Chapter 32
Ayaran held up a fork and pushed it toward me.
“Say ah.”
I opened my mouth without protesting. Juicy meat melts in my mouth when I chew on the tender meat.
And gulped it down.
“Can you chew it well?”
Nod nod.
“Really? That’s a relief. Now, eat the vegetables.”
I sighed small and chewed the vegetables.
‘Why am I eating in the Imperial Palace all of a sudden?’
After changing my dress, we moved to the nobles lounge. Ayaran, who noticed my staggering steps, stopped walking.
I wondered how funny I must have looked when she buried her face in her hands and shook her shoulders like that. But I remained silent as I watched her.
That was until the sobbing sound burst out.
I had no idea what made her be this sad and soothed her by patting her back.
‘I’m sure you thought of me.’
Somehow, I felt sorry for her and kept comforting her. I even apologized for walking like a fool.
I was so puzzled when she cried louder upon hearing my words.
Please stop crying.
When I said I would do anything for her, Ayaran quickly opened her mouth as if she had been waiting for this chance.
Then let me take care of you
And that’s how I’m eating meat now.
“This is called Hakan, which was transported here after a trade deal with Royal Burn. It’s perfect for someone who can’t digest well like Navian.”
Ayaran, who pressured me with words, held out a fork and laughed.
“It’s really expensive. It’s so good for your health, so you have to eat it all.”
I ate it silently when I heard it.
‘I have to get healthy.’
When I was swallowing the tender meat, someone approached our table.
“You were here.”
It was Ulysse wearing his white medical attire and the captain guard.
“Aren’t you going to give a report?”
“It’s fruitless. I haven’t seen him since this morning.”
Ulysse, who held a thick report while sweeping his hair back, looked very tired.
“He had been working while waiting for the report, and he kept going away from his office. I heard he was busy all week….huh? The Duke’s lady?”
Ulysse, who just realized Ayaran’s presence, hurriedly greeted her.
“Pardon my late greeting. Have you been well, My Lady?”
“Nice to meet you, Lord Ulysse.”
Ayaran also waved at the Captain Guard.
“Long time no see.”
The Captain Guard smiled softly and bowed his head.
‘Do you know Aya, too?’
At this point, I was curious about how they met. While I was wondering if she knew him after I died, Ulysse asked.
“But isn’t that….Hakan?”
“Hakan?”
Ulysse explained to the clueless Captain Guard.
“It’s a rare animal that lives in the southwest. It is also used as a medicinal ingredient because it is effective to relieve illness. Even a 100 year old grandma jumps up after eating Hakan’s meat.”
“It seems very expensive.”
Come to think of it, didn’t they mention something about Hakan’s horn in the thieves’ guild hideout?
“It’s really Hakan. Do you have any problem with it?”
At Ayaran’s question, Ulysse asked again as if he truly couldn’t understand.
“But why are you feeding it to Navian….”
“Because Navian has to get healthy soon. Here, Navian, say ah..”
Ulysse and the Captain Guard looked even more puzzled.
Did you get this close during this short time?
I could feel from their gazes what they were thinking.
I don’t know. I just want to give her, do you have a problem with that?
Ayaran replied with that kind of gaze.
Even when this unspoken conversation took place, Ayaran kept shoving meat into my mouth and said.
“The festival will begin in two weeks. When are you going to enter the palace?”
I didn’t know that it had already been that long.
I was about to answer that I didn’t know, but I heard a loud cry.
“No!’
Everyone’s eyes were on Ulysse.
“I-It hasn’t been long since her health started to get better. She will need at least a few weeks to stabilize her condition.”
Ayaran asked as if she found it strange.
“She’ll have to attend this week to build a connection. As you can see, Navian doesn’t have any connection as of now.”
Ulysse only mumbled while clenching his fists.
“She’s not ready yet.”
Not ready for what?
“Ah! Is it because you’re worried about your younger sister meeting another noble? If that’s what you are concerned about, I have heard from the young ladies who attended the tea party that they liked Navian.
Ulysse’s expression became gloomy.
“…Did you say they liked Navian?”
