After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 20

Leo killed the beasts and stored their “night” in the Absorption Stone. To do that, he had to slay them during the night.

Even then, the night he captured lasted only for a fleeting moment, just as the beasts were dying.

The Absorption Stone could only hold the essence from the brief moment the beast died. So even if Leo spent the whole night hunting, the amount stored would only add up to two or three hours.

In other words, he had to hunt for four full nights to reclaim one complete night.

For someone like Leo, who had lost so many nights, there was nothing he would not do to get them back.

Marriage, huh.

Dex thought deeply about the proposal Ayla had passed on to him.

The fact that she was the daughter of Marcus Everett was unsettling. But still, the two of them had already been connected once.

It happened on the morning Dex arrived in the capital, two days after Leo, following the Southern campaign.

He still remembered how shocked he was by the news delivered by Jade, the steward of Moonlight Manor.

It was shocking enough that Leo, who never let any woman get close, had spent the night with someone. But to hear that it was the second daughter of the Everett family left him completely speechless.

However, the real surprise came later.

“What happened? You went off on your own and didn’t let us come with you. Did you slay a beast or something on the way?”

“What are you talking about? There are no beasts in the capital.”

“Then why is the artifact…?”

“What about the artifact?”

Leo looked down at the Absorption Stone hanging from his neck. His expression clearly showed confusion.

When Dex saw Leo’s face and noticed the change in the artifact’s color, his entire body broke out in goosebumps.

The artifact had changed color, even though no beast had been killed.

How was that possible?

It was the first sign of hope since the artifact had been discovered.

So no matter what it took…

“Don’t reject it right away. Just think about it seriously.”

“Think about what?”

“The marriage proposal from the Lady.”

At Dex’s suggestion, Leo clicked his tongue and replied bluntly, as if he had just heard something absurd.

“You’re insane.”

Ayla arrived at the opera house in a hired carriage and made her way to her seat, as indicated on her ticket.

Vivian, who had been anxiously waiting for her delayed arrival, lit up with relief and waved excitedly.

“Ayla! Over here!”

“Sorry, Vivian. Did you wait long?”

“No, it’s alright. Luckily, the opera isn’t over yet.”

The two women sat side by side, whispering quietly as if nothing had happened.

“Did everything go well?”

“Thanks to you.”

Ayla smiled gently and nodded, not wanting Vivian to worry any further.

Vivian let out a big sigh of relief, then pointed toward one side of the theater.

“Look over there, Ayla. It’s Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Her Majesty?”

Ayla widened her eyes and turned to look where Vivian had pointed.

Although the VIP section shared the same entrance, that particular area had a private terrace. There sat a noblewoman with silver hair, surrounded by her attendants.

“It really is Her Majesty. And the Second Prince is with her.”

“Shouldn’t you go say hello, Ayla? She is your aunt, after all.”

At Vivian’s words, Ayla gave a faint, bitter smile and slowly shook her head.

“Even if she’s my aunt, she’s still the Empress of this nation. I don’t want to trouble her.”

“But if you explain your situation to Her Majesty and ask for help, maybe she could—”

“Vivian.”

“Yes, Ayla.”

“I know that Her Majesty also entered a political marriage with the Emperor.”

“That’s true.”

Everyone in their generation and their parents’ generation knew the story. Tatiana Everett, once a noble daughter of the Everett family and now Empress, had actually been in love with Alexander Zigranta, the Emperor’s older brother.

“I can’t tell someone like her that I don’t want a political marriage just because I’m afraid for myself.”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. I’m sorry, Ayla.”

“It’s alright. You said it because you were worried. Thank you, Vivian.”

“Still, I wonder why Her Majesty came here today.”

“One of the singers performing tonight is someone she sponsors.”

“That explains it.”

Ayla turned her attention back to the stage but found her eyes drifting again toward the Empress’s private terrace. Seeing Tatiana with her silver hair and silver eyes brought back memories of her debutante day two years ago.

