After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 21

Inside a private prayer room of the temple sanctuary, Ayla pulled a dye potion from the basket she had brought, hidden beneath the offerings for donation. Without hesitation, she drank it in one gulp. The bitterness was stronger than expected, making her frown, but when she saw her hair quickly turning brown, she pressed her lips together firmly.

She then took out a plain, modest dress and changed into it. Her original clothes were folded and tucked back into the basket, now covered with a cloth.

Even though she had changed her clothes and hair color, her striking beauty still reflected clearly in the polished marble walls. She hesitated for a moment, then pulled the hood of her robe low over her face and quietly slipped out through the back gate of the temple where the carriage stand was located.

“One spot left for District 2. If you’re going, get in now.”

“Heading to District 3. Last chance to board.”

People who had finished worship were boarding the lined-up carriages one after another.

As Ayla scanned the area briefly, a coachman from a nearby carriage that hadn’t started boarding approached her.

“Where to, miss?”

“I’m trying to get to the Flambour Pier.”

“The pier?”

“Is that possible?”

“You’ll have to pay two silver coins, miss.”

“I heard it usually costs one.”

“It’s evening. The roads are more dangerous at night.”

“Fine. That’s acceptable.”

“That carriage over there is the one. Please get on.”

With the coachman’s approval, Ayla handed him one silver coin first and stepped onto the footboard. Just as she was about to climb in, a man walked up to the coachman with a grin and spoke casually.

“Hey, Hans. Mind dropping me off somewhere along the way?”

“It’s no trouble. Hop on.”

Ayla quickly interrupted, her tone sharp.

“I gave you more than enough for a private ride. Are you letting someone else board too?”

“He’s not really a passenger. He’ll just sit next to me and get off shortly. No need to worry, miss.”

“Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll be quiet as a shadow and be off in no time.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Ayla didn’t like the situation, but she didn’t have any better options.

She had already paid half the fare, and changing carriages now might draw unwanted attention. More importantly, time was running out.

Once her absence was noticed, the knights of her family would surely start pursuing her. If she was going to evade them using public carriages, she had to act quickly.

With a quiet sigh, Ayla climbed into the carriage.

Above her, a crow perched on a branch watched silently as the carriage began to move.

Inside the study of the First Prince, Leomond Zigranta, in his townhouse in the capital.

Documents listing the details of various unmarried noblewomen were scattered across the long table. Jade, the steward of Moonlight Manor, had brought them in bulk.

It had been thirty minutes since members of the Grey Knights had crowded in, after hearing rumors that bride candidates were being reviewed.

“These ladies here are all potential brides, correct?”

“Yes. I’ve excluded anyone from families allied with the Empress. I only gathered daughters from neutral or Emperor-aligned houses.”

“You did well.”

“Alright, let’s take a look.”

The knights each reached toward the documents, their calloused hands moving busily as they sifted through the profiles.

“A bride for our commander has to be someone of status. How about the daughter of the Eastern Territory lord?”

“The daughter of the Eastern Territory? She’s known for being extravagant. Just look at what Jade wrote.”

“So what if she is? If she’s beautiful, that should be enough.”

“Status doesn’t matter. What’s important is that she’s kind. What about this count’s daughter? She looks gentle.”

“Let me see. It says here she doesn’t talk much.”

“Our commander isn’t very talkative either, but if both husband and wife stay silent, that might not work so well.”

“Commander, stop reading that report and take a proper look. Isn’t there anyone who stands out to you?”

Leo scowled as the document was pulled from his hands. He sounded irritated.

“Can you stop taking this so far?”

“This isn’t something to take lightly. We’re choosing the First Lady of the Grey Knights. It matters. Just take a look. How about this one?”

The knights kept pushing papers toward him, persistent as ever. Tired of them, Leo waved a hand dismissively and leaned back in his seat.

“I’m going to rest. Don’t bother me.”

“Is your headache getting worse again?”

“Yes. It is.”

