Chapter 26
“I want to serve as a palace maid.”
At her words, the house steward paused for a moment but soon nodded.
She rummaged through the messy piles of documents on her desk until she found a blank sheet and a pen.
“I understand. But it won’t be easy. Especially without any connections within the Imperial Household.”
“…Yes. I know.”
The steward’s pen moved across the paper a few times. Ashlyn waited patiently.
“When will you leave?”
“Today.”
The steward’s face hardened at Ashlyn’s firm answer. Her gaze naturally drifted to the darkened window. The rain had lightened slightly but still fell relentlessly.
“It’s raining. If it stops…”
“I want to leave immediately.”
“It will be hard to find a carriage at this hour.”
“A single horse will do.”
Her voice was calm. The steward frowned slightly.
“You know how to ride?”
“Yes.”
‘Where on earth did she learn… never mind.’
The steward closed her mouth. This child was extraordinary; nothing about her surprised anymore.
“Thank you for your dedication to Laperion until now.”
She was someone who would leave now.
Tack.
The steward handed Ashlyn a recommendation letter and identification, stamped with the Laperion seal. Ashlyn carefully tucked them into her bosom.
“Wait here a moment.”
The steward left and returned shortly, wearing a raincoat.
“I’ve unlocked the east side gate. You will find your horse tied there. As for other luggage…”
“It’s fine.”
Ashlyn glanced at the small bag she already had. The steward nodded and handed her a raincoat with some money tucked inside.
“Go. And…”
Deep emotions rippled across the steward’s wrinkled eyes, but her voice remained firm.
“Do not come back.”
These were the final words of Laperion’s steward, Rano Remilton.
A single horse galloped through the northern city of Merba.
The night was quiet, and so was the street.
Heavy rain battered Ashlyn’s shoulders as she gripped the reins tightly.
If by carriage, the journey would take two to three weeks. Riding this decent horse, she could reach within two weeks.
‘It’s been a long time since I last rode like this.’
Sitting on the bouncing saddle, Ashlyn remembered her past. She had talent in horseback riding, enough to enjoy racing. She often rode for estate inspections—but never alone like now.
‘Erdan…’
Her eyes gleamed coldly.
Their agreement had been that Prince Erdan would remain untouched.
‘If the First Prince broke that promise and harmed Erdan…’
A chill enveloped her.
She spurred the horse forward. Water splashed, soaking her boots.
‘This summer, I’ll let you taste all the grapes you want. And in winter too… next year as well.’
A soft voice echoed in her ears. She saw the small blue grapevine swaying before her eyes, memories tangling around her like thick mud.
She shook her head and bit her lip.
The distant ducal estate was already beyond her return.
“Hyah!”
She urged the horse faster, drowning out the voices in her mind with the thundering hooves.
A dark, winding road stretched before her, shrouded in an impenetrable blackness.
Was this a road to hell—or to something else?
Thus began her long journey home.
“Duke Laperion, I will see you next time.”
The princess’s monotonous voice trembled slightly.
Tevet Laperion sneered inwardly.
‘Her voice still betrays her youth.’
He kept his face neutral.
‘Well, she’s just come of age. Expecting polished negotiation from the Imperial jewel is too much.’
“Yes. It was my fault for visiting unannounced. I will formally greet you another time.”
He bowed politely, then left the reception room without hesitation.
The princess, hidden behind her ornate fan, rolled her eyes to follow him.
‘Was he just an empty rumour?’
She had met him unexpectedly, testing him without notice, but he had shown no sign of interest—only formalities.
‘Not someone destined for greatness.’
Even that knowledge was a harvest for Tevet.
He walked down the palace’s vast corridor, his sleek forehead and thick brows revealed as his hair shifted. His perfect uniform and commanding aura made all eyes turn toward him.
“That’s Duke Laperion…”
“Why is he in the capital when he rarely leaves the north?”
Nobles and servants alike watched him pass, but none dared to approach. Only whispers grew louder behind him.
‘Tsk.’
Annoyed, he clicked his tongue and changed direction abruptly, preferring a deserted side path out of the palace.
‘At least the weather is clear today.’
The blue sky without a cloud lifted his mood slightly.
He walked the path behind the princess’s quarters until—
“…!”
His steps stopped when he saw the tip of a shoe poking out from behind the bushes. He frowned and turned his head.
“Ah!”
He locked eyes with a young woman crouching there, her deep blue eyes wide with shock, tears dripping down her cheeks.
He scanned her slowly.
A familiar uniform. A young maid.
“If I disturbed you, forgive me. I will leave so you may continue crying.”
Thinking she must have been scolded, he moved to pass her—until her small voice stopped him.
“Excuse me… do you have a handkerchief?”
“What?”
“A handkerchief. Didn’t you hear me?”
He stared, dumbfounded. Her nose and eyes were red from crying.
‘Does she not know who I am?’
No one spoke to Duke Laperion so casually.
“I have none to give you.”
He carried one, of course, but he could not give a maid his personal handkerchief bearing the Laperion crest.
The maid’s lips parted, her expression crumpling.
“How stingy. You look like a nobleman, but…”
“What?”
“Even if I’m just a maid, isn’t it cruel to ignore someone crying like this?”
Her audacity stunned him.
“Unbelievable.”
He muttered it aloud.
Unbothered, the maid stood up, her tears gone.
‘What kind of maid is this…?’
He tilted his head, catching a faint scent of rain though the sky was clear.
“It’s just a handkerchief…”
She grumbled, lifting her head abruptly, meeting his eyes.
“Why are you so strict?”
In that moment, he realised how small and slender she was. Her lavender hair tied neatly, her eyes glowing brightly in the sun.
The sweet scent enveloped him, and her clear voice thundered through him like lightning.
“Why do you look so uneasy?”
Suddenly, he felt as if the ground beneath him collapsed.
“Your Grace!”
Tevet snapped back to reality.
“Hii-ing!”
His horse neighed as he tightened the reins to steady himself.
“Your Grace, are you alright?”
Rain pounded down. The servant riding beside him was barely visible.
“I’m fine.”
He rasped back.
His exhausted body screamed, but he clenched his teeth and urged the horse faster. Water from puddles splashed onto his boots.
“We’ll see their lair soon. Five days without rest… it was worth it.”
“Yes.”
Tevet gripped the reins tighter.
Amidst the pouring rain, his eyes gleamed blood-red.
‘Why?’
The memory was unwelcome. His heart thundered wildly.
Was it mere exhaustion—or
‘Why am I so uneasy?’
Was this the omen of something to come?
