After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 38

Diana, the youngest daughter of Count Lucas Hanover and the younger sister of Lord Dex, was wandering freely through the mansion.

Even though it wasn’t the Hanover estate in Eisenfelt, she showed no hesitation.

To her, anywhere Leo stayed was practically her home as well.

“I expected more from a capital townhouse. This isn’t impressive at all.”

She had imagined something grand, especially considering how arrogant the nobles of the capital were. But the place was nothing special.

“And that young lady everyone keeps talking about probably isn’t anything remarkable either.”

With a slightly sulky expression, Diana walked down the corridor until she stopped in front of a particular door.

Earlier, she had run into a familiar knight from the Ashen Order in the lobby. After chatting with him, she had asked for the location of the young lady’s room and followed the directions here.

“So, this is the room?”

She crossed her arms and stared at the door. Then she reached for the handle and turned it.

Without a second thought, she stepped inside. Sunlight pouring in through the large window struck her eyes, making her squint.

“Why would they give her such a big room?”

Taking in the brightly lit space, Diana clicked her tongue in irritation.

It felt as if Ayla had taken over this room without any right to do so.

Just then, Ayla stood up from the sofa with a slightly confused look on her face and came into view.

“She’s actually pretty.”

The thought annoyed Diana even more, though she didn’t want to admit it.

“Are you Lady Everett?”

“Yes, I am. And who might you be, entering my room without knocking?”

“Knocking?”

Diana scoffed and shrugged in response to Ayla’s comment on her manners.

“People don’t knock in their own home. I heard there was a guest here, so I figured you were the one staying in this room.”

Her sharp tone made Ayla’s eyebrows draw together slightly.

“As far as I know, this mansion was leased by His Highness the First Prince. Am I wrong?”

“You’re right. This is my brother Leo’s house. He and I are like family, so that makes this house mine too.”

Ayla blinked, taken aback by how casually Diana spoke as if Leo’s home automatically belonged to her.

Even if they were close, entering someone’s room without permission was clearly rude.

From her appearance and manner of speaking, Diana was clearly a noblewoman and likely close to Ayla’s age.

“So, this is the young lady Lord Dex warned me about.”

Now it made sense why Dex had been so hesitant earlier and had asked Ayla to be understanding of his sister’s behavior.

He had even mentioned she was notorious in the North.

But that didn’t mean Ayla could overlook it.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Maybe in the North, Diana could act spoiled and still be adored. But this was the capital. If she carried this attitude into capital society, there would be consequences.

Many nobles here already considered the North uncultured. Behavior like Diana’s would only confirm their prejudice.

With her mind made up, Ayla spoke calmly and firmly.

“Lady Hanover, even if you feel like family or even if you truly are, it’s important to knock and ask for permission before entering a room that isn’t yours.”

“Who doesn’t know that? I already told you I didn’t know you were staying in here.”

“If that were true, you wouldn’t have recognized me as Lady Everett the moment you saw me.”

“You’re the only outsider staying here. It wasn’t hard to guess.”

“My name is Ayla Everett. And you must be Lady Diana Hanover, correct?”

Ayla smiled gently as she introduced herself. Then she reached out her hand to offer a handshake.

A handshake was a polite gesture often used to express goodwill or to show there was no hostility.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lady Hanover. Since we’ll be seeing each other often, I hope we can get along.”

Diana flinched, clearly caught off guard by Ayla’s warm and composed response. Flustered, she quickly snapped back with a sharp tone.

“You must be seriously mistaken. Why would I be seeing you often?”

“Because His Highness and I are soon to be married.”

“Absolutely not! Who gave you permission to think that would happen?”

Ayla, startled by the sudden outburst, slowly withdrew her outstretched hand.

Instead of shaking it, Diana had smacked it away with force.

“Lady Hanover?”

Ayla recoiled in shock. At her feet, her black cat Bami appeared from seemingly nowhere, arching its back and hissing.

Diana ignored the cat completely. She stomped her foot and shouted, her face red with rage.

