CHAPTER 87………………………….
How could a sound like that — the kind you’d expect from a back-alley boss cat — come from a child like that?
The knights clutched their ringing ears in pain, but their sense of duty burned strong as they protested.
“That’s absolutely not allowed!”
“No one goes in there without my or Mother’s permission!”
Aslan growled.
He had already experienced the destruction of a safe haven once before.
Because of that, he had become extremely sensitive about others trespassing on his territory.
And now — how was he supposed to trust a stranger he’d just met to step foot into the nest he shared with Minerva?
It’s not like he could go along to keep watch. Who knew what they might do in there?
Neither side was willing to yield even a little, and so the meaningless standoff dragged on.
Finally, Ayla couldn’t stand it anymore and made a suggestion.
“Then… what if we all go together?”
“All of us?”
“I don’t know exactly what it’s like outside, but since the knights are coming too, I don’t think it’ll be dangerous…”
Indeed, these were people chosen to protect the princess’s daughter and the duke’s young lady — all skilled individuals.
Even so, taking the children along didn’t seem right.
If anything were to happen, no number of excuses could save them.
The knights exchanged looks, each wearing a troubled expression, and then bowed their heads to Ayla.
“We’re sorry, my lady.”
“So it’s not possible, then…”
Ayla seemed to accept their words with a small nod.
The knights were relieved — thankful that the duke’s daughter was so understanding.
“But I still don’t like it.”
“P–Pardon?”
Who just said that?
Even seeing it with their own eyes, the knights couldn’t believe it.
Her usual gentle face had vanished — Ayla now looked just as sullen as Aslan, her lips set in a pout.
“I want to go out for a walk. I want some fresh air. It’s stuffy in here.”
“M–My lady?”
Their shocked expressions made Ayla feel a little guilty for bullying the poor knights… but calming Aslan down was more important right now.
“If you don’t take us, he’s going to cry. Really loud. So loud your ears will burst.”
“Even if he does…!”
Even after saying all that, they still wouldn’t give in.
So Ayla decided to bring out her secret weapon.
Think of something sad!
It had been a while since she’d cried for real, so she had to reach a bit into the past… but once she recalled it, tears came easily.
“Sniff…”
“My lady! Please, calm down—no, wait, that’s—!”
A true knight cannot stand idly by when a child cries — especially if that child is their lady.
And when that lady, usually so composed, suddenly began crying like a little girl… their resolve completely crumbled.
“A–Alright! You can come! Just please, don’t cry!”
“Really?”
Ayla instantly brightened, as though she’d never shed a tear.
They’d been tricked. The knights’ faces fell in dismay — and as soon as Ayla saw that, she teared up again.
“Wait… you were lying?”
Her tears dropped like pearls as her small fists trembled.
“You called me ‘Lady Ayla’… but I guess everyone thinks I’m easy to fool. Everyone always lies to me… sob.”
“N–Never! We would never dare do such a thing!”
“But you did! You said we could go together!”
Ayla glared accusingly at one of the knights, who was pushed aside by another, more panicked one.
“We’re going! Right now! Let’s move!”
The moment she got the answer she wanted, Ayla wiped away her tears, beaming.
Then she shot Aslan a sly grin as if to say, See that?
Aslan, impressed, thought to himself,
“That’s not throwing a tantrum… that’s blackmail.”
But, well, a win’s a win.
He secretly bumped fists with Ayla, and the two snickered together — looking for all the world like mischievous partners in crime.
Four knights went with them — two from inside the room and two who had been guarding the door.
The children led the way toward the annex.
Bang.
Without hesitation, Aslan burst through the door and ran straight into the bedroom.
His eyes lit up as soon as he spotted the lion plush sprawled across the bed.
“My toy!”
Hugging it tightly, he wore the happiest smile in the world.
The young knights couldn’t understand why that scruffy-looking stuffed animal meant so much to him.
“Let’s hurry back.”
Even if the children had thrown a fit, disobeying orders would bring hell upon them if discovered.
But Aslan pretended not to hear, distracted by a new idea.
Maybe I should take some of Mom’s clothes, too.
Come to think of it, not being able to smell his mother for so long probably explained why he’d felt so anxious earlier.
His body had been trembling for a while, too.
“Lord Aslan, we really must—!”
Ignoring the pleas behind him, Aslan dashed into the dressing room.
