CH 228

Ayla bit her lower lip, trying to forget the memories that came to her mind.

"Are you alright?"

Seeing her like that, Estelle made a pitiful expression and asked in a worried voice.

As if saying she was alright, Ayla gave a small nod instead of answering, but no one believed her.

Unlike her emotions, she couldn't even hide her trembling eyes.

"Elin, take Miss Ayla to her room."

"Ah… No. I'm really alright. I was thinking about something else for a moment."

At Estelle's words, Ayla waved her hands in a denying motion and spoke.

She seemed to be the only one who didn't know how pale her complexion was.

Watching the situation, Theon reached out his big hand and grabbed Ayla's.

The familiar warm feeling above her hands was calming her down a little.

Subsequently, she heard Theon's low voice in her ear.

"I'll talk to you separately. Go in and rest. You don't look good at all."

"But…"

"I don't want you to overdo it."

"I'm really fine. This is something that concerns me. They sent it to the community, so it's no different than saying it to me."

"…"

"I want to resolve this."

Theon nodded as if he understood Ayla's determined words.

The two of them held each other's hands tightly and smiled at each other.

‘Be considerate. Really.'

Even though the gazes of those looking at them weren't gentle.

***

"Their method is horrible."

Unlike a while ago, Ayla frowned and turned her sharp gaze towards the letter.

Given the gloss and the quality, it was obvious that this wasn't a commonly used parchment.

It was vellum, a more expensive type of parchment.

They threw away a day's worth of wages, just to write five words?

The effort, care, and cost were too great to be seen as a simple joke.

Judging by their rough method, they probably weren't aristocrats or high-positioned people.

If they thought about honor and prestige, they would aim for a softer and more gentlemanlike method.

‘What is their purpose?'

Although they didn't know exactly what was going on inside, what was the benefit of persecuting a small community of merchants?

If confusion was their objective, there was no need to write anything in the letter.

Human beings are naturally more afraid of what they can't see.

Thinking about all kinds of hypotheses, Ayla's lips rose crookedly.

"This is vellum."

Theon tilted his head as he picked up the letter.

Judging from his expression, he seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"It's paper made from calf leather, and it's quite expensive."

Estelle, who was watching the situation while keeping expressionless, added.

Theon gave a small nod and agreed with her.

Estelle lifted one corner of her mouth and continued.

"Judging by the added scent, I don't think it's an ordinary person."

A person who is higher than a commoner and lower than an aristocrat.

Ayla squinted her eyes and organized the thoughts that came to her mind.

"Orhan. Was there something that was sealing the letter? For example, beeswax, or a leather strap."

"Ah! It was sealed with beeswax."

"Where is it?"

"It completely fell off while I was opening the letter."

Orhan, who was rummaging through his pocket, handed her a piece of red wax.

It was a plain seal, with no common drawings nor special patterns.

Except for something that would not be visible had she not looked closely.

‘I knew it.'

Ayla, who had been handed the piece of wax, slowly glanced around.

Soon after, the corners of her mouth went up in a line.

"If it's here, it makes sense."

Ayla uttered unknown words and put down the piece of wax she was holding.

The gazes of those in the living room were naturally swept towards one place.

Theon's expression as he held the piece of beeswax turned strange.

Soon after, he spoke towards Orhan in a strong voice.

"If you had lost this, you really would have had to pack up."

"But… It didn't have anything?"

"Then you can see it for yourself. Does it have, or does it not?"

Whoosh!

Theon threw the object he was holding half-heartedly, with a blunt tone.

Orhan, who had checked the piece, pursed his lips and looked at the two of them.

Then he put the piece down while saying, ‘I should prepare the meal.', and disappeared outside the door.

[ L I B R O ]

At the end of the round piece of beeswax on the table, there were small letters inscribed.

***

For a few hours already, Theon tapped the office desk with his fingertips while lost in thought.

Whether he was dissatisfied with something, he kept a frown on his forehead.

The look on Mason's face, standing in front of his desk for dozens of minutes, also showed signs of exhaustion. Thinking that if he was going to call him to stay still, he should have let him go, Mason pouted quietly while his gaze was fixed on Theon.

"Your Highness…?"

Didn't he hear his desperate call? The silent silence continued for a while after that.