Chapter 59
“Wh-what…!”
The voice was low and dark, but it was also familiar.
Covering her ears and turning around, she saw that, as expected, it was Van. His long, waterfall-like hair was neatly tied back, and instead of his clanking armor, he wore a light training outfit.
“Aren’t you the maid of Father Payne?”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
Was Van, Duvalkan’s friend, really the type to lurk behind people? Ashtel’s eyebrows shot up but fell again at the mention of ‘Payne’s maid’.
Suppressing a grimace, she cleared her throat and asked, “I came to find Sir Duvalkan. Is he not here?”
“Oh, if it’s Diar…”
Van instinctively turned his head towards the direction of the accommodation.
“He’s probably in his room.”
“In his room?”
“Yes, in the accommodations.”
Aha. So, despite saying he’d be at the training grounds at this time, he’s still lounging in his room?
Ashtel’s crimson eyes narrowed. As the rabbit-like woman crossed her arms, showing her displeasure, Van’s usually stern expression softened into a faint smile.
“If you have something to discuss, you should go and see him. If it’s you, the maid, he’ll let you in.”
“…Really?”
It was quite humiliating to be wandering around like this because of a mere human, but she decided to proceed. Ashtel gave Van a light nod of thanks and moved towards the accommodation he had indicated.
‘This place is different from where Payne used to live.’
It was different in quite an obvious way.
“Oh, is that you, Maid Sue?”
“May the grace of Katzel be with you!”
“Have a day of divinity and temperance!”
“Good afternoon, Maid!”
“Ah, yes…”
The level of enthusiasm was excessive. Even though they were priests and should be as composed as the followers of Katzel, everywhere she went, people greeted her or waved with broad, toothy smiles.
‘What’s going on?’
While she tried to maintain her composure, someone called out to her from down the hallway.
“Maid!”
This time, there was no need for surprise. It was the voice of someone she was not only familiar with but dearly cherished.
“Payne?”
“What on earth are you doing here?”
That was exactly what Ashtel wanted to ask.
‘Why is Payne here at the knight’s quarters?’
Perhaps it was fate that brought them together like this.
“I’m here to see Sir Duvalkan.”
“…What? Sir Duvalkan?”
“Yes! But why are you here?”
Payne’s dark pupils briefly flickered before stabilizing.
“I’m here for an inspection of the accommodations. Another priest will be arriving shortly.”
“Oh.”
Ashtel groaned. It seemed to be in the same vein as the inspection of belongings at the central gate.
‘So, they’re even inspecting the accommodations!’
If that was the case, wouldn’t it also apply to her things with Duvalkan?
Naturally, Ashtel’s complexion turned pale.
Unlike usual, she didn’t say another word to Payne and quickly turned to leave.
“W-well then, I’ll be going!”
“Wait… Maid!”
Payne reached out impulsively but withdrew his hand.
Why is she looking for Sir Duvalkan? When did she become acquainted with Sir Duvalkan? He had asked her to…
The many questions that almost spilled out were silenced when her lush brown hair disappeared around the corner.
Payne sighed and rubbed his forehead before shaking his head.
‘It’s just unnecessary worry.’
At first, he felt uneasy seeing Ashtel here.
‘Could it be that she’s following me?’
Recently, when his excitement started to build up, he had been led to a secluded place by her, but there was no need to follow him into a knight’s quarters where such things wouldn’t happen.
So, he had intended to say something to her, but she had unexpectedly come searching for Duvalkan.
‘…It wasn’t me.’
Indeed, it was a misunderstanding. Even if it was Ashtel, she wouldn’t be watching him all day—although, technically, that was true.
He felt both embarrassed and apologetic, but more than that, an inexplicable discomfort lingered.
Why? What was it?
“Why is Sir Duvalkan…”
But there was no way to ask the person whose hair had already vanished from view.
Payne stared down the corridor for a while before moving on.
* * *
When Ashtel finally arrived at the entrance of Duvalkan’s quarters, she was able to find him.
“Maid Sue?”
“Sir!”
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