to ignore each other. Then I’ll just be back here at night, just like this. That’s okay, right?”

Adrian still felt uneasy but agreed.

***

After that day, they pretended not to know as they continued to meet at night.

Once, their relationship almost completely shattered. Their relationship was now going stronger than ever.

Their days of ignoring each other continued.

They did not even exchange glances.

However, the communicated through hidden means. Through their fingertips, flowers on the windowsill, walking through the same place at the same time.

Then, on a night where surveillance was neglected, Nina would sneak into Adrian’s room.

It was only then, they could talk face to face.

Normally, one would feel sorry for their situation.

But Nina would instead say, ‘We’re still having fun.’

Some people may retaliate and say how ‘it’s just a mental victory, in truth you are living a miserable life where you are unable to eat or drink properly.’

But Nina had no intention of letting her happiness be affected by others. She held tightly onto the reins of her joy and happiness.

And she had no intention of letting anyone else cut it.

Nina chose her path to happiness, instead of going along the path others had laid out for her.

Life is always a series of hardships and sorrows, it is entirely up to oneself to find joy and happiness in it.

Nina had no intention of letting herself be judged for the decisions she made, for the pleasure that she had brought onto herself.

Nina was a master at finding the joys of life and Adrian would smile faintly whenever she did.

***

Two years later.

In the year where Adrian was fifteen, Nina was ready. What was originally supposed to happen to Adrian, broke out.

The Duke appointed him as the Chief of the knights of the seven kingdoms.

It was decided to put him at the forefront of at 15 years of age.

No one knew the notoriety of the Violet forest. The chances of death for even the knights of the seven kingdoms was 50%.

Anyone could easily spot that Adrian was sent to that location to end him.

Adrian called out to Nina.

In the middle of the day, out in public.

Her hair was now short, albeit she hopes for it to grow longer at a faster rate, it’s growing slowly.

The maids say it was because she did not eat well. And Nina thought it to be true.

Calmly, Adrian explained to Nina that he had become the Chief of the knights of the seven kingdoms.

Then he opened a box.

Inside it contained all of his belongings.

A couple of big coins, two gold, five silver.

And a silver brooch.

This was all of the first duke’s son’s fortune.

“Get out of the Duke’s mansion, Nina.”

He said, wearing a soft smile.

“This will make up for your ransom when I’m not here anymore. Maybe you’ll feel more at ease without me, but just in case.”

“Master!”

“I’ll be fine. You should leave here. At least I’ll be less worried.”

He looked at Nina.

“I’m only concerned about you.”

“Adrian.”

Nina reached out, cupping his cheeks. His eyes widened as she pressed hard.

“You don’t have to smile that hard…”

“Nina…”

“In front of me, Adrian.”

“Nina.”

He clenched his teeth. His arms were holding onto hers tightly as he collapsed.

The 15-year-old boy sobbed.

Without saying another word, Nina hugged him, encasing him in her warm and tight embrace.

You want me to run away? Not a chance in hell.

Adrian, it seems you do not know me well enough yet.