After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 16

“Tsk. Do you really think I would waste a thought on some worthless animal?”

“But he wasn’t in the room.”

“Must have taken after his owner. The moment I walked in, he bolted right out the door.”

Ah…

A wave of relief washed over her.

So, he ran away. That was it.

Even if she had been forced to attend the banquet for nothing, she didn’t feel angry. As long as Bam was safe somewhere, that alone was enough to comfort her.

Two days later.

Confined to her room as punishment for her so-called disgraceful behavior, Ayla received a welcome visitor.

“My lady!”

“Vivian!”

Vivian appeared before her, flanked by two maids, her face lighting up with joy as she quickly approached.

“I missed you, Lady Ayla.”

“You came, just like I asked. I missed you too. Come sit with me.”

“Yes! Ella, Sophie, please set everything down here.”

“Of course, my lady. We’ll excuse ourselves for a moment, Lady Ayla.”

The two maids, carrying armfuls of items, moved efficiently at Vivian’s words. Ayla recognized them as the same maids she had seen briefly at the Imperial banquet, and greeted them warmly.

In the blink of an eye, the table was filled with all kinds of desserts and drinks. Ayla’s eyes widened.

“What is all this, Vivian?”

“Our family’s pastry chef is quite talented.”

“Still, this is a lot…”

As Ayla looked over the spread in disbelief, the maids finished arranging everything and replied with satisfied smiles.

“You would not believe it, Lady Ayla. The young lady has been fussing over the chef since dawn.”

“She was so strict about tasting everything that the chef almost threw in the towel.”

“What are you two saying? Off you go now. I’m staying here to spend time with Lady Ayla.”

“Understood, my lady. We’ll see you next time, Lady Ayla.”

Ayla watched with quiet admiration as Vivian waved cheerfully at the maids, who left with affectionate smiles.

It was easy to see that Vivian was someone truly loved by the people around her.

And now, that same bright expression turned fully toward Ayla.

“Here, please try this first. It’s my favorite. Hand-peeled and soaked in honey, made from southern tangerines.”

“Thank you, Vivian.”

Ayla took a sip of the cool tangerine drink and her eyes lit up.

“This is delicious.”

“Right? Try the cheesecake too. It pairs perfectly with the drink.”

Everything Vivian offered was full of care and sincerity. Ayla accepted each treat without hesitation, and each time she gave a word of praise, Vivian’s expression grew warmer and happier.

“It feels like a dream, spending time like this with you, Lady Ayla.”

“Is that so…”

Ayla was grateful for Vivian’s pure kindness, but a part of her couldn’t help feeling cautious.

Vivian was undeniably special for standing up for her and offering help without hesitation. But in Ayla’s experience, kindness from others always came with hidden intentions. That was why, before relying on her any further, she had to ask.

“Vivian.”

“Yes, Lady Ayla?”

“I fully intend to repay your kindness one day. But before that, I want to ask you something.”

She swallowed hard.

“Is there something you want from me?”

“Would you give me anything I asked for?”

Vivian tilted her head with a curious look, and Ayla answered with a soft smile.

“Of course. If it’s something I can do for you, I’ll gladly do it.”

“Well… actually, I think I need to make a correction, Lady Ayla.”

“A correction?”

“Yes. I don’t want anything from you. I simply have one wish.”

“A wish?”

“Yes. And my only wish is to become your friend.”

With that, Vivian smiled brightly, then lifted her glass and downed the rest of her drink in one go before continuing.

“Lady Ayla, what I said about your fiancé at the banquet, I know it was out of line. But I didn’t do it because I wanted something from you. I did it because I was trying to return the kindness you once showed me.”

“The kindness I showed you?”

“Lady Ayla, do you really not remember me?”

Vivian straightened her back and looked Ayla directly in the eyes, calm and steady.

“Two years ago, the day of your debutante ball was also the day of mine.”

“Oh… I didn’t know.”

The first social event hosted by the Imperial Family was the debutante ball, where young ladies between the ages of fifteen and seventeen were introduced to high society. For Ayla, who had her debut at seventeen, that day was also when the Empress herself had presented her with a tiara, earning her the title The Blue Rose of the Empire.

It had been a day filled with pressure, when she was so determined not to make a mistake that she could hardly remember how the time passed.

“I was very sick when I was young, or so I’ve been told. Because of that, I was raised with more freedom than most. I didn’t grow up learning the customs of the capital, so I was awkward, clumsy. At my first ball, the other girls whispered behind my back and laughed at me.”

“Oh… Wait, was that…?”

A faint memory stirred in Ayla’s mind.

On her way to touch up her makeup during the banquet, she had briefly seen a young girl being mocked by others for looking provincial and out of place.

Seeing recognition finally light up in Ayla’s eyes, Vivian smiled a little shyly and gave a small nod.

“You reached out and took my hand when I couldn’t even lift my head from the shame. I still remember that moment so clearly.”

“It wasn’t a big deal…”

“Please don’t say that. My mother passed away early, so I never learned the trends or etiquette of the capital properly. I felt so out of place and just wanted to run and hide. I even looked around for a hole to disappear into.”

“Oh no…”

“Honestly, I think that moment could have changed my whole life. If you hadn’t stood up for me and scolded the girls who were laughing, if you hadn’t taken my hand and told me I didn’t need to be hurt by such childish cruelty, I don’t think I would have ever come back to the capital again.”

Vivian scratched her cheek with an awkward smile, clearly embarrassed.

Ayla, touched by her sincerity, smiled softly in return. Vivian then reached across the table and took both of Ayla’s hands in hers, her voice firm and heartfelt.

“That’s why, Lady Ayla, don’t ask me what I want. Use me instead. Let me help you achieve what you want.”

The conviction in Vivian’s warm brown eyes made Ayla’s heart stir. She felt her eyes prickling, but she held back the tears, lowered her gaze slightly, and shook her head gently.

“Vivian, don’t say things like that. Instead, I have a wish of my own now.”

“What is it?”

“I want to be your friend, Vivian.”

“Lady Ayla…?”

“If it’s alright, please just call me Ayla.”

“Oh, my goodness, really? This isn’t a dream, is it? I’m so happy, Ayla! Let’s be close friends!”

“Yes, Vivian. I’m so glad to have someone like you as my friend.”

Truthfully, it all felt surreal.

Until now, Ayla had only been allowed to interact with those Marcus approved of, and even then, only in formal, distant ways. She had never truly had a friend of her own.

Now that she finally did, the joy was so new and overwhelming that her cheeks blushed faintly with emotion.

“Since we’re friends now, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, Vivian.”

“Two days ago, you asked me to look into the First Prince’s residence and reputation. Was that related to your engagement?”

“Yes, it was.”

“I see… Then, would it be alright if I knew more about your situation?”

“My situation…?”

Ayla’s voice held a hint of hesitation, and Vivian quickly waved her hands with an apologetic smile.

“Only if you’re comfortable. You don’t have to explain anything you don’t want to. I just thought that if there’s anything I can help with, I’d do my very best.”

“I know you don’t mean anything bad by asking. It’s just… I’m not sure where to start.”

Ayla gave a faint, bitter smile, then finally spoke.

“Vivian. I… don’t want to marry Lord Rodrigo Esteban.”

“Then why not just end the engagement right away?”

“My father said absolutely not. I kept telling him I wanted to break it off, but instead, he pushed the wedding up to next month.”

“That makes no sense. Does the Duke not know about Lord Rodrigo Esteban’s behavior?”

“I thought he didn’t. But I was wrong. He knew from the beginning.”

Vivian stared at her in shock.

“That’s… completely insane. Is he out of his mind?”

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