“Claire, who was very shy, did not leave Navian’s side. She kept hugging Navian-”
“What! Hugging?!”
Ulysse shouted until veins were visible on his neck. Then the Captain Guard grabbed Ulysse’s shoulder and whispered.
“Young Master, pull yourself together. It’s the young ladies, not His Highness who hugged our lady.”
His Highness? Why would you bring up his name all of sudden?
“…Gosh. That’s right.”
However, Ulysse took a deep breath as if he was relieved by the Captain’s words. Ulysse, who became a little calm, asked Ayaran again.
“Is what you said true? A young lady, who was really shy and didn’t have many friends, liked Navian as soon as they met?”
“That’s right.”
“H-Hugging her too?”
“I’m telling the truth. She even linked her arms and kissed her cheeks.”
When I heard it, I asked Ayaran.
“How did you know that?”
“That’s what Elizabeth told me.”
I see. They must be really close then.
But I was surprised when I saw Ulysse’s expression. His face was red as if about to explode.
The Captain Guard once again grabbed Ulysse’s trembling shoulders and whispered.
“Young Master, pull yourself together. It’s not His Highness who did that.”
“You don’t get it at all! Even someone who didn’t have friends hugged and kissed Navian as soon as she saw her!”
Ulysse shouted and pointed to Ayaran.
“Look at the Duke’s lady! See how much she likes Navian to the point she feeds her on the first day they meet! Do you think His Highness would be any different!”
Then Ulysse muttered grimly.
“I knew I was right. As expected, His Highness fell in love with Navian at first sight. After showing off his knowledge, he ate Navian’s medicine and acted tough by breaking the needle.”
“…..”
I could see that the Captain Guard was speechless, and I glanced at Ayaran to see her reaction.
‘What if Ulysse was caught being a quack?’
I thought about how to cover up that crazy guy to save the family, but Ayaran opened her mouth.
“You have good eyes. As expected, you’re truly a genius who reads celestial energy.”
I couldn’t help but drop my jaw. My friend Ayaran was talking nonsense with a serious face.
“Don’t tell me My Lady feels the same way?”
“Of course. Anyone can tell if they heard what that crazy guy has been doing. The rumors have already spread, after all”
Ayaran put down the fork.
“I know what Lord Ulysse is worried about. I’ve seen countless times where someone was betrayed by a trusted friend, and where parents abandon their children for their own interest.”
“Pardon? Parents and children?”
Ayaran’s eyes turned cold when Ulysse asked her as if he couldn’t believe what he heard.
“Yeah. It’s not me, but I saw it happen to someone.”
And here I was listening to her talking about my parents so casually.
“Don’t worry about Navian. I and the young ladies who attended the tea party will stay by her side.”
“I’m glad to hear that, but may I know why are you going this far for my sister?”
“As Lord Ulysse said earlier, I fell in love with your sister at first sight, too.”
Ayaran laughed at Ulysse.
“In fact, what I was worried about was Navian’s family….but I was relieved to see Lord Ulysse. Because overprotectiveness is better than indifference.”
When Ulysse tilted his head in a daze, Ayaran added an explanation.
“I’m saying that you’re a good brother.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Ulysse was looking so pleased by her words.
At that time, Ayaran held my hand.
“I’m so relieved.”
About what?
“Those people weren’t your family.”
And at that time, I heard footsteps behind me.
“Is that you, Lord Ulysse?”
“Ah, Sir Elon. Are you on patrol? You’ve worked so hard every time.”
Upon hearing the familiar name, I focused my attention to hear the rest of the conversation.
“Lord Ulysse, why are you here instead of the medical office?”
“I’m here with my father. I have something to take care of.”
I felt someone’s gaze directed at my back, and a cold voice resounded a moment later.
“But that person…”
“Oh, she’s my…”
I turned my head to the sound that was asking about me. But Ayaran grabbed my hand and whispered.
“Don’t look back. He’s angry.”
Who is he?
“What a nice atmosphere.”
I was hardened to the cool voice from my side.
“Even though I’m in a bad mood.”
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