Chapter 32
Ashlyn was left speechless, and the information broker, noticing her silence, quietly disappeared.
After that, she couldn’t even remember what frame of mind she had been in when she returned to the Crown Princess Palace. She had no recollection of the time spent there.
Only when two days had passed did she snap out of her stupor.
“The Second Prince’s palace is finally opening.”
She stopped wiping the table upon hearing the maids whispering among themselves. Finally, her scattered mind began to clear.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. Not only is it opening, but invitations for a tea party at the Second Prince’s palace are also being sent out!”
Ashlyn clenched her hands tightly.
This announcement caused the previously quiet Imperial Palace to buzz with excitement. The Second Prince, having recovered from his illness, declared that he would hold a tea party to show that he was alive and well.
‘I need to see Erdan.’
Ashlyn hurriedly walked off.
“Have you seen Merisa?”
“She was in the study earlier.”
She had been searching for Merisa, who had been absent all morning.
Merisa was reading in the study. Ashlyn entered abruptly and immediately spoke.
“Merisa, could you take me as your attendant to the Second Prince’s palace?”
“What are you talking about?”
Merisa’s eyes widened as she looked up from her book.
“You’re going to the Second Prince’s palace tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, for the tea party.”
Ashlyn took a step closer to her.
“If you haven’t chosen an attendant yet, may I accompany you?”
“Well, it’s not difficult…”
Merisa seemed a little surprised by Ashlyn’s sudden request.
But after a moment of thought, she readily agreed. It was an easy request to fulfill, though her eagerness was somewhat odd.
“Alright.”
Ashlyn smiled in relief.
“Thank you, Merisa.”
“No need to thank me. If you’re free later, you can help me pick out a dress for the return banquet.”
“I’ll do that.”
Ashlyn left the room, telling Merisa she’d bring snacks later.
‘Erdan…’
The tray in Ashlyn’s hand grew cold. The words of the information broker echoed in her mind.
‘He tried to kill himself, the Second Prince.’
It wasn’t Kardane.
It was Erdan.
He had tried to take his own life.
Why?
Suddenly, Ashlyn noticed the mirror hanging on the wall.
The face of the maid, now familiar.
Her face, no longer one of a twin to Erdan, but her own.
‘Why? Do I really not know the reason?’
Ashlyn thought bitterly. It almost sounded like Erdan’s voice speaking inside her head.
“…”
Her throat tightened. A pain pierced her nose. A warmth began to burn in her eyes.
Ashlyn was a ghost.
Dead, yet unable to move on.
There was no longer a place for Ashlyn in the Imperial Palace. Nor was there in the Duke’s mansion. It was only natural.
A ghost must leave.
‘But Erdan, you’re not like that.’
He was still alive, but he drifted aimlessly, like a ghost. Her other half, who hadn’t been able to move on from Ashlyn’s death for over a year.
She had decided to move on from the past. Erdan, too, needed to do the same.
Ashlyn hoped Erdan wouldn’t remain fixated on his death.
‘For that to happen…’
Ashlyn bit her lip.
The only way to prevent Erdan from giving up on himself was to show him that Ashlyn Bertania was still alive.
“Rosebel Maid!”
Ashlyn stopped in her tracks at the call of her name.
It was late afternoon, the sun beginning to set, and she was passing by the training hall, carrying the insomnia medicine.
Another one.
A sigh escaped her.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Have you had your meal?”
Arthas suddenly asked, having spotted Ashlyn from a distance and run toward her, his breath slightly heavy.
“Yes. But what’s the matter?”
“Ah, the matter…”
He acted like someone who hadn’t expected such a question. His green eyes flickered as they landed on Ashlyn’s hands.
“Let me carry that for you. It looks heavy.”
It was just a packet of insomnia medicine.
“I’m fine, Sir. You must be busy, you should head back…”
“Just let me walk you there! I have some business to take care of, and I figured I might as well accompany you.”
His tone was desperate, like someone who had been drowning.
Ashlyn was curious now. Why did this knight keep following her?
This had been happening for days.
Every time she passed by the training hall, he appeared out of nowhere, always anxious like a puppy in need of attention.
“…Is it not okay?”