“You’re like a single blooming blue rose. Tonight, the spotlight belongs to you.”

That was the day Tatiana had placed a tiara on Ayla’s head. Her life had changed completely after that. During the social season, she was allowed to stay at the townhouse in the capital rather than her family estate in Saint Territory.

But Ayla was never sure if Tatiana’s gesture had come from true kindness.

She must have known Ayla was born out of wedlock. So why had she chosen to highlight her blue hair in such a public way? Was it really out of affection, or was there another reason behind it?

That was why Ayla felt uneasy around the Empress.

Tatiana always smiled gently, but Ayla could never tell what she was really thinking behind those calm eyes.

Holding back a sigh, Ayla forced herself to focus on the opera, which was now reaching its climax.

Just wait three more days.

If the First Prince still hadn’t replied by then, she might have to go through with the plan she had been keeping as her last resort.

So, it really isn’t going to happen.

She had already extended the three days she had promised herself by one more, making it four. But there was still no message from the First Prince.

With the wedding approaching quickly, Ayla felt as though she was being pushed off a cliff.

If I wait any longer, I might lose the chance altogether. If that happens, then maybe…

She decided it was time to carry out the plan she had set aside until now. Her final choice.

Leave.

Over time, she had quietly sold some of her jewelry and saved the money. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough to buy a small house in the countryside, far from the capital.

She wouldn’t be able to wear beautiful dresses or enjoy fine meals like she did as a noble, but at least she wouldn’t have to live unhappily as Rodrigo’s wife.

This decision might bring new hardships, and she knew that already. Living alone as a woman in a strange place would not be easy.

That was why she had kept this plan as her last option.

Trying to escape the pain she could see might lead her into even worse suffering that she couldn’t predict.

But still, whether the road ahead held happiness or more pain, she would never know unless she took the first step.

That was why she had sent a message asking the First Prince for a quick response.

If she couldn’t break off the engagement, then she would at least try to change who she married. If even that didn’t work, she would leave.

She knew how difficult this path would be.

Her hair color alone would make her stand out wherever she went.

She had bought a basic brown dye potion in advance, but it only lasted a day or two.

It was expensive, and she had only been able to afford two bottles.

While going over the details of her escape in her mind, Ayla murmured to herself as she often did when anxious.

“I have to try everything I can. That’s the only way.”

So I won’t lose what matters.

As she closed her eyes, the voice of a boy echoed in her memory, as if encouraging her decision.

That evening.

“Where are you going at this hour?”

Just as Ayla, dressed for going out, was about to step into the carriage, her nanny Natalie stepped in front of her.

“I’m going to the evening service.”

“All of a sudden?”

“The wedding is coming up soon. My thoughts have been all over the place.”

Natalie narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Ayla gave a small shrug and replied casually.

“You don’t believe me? Then come with me.”

“The service will start soon. Hurry up and get ready. I’ll be waiting outside.”

Ayla’s playful tone made Natalie scoff as she turned her head away.

“I’m fine. You go ahead. Kyle, wait near the temple entrance and make sure to escort the young lady back safely. Understood?”

“Yes, Miss Natalie.”

After giving the coachman a brief reminder, Natalie turned around and walked off without looking back.

As if she had expected that response, Ayla stepped into the carriage without hesitation. The coachman adjusted the reins, then gave the horses the signal to move.

The carriage began to sway gently.

The sound of hooves echoed steadily as the manor slowly disappeared beyond the window.

Goodbye, Everett.

This was the choice Ayla had made.

She was leaving, and she had no intention of returning on her own.

If it’s Father, he’ll try to find me somehow.

Over ten years ago, Marcus had searched for Ayla after Claudia abandoned her, and he brought her home.

She hadn’t understood it back then, but now she thought she finally knew why he had done it.

Because the world knew she existed. That was all.

So, she planned to hide completely this time.

She would disappear in a way that even her father couldn’t find a single strand of her hair again.

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