Chapter 45

Even though he gave Maria a residence inside the palace, he rarely saw her face. He only at least, met her once a day while practicing dancing together, and when they had dinner together sometimes.

Strangely, however, the emptiness he’s feeling is just as big. It’s only been a day since Maria left. No, it hasn’t even been a day yet.

‘How did it come to this? ‘

He thought about the route in his head. In addition, Maria, who was lying on her bed and complaining about her exhaustion, came to mind.

He smiled but it quickly faded

“What if I said I was married?”

“Uh…umm…of course I should congratulate you, right?”

“…she just said congratulations without knowing what I’m feeling.”

He tried to complain, but no one listened.

Touching Glick’s neck from time to time, Ains looked at the sunset with a bitter look in his eyes.

“Ah-achoo!”

I suddenly let out a series of sneezes without stopping

What? Is someone bad-mouthing me?

I rubbed my nose one and moved my eyes out the window in the carriage.

The view looks quite different. Just this morning, the carriage continued to run in what seems to be the middle of nowhere, but now I can see the fortress built high above me and the houses huddled noticeably together.

“We’ll arrived at Adella by this afternoon.”

The coachman’s words were true. I kept looking out the window, with my feet swaying like a child, and from some point on, a familiar scene unfolded before me.

Terlo Square!

I clung to the window and smiled broadly. A large stone statue stood tall, and the people were busily moving around it.

That strange stone statue was nothing short of a landmark of Adella. In short, it meant that I arrived at Adella safely.

The carriage stopped after running a little more. I got off the carriage with more excitement than ever.

The big restaurant was in front of me. Orange roof, dark gray wall, and a delicious smell that stimulates appetite.

Aunt Mary’s restaurant did not change a bit from before.

I took a deep breath. Then I opened the restaurant door wide and shouted in a powerful voice.

“I’m here!”

The joy of the reunion was greater than I thought. Not to mention how surprised and happy Uncle Jacqueline, and Aunt Mary, who came out of the kitchen after hearing the turmoil.

They closed the restaurant early in the evening. After a long time, four family members gathered together to eat, and I briefly told them what had happened.

Of course, Rose remained silent like a clam. She didn’t do anything bad because her parents are there, and the meal ended in a friendly atmosphere.

After that, I started handing them gifts. Of course, I prepared something in advance but Ains sent more than mine. Rose, as well as aunt and uncle, was very impressed whenever they opened a box.

To be honest, I was surprised, too. Each box was full of various gifts, and it was obvious that they were of the best qualities.

“…Oh, my God, I’ve never seen such a fine silk.”

Aunt Mary’s reaction was good. Rose raised her chin and asked openly and suspiciously.

“Didn’t you steal it from somewhere?”

“Of course not.”

“Is that how you should talk to your sister?”

Uncle Jacqueline intervened. However, his expression was not particularly bright.

“Thank you for taking care of us but …I think it’s too much.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry.  The madam loves me very much. “

I’m sorry Ains.

I sincerely apologize to Ains in my head, who unintentionally became a madam who loved me very much.

When I first sent them a letter, I wrote that I was working in a noble’s mansion, so even now, they know that I work for a noble family.

Well, if you look at the big picture, it’s not wrong.

“Please say thank you to your madam.”

In the meantime, Rose picked up the jewelry box one after another and jumped up from her seat.

“Then I’ll go to bed first.”

“Ah…!”

That girl!

At this time, Rose went up to the second floor without any time to catch her feet.

As I was looking at her, Uncle Jacqueline smiled apologetically and comforted me.

“You must be tired of coming a long way. Hurry up and get some rest.”

“Yes. Good night to you two.”

Actually, I wasn’t tired, but I sat in the carriage all day and wanted to lie down quickly.

The squeaky sound of the stairs made me feel happy for some reason. But as soon as I turned the corner on the second floor, an unpleasant situation was waiting for me.

Rose was standing in front of my room with her arms crossed. Sure enough, as soon as our eyes met, I heard an antagonistic voice.

“You’re lying about working in a mansion, aren’t you?”

“….”

“You’re a rich old man’s mistress?”

It was a question that took the form of a question, but she worded it out like she’s almost certain of it.

Once again, Rose is only thirteen years old. But how can she think of things like that?

“It’s not like that.”

“Don’t lie to me. What kind of aristocrat just gives so many gifts to the maid? Are they crazy?”

Well, it’s not just any aristocrat, but the royal family. This girl will surely be surprised to hear that madam is the crown prince of this country.

No, I think she’ll just laugh at me and say I’m crazy.

“I told you. She likes me very much.”

“So you’re saying you’re a mistress,”

I was planning to let her off but now, I don’t think so anymore. She keeps saying I’m a mistress and I’m getting really annoyed.

What should I do with you, huh?

I let out a short sigh. Then I rolled my thumb and index finger around and flicked Rose’s forehead hard.

*tak*

“Ack! “

Hm.  That’s a nice sound.

Unlike me, who was satisfied, Rose clapped her forehead and shouted.

