After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 52

‘Maybe…’

The thought suddenly occurred to her.

Maybe it could be more than that? A hopeful thought.

Ayla, as she had seen her so far, wasn’t too bad for an Everett.

Besides, she wasn’t even the “real Everett.”

Just then, Leo, who had closed his eyes, jumped up from his seat.

It seemed he had used his familiar in that short time to track Ayla’s movements.

‘Seriously. Sending a familiar just because I’m a little late?’

Ayla clicked her tongue at his behavior.

“What is it? Are you that worried?”

“I guess so.”

“……?”

“Why do I feel so bad?”

Leo replied with a stiff expression, as if he had seen something through his familiar.

Thump, thump.

Dex followed Leo as he left the office at a fast pace.

Leo ignored Dex’s grumbling about where he was suddenly going without explanation and sent Wiltus, with whom he had been sharing his sight, back.

A little while ago, Leo had watched the setting sun through the window and summoned Wiltus, sending him into the sky.

As a bird of prey, Wiltus had excellent night vision and was mainly used to patrol the vicinity after establishing a base.

Thanks to that, Leo knew that Ayla would be returning soon and arrived at the front of the mansion.

And a few minutes later, Ayla was returning.

Riding the same horse as Edward.

He was dumbfounded. The end of an already displeasing companionship was in this form.

As he stepped out to the front gate with a dissatisfied face, Dex muttered in disbelief beside him.

“What? What about the carriage, and why?”

Leo was most curious about that too.

What about the carriage, and why were they coming like that?

Leo’s displeased gaze reached Ian in the back.

Ian, who had been silently riding along, lowered his head with a somber face.

Tsk, Leo clicked his tongue briefly and turned his gaze back to Ayla.

Just then, Ayla, who had noticed Leo, widened her eyes and looked delighted.

“Bro─ther!”

Edward, who had stopped his horse a little ahead to avoid raising dust, waved at Leo with a bright face.

While he dismounted first, Leo strode forward with his long legs to Ayla, who was still sitting on the horse.

“I’ll help you down.”

Leo reached out his hands, grabbed Ayla’s waist, and lifted her down to the ground.

Ayla, who had touched the ground in the blink of an eye, widened her eyes and then smiled slightly.

She didn’t know how he knew, but she was grateful and happy that Leo had come to greet her.

“I’m back, Your Highness.”

“What about the carriage? Why did you come on horseback?”

“The carriage wheel fell into a pit on the way.”

As if he thought Ayla’s explanation was insufficient, Edward interjected with a troubled face.

“The axle broke when the wheel fell in. We had no choice but to ride horses. It seems it will take a long time to repair.”

“I understand, you can go now.”

Just as Leo was about to turn around after giving a short greeting.

“Um, Brother!”

Edward, who had been hesitating, plucked up his courage and asked.

“The birthday banquet next week. You’ll be coming, right?”

“……”

“Please come, Brother. I’ll be waiting for you, assuming you’ll come!”

Edward smiled, glanced at Leo, and waved at Ayla.

“See you then, Ayla.”

“Yes, be careful going back, Edward.”

Edward, who had taken his eyes off Ayla as she returned the greeting, got on his horse.

Leo, who had been quietly watching Edward’s departing figure, turned to Ayla.

“By the way.”

“Yes?”

“Since when did you two start calling each other by your first names?”

Ayla returned to her room and plopped down on the sofa.

Bam, who had been curled up and sleeping on the bed, raised his head, stretched out his front paws, and then walked gracefully over and climbed onto her lap.

“Bam, were you doing well? Were you bored?”

“Meow─.”

“I’m sorry I’m late. I had a lot of work today.”

She soothed Bam and slowly stroked his head.

Bam, who seemed to be in a good mood, started purring, settled on her lap, and closed his eyes again.

Smiling at the warmth that was transmitted, Ayla leaned back against the backrest.

She had been busy since early morning, going to the hunting grounds, so her energy was completely depleted.

Ayla stared blankly at the ceiling and recalled what Leo had said earlier.

