Chapter 34

The Sleepless Night of the Maid — Chapter 34

Translator: Eonnicorn / Editor: Scarlet

On the second day of his visit to Bale Castle, the Emperor and Count Massies went on a tour of the estate and left the children behind. James, who was always arguing with Edward, somehow offered him a drink. When he tried to take the drink without worrying much and put it to his lips, Eva jumped in and took the drink from his hand then threw it to the floor.

“Your Highness, don’t drink that. He spit in that drink. You awful prince!”

The boy’s face was beet red like an apple as she stood in front of Edward while fuming. With her legs spread apart and hands at her waist, Eva glared at James and gave him a warning. She warned, ‘If you touch my fiance, I’d scold you.’ with her inarticulate pronunciation.

“Are you insane? You little, how dare you!”

“You spit in it. I saw it!”

“Do you really want to get in trouble? Do you know who I am?”

“The one who did the bad thing should be punished.”

Then, a quarrel broke out between a child and a much younger child.

Although Edward could have defeated James, he watched them in silence. Rather than angry, he felt odd.

Up until this point, Eva was the first person who took his side unconditionally. The declaration which he thought only just a talk, was faithfully conducted the responsibility of the fiance by the little girl. Be on their partner’s side and be the closest person in the world.

Not long after, Edward pulled James apart from Eva and scolded him while she seemed touched by the gesture. Since then, Edward spent the rest of his time in Bale Castle by sticking close to Eva. Because whenever James was out of his sight, he would harass Eva. That’s why he needed to protect her from him, while in turn, Eva followed him around, saying that she would protect him.

It wasn’t bad to take Eva around. It was the most genuine concern and trust he ever received in his life. Even thinking about it now made him smile.

‘Eva…’

After that, he never met Eva again, but Edward would sometimes call her name and recall her innocent face.

As time passed, Edward entered adulthood while Eva remained young. Beautiful women from inside and outside the Empire showed interest in him, but he turned them down coldly. It was a given as he was thinking of marrying Eva. It didn’t mean he liked her as a woman, he merely wanted to be faithful to his wife-to-be.

People around him were stunned. Even himself couldn’t understand this devotion he had. His mindset from the younger days left a strong impact on him. His heart already determined that Eva was his ally.

During their engagement, Eva never came to the capital nor appeared at any young ladies’ social gatherings accompanied by their parents. Edward felt it was too bad but also felt relieved. Relieved because she didn’t have to associate with them where his enemies were swarming.

Neither did he expect that his engagement with Eva, which he took for granted, would be broken. He heard the news about Count Massies’ death and Eva went to her relative’s house. However, he pushed it aside. As his father, the Emperor collapsed, the Empress and aristocrats who seized the throne openly threatened him.

The thought about her slipped his mind as he had no time because he was living in terror day by day. Regardless, whenever the season changed, he imagined her in the void.

While Edward was wondering if she was doing well or leading a happy life, he came across Eva by chance like it was fate.

“There must be a reason why this flower bloomed in this season. Please wait and watch so that the flower can find its own way.”

She had become a resolute yet soft person.

“I learned the value of time, happiness from small things, understanding others, and appreciating daily routines.”

Even if she was on the muddy floor, her nature as a high-born bloomed.

“Your Highness.”

The voice of his cousin, Benjamin Holland, came from behind him. A puzzled look settled on Edward’s face as he turned around, only to be met with Benjamin’s worried expression.

“The secret guards and attendants are waiting. It’s time to get ready and leave.”