Chapter 14

A cool breeze brushed past us.

The weather was nice and the sky is filled with cotton-candy clouds. The magnificent palace looks great here too.

I looked aside and Glick was laying on his stomach. His tail sways occasionally as well. He must be in a good mood.

It was a pity to think that today will be my last peaceful day with Glick.

“Glick”

[Why?]

“Can I touch your back?…. Today’s the last day after all.”

Glick looked at me and his mysterious and beautiful golden eyes widened. Then, he tilted his head slightly.

[Last?]

“Yeah. “

[Why?]

“Why, it’s because you’re all better now so I’ll have to leave the palace soon.”

In fact, there was one thing that bothered me. It’s what Ains said during the meal yesterday.

“For the time being, try to use the room you’re staying in. It’ll take a few days to organize your place.”

I was going to ask him what that meant while drinking wine, but he suddenly switched to a formal tone and left so I missed the timing.

‘Why did he say the word “place”? Is there another meaning of that that I don’t know?‘

[No]

“Huh? “

I turned my head to the sudden voice of Glick, he’s still looking at me.

[Not the last.]

“Not the last?”

[Ains gave me meat this morning.]

“Really? It must have been delicious.”

I laughed a little. It’s kind of weird to suddenly shift into the story of meat after our last conversation.

[And he told me.]

“What did he say?”

[He said, from now on Maria is going to take care of you.]

“…..eh? “

What the hell does that mean!?

The walk ended without a hitch. When I said goodbye to Glick and came back to the palace, the maids welcomed me.

“You have arrived.”

“I’ll prepare a snack for you.”

“No, it’s okay.”

When I refused with a smile, I could see the maids making a slight look at each other. Now that I have eaten the anything without hesitation with a happy face, it was worth it.

“Then shall I prepare you some warm tea?”

“It’s all right. Where’s Marilyn?”

I couldn’t see her when I tried to around behind her. Every time I came back, she use to stand at the vanguard and welcomed me.

“She’s doing an errand so she’s out for a moment.”

“Really? Can I know when she’ll be back?”

“I’m sorry. We don’t know that either.”

“…. is that so?”

I heard it’s a market day today so I guess she’s busy.

I wanted to ask her a question.

The sun that shone high was already starting to go down. I felt a strange anxiety looking out the window.

My original plan was to say goodbye to Glick for the last time, leave the palace and look around the building that Ains will give me. But I couldn’t get rid of the feeling of a setback in my plan.

[Not the last. He said, from now on Maria is going to take care of you.]

No way. No way. Then it’s different from the promise.

That’s why I was going to ask Marilyn when I could go, but now she’s out and it’s making me even more nervous.

I asked the maids again because I couldn’t wait recklessly.

“Can I see Tyr instead for a moment? I have something to say.”

Then Linda replied with a slight bow.

“Sorry, Miss Maria. I’d love to help, but we don’t have access to the main palace.”

“No, I’m sorry for asking too much.”

I thought it might be possible but the room I’m in right now is not in the main palace. Besides, the main palace is where the Crown Prince lives.

“Can you get me a glass of water?”

“Yes, Miss Maria.”

Only then did the maids give a reassuring look when I changed the topic on purpose.

I turned my head and looked over the window again. I was wondering what to do, but suddenly I felt a clutter.

Turning my head, I said in surprise. The open door swung open and Ains came in.

As soon as I realized, I got up in a hurry. Ains strode toward me with a big steps.

“…..You’re here?”

A naturally depressed greeting flowed from my mouth because of the way we parted in the dining room last night. I tried to smile, but my mouth didn’t move as I wanted.

“I just went there and found out that it was getting organized faster than I thought. You’ll be able to move after two more days.”

It came out again. His formal way of talking.

This time, I asked Ains, not missing the timing.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but may I ask you one thing?”

I hurriedly added words just in case I said no.

“Place means the building, right? I don’t know why you keep telling me that I can move since yesterday. You mean the building you’re giving me, right?”

Ains didn’t answer. He stared indifferently at me, and belatedly opened his mouth and answered.

“You said you wanted a place. So I’m preparing a room for you on the second floor.”

“…..2nd Floor? “

“Yes.”

He still didn’t look very happy. But that wasn’t what mattered.

You’re gonna set up a room for me on the second floor? Why? Am I really getting a job as Glick’s caretaker?

Caught up with confusion, I asked Ains once again.