“Just close your eyes for a while. We’ll sort through the first round of candidates.”

The knights, grown men with rough hands, gathered around the table and quietly flipped through the profiles.

Leo sat back with his eyes closed. Then, suddenly, he winced and muttered under his breath.

“This is insane.”

“What did you say?”

A knight who had just been holding out a portrait flinched and quickly changed the subject.

“Well, if this one doesn’t work for you, how about Vivian Helios? She’s a count’s daughter and described as bold and energetic.”

“Did you miss the part that says she doesn’t get along well with others?”

“That could actually be a good thing. She’ll be moving to the North anyway. What good would strong social ties do her here?”

“That’s true.”

The conversation began again as they debated over profiles.

About thirty minutes passed.

Leo, who had not moved since closing his eyes, suddenly opened them wide. He cursed under his breath, and the knights around him stopped what they were doing.

“I’m going out for a while.”

He stood up, grabbed his coat, and slipped his arms into it.

“What? What are we supposed to do with all of this?”

“Just handle it yourselves. I’m leaving.”

“Wait, Commander. Commander!”

Ignoring their protests, Leo left the room.

He moved quickly through the halls, then exited the townhouse. As he approached the stable, he saw his attendant preparing the saddle on his horse. Clicking his tongue, he shook his head.

“I knew she was a fool, but still.”

Even after seeing it himself, it was hard to believe.

So that’s what she meant when she asked him to hurry.

For the past few days, he had been checking in by sharing the vision of Cro, the familiar he had assigned to Ayla. But nothing unusual had happened. She had barely left the estate, and since Cro had taken the form of a crow, he couldn’t follow her inside buildings. Leo had only intended to keep an eye on her general movements.

Today was supposed to be the last day.

He had planned to watch just a little longer, then call the familiar back tomorrow.

What could she be thinking?

Leo clicked his tongue again, though deep down, he already knew.

She didn’t want to marry that awful man, and with no better option, she chose to run away.

It was a brave decision, but also unbelievably reckless.

Did she really think she could survive alone in this cold, cruel world?

She clearly didn’t understand the danger. That’s why she was so vulnerable. At this rate, someone could have already taken her.

After sharing vision with Cro one more time, Leo dug his heels into the horse’s sides and set off at full speed.

A pair of trembling blue eyes darted restlessly in the dark.

A gag had been forced into her mouth. Her hands were tied tightly behind her back, and her legs were bound just as firmly. The only part of her body she could move was her eyes.

But all she could see was pitch-black darkness.

Where had it all gone wrong?

Maybe it started when the carriage suddenly stopped, and the coachman called out, saying one of the wheels had come loose and asked for a push.

The coachman had clearly been working with the others.

As soon as she stepped down and walked toward the back of the carriage, someone struck from behind.

Was it a mistake to try and escape using a public carriage in the first place?

Ayla tried to shut down the flood of thoughts that kept running through her head. But one question refused to leave her.

Where were they taking her?

She had been kidnapped and thrown into a sack, just like that.

It had happened so quickly she hadn’t even had time to scream, let alone fight back. Not that she could scream now anyway, with the gag in her mouth. And even if she could, there were no words to say.

All she could do was let out a hollow laugh.

She had known it wouldn’t be easy. She had prepared herself for hardship.

But to be taken before she could even step off the first carriage? To be kidnapped like this?

Still, at least now she had truly disappeared.

Her father’s knights wouldn’t be able to find her so easily.

That thought made her laugh again, weakly and without meaning to.

So, I’ve finally lost it.

She must have truly been falling apart if she could find amusement in a situation like this.

Realizing how strange that was, Ayla let out a long, shaky breath.

What kind of future would be waiting for her once she escaped this sack?

It didn’t take much guessing. Most likely, she had been taken for trafficking. She would be sold off somewhere far away, forced again to live a life that was not her own.

Without the Everett name to protect her, there was a good chance thing would only get worse from here.

Her entire body trembled with fear.

And yet, even now, she felt no desire to give up.

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