Chapter 58
The maidservant stopped walking instead of answering Prince Declan’s subsequent question.
They were now in the middle of a thicket. This was evidence that the village was not far off.
The ground was all muddy from the rain that had poured down the day before, but it posed no problem for walking. Damp weeds, wet with dew, gently cushioned their feet. All of this felt wondrous to Prince Declan now.
However, Prince Declan’s observations slowly subsided as he met the maidservant’s cold gaze. Maeve stared intently at him for a moment without saying anything. But the thought that there was no point in giving a threatening warning to this Prince Declan, who was more than pure and acting cheerfully, made her close her mouth and turn away.
“It’s a sensitive question, isn’t it? I’m sorry. I once heard the Nursemaid say that commoners are full of orphans. That must be a complete lie too.”
“It’s not exactly like that…”
Maeve finally couldn’t hold back and turned her body around again.
Squish, splash, she walked toward Prince Declan, unhesitatingly stepping on the damp grass.
“We shouldn’t be talking about things like this right now, Prince Declan.”
“…Ah, right. We were talking about traps. Were you originally a hunter?”
“No, I mean we shouldn’t be spending time prying into my background like this.”
“…I’m not prying. I’m just curious. Did it feel that way?”
Maeve stared blankly at Prince Declan for a moment, looking speechless. Then, she looked up at the empty air with a face that suggested she was processing a great deal of thought.
“What’s there?”
Prince Declan followed her lead and looked in the exact direction she was staring.
Maeve let out a deep sigh that seemed to originate from her core.
“Let’s only talk about the future.”
“Alright. You don’t like talking about yourself much. I’ll remember that. Then, is there anything you’re curious about regarding me?”
After some thought, Maeve turned her body and looked directly at Prince Declan.
“Your Highness,”
Maeve continued, addressing the face that showed not a hint of doubt or caution.
“You need to learn how to suspect and be wary of people.”
Prince Declan truly widened his eyes, as if he had heard something nonsensical.
“I’ve always done that. I’ve been wary of everyone, including you… ever since we left.”
“Discriminating based on origin isn’t being wary.”
“Discrimination? That’s not discrimination. It’s only natural. Being wary of outsiders is a basic essential quality for the ruling family of a land. I didn’t personally insult them or anything.”
“I’m not pointing out that part. You weren’t wary of Colm and me just because we are Lutea natives.”
“Because not only are you two Lutea people, but you also didn’t look… threatening! I thought the worst you’d do, if you plotted anything, would be stealing some items.”
Prince Declan revealed his blatant displeasure at Maeve’s tone, which seemed to be trying to lecture him, and even raised his voice.
“Of course, I see you differently now, but still! Anyway, so in conclusion? That coachman and you are the only ones left by my side, aren’t you? My judgment isn’t wrong. Those mercenaries were suspicious from the start.”
“That’s not true. After driving out the attendant, you relied on Fionechta, didn’t you? You followed everything he said.”
“That wasn’t following…! It was acceptance. I accepted the opinion of a subordinate as a superior.”
“If we nitpick like this over every single thing, we won’t be able to have a conversation.”
At Maeve’s sighing remark, Prince Declan’s face began to flush red.
“…So, what exactly is it you want to tell me?”
Prince Declan hurried to catch up behind Maeve as she walked ahead and asked.
“You shouldn’t continue acting that way in the future. You shouldn’t trust anyone.”
“Without you needing to teach me, I learned a proper lesson about mistrust this time.”
“Don’t carelessly talk about yourself to others. That’s fundamental.”
“I haven’t.”
“You just asked me if I was curious about you.”
“Because it’s you! Of course I did because it’s you. Now you are the only person I can trust!”
Was this really something to raise his voice over?
Given that he had almost died twice and barely survived, Prince Declan began to feel resentment beyond mere displeasure.
Prince Declan truly wanted to be good to this loyal and admirable maidservant. However, the maidservant did not look impressed by his words at all.
“That’s the problem,”
She said this with a sigh.
“Fine. You want me to put up a wall? Ah, I’ll do that then. Right. You are just a maidservant I employ. If you’re a maidservant, don’t dare walk ahead of me.”
Prince Declan strode forward, huffing, as if he finally understood what she was trying to say.
It was childish.
Truly childish.
And he was well aware of that himself.
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