“Why should I stay on the second floor?”

Ains’ expression hardened.

“That’s what you asked me. You wanted to live here.”

“What?! I did?”

I was really surprised this time. I never said that! When did I ever do that?

Did I get drunk yesterday and made a slip of the tongue? but I shook my head quickly.

Even though I had a drink, I couldn’t feel any intoxication at all. It just felt like grape juice, not alcohol.

Or is Ains the one who’s drunk? I’m pretty sure I only asked for my own land and a building that was built there. But why is this conversation so off?

“…..wait a minute, Your Highness.”

I needed time to organize my thoughts.

He breathed a long sigh, and touched his head. Looks like we need to talk about this from the beginning and find out what went wrong.

Just in time, I saw a maid bringing a tray of water. I am pleased and asked Ains.

“Can I have some water?”

“Drink.”

“Thank you.”

I stretched out my arms to lift the cup. The water passed through my throat, and I seemed to come to my senses only after that.

I emptied a glass at once and wiped my wet mouth with the back of my hand. Then he looked at Ains again…

“The wish I told you yesterday was small land and buildings in my name, and a lot of money. I’m not sure if you remember, but I told you that animals follow me well and it’s my dream to treat and care for sick animals.”

“…….”

“On second thought, I’ve never said I wanted to live in the palace or asked you to stay here.”

I gave him a desperate look, asking him to believe me.

Ains stayed silent once again and after some time, asked me in a low voice.

“Do you know what it means to ask for land?”

Huh? Does it mean anything to ask for a land? I only asked for it because I needed it, that’s all.

“No, I don’t know. Does that mean anything? Or was it something I shouldn’t have asked for?”

“………”

Stop whining and answer quickly.

Looking at him with such eyes, Ains breathed a long sigh. He then answered the questions I asked him.

“The land is fundamental to all families. It’s a symbol of power and is known to be the biggest asset. There are only two cases of giving it to someone. To the companion who will be a family to be distributed in a sign of good faith, or to the person of high rank, given to the lower nobility or knight, to be sworn to be faithful.”

Uhuh, then……

“And you asked me for the land. In other words, it was like asking me to make you my concubine. That’s what it means to be a family with me.”

“………!”

What the heck?!

(t/n: I guess that explains the whole misunderstanding…  I guess it’s supposed to be a common knowledge but she’s not from that world so…)

I opened my mouth without realizing it.

“No! Absolutely not!”

As soon as I realized the truth, I hit my head like crazy. Being a concubine was something I had never thought of in my dreams.

I had a very big trauma in the act of having an affair because of my parents.

I can’t believe I’m asking someone to become their concubine!

“It’s not what I meant at all! If I knew it meant that, I would have asked for more money, but I would never have asked for land. I’m telling you.”

‘Trust me, will you?’

Is it because of my earnest protest? Ains kept his eyes on me and his mouth streatch into a barely seen thin smiled.

“I suppose so.”

“Yes. I really didn’t know.”

Only then did I understand why Ains did that yesterday.

I acted so comfortably like a friend in front of him then suddenly asked for something that sounds like “Please use me as a concubine” out of the blue after eating without a care. How embarrassing!

I was relieved that the misunderstanding was resolved, but I had another question.

“Why did you accept it?”

“Because I said with my own mouth that I would grant anything you wish for.”

Seriously.

I was speechless for a moment.

That’s why you accepted that ridiculous request?

“You’ll really listen to me if I said that’s what I meant.”

“Yes, I wouldn’t have gone to arrange your place in the first place if I wouldn’t.”

Considering yesterday’s chilly attitude, I guess he really meant it.

Anyway, fortunately, the misunderstanding was resolved, so the only thing left is to settle this our deal.

Perhaps because of his mood, Ains’ expression seemed softer. I recovered my smile.

“Then, can I ask for it now? Not everything, I don’t need the land, just a building. Instead, give me more money.”

Then Ains looked at me with his mouth up.

“It’s too late now. “

“Yes?”

“I told you. I keep all the words I said. Live in the second floor room as soon as you are ready. You are the only one staying as the owner, so there will be no big inconvenience.”

This is a mess!

I heard the sound of my dream shattering.

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So that’s the context behind the novel description lols. So she really is going to be his concubine????? WHAT?!!!

And I like how Glick is starting to get really comfortable with her. Gosh they’re so cute.