There was definitely a displeased look on Leo’s face when he asked when they had started calling each other by their first names.

The conversation didn’t continue because Count Lucas happened to return from his outing, but even when she thought about it again, he definitely seemed upset.

‘It’s like he’s jealous.’

Instantly, a blush bloomed on Ayla’s cheeks.

Could it be? No, it can’t be. There’s no way.

Ayla shook her head and tried to shake off the thought, but she couldn’t suppress it, perhaps because she was becoming more aware of him these days.

Besides, the moment when Leo helped her down from the horse came to mind.

His touch as he grabbed her waist without hesitation, and the unbelievably strong force that lifted her up.

“Why do I keep? I must be crazy.”

Ayla, who had turned completely red, stomped her feet and covered her face with both hands.

Bam, who had been lying on her lap, was looking up at such Ayla with sparkling eyes.

Around the end of dinner.

Ayla asked Lucas, who had returned from the Imperial Palace, to confirm the story he had brought up.

“Are you referring to the marriage vows at the temple when you say the Consecration Ceremony?”

“That’s right. Since the wedding was postponed due to our unilateral decision, His Majesty’s opinion is that we should at least do that much. He said it was a matter agreed upon by mentioning Duke Everett’s honor, but it seems that the Emperor’s thoughts are no different.”

“Ah! I guess he could think that way.”

“It’s not unreasonable since you’re already living in the same mansion. In the event that the wedding is delayed for some reason, a Consecration Ceremony is held and the names are added to the ‘Oath of Marriage’.”

At Lucas’s words, Leo shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t care whether it’s a Consecration Ceremony or a wedding.”

“I’m fine with it too.”

“Then that’s settled. His Majesty has already spoken to the temple, so we need to hurry with the preparations.”

At Lucas’s nod, Dex, who had been listening to the story, said with a subtle expression.

“After the Consecration Ceremony, you’ll really be husband and wife.”

At those words, Leo’s gaze reached Dex.

He seemed to have something he wanted to say, but Dex pretended not to know and called Ayla.

“Lady Ayla.”

“Yes, Chief Aide.”

“I was wondering if we should prepare for life after the Consecration Ceremony according to the customs of Eisenfeldt, would that be alright?”

“The customs of Eisenfeldt?”

Ayla tilted her head.

Were there any differences between the customs of the Imperial Capital and Eisenfeldt?

While she was wondering what it could be, Leo intervened with a displeased face.

“Dex. What are you thinking?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you suddenly talking about customs?”

Ayla quickly stepped in to mediate at Leo’s fierce expression and nodded her head.

“I’m fine with it. It’s right for me to follow whatever it is. Please take care of it, Chief Aide.”

“Ayla.”

“I’m really fine, Your Highness. I’ll do as I please on this matter.”

Leo, who had been speechless for a moment at Ayla’s firm declaration, nodded his head as if he had lost.

“If you say so much, then fine. Do as you please.”

After the story about the Consecration Ceremony was settled, the topic shifted to the servants’ uniforms that had arrived from Dior’s clothing store.

“They said they liked it because it was comfortable, good quality, and even pretty.”

“I’m glad. I thought the design was well done too.”

“When will the Knights’ uniforms be completed?”

“They said it will take about two more weeks. There will be a lot to pay attention to. Oh, I heard that Lady Diana’s dress also arrived this time, I wonder if she’s tried it on?”

Ayla turned to Diana with curiosity.

She wasn’t really expecting an answer. She would either ignore her as she had done so far, or say something like it didn’t suit her taste.

However, unexpected words flowed from Diana’s mouth as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“It was so-so.”

“Um! Lady Diana, did you like the dress?”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said it was just so-so.”

Ayla blinked her blue eyes blankly at the answer that came out again.

Although her tone was curt, it was the first time she had given a proper response.

Joy filled Ayla’s eyes as she immediately turned to Leo.

Was it something to be so happy about?

Leo smiled slightly, finding such Ayla both puzzled and cute.

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