“Don’t even dream of it! Do you know why my father and I came here? To stop this marriage from happening!”

Ayla remained silent.

“How dare someone from the Everett family think they can have Leo? Do you even know what your family did to him?”

The hatred in Diana’s voice stung. Ayla’s skin prickled under the weight of it.

Suddenly, a troubling thought crossed her mind.

What exactly had her father done to Leo?

Was there something she didn’t know?

Before she could dwell on it further, a cold voice interrupted the rising tension.

“Diana.”

Both Ayla and Diana turned their heads toward the entrance.

At some point, Leo had arrived. He stood leaning casually against the doorway with his arms crossed, watching the scene.

“Leave.”

“Brother?”

“Dex.”

At Leo’s call, Dex appeared from behind and grabbed Diana’s arm. Her expression turned to one of disbelief.

“What are you doing? Why can’t I even come in and look around?”

“I asked why you came here in the first place.”

“Why wouldn’t I? I needed to at least see what kind of girl she is.”

Dex’s expression darkened. With a firmer grip, he began to pull her away.

“You’re leaving. Now.”

“Hey, come on! Why are you doing this to me? Let me go!”

Diana struggled against him, trying not to be dragged out, but Dex’s strength easily overpowered her.

She was pulled all the way to the doorway, where Leo stood unmoving.

Diana clung to his arm and pleaded.

“Brother, tell him to let me go. Please?”

But Leo gently shook her off with his other hand and responded with icy calm.

“This is the only time I’ll overlook this. Remember that.”

“What?”

“You need to show proper respect to Lady Ayla.”

“Brother, how could you say that?”

Diana’s eyes widened. She looked completely shaken by his coldness. Her voice trembled, and tears welled up as her pride collapsed.

Dex quickly turned her around and led her away. He gave Ayla a brief, apologetic nod before disappearing down the hall with his sister.

Once the storm had passed, Leo walked up to Ayla and let out a deep sigh.

“I’m sorry. She’s not a bad person.”

“I see.”

Ayla nodded, unsure what to say.

She appreciated him standing up for her, but his next words left her feeling slightly disappointed.

He was quick to defend Diana, despite what had just happened.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. It was just a misunderstanding.”

“I meant your hand.”

“Oh.”

At his gesture, Ayla looked down at the inside of her wrist. It had turned red and was slightly swollen.

No wonder it stung. Diana’s slap had been harsher than she realized.

“She really thinks everyone is as stubborn as she is,” Leo muttered, shaking his head.

Ayla quietly sat on the sofa as Leo guided her over.

He reached for a small basket on the table and pulled out a jar of ointment.

As he opened the lid, a sharp minty scent filled the air.

“Funny how we keep ending up treating each other’s wounds.”

“Normally, something like this wouldn’t even need ointment, Your Highness.”

“I usually don’t bother with injuries this small either, Lady Ayla.”

Ayla glanced at his shoulder while he applied the ointment to her wrist.

With the way he moved, no one would guess he had an injury hidden under his jacket.

“Is your shoulder feeling better?”

“Thanks to you, it’s perfectly fine. But I have something to tell you.”

Leo dropped the ointment back into the basket and spoke in a more serious tone.

“We’ll have to delay the wedding, Lady Ayla.”

“The wedding?”

“Yes. We’ll hold the ceremony once we return to Eisenfeld.”

Ayla gently bit her lower lip and released it again.

Her chest felt tight. A part of her feared she would be treated like an outsider again, forced to remain hidden like a criminal.

When or where the wedding took place wasn’t the issue.

But Leo had been the one who suggested they get married in a month.

Now, he was the one suddenly changing the plan.

From the moment he told her to stay in her room, to this sudden announcement, only one reason came to her mind.

Count Hanover.

Ayla let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes tightly. When she opened them again, her gaze had changed.

She forced down the urge to retreat and gathered her courage.

Obstacles were meant to be faced. Problems were meant to be solved.

With firm resolve, Ayla looked at him and spoke clearly.

“Please arrange a meeting with Count Hanover, Your Highness.”

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