Chapter 96
Suddenly, she felt a pang of guilt for always calling him just ‘wyvern’.
‘Even a person has a name.’
To get around more quickly, Maya mulled it over.
“…We work well together, and calling you just ‘Wyvern’ doesn’t feel right anymore. How about I give you a name?”
At Maya’s words, the wyvern responded with an approving cry, adding a gentle flutter to his flight, as if in a good mood.
“Since you’re a wyvern, how about ‘Yvern’?”
Of course, the wyvern, unaware of how terrible Maya’s naming skills were, was thrilled with the suggestion.
Tristan, on the other hand, quietly kept his silence. While he adored Maya, he couldn’t bring himself to appreciate her naming abilities.
***
As soon as they entered, Tristan guided Maya to the sitting room connected to the bedroom.
“I’m sorry you couldn’t enjoy the banquet.”
Tristan seated Maya on the sofa and carefully examined her arm.
“To be honest, it was dangerous.”
Tristan frowned.
“I thought I was staying neutral enough.”
Maya muttered, embarrassed, recalling how Tristan had somehow come to her side without her noticing.
Really, she needed to learn how to control her expressions better. She felt so guilty toward Tristan.
“How could I not notice when I’m always watching you?”
Tristan lightly placed his hand on Maya’s arm, and a small smile crept onto Maya’s previously tense face.
The tickling sensation made Maya swallow hard, trying to change the subject.
“Your healing power seems stronger than before.”
It was true. Maya was healing much faster than when Tristan had last treated her, and she even felt invigorated.
“I definitely felt it during the fight. I’m curious—what’s your secret, Tristan?”
This was something even Tristan hadn’t fully figured out yet.
“I’ve been training more, but nothing else has changed significantly. If there’s one thing that’s different…”
Tristan’s fingers brushed the scar near Maya’s lips.
“It’s your presence.”
“…I doubt I’ve caused such a significant change.”
“You never know. Now, give me your left ankle.”
“You saw that too? I barely twisted it.”
She had slightly twisted her ankle when landing from the wyvern onto the wolf’s neck.
She thought she had completely hidden the injury, but Tristan had somehow noticed it as if he were a ghost.
“And the banquet? It doesn’t matter. I enjoyed our private banquet together much more.”
“Was that person someone you met at the banquet?”
“Yes, Serene Baker.”
“Serene Baker, hm.”
He had suspected as much from her appearance, and it seemed he was right.
However, Tristan wasn’t particularly fond of Serene being associated with Count Baker.
Though it was true that Serene Baker had helped Maya earlier, Tristan couldn’t bring himself to trust her, given that she was the daughter of Count Baker.
‘And if what’s recorded in the ledger is true…’
Count Baker, along with Reserfield, was not only responsible for the deaths of Tristan’s parents but also Doshen’s husband.
It was better to keep Maya from getting close to the daughter of such a person.
‘Though we need to confirm whether it’s true or not…’
How long it would take to uncover the truth without alerting Reserfield was anyone’s guess.
It was best to warn Maya ahead of time in case it became dangerous.
“Maya, Count Baker has a bad reputation. It would be best to keep your distance.”
“I will keep my distance from Count Baker.”
“If you visit Serene Baker, you won’t be able to avoid encountering the count.”
“But Serene Baker doesn’t share the same views as Count Baker.”
It was a surprising rebuttal.
Though they had been separated, Tristan, who had been keeping up with high society’s rumors, and Maya were different.
Tristan, sensing Maya was still unaware of the situation, calmly explained.
“Everyone knows Count Baker treasures Serene Baker and cares for her deeply.”
Rumors of Count Baker’s intense affection for Serene were widespread in high society.
“No.”
Again, denial.
Maya looked Tristan in the eyes as she spoke.
“She said she wants to get away from him.”
This was news to Tristan.
“Serene Baker told me that herself, and I really want to help her.”
What Maya said next was something unexpected from someone who had just left a banquet.
Now that he thought about it, they had been alone on the terrace for some time.
Had they met to discuss such matters?
“No one understands better than I do that just because you share blood doesn’t mean you’re family.”
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