After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 92
“Ah, yes. Thank you…”
Ayla sat awkwardly on the chair.
Could one even drink tea in a place like this? As if to mock her question, the man picked up the teapot on the table as if he had been expecting Ayla. Warm steam rose, and a fragrant tea scent filled the air.
He held the handle of the teapot and slowly tilted it. His touch was elegant and skillful as the clear, pale yellow tea filled the teacup.
The man filled two teacups and pushed one towards Ayla.
“Drink.”
“Yes…”
Only after confirming that the man had lifted his teacup did Ayla cautiously touch her lips to the edge of the teacup.
A warm, sweet taste enveloped her mouth, followed by a lingering bitterness.
It was a tea she had never tasted before, but she could tell it was quite high-end.
Ayla put down the teacup and examined the man in front of her. She felt a deep sense of doubt at his demeanor, which seemed so familiar with this place.
‘I definitely heard that this castle has been empty for a long time.’
His appearance, as if he had melted into this place as if it were his own home, made Ayla hesitate for a moment before gathering her courage to speak.
“I heard that this castle has been empty for a long time.”
“It has. I, too, am visiting after a long time.”
The man smiled as he looked down at Bam, who had jumped onto his lap. His touch, stroking Bam’s black fur, seemed quite affectionate.
“I have an old connection with the owner of this place.”
“I see.”
“I came here today because I was thinking of him, and I realized something I had forgotten.”
The man let out an enigmatic laugh as he spoke.
“That child was quite mischievous.”
His gaze looked down at Bam as if he were being spiteful. Then, with a strangely bitter face, he stood up.
“Do you know this, child?”
He said as he approached the desk.
“Everything has a corresponding price. Whether it’s a good price or a bad price.”
He opened a drawer, revealing an interior filled with jewels.
Why are there jewels in a place like that? He rummaged through the drawer indifferently, searching for something, paying no attention to Ayla’s surprise.
“Here it is.”
What he picked up was a round sapphire.
As he muttered something incomprehensible, a small light burst out and enveloped the sapphire.
Soon, as the light faded, the sapphire had transformed into a beautifully crafted pendant.
He placed the pendant in front of Ayla, who was surprised by the unfamiliar experience.
“It’s a gift.”
“A gift…?”
“Yes. Until you return to this place, be sure to carry it with you.”
She was completely disoriented.
Who on earth is this man?
He mentioned an old connection, so he seems to be related to the Grand Duke’s castle, but…
Ayla, unable to figure out the man’s identity, decided to focus on the situation at hand.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
She didn’t understand why a person she had just met would give her such a precious item.
Moreover, while revealing an unknown ability.
However, the man’s answer that followed was even more difficult to understand.
“To be precise, I’m not giving it to you.”
“……”
“It’s just a gift for the child I cherished.”
“So, why are you giving it to me.”
“Consider it a reward for helping that child. I think he’ll be satisfied with this much.”
Ayla still couldn’t understand the man’s words.
But she couldn’t refute him because the sadness in the man’s expression seemed so great.
Ayla was momentarily speechless.
For some reason, she couldn’t question someone who carried so much sadness.
“…I’ll take it. Thank you.”
After hesitating, Ayla carefully reached out and picked up the pendant.
It was beautifully crafted, as if a blue rose had bloomed.
“It’s an object imbued with my power.”
“Power…?”
“Yes. Just once, hold that pendant in your hand and say what you desire. Then it will be fulfilled.”
“What I desire?”
Ayla looked down at the pendant with a bewildered expression.
The man, who had been quietly watching her, suddenly cast his gaze out the window and said slowly.
“It would be best to leave now. It seems they are looking for you, as the castle is noisy.”
At his words, Ayla was startled and jumped up.
She had lingered too long while looking around outside while Leo was taking a bath.
“Did you come to pick up this fellow?”
The man looked down at Bam and placed his hand on his head.
Then, he stroked him gently and said to Bam in a voice that could barely be heard.
“This fellow, now will you?”
As if in response to his words, Bam meowed loudly and rubbed his head against his hand.
“Come here, Bam. Let’s go quickly.”
Ayla urged Bam and spread out her hands.
Bam, who always jumped into her arms at times like this, didn’t move for some reason, and just looked up at the man with his green eyes blinking.
“Bam…?”
When she called his name with a flustered look, Bam reluctantly turned around and waddled over.
Ayla barely held Bam in her arms and carefully said to the man.
“My name is Ayla Everett. If it’s not rude, may I ask your name?”
“My name is Artien.”
“Artien-nim.”
Ayla repeated his name and smiled slightly. Then, she bowed her head and greeted him.
“Thank you for the tea. I hope I have the opportunity to serve you tea next time.”
“That’s unlikely, but you have manners. Go now.”
“Yes. I’m sorry for the intrusion.”
Ayla bowed politely and headed for the door.
Then, feeling a strange sensation, she turned around, only to see cold stone walls in her field of vision, the space that had been exuding warmth had disappeared.
“…What the heck?”
Ayla looked around again with a dazed face, then took out the pendant from her arms and looked at it.
Only after confirming that the object still existed did Ayla mutter to herself, thinking that it wasn’t a dream after all.
“Was he a wizard after all…?”
Otherwise, it would be strange to be able to drink warm tea in a place like this.
Ayla went down the spiral staircase with a dazed expression.
In Ayla’s arms, Bam was still gazing wistfully at the upper floor.
“Good heavens, Princess! Where have you been? Huh?”
Ayla flinched in surprise at Dex’s worry, who had rushed over as soon as he found her.
“I was so worried that you might have gotten lost somewhere!”
“I’m sorry, Aide. I was looking around the garden and saw a tower.”
“A tower? Good heavens. Preparations for the Grand Duke’s castle are still inadequate, Princess. Please refrain from going to places where the hands of the employees don’t reach.”
Ayla felt an inexplicable sense of unease at the sight of the knights behind Dex.
“I will. But, surely not everyone is looking for me, right?”
“Why wouldn’t they be? Let’s go inside for now. It’s chilly in the evening.”
Dex, who had turned around as if to guide her, shouted loudly at the knights.
“We found the Princess! Everyone retreat!”
“…I unintentionally caused trouble.”
“It’s nothing. We just started looking.”
At that moment, Ayla, who raised her head at the caw, sound coming from the sky, blinked her eyes.
“Crow…?”
“Caw─.”
“That crow, it’s Crow, right? His Highness’s familiar.”
Dex, who looked up following Ayla’s fingertips, sighed and muttered disapprovingly.
“Crazy bastard. I told him to rest, but he insisted.”
“Does His Highness know too? That I’m not in the castle?”
At Ayla’s question, Dex scratched the back of his head and replied.
“When you weren’t in your room, I barged into his room and asked him. Where did the Princess go?”
“Ah!”
Only then did she understand the situation.
It wasn’t that she had been away for a long time, but she wondered why it was so noisy.
Ayla, who had learned the whole story, smiled and turned her steps.
It seemed like she had to go to Leo’s room quickly.
“Then, Princess, please bring him and come down to the dining room.”
“I will, Aide.”
Ayla received a small mission from Dex and went up the stairs.
When she arrived at the room where Leo was, she tilted her head at the door that wasn’t completely closed and pushed the door inward.
‘Why is it open?’
Unaware that Dex had left it less closed when he went out to look for her, Ayla stepped inside, and at that moment, Ayla forgot even to breathe at the unexpected sight.
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