After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 50

My head became complicated.

It was inevitable, since the reason Leo was practically exiled to the North was because of Edward.

Of course, Edward was not at fault, but the desires of those who wanted to pass the throne to him would still be strong.

In this situation, could the two half-brothers become close?

No, would it even be okay if they became close?

“You think it’s impossible, don’t you?”

A bitter smile appeared on Edward’s face.

“I know. There’s no way my brother would like me.”

“……”

“I would feel the same way if I were him. It’s all because of me, so how could he like me?”

Ayla’s expression turned serious at Edward’s self-deprecating muttering.

It seemed this tender-hearted prince blamed everything on himself.

She felt sorry for him.

He always had a composed face and a bright smile, so she thought he had no shadows.

Still, Ayla thought this wasn’t right and stated firmly.

“Don’t think like that. It’s not because of Your Highness.”

“It’s because I was born.”

“Being born can’t be wrong. His Highness the First Prince would think so too.”

Edward smiled faintly at Ayla’s resolute reply.

“Ayla is kind. Is it because we’re cousins that you’re looking out for me?”

“It’s not just because I’m kind, it’s the truth. Your Highness’s brother isn’t someone who would hate someone for that reason. Look at me.”

“……”

“If His Highness Leomond were that kind of person, would he have decided to marry me? The daughter of the person who sent him to the North?”

Edward’s eyes widened noticeably at the stark example.

He just gaped, as if he didn’t know what to say. Only then did Edward, who seemed his age, feel somewhat cute.

Eventually, Ayla chuckled softly, feigned ignorance, and asked cautiously.

“The reason you came to pick me up today was actually because you wanted to see your brother, wasn’t it?”

“Yes? No way. That’s not it.”

“Wow, it was true? Look at your face turning red.”

“I told you, that’s not it. I really was just passing by, so I thought I could stop by.”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t perceptive. If I had known sooner, I would have told His Highness Leomond to come with me.”

Edward hesitated for a moment at Ayla’s tone, which had already become certain, then sighed as if he couldn’t help it.

“No. I didn’t even wish for that. I just…”

“……”

“I just wanted to see his face. I was curious about what my brother in my memory looks like now.”

“In your memory, so you mean from your childhood?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember that? There’s a four-year age difference between you two.”

Ayla, who had finished calculating in her head, widened her eyes and asked back.

“Your Highness would have only been eight years old, right?”

“It’s short, but I remember it clearly. Because I always followed my brother around.He always seemed busy, but whenever I suddenly appeared, he always greeted me with a smile, without showing any annoyance. As a child, I liked that brother so much.”

“Ah-ha…”

“Once, I fell into the fountain in the garden.”

“Oh my.”

“My surprised brother pulled me out, put me on his back, and ran. I was young, but I can still vividly recall my brother’s surprised expression. It was the first time I had been carried on my brother’s back, so I was dazed and surprised.”

Edward’s expression softened as if he were reminiscing about that day’s memories.

“I liked it so much back then. After arriving at the palace and getting off my brother’s back, I realized that my brother’s clothes were soaked. I wanted to give my brother new clothes as a gift. That day, I didn’t even know what kind of slander my brother would be subjected to because of that incident.”

“Slander?”

Edward looked at Ayla, who was puzzled, for a moment, then confessed with a sad face.

“It’s my fault, Sister.”

“…?”

“That incident became the starting point for my brother’s trip to the North.”

“That’s…”

“The First Prince tried to drown his half-brother.”

Ayla’s eyes widened at the unexpected ending.

“My brother left the capital with that false accusation.”

“……”

“So how could he like me?”

Ayla couldn’t easily comfort Edward, who was staring blankly out the window after saying those words.

“Wow! This is the hunting ground.”

An hour later, Ayla, who had arrived at the hunting ground, gaped at the open scenery.

Edward, who had been talking to the knights, approached and laughed heartily, pointing to one side.

“The scenery is beautiful, isn’t it? There’s a lake over there, so it’s even more picturesque. That’s why the viewing seats for the VIPs are located here.”

“It is. It’s so nice.”

“Haha, I’m glad you like it.”

“Is that the place I need to check?”

“That’s right. There’s no rush, so take your time to look around, then check those places. Whether there’s anything that needs to be replaced, or anything else that’s needed.”

“I understand. I heard from Her Majesty the Empress about the things I need to pay attention to, so I’ll take good care of them.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Ayla. I have to look around the hunting grounds with the knights.”

“Okay. Have a good trip, Edward.”

Edward, who smiled brightly at Ayla’s greeting, got back on his horse.

Ayla, who had been carefully watching him ride into the hunting grounds with the imperial knights, sighed deeply.

‘Hearing stories like that makes my heart weaken.’

She had shared too many stories during the hour-long carriage ride.

Edward blamed himself for Leo being sent to the North. She couldn’t help but comfort him.

In the midst of all that, she ended up calling Edward by his name, and that fact bothered her like a thorn in her throat.

It was because of the warning Bella gave her before leaving for this place, when she came to see her off.

“Ayla, just a moment.”

Ayla approached Bella, who was gesturing to her, and Bella pointed to Edward and asked.

“Are you close to him?”

“His Highness Edward? No, not particularly close.”

“That’s good. Don’t get too close.”

“Yes?”

Ayla, flustered, asked without realizing it.

“Why?”

“How should I put it? That kid is too pure.”

“Uh, pure? Why is that a reason not to get close.”

“When kids like that get bent, the marks stay for a long time. And that can be quite tiring. Anyway, keep my words in mind. Okay?”

Ayla, who had a slightly awkward expression at Bella’s words, smiled faintly and nodded.

“I will. It’s not like I’ll have many chances to run into him anyway.”

“That’s a relief then.”

At that moment, Leo called her, and she got on the carriage with Edward and departed.

Until then, she didn’t know that they would become close enough to share stories like this.

Ayla, with a troubled face, turned around and was startled to find Ian standing behind her.

Ian then said to her, without any change in expression, towards her who was smiling awkwardly.

“Don’t mind me and just do what you need to do.”

“Yes, Commander Ian. I’ll finish it quickly.”

Ayla, who had declared ambitiously, took out paper and a pen from her handbag.

Bella’s warning bothered her a little, but she thought that she wouldn’t have many chances to meet Edward after today.

‘Since it’s a job I’ve been assigned, I want to do it perfectly.’

Ayla started to carefully examine the first viewing seat, burning with enthusiasm.

The viewing seats were divided into areas for the imperial family, the wives, and the unmarried young ladies.

And in the small square, there were not only pillars for hanging sunshades and a platform for speeches, but also facilities for the maids to stay and prepare and carry desserts and drinks.

There were quite a few items to check, including the condition of the various facilities, tables, and chairs, and the space for the VIPs had to be aesthetically pleasing.

‘This is going to take more work than I thought?’

Ayla continued to take notes carefully, pondering over and over again.

After finishing the inspection of the viewing seats, which was one of the items on the list, she took a short break.

The lush greenery under the warm sunlight was refreshing.

She felt a renewed desire to do well.

Whatever the reason, having something to take responsibility for and do made her heart beat faster.

Ayla clenched her fists, forgetting that someone was behind her, and shouted with spirit.

“I can do it, fighting!”

Then, Ian silently followed behind Ayla, who was concentrating with a renewed spirit.

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