After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 81

“Ayla, you’ve arrived.”

As if responding to Tatiana’s smile upon spotting the two, Ayla and Vivian politely bowed their heads.

“We greet Her Majesty the Empress, the Moon of the Empire.”

“Welcome.”

Tatiana greeted them with a gentle smile and carefully observed Ayla.

“Ayla, are you feeling well? I heard you returned early on the day of the hunting competition because you were unwell.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. My apologies. I was feeling unwell and thought I might be a nuisance, so I quietly returned. It seems there was a bit of a commotion.”

“That’s right. If the Crown Prince hadn’t confirmed it through his aide after returning from the hunt, it could have become a major incident.”

“I’m sorry for causing concern, Your Majesty.”

“Not at all. I’m glad to hear you’re well.”

After briefly inquiring about her well-being, Tatiana then led the two and introduced the people she was sponsoring.

“That child is a painter I sponsor. All these paintings are that child’s works. And that sculpture over there is the work of the sculptor standing in front of it. It’s a talent I particularly cherish.”

“Even I, who know nothing about art, can see it’s remarkable. Your Majesty’s discernment is astounding.”

“Hoho. Is that so? Then, please feel free to look around. I must go see the ladies over there.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Tatiana moved to a couch set to one side and began conversing with other ladies.

Ayla and Vivian started viewing the works of the artists sponsored by the Empress, and just then, a lady approached and acted familiar.

“Lady Ayla. We meet again.”

“Hello, Marchioness.”

She was a close attendant of Tatiana, so she was acquainted with Ayla.

Just as Ayla thought she was merely exchanging greetings, the Marchioness pulled something from her handbag and offered it with a smile.

“Here you are, Lady Ayla. On the day of the hunting competition, you dropped your hair accessory in the spectator seats.”

“Oh, my. Did I?”

“I couldn’t return it to you that day, so I’ve been holding onto it.”

“I see. Thank you for keeping it safe, Madame.”

“Hoho, don’t mention it. Then, enjoy your viewing, you two.”

As soon as the Marchioness withdrew, Vivian whispered in a small voice.

“It seems the Empress’s attendants are different after all. It clearly looks like an expensive hair accessory, and she picked it up and kept it safe.”

“If it were you, Vivian, wouldn’t you have returned it?”

“I’ve never thought about it, but hmm… Maybe I wouldn’t have? Hehe.”

At Vivian’s honest reply, Ayla laughed along but inwardly tilted her head in confusion.

‘But did I drop my hair accessory in the spectator seats? I thought I’d lost it while wandering in the forest.’

Just then.

“Ayla!”

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Edward approached with a delighted expression but then showed a hint of hurt at Ayla’s form of address.

“Why are you being like this all of a sudden? ‘Your Highness the Crown Prince.’ We agreed to be informal with each other.”

“This is a formal occasion. We should uphold what needs to be upheld.”

“What is there to uphold between us?”

Pouting discontentedly, Edward then softened his gaze and calmly added.

“After all, Ayla, you’re the savior of my life.”

At that, Vivian widened her eyes as if to say, “What is this all about?”

The attention of several people nearby who had overheard Edward’s words also gathered.

Ayla, feeling awkward, forced a smile and denied it as if it were nothing.

“Savior? Your words are too generous, Your Highness.”

“I don’t see how they’re too generous. You even got hurt in my place.”

“It really was nothing. By the way, do you also sponsor an artist, Your Highness?”

The intention to change the subject was blatantly obvious to anyone.

Edward gave a knowing smile as if he’d let it slide and, pointing to one side, asked her.

“I have one musician. They’re preparing to perform over there. Would you like to go listen together?”

“A musician? Yes, that would be nice.”

Wanting to leave this spot no matter what, Ayla quickly nodded.

Then, grabbing the arm of Vivian, who was making exaggerated eye signals, she followed Edward as he led the way.

“What in the world happened?”

“I’ll explain later.”

Whispering just loud enough for each other to hear, they were heading toward the space where the musicians were when—

“Ed!”

Someone called out to Edward and approached.

