CH 279

***

Squeak, squeak.

There was a deep darkness in Lily's eyes as she climbed the stairs of the mansion.

With the slowly fluttering candlelight, the memory of the day when she came to the Duke's mansion flashed through her mind.

‘Come with me.'

‘But, my father…'

‘You don't have to worry about him because I paid him a lot. I sent you to the palace, so why did you come back?'

‘I have nowhere to go back to but here…'

‘From this moment forward, forget this hellish place. This is not the place where you should come back to.'

He suddenly grabbed her wrist, and she came to this place with him.

She stayed in the Duke's mansion with Louis' help, but the situation here was not easy either.

There were no brutal beatings and terrible hunger. Thankfully.

However, the harsh gaze of the servants who glanced at her with every step made her feel intimidated.

Even though she didn't do anything wrong.

‘I'm going to go over the border for a while and come back. I've asked Milton and Mattel separately, so no one will treat you recklessly. Rest assured.'

Leaving those words behind, Louis left the Duke's mansion.

A month had passed since he said he would leave for a while, leaving the hope that he would return.

Knock, knock, knock.

Lily put down the laundry basket she was holding and knocked on the firmly closed iron door.

"Is no one there?"

Lily tilted her head and turned the doorknob.

Without even imagining that a terrible sight would be waiting through the gap of the door.

***

"I… I didn't see anything."

Lily clenched her fists and spoke in a trembling voice. At the same time, Duke Daniel's cold gaze was fixed on Lily.

"You're pretty clever."

"…"

The interior was filled with a heavy silence.

Only the sound of Lily's breathing, panting at the tension, could be heard.

"Please handle it cleanly. Don't make a mistake."

Duke Daniel said, moving the tip of his chin towards Milton.

"Do not worry."

The Duke nodded at Milton's pitchless low voice and fixed his rumpled clothes.

"Ayla. I should invite her to the mansion. I have to congratulate her too for being cleared of the false charges."

"B-but… the Young Master…"

Duke Daniel's gaze turned sharp at Milton's voice, which seemed to be stopping him.

Then, he looked at Marquis Charne, who had turned into a cold corpse.

"You have to think about what comes first. Is that what you're saying even after hearing what that bloody man said?"

"She is Young Master Louis' old friend. Are you aware of how he feels about Young Lady Ayla?"

Despite Milton's plea, the Duke spoke curtly.

The appearance of his master, who seemed to have no sense of guilt even after killing a man, made him feel despicable.

"I can't just let the hindrances be. Stop whining and do as you're told."

After he finished speaking, Duke Daniel fluttered the cape he was wearing over his shoulders and left the room.

Lily held her hands together as she watched the Duke getting farther away, her body trembling slightly.

***

There was only silence between the two people who were left behind. No one could talk first.

It took a lot of time to come to terms with the horrible situation.

"Ah…"

Lily, whose trembling eyes were moving around and looking at her surroundings, let out a heavy breathing. She felt like she was getting nauseous at the disgusting smell of blood that filled the room, but she couldn't show it.

Lily's gaze passed the miserable body of Marquis Charne and headed for Milton.

"M… Mister…"

Milton's usual appearance, smiling kindly at her, couldn't be found anywhere.

His face was full of red dots due to the blood that splattered everywhere.

"Just pretend you didn't hear it. That would be wise for both you and me."

Lily, who was biting her lips, spoke with a twinkle in her eyes, as if she had made up her mind about something.

"I… I'll help you."

"Help?"

"Duke Daniel told you to bring him a young lady named Ayla. I'll help you… with that. No, I want to help!"

"You? Why?"

Milton looked at Lily with a doubtful expression.

Lily, who was quietly biting her lips, turned her gaze to the cold Marquis Charne.

"… Because I don't want her life to end like that."

***

"Princess!"

As she opened the iron door and came out, Ayla saw Elin's face, smiling brightly.

"Elin, have you been well?"

"Yes! I've been to Arin Square and the market recently. There were so many wonderful things in the Stellen Kingdom."

Whether she was happy about something, Elin smiled broadly and talked excitedly about what had happened recently. Looking at Elin, who was pure without a single flaw, a pleasant smile followed along.

"Ahem, it seems like you can't see me today either."

Ayla turned her gaze with an awkward smile at Orhan's grumpy voice.

"How could I? How have you been?"

"As you can see, I am well and healthy. By the way… Why did you come out here instead of the clean main gate? Since the false accusations were cleared, you don't have to do this anymore, right?"

"I guess it's because old habits die hard."

"You can't stop yourself… His Highness told me. You're going to the Square?"

"Yes. I have a few things I need to buy. And some people I have to meet…"

Ayla blurred her words and smiled faintly.

"Get inside the carriage first. Since you prepared some clothes, I don't think there will be a problem… We'll go to Arin Square right away. Is it alright?"

"Thank you. Orhan."

"You're welcome. Beautiful lady."

At Ayla's quiet voice, Orhan took off his hat and greeted her lightly.

The naiveness of the first time he came to the Stellen Kingdom was no longer visible.

‘The two of them announced that they would return to Ruit after accompanying you this time.'

‘Orhan and Elin? Can't they stay in the Stellen Kingdom?'

‘I've made an offer, but… Orhan's thoughts were firm. He was stubborn, saying that it was right to go back now that they had finished their job, but there has to be a reason.'

The conversation she had with Theon last night flashed through her mind.

Now that they were two people who were no different from the people of the Stellen Kingdom, Ayla had a bitter smile on her mouth.