His thick brows drooped in disappointment. Ashlyn sighed lightly.
“It can’t be helped.”
“Thank you! Maid!”
He smiled widely, showing a slight tooth.
They walked together. Ashlyn moved quickly, while Arthas walked very slowly. But with the burden she carried, Ashlyn ended up matching his pace.
“Where are you from, Maid?”
“I’m from the north.”
“Ah, the north. Quite a distance. Do you know that there’s an old mine on the way there…”
He kept babbling about random things, his earlobes turning red with embarrassment. Ashlyn just played along, feeling a warm breeze pass by.
“I see… Ah, we’re here. Thank you for carrying it, Sir.”
When they arrived at the agreed location, she handed him the medicine.
Arthas looked back, disappointed.
“Maid.”
“Yes?”
“Could you…?”
“…?”
“Could you consider making me your friend?”
This was completely out of the blue. Ashlyn furrowed her brow.
A friend? What was this knight talking about?
“What?”
“Well, if you don’t want to be friends, maybe just a subordinate or a servant, or something like that.”
Arthas babbled, nervously glancing around. Ashlyn couldn’t help but think for a moment.
He wasn’t very quick to pick up on things. But the way his ears were red, and the awkward tone in his voice, made her wonder if he was…
“Sir, if I’m wrong, please tell me.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
She feared it might sound like overconfidence, but if she was wrong, she would just laugh it off.
“You’ve been carrying my things, talking to me constantly, and now suddenly asking to be friends… Do you perhaps have feelings for me…?”
She couldn’t finish the sentence.
The moment she spoke, his face turned as red as her hair, and she didn’t need an answer.
“D-did it show that clearly? It can’t be! It’s not that!”
He covered his mouth with his arm, stumbling back.
Then, after a moment of thought, he stopped, turned back, and hurriedly approached Ashlyn again.
His tall figure cast a shadow over her.
“I… I didn’t think I’d be found out…”
His eyes flickered with nervousness as he gulped down dry air, bending slightly toward her.
“It’s true. I’ve fallen for you at first sight, Maid.”
It was a voice that Ashlyn had never heard before, quiet and full of emotion. She was taken aback and stepped back.
They stood in silence for a brief moment.
The one to break the silence was, of course, Arthas. He waved his hands frantically and backed away.
“Of course, I don’t want to burden you! If you don’t like it, just tell me! I won’t stay here… well, I’ll try to be more restrained!”
“…”
“Ah… when I said ‘if you don’t like it’… I didn’t mean that. I just hope you won’t say it…”
His face dropped in disappointment.
“Sir, I’m a maid.”
Ashlyn spoke calmly. For a moment, Arthas blinked at her.
“What’s wrong with that?”
He truly looked confused.
It felt strange.
“…Thank you for carrying my things.”
Ashlyn said, lost for words. She quickly left the scene, trying to escape from the strange atmosphere. As she walked away, she heard Arthas shout after her.
“Thank you for talking with me today! Maid, eat well, sleep well, and be careful!”
It felt like a giant dog was chasing after her.
Ashlyn quickened her pace, still feeling the warmth of the package Arthas had carried.
‘What a strange person.’
That was the only thing she could think. He was truly odd.
No one had ever shown her affection like that before. She had been a princess, and anyone who courted her did so for political reasons.
Ah, there was one.
Someone who loved her sincerely without asking for anything in return.
‘Of course, that love wasn’t mine.’
Ashlyn shook off the thought of that face. It was a luxury to even think about it.
Arthas, still standing there, watched Ashlyn disappear into the distance before turning back to finish his training.
“Want to grab a drink?”
“No, thanks.”
His comrade asked, but Arthas declined and left the Imperial Palace.
The day was quickly coming to an end.
As night fell, he walked down a dark alley outside the palace. It was a narrow, grimy path that no one would think to visit.
Creak.
Arthas pushed open a half-rotten door. It was a familiar, easily overlooked door, but he seemed to know it well.
“Oh, Arthas!”
A man in a long robe greeted him from inside. Arthas stepped into the room, seemingly hypnotized.
“Tatulan, I’m back.”
Arthas smiled widely, showing his crooked tooth.
