YWPWYLFDM 15

Chapter 15

“…Why do you think that?”

At Aila’s question, Cloud’s face showed even stronger signs of fluster. His brown eyes trembled faintly, proof of his unease.

“Well… lately, you don’t eat meals with me, you don’t see me as much…”

She lowered her head as if sullen, though she kept stealing glances at Cloud’s reaction.

His discomfort was obvious at a glance. It seemed her strategy was working.

“That’s… it’s not your fault, my lady.”

After a long silence, Cloud finally managed to speak.

“Then why?”

Aila tilted her head pitifully, wearing a look so miserable that even she herself felt a shiver. But she couldn’t help it—if she wanted to draw out information, she had to play the part.

“…”

Instead of answering her relentless questioning, Cloud simply shut his mouth.

A little act of pity alone wasn’t enough to coax information from him.

“Why won’t you tell me? Is Father disappointed in me after all?”

Disappointed.

It was a word she had feared most in childhood. No, even until not long ago, it was a word that terrified her.

Byron and his men had used it like a magic spell whenever they wanted to control her.

But now, the one using that spell to control Cloud… was Aila herself.

“Impossible. How could he be disappointed? You work so hard for the master.”

The words burst from Cloud’s lips, shocking even himself into speaking when he had been holding his silence.

Yes. So tell me the reason already.

Wasn’t this poor girl trembling before him?

Of course, she wasn’t really Byron’s daughter but nothing more than a tool. She wasn’t truly his “lady” at all. But the fool had been the one to let emotions seep into his heart first.

So she had no choice but to exploit those emotions.

“I’m sorry. I cannot tell you why the master is acting that way. But I swear it is not because of you. That is the truth. Please, believe me.”

After what looked like long internal conflict, Cloud finally spoke. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the answer Aila wanted.

Tch. Didn’t work.

He was still as upright and stubborn as ever. She had known from the start it was a long shot, but she couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

And yet—how ridiculous it was for him to look at her with such sincere eyes, asking her to believe him.

Not that she doubted his words. From the beginning, the chances that she was to blame had been slim. That much she already knew.

But how could I possibly trust you? You’re the one who raised me as an assassin to kill my father.

Suppressing the urge to sneer, she rose to her feet.

“Fine. It can’t be helped. Let’s train now—I’ve rested enough.”

Showing tears here, or acting more pitiful, wasn’t like her.

Byron had hated her crying, so she had always tried not to cry—except when he punished her.

No, what suited her more was to work harder.

And besides, it was better to show enthusiasm if she wanted to stir Cloud’s guilt.

“…Yes.”

Just as she intended, Cloud’s face turned stricken with guilt.

It was a strange feeling. On one hand, it was amusing to see him move exactly as she willed. On the other, it left a sour taste.

How was she any different from Byron, manipulating someone else’s emotions like this?

For the first time, she felt the faint stirrings of guilt.

But she shook it off as she swung her dagger.

She had no room to worry about the heart of an enemy who sought her life—she could barely protect her own.

That night.

After finishing dinner early and letting Laura fuss over her hair, Aila sat on her bed, ready to turn in.

Without Byron draining her strength whenever they met, and without sneaking around at night to lose sleep, she should have been in better condition.

And yet, she felt strangely tired.

I guess exploiting people’s emotions just isn’t in my nature.

Had she gained something from it, she might not have minded. But she had worn herself out for nothing.

How had Byron managed to do this all his life? Had he ever felt even a flicker of guilt toward her?

No. If he had, he wouldn’t have dared to scheme something so brazen.

It was while she was mulling such thoughts, lying down in bed—

“What brings you here?”

Laura’s startled voice rang out. She had just locked the attic door when someone came knocking.

“…I’d like to speak with the young lady for a moment.”

Aila recognized the voice at once. She sat up straight.

It was Cloud.

At this hour?

Her heart raced with anticipation. Could it be that the trap she’d set earlier had finally snared its prey?

“What do you want to talk about?”

Laura’s voice grew sharp, worried that her overly softhearted uncle might cause trouble.

“It’s about training. It won’t take long. I’ll lock the door myself, so give me the key.”

Apparently unwilling to defy him, Laura’s keys jingled, then her footsteps retreated.

Though Aila couldn’t see her, she could imagine Laura’s furious expression. No doubt she would rush to Capella and tattle about Cloud’s visit.

“…Cloud? What brings you here?”

Though she had already guessed from his voice, Aila widened her eyes and feigned surprise.

Cloud approached her bedside without a word and pressed something into her hand.

“What is this?”

She tried to open her palm, but Cloud hushed her with a finger to his lips.

“Open it after I leave. What I’ve given you is a secret.”

He spoke with a solemn, earnest face. That only deepened Aila’s confusion.

What on earth was so secret?

“Good night, my lady.”

Having fulfilled his purpose, Cloud left with a satisfied look, locking the attic door behind him.

Left alone, Aila finally opened her hand.

And couldn’t stop a chuckle from escaping.

A candy?

Even if she had been raised as an assassin, a child was still a child. Even Byron, who so often wielded the whip, had occasionally tossed her a carrot in the form of sweets.

A round, beaded candy.

But now, Cloud had secretly slipped her one behind his master’s back.

I didn’t stir his pity for something as trivial as a candy…

How absurd.

Well… sometimes this isn’t so bad either.

Looking out at the quiet night beyond the window, Aila popped the candy into her mouth. Sweetness spread across her tongue as it rolled.

For that moment, she felt like a child again.

From far off in the forest, the howl of a wolf echoed.

After that, Aila kept trying from time to time, putting on her pitiful act in hopes of prying more out of Cloud.

But disappointingly, he seemed unwilling to give her anything beyond sweet candy.

So she was left to wonder why Byron had locked himself away in such a dark mood, with no answers.

Several days passed like that.

One day, training with Cloud outside the ruins as usual, she happened to spot a bird perched on the wall—one that looked oddly familiar.

…Isn’t that the same kind as the one from before?

It reminded her of the bird Cloud had swiftly snatched up not long ago. She hadn’t gotten a good look back then, it had all happened so quickly, but from what she recalled, its size and plumage were much the same.

And this one had a small note tied to its leg.

Cloud hasn’t noticed yet.

If only she could get to it first, without him knowing.

Her body almost ached with the urgency—at last, a clue to the riddle that had plagued her for so long was right before her eyes.

But maybe she had let her eagerness show too much.

Cloud turned to her with a questioning look, perhaps wondering why she kept peering past his shoulder.

…Mistake.

She shouldn’t have given herself away. Aila bit back her frustration.

“Train on your own for a while, my lady.”

Having spotted the bird, Cloud walked toward it. Pretending to focus on her dagger drills, Aila watched him from the corner of her eye.

As if waiting for him, the bird stretched out its leg the moment he approached.

Cloud untied the note and, without hesitation, disappeared into the building.

He was going to report the contents to Byron.

If I hurry to the window, maybe I can overhear their conversation…

Aila glanced around quickly.

Laura was away helping with her mother’s meal preparations, and the guards in the distance paid her no mind.

As long as she didn’t stray too far, they wouldn’t notice what she was up to.

Good. Then let’s go.