CHAPTER 42…….
The horses neighed brightly and began to run.
Lloyd, watching the scenery change outside the window, began to think over the specific list of gifts.
For Ayla, there would be a dollhouse, new clothes, shoes, and accessories.
He also had to think of gifts for Minerva and Aslan.
No matter what, they’ve taken care of Ayla for two whole weeks. It wouldn’t feel right to go back empty-handed, so I should buy something for the lady and Aslan too.
Aslan’s gift was easy to decide—matching clothes with Ayla, but in a different color. It would look quite cute.
Especially the lady—she’d think it’s adorable.
The problem was Minerva’s gift.
She had said she didn’t need jewelry—if Ayla saw it, she might get the wrong idea.
Clothes would feel like something a suitor would give, and flowers would wilt on the way home, not to mention they were too cheap.
Thinking about her usual appearance, Minerva didn’t seem to lack for anything.
This is maddening.
He had plenty of money, but nothing to give.
He pictured her as she usually was.
She didn’t seem to favor hair ornaments—he’d never seen her long hair adorned with accessories.
And rings… she didn’t wear those either.
Probably because she didn’t like fussy things.
She rarely wore necklaces.
The only accessory she wore regularly was earrings.
Earrings?
Yes, earrings! Something you could have more than one pair of—never a bad gift.
He remembered she often wore quite splendid earrings even in the palace.
She was a princess; he couldn’t just give her anything.
Then he recalled an item he’d recently acquired.
Suddenly, he was busy—if he didn’t hurry, he might be late.
Still, just imagining the happy faces waiting for him filled him with excitement.
I wonder what they’re doing right now.
Hopefully, everything was fine there.
Wanting to return as quickly as possible, Lloyd kept his eyes on the city ahead.
And someone in the palace was watching him.
The Emperor.
Standing on a terrace, he murmured to himself as he watched the carriage that had just left the palace.
“Suspicious.”
The more he thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.
Lloyd Eckhart was not the type to act for the sake of others.
And yet, for Minerva, he was going to such trouble?
He said they’d gotten acquainted…
And Minerva tutoring Lloyd’s child? Given her personality, she wouldn’t do that just because of a small favor.
A thought flashed in the Emperor’s mind.
They’ve fallen for each other!
So that was why Lloyd wanted to bring Minerva to the Duchy of Eckhart.
The Emperor grinned to himself, nodding over and over.
Yes, yes, that explains everything. Those two—after making such a fuss about not wanting to marry.
Who could have guessed they’d been secretly nurturing a romance out of sight?
With that thought, the Emperor reinterpreted Lloyd’s request.
Moving Minerva’s residence to the Duchy—what he really meant was:
I’ll support the princess, so help me restore Minerva’s position.
Lloyd had spoken in roundabout terms in case there were listening ears.
The Emperor’s face lit up.
A request like that—of course I’ll grant it.
He had wanted Minerva’s reinstatement himself.
But it had been difficult—her supporters among the noble houses had scattered. If the Duchy of Eckhart backed her, it would be a great boost.
It felt like an unexpected windfall.
With a light step, the Emperor returned to his office.
He summoned an aide and gave an order.
“Find Minerva’s trial records, witnesses, and evidence—everything.”
It had been almost two weeks since Ayla came to our house.
Which meant Lloyd would be returning soon.
So I thought Ayla would be excited—but…
“Ayla, you seem down. Is something wrong?”
I asked the girl, who was idly holding a spoon, letting drops of soup fall.
She flinched at my question and dropped her spoon.
“Ah…!”
Clang. Before the clear sound had even faded, Flora was already bringing her a new spoon—quick as if she’d been watching Ayla more closely than I had.
Ayla blushed and bowed her head in embarrassment.
“Th-thank you.”
“It’s nothing, miss.”
After Flora withdrew, Ayla glanced at me and asked,
“Um, madam, I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
Her smile was obviously forced.
Had I made her uncomfortable somehow?
No… Yesterday she was just fine.
We’d done puzzles together, played with dolls.
She’d seemed perfectly okay then.
But now, overnight, she was so listless.
I’d seen her like this once before, but somehow this time felt different.
I decided to wait and see—and shook my head.
“Mm, never mind. It’s nothing—”
“No, Mom asked if something was wrong with you. She said you look sad.”
To my surprise, Aslan—whom I’d thought too focused on her salmon steak to listen—cut in suddenly.
Ayla blinked, startled, and stammered,
“M-me?”
Aslan, sauce smeared on her cheeks, nodded.
“I’m curious too. Last night I heard someone sniffling in your room, and—”
“N-no!”
So startled that she forgot her usual manners, Ayla jumped to her feet and shouted.
Aslan and I both stared, stunned.
Her face flushed bright red again, and she bolted from the table.
“I-I’m sorry… excuse me! I’ll get up now!”
“Wait, Ayla! You haven’t finished—”
I half-rose instinctively to stop her, but something told me I shouldn’t, and my voice trailed off.
Instead, I turned to Aslan and whispered,
“Aslan, did Ayla really cry last night?”
“I think so. I heard sniffles.”
Last night, Aslan had slept in my room for the first time in a while.
Which meant Ayla had spent her first night here alone.
I thought I knew the reason now.
She’d been placed in a strange home, but being with a friend had eased her anxiety. Then, sleeping alone for the first time, she must have felt lonely again.
It’s like camp—fun for a day or two, but after a week, you start wanting to go home and see your parents.
It’s why kids cry so much on the second night of campfires.
Partly because of the sentimental atmosphere, sure—but also because the closer it is to going home, the more they miss their parents.
Ayla must feel the same.
It had been nearly two weeks since she’d seen Eid.
She’d held up this long because she was mature for her age—another child would have been begging to go home already.
Unfortunately, the only real solution was for Eid to return quickly.
Until then, she could only distract herself by playing with friends.
I made a request to Aslan.
“Aslan, can you sleep with Ayla until Lord Mente comes?”
She nodded easily, though puzzled.
“Why?”
“I think she’s feeling lonely. Last night was your first night not sleeping together, right?”
“Why don’t you just sleep with her too?”
Aslan wanted to sleep with her friend, but also with me. She didn’t see the point in separating.
But Ayla still seemed a bit uncomfortable with me.
So I wanted to respect her personal space—at least when sleeping.
“She’s more comfortable with you than with me. Okay?”
Aslan, remembering Ayla’s tears, agreed brightly.
“Okay! I don’t want her to be lonely either.”
“Thank you, Aslan. You’re such a reliable girl.”
“Heh-heh. I am, aren’t I?”
Even a small compliment made her puff out her chest proudly.
I thought this would be enough for Ayla to cheer up by tomorrow night—but I soon learned I was wrong.