“Hmm… which one should I take?”
He rifled through the garments more carefully than when choosing a toy.
Most of them were too long and heavy for him to pull out on his own.
Then — something glinted, catching his eye.
That was it!
Mom’s favorite shawl!
He didn’t remember, but it was the very same shawl Minerva had worn when they first met.
It was light enough for him to carry by himself.
The anxious knights began to beg.
“Please, let’s go back now, my lord.”
He almost felt sorry for the grown men pleading with him like that.
With both the shawl and plushie in hand, Aslan was about to leave the dressing room when—
“…!”
He froze. There was a sound coming from the corner.
His sharp ears quickly identified it.
Breathing. Human breathing.
“Mom?”
He called out hopefully, but something was wrong.
There was a smell — earth, sweat, smoke.
No… Mom never smelled like that.
He instinctively stepped back.
“Lord Aslan?”
“Someone’s here.”
“…!”
He was staring at one wall thick with hanging clothes — a perfect hiding spot.
The knights drew their swords cautiously and exchanged looks before yanking the garments aside.
But before they could—
Thin needles flew at their necks.
“…!”
Thud.
Whatever poison was on them, it was fast — the knights collapsed without a sound.
Aslan gasped, dropping everything in his hands as he tried to bolt.
But a voice came from the shadows between the clothes, one he vaguely recognized.
“You were looking for your mother, weren’t you?”
At that voice, Aslan froze.
He had heard it before — at the inn, on that rainy day before coming to the duchy.
The name was…
“Who are you?”
“I’m your mother’s friend. My name’s Archibald.”
“Liar! Mom said you’re not her friend. I heard everything at the inn!”
“Oh, really? You’ve got good ears. Just like Gabriel.”
A man stepped out from the shadows — an ordinary-looking brown-haired man, the kind you could pass by without noticing.
Up close, though, his eyes gleamed with a strange fascination as he circled around Aslan.
Aslan tried not to turn his back on him, but that only led him farther from the door.
Click.
The dressing room door locked behind him.
No!
The way out was gone.
Outside, the heavy rain muffled all sound — Ayla and the knights waiting in the sitting room didn’t even realize the door was locked.
While Aslan’s face grew pale with dread, Archibald looked relaxed, studying him closely.
“Amazing… You really do look exactly like Minerva. No wonder she was so on edge that time — because of you.”
It was strange.
He didn’t look strong or scary — just… ordinary.
Then why won’t my body move?
His legs trembled uncontrollably.
Maybe because he’d just seen full-grown knights taken down in an instant by this man?
No… it wasn’t just fear. His body felt hot.
It hurt to breathe, and his skin stung all over.
Archibald smiled, clearly enjoying his terror.
“An unexpected prize, indeed.”
Then a large hand reached for Aslan’s face.
A damp cloth clamped over his mouth.
“Mmph!”
“Shhh. Quiet now. I won’t hurt you.”
Not until Gabriel decided how best to use him.
Aslan’s strength drained away, his body going limp.
Archibald tucked the child under his arm and opened the window.
He hadn’t found the ring.
But that didn’t matter — the whole point of finding it had been to erase Minerva’s chance at redemption.
With another bargaining chip in hand, the ring itself was meaningless.
Gabriel will be pleased, he thought.
Even as he kidnapped the child, his face flushed like that of a lovesick boy.
Just as he was about to climb out the window—
“Aslan, are you done yet?”
Ayla’s voice came from outside — impatient now.
“We really should go… huh? Why won’t this open?”
Realizing the door was locked, the air outside turned sharp and tense.
“Excuse us, my lady.”
Click. The lock was broken — the door burst open.
But Archibald was faster. He leapt out the window and vanished.
“Aslan!”
“Lord Aslan!”
When they entered, Aslan was already gone.
Two knights lay unconscious on the floor, thin needles protruding from their necks — proof of an intruder.
Ayla’s voice trembled as she shouted,
“S–Search the grounds! Close every gate in the castle, now!”
“Yes, my lady!”
Panic seized her.
Of all times — with no adults home, this had to happen.
She stamped her feet helplessly, then suddenly remembered something the maids had whispered before.
There’s still one adult left in the house.
The one Minerva and Lloyd had kept from meeting the children — the one everyone avoided mentioning in front of them.
Ayla took off running toward the main quarters.
