After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 18

What was going on?

Ayla’s mind went completely blank. She could not process what she was seeing.

“Let’s never see each other again.”

She had whispered that to herself like a vow only a few days ago.

And now here she was, showing up at his door.

“You said you came to see the First Prince. Is that right?”

Leo’s words came with a relaxed smirk. Ayla’s eyes widened in shock.

He was still just as handsome, still striking enough to leave anyone stunned. As she stared at him, Ayla started to piece it together.

So, he was one of the First Prince’s people. She had no idea. Of all people, it had to be him.

Trying to stay composed, she spoke carefully.

“Yes. I came to speak with His Highness the First Prince. Is he not here right now?”

“You came to see the Prince? That is disappointing. You slept with me and now you are chasing after another man?”

“What? I did not… What are you even saying?”

She flinched at his crude words, her shoulders jerking.

“Am I wrong? You slept with me. Then you ran away.”

He stared directly into her eyes, speaking each word clearly. Ayla’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“I am not denying the truth. I was just surprised by how bluntly you said it.”

“Ah, the wording.”

Leo chuckled quietly, leaning back against the sofa.

“Sorry if it sounded cheap. I do not like speaking in circles.”

“…”

“Are you planning to stand there forever?”

He gestured with his chin to the seat across from him.

“Sit down. At least have some tea.”

Ayla sat down as a servant entered and brought in a tray.

Finally, after an hour of waiting, a cup of hot tea was placed before her.

But she still could not relax. Leo’s eyes never left her for a second.

“So.”

The silence broke so suddenly that Ayla almost bit her tongue. She forced herself to stay calm.

“Why are you here?”

That question brought her back to her purpose. Ayla clenched her fists tightly.

This situation had taken an unexpected turn. No, it was more than that. It was a serious obstacle.

But she could not give up now.

Lifting her chin with determination, she took a deep breath and began to speak.

“Please tell His Highness Prince Leomond that the second daughter of House Everett has a proposal for him.”

Her voice was firm and bold once again.

“A proposal?”

Leo almost laughed.

A proposal? From the daughter of Marcus Everett?

He might have pretended to listen if it had sounded reasonable, but coming from her, it was almost amusing.

Normally, he would have called the guards and had her removed.

Instead, he said something entirely different.

“Fine. Let’s hear it.”

A slight flush of color returned to Ayla’s face.

“I want to tell His Highness directly.”

“Just say it. He will not see you.”

“Is he not available right now?”

“He is here. But he said he has no interest in meeting the daughter of Marcus Everett.”

That cold rejection made Ayla’s face turn pale again.

“Then I will come back another day.”

Leo watched her quietly as she started to stand. Then he spoke with a calm warning.

“I will tell you this. If you do not say it now, you will not get another chance, Princess.”

“I can make my own opportunity if I need to.”

“Even if you are banned from ever entering this house again?”

“I will wait outside the gates.”

“You will be thrown out. I doubt you were welcomed today either.”

Ayla bit her lower lip and stayed silent.

Leo looked at her for a moment and sighed softly to himself.

Maybe it was those lips.

He found himself remembering her the night before, the way she had breathed so softly in his arms.

What exactly was she trying to do?

He had never intended to hide the fact that he was the First Prince.

But now, seeing her again, after she had left and come looking for another man, something inside him felt off.

How dare the daughter of Marcus Everett act like this.

This would be the last time he saw her.

Repeating that thought firmly to himself, Leo spoke again.

“Just say it. If we had not met before, you would not even be here right now. Do you understand what I am saying?”

“Can I trust you?”

“You will have to decide that for yourself.”

Leo gave a slow smile, his red eyes gleaming with sharp curiosity.

Ayla lowered her eyes as if thinking deeply, then looked back up and finally spoke.

“I heard that His Majesty the Emperor declared he would choose a bride for the First Prince. The only condition is that she must win the Prince’s approval.”

“And what about it?”

“I came to ask what you think of me.”

“I thought you said this was a proposal.”

“It is.”

“A proposal is not just something you say. You should know that much, Princess.”

There was a clear edge of annoyance in Leo’s voice now.

You came here just to ask what I think of you?

How could he say something like that right in front of me?

Leo furrowed his brow, forgetting completely that he had been the one who pushed her into speaking in the first place.

“I understand. A proposal only holds value if the person receiving it sees it as beneficial.”

“Then explain it, Princess. What exactly would we gain from this proposal of yours?”

He did not expect much. There was nothing that small woman could offer him. No matter what she said, he had no reason to be interested.

But instead of answering, Ayla asked something unexpected.

“Before that, may I ask something? Does His Highness the First Prince have any intention of becoming Crown Prince?”

The word struck him like a pull at the back of the neck.

Crown Prince?

He was only called a prince because he had survived. Now someone was suggesting he should be the Crown Prince?

“What is your intention with that question?”

His voice became sharp, edged with tension. It took effort to keep his emotions in check.

Leo began to wonder if Marcus Everett was behind this. Maybe he had used his daughter to set a trap. Perhaps the seduction from a few days ago had been part of a plan all along.

“I have no hidden intentions. It is just that whether I make my proposal or not depends on what Your Highness wants.”

“So if I answer a certain way, you might not propose at all?”

“That is correct.”

“Then let me ask this. For me to hear your proposal, would I need to become Crown Prince?”

“No. It is the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

“Yes. If Your Highness has decided to become Crown Prince and remain here in the capital, then I will not make my proposal. I will leave without saying anything more.”

Her voice was steady and calm. Her expression did not change. That alone caused Leo’s irritation to ease slightly.

If this really were part of Marcus Everett’s scheme, her answer should have been different. Marcus would never let go of the throne so easily and would be keeping a close watch on Leo’s intentions.

“Then go ahead.”

“I am sorry?”

“Your proposal. Let’s hear it.”

Ayla took a deep breath, filled with relief.

She had been right. The First Prince had no desire to become Crown Prince.

Everything she had read in newspapers and scattered reports described him as wild and violent. They even called him the Butcher of the Night because he roamed the mountains and fought monsters.

But Ayla’s understanding of him was different. To her, he was a ruler who deeply cared for the North.

The nobles who supported the Empress gossiped that he was covered in the blood of beasts. But none of them cared to notice how his efforts had reduced monster attacks and improved the lives of people in the region.

She had also heard that the Grey Wolf Order, the knights who served under him, were mostly made up of mercenaries and men from the slums.

That meant he had the strength and leadership to unite such a group.

Ayla made up her mind again. It was disappointing that she had not met the prince directly, but going back without trying anything felt worse.

“Please tell His Highness the First Prince that I would like to propose marriage.”

Leo narrowed his eyes slightly, then let out a crooked smile.

“I refuse.”

“Why are you the one refusing? You do not have the authority to make that decision.”

“Do I need authority to know what the answer would be? It is obvious. The answer is no.”

“Did you tell me to say it just so you could reject it no matter what I said?”

“Have you forgotten what you called it just moments ago? You said it was a proposal.”

Ayla’s voice showed clear frustration. Leo shrugged, unbothered by her reaction.

“You should at least understand this. Marrying you does not offer me any benefit at all.”

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