It was Alexander, the older brother of Emperor Frederick, whom they had met when seeing off the envoy delegation.

“Uncle! When did you arrive?”

Edward, spotting him, approached with a happy expression.

Alexander patted his shoulder, then held his hand and smiled warmly.

“I just arrived. Seeing you in a place like this, you’ve really grown up.”

“Uncle, really. I’m an adult now.”

“That’s right. You are an adult….”

While the two exchanged affectionate words, Ayla remained quietly silent beside them.

Although she had inadvertently learned the secret of Edward’s birth, she had no intention whatsoever of speaking of it.

Of course, there was also no reason to act as if she knew.

A moment later, Alexander turned his gaze to Ayla and greeted her with a smile.

“Lady Ayla, you’re here too.”

“Hello, Alexander-nim.”

“It’s good to see you again. Is your injured arm alright?”

“My injured arm healed that very day. Thank you for your concern.”

“Hoho. That’s a relief. In the carriage returning to the imperial palace without you, this fellow Ed was so worried.”

“Is that so…?”

Ayla looked at Edward with a gaze that said she hadn’t known.

“Uncle, really. Why are you saying such things?”

At Edward’s flustered reproach, Alexander shrugged as if to say, “So what?”

“Why not? It’s only natural to worry since she got hurt trying to help you.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“I too felt uneasy about leaving without confirming that the Lady had woken up. Though I did so because I was told to depart first with the envoys.”

At Alexander’s apologetic words, Ayla laughed and said playfully.

“You should’ve woken me up and taken me along.”

“Hmm?”

“When I came to my senses, there were only two of us, and His Highness Leo scolded me so much.”

“Hoho. Is that so?”

“That wasn’t all. He insisted I needed rest and absolutely forbade me from galloping, so it took an incredibly long time to get back.”

“It seems he cares for you a great deal. I never knew he had that side to him.”

Lightly laughing in admiration, Alexander then tilted his head at Edward’s suddenly stiffened expression.

Now that he knew Edward was his and Tatiana’s son.

Though still confused, it was only natural that every little expression of Edward’s caught his attention.

‘Why does he suddenly look so gloomy?’

Continuing with miscellaneous conversation while pondering the reason, Alexander soon realized why.

Because when Ayla spoke to him, Edward’s expression instantly brightened.

‘Don’t tell me. Is Ed… toward Ayla…?’

In that instant, Alexander felt as if his heart had dropped.

Had he developed feelings that could neither be repaid nor satisfied?

‘Walking such a path… I am enough for that….’

Bitterness washed over him like a receding tide.

Alexander’s gaze as he looked at Edward grew heavy.

“We have to kill her.”

At Tatiana’s resolute voice, Alexander’s eyes widened.

Alexander, momentarily speechless, barely managed to ask back.

“What are you talking about?”

“We have to kill her and get rid of her.”

“…Tia.”

“I told you, Al. That girl Ayla eavesdropped on our conversation.”

It had been less than a few minutes since they had finally managed to be alone, away from others’ eyes.

As soon as they were isolated, Tatiana poured out her words like rapid fire.

Anxiety and impatience were vividly etched in her voice.

“That girl heard everything. We have to kill her. That’s the most certain way.”

“…….”

“We need to hurry. If that girl tells Leo everything, our Ed is finished.”

Tatiana anxiously tapped her toes.

“She probably hasn’t told him yet, right? If she had, it wouldn’t be this quiet. So before that…”

“Wait, Tia. There must be another way.”

Alexander tried hard to calm her down with composure.

“If that girl doesn’t tell anyone, that should be enough.”

“Do you think that’s possible? She’ll likely be rolling in the same bed as that bastard!”

Tatiana’s voice cracked fiercely.

Her red, bloodshot eyes fully revealed her disturbed state of mind.

“You’re outside the imperial palace, so it’s easier for you to move.”

Tatiana said through gritted teeth.

“So, you kill her, Al. For your son, can’t you even do that much?”

Alexander heavily closed his eyes.

And when he opened them again, his gaze was utterly resolute.

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