“Have you lost your mind?!”

“I’m not crazy. And I made it clear that I’m not a mistress.”

Rose did not accept defeat and hit back.

“Then tell me where you live.”

“Would you even know it if I say it?”

“So I was right because you can’t!”

Aigoo, my head…

Only then was the same conversation repeated over and over again. It has no improvement value at all.

“What are you doing?”

I suddenly looked back at the voice and saw Uncle Jacqueline with a lamp in one hand coming up the stairs.

“I was just saying good night.”

Then I smiled at Rose.

“I’m touched that you missed me so much. Good night, Rose. Sweet dreams.”

And with her hands, she made a neck-slitting gesture.

Just say something.

“Good night.”

I greeted them one more time and went into the room.

The scenery in the room is exactly how I left it.

Well, if it’s obvious.

I saw a bed with a green blanket. I threw myself on the bed like diving in a reflection.

“….I’m really back.”

The bed is hard and blankets that smell like dried grass. Still, I felt a strange sense of security because I lived in the house for several months.

My eyelids became heavier and heavier because of fatigue.

I have to wash up before I sleep, but I don’t want to lift a finger…Should I close my eyes for a second?

I closed my eyes slowly, rationalizing myself even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to get up. I fell asleep quickly.

I wish that was really the case.

Sadly, I couldn’t sleep properly all night.

It wasn’t because the bed was uncomfortable. I’m the type of person who can sleep soundly even while sitting down as long as there’s a place to lean on, but last night, I felt nothing but discomfort.

This is because I suffered from a strange dream.

I don’t remember exactly what dream it was. It seems that I was walking endlessly on the road where there was no one else, with a big red-figure hovering over me.

Because of that, I didn’t feel refreshed when I opened my eyes in the morning. My body was as heavy as a wet cotton mattress. When I looked in the mirror, there are dark circles were clear under my eyes.

“…I still feel weird.”

I said quietly with my arms wrapped around my knees.

The one who is listening to my complaint in front of me right now is my cutie Borang-ie. When I visited Boraeng yesterday, he welcomed me, shaking his tail to the point where it almost fell.

[Maria!]

“I’m here Boraeng-ah!”

[Yes, I’m glad you’re here]

“Haha, it tickles!”

Boraeng-ie licked my face as soon as hugged him in my arms.

I’ve been with Boraeng-ie for over half a year, but it feels like this was the first time I’ve seen him so warmly welcoming.

I guess he really missed me that much.

I thanked him for welcoming me, but on the other hand, I was saddened when I think how long he waited for me to come back.

As soon as I woke up this morning, I went to see Borangie, and after lunchtime at the restaurant, I went back to the backyard with food.

And by the time Boraeng-ie finished eating, I told him about the dream I had yesterday.

“What kind of dream was that?”

[I have no idea.]

“Right?”

I really wanted to forget about it because it’s just a dream, but I was anxious about it.

I should visit the temple once.

[Still, don’t worry.]

“Huh?”

[That dream must mean something good.]

“Boraeng-ah… “

I couldn’t resist and grabbed Boraeng-ie’s face and peppered him with kisses.

How can you pick such pretty words?

[Have you met the leopard?]

“Yeah! Do you want me to tell you about what happened?”

[Okay.]

“Hm, so it’s like this…. “

Forgetting about my uneasiness because of my weird dream for a moment, I stammered through my memories and told Boraeng-ie about my journey.

Boraeng-ie’s reaction was very good. He listened to my story with sparkling eyes and asked questions about this and that.

It made me realize how good it was that I could talk to animals again. Without this ability, I would have definitely not adapted to this new life and withered like dry grass.

I looked at my watch. Good, I still have a lot of rest time. Originally, I was planning to go home and take a nap, but I changed my mind and decided to ask Boraeng-ie.

It’s been a while, so I want to do a lot of things that Borang likes.

“Would you like to go for a walk?”

[Okay. But if you’re tired, you can go home and rest.]

“No, I’m not tired at all.”

I opened my arms to Boraeng-ie with a big smile who understood it immediately and leaped towards me. I stepped out of the back door with him in my arms.

There are several walking courses I could go to with Borang-ie. We can go around the alley, go to the front of the knight’s school, or climb Heath hill.

Of course, my favorite course is the hillside. It takes a long walk and we need to cross a stream in the middle, but the view was so beautiful that it was worth going.

“You’d be sad if I didn’t bring a snack, right?”

[Yeah.]

“As expected, we’re so good together.”

We decided to stop by the market first. As I walked, I could hear the voices of merchants who have been attracting customers.

The market was crowded with many people again today. Each store was full of various things and food. I ate a lot of lunch, but when I saw a ripe apple and a fig, my mouth watered again.

[Boraeng-ie, do you want to eat?]

[I want some dried fish. Do you have money?]

[Pfft. Of course.]

He’s acting like a person, not a dog.

Mah boi Ains…you’re lovesick sksksk. How cute.

And that dream tho. Is that the god?