Chapter 52
Inwardly, Kiara repeated to herself:
‘I’ve done all I can.’
Kiara squeezed her eyes shut.
For a long moment, no words came from Ael, but there was nothing more she could do. She could only hold her breath and wait for his decision.
Time passed as if frozen, until finally Ael spoke.
“They say the eclipse will end soon.”
Kiara opened her eyes and bowed her head, focusing on his words. Then she heard his indifferent voice again.
“The head maid Raelin Verhenan’s sentence will be decided after the eclipse ends.”
“Th-then…”
Kiara quickly lifted her head and looked at Ael. Her red eyes seemed to sparkle unusually brightly, and Ael, fixing his gaze on her, finally spoke.
“Until then, I’ll relieve the head maid of her duties and have her focus solely on taking care of you.”
“…What?”
Kiara, who had maintained her composure quite well until now, showed a noticeably flustered expression.
This was because she remembered Raelin’s answer to her question about whether it was difficult to handle both caring for her and the head maid duties.
‘It’s never easy, but it’s the job I’ve been given.’
Even though she said it wasn’t easy, her face had been full of a bright smile, which left a strong impression on Kiara.
It was only after hearing Ael’s words earlier that she understood that smile. Raelin took great pride in her work.
And yet, now she was to be removed from her position as head maid.
“T-There’s no need to go that far. If you’re worried I won’t take proper care of myself…”
Kiara tried to argue, but Ael’s firm attitude didn’t seem likely to soften. In fact, he went further and added:
“But under no circumstances is she to enter this room.”
“…What?”
“I told you, her loyalty is too strong.”
“…Isn’t that a good thing?”
Kiara recalled how Raelin had come to bring her food despite Ael’s orders. But after hearing his next words, Kiara finally conceded.
“From Raelin’s perspective, I’m the one who overthrew the king she was so devoted to. I’m practically an enemy.”
“Ah…”
“But if that enemy could freely come and go at will in her residence… what do you think would happen?”
At Ael’s question, Kiara nodded. She understood perfectly without needing further explanation. Still, she frowned slightly and asked cautiously.
“…Where exactly is your…residence, Ael?”
Ael furrowed his brows and stared at her, making Kiara flustered and wave her hands nervously.
“Ah, no, if it’s a secret, then there’s really no need to say…”
“Then why do you think I brought even the servants here to do the cleaning and laundry?”
“…What?”
She frowned briefly, then tilted her head and murmured.
“…Is this room… dirty? But I did clean it thoroughly.”
“Hah.”
He let out a weary sigh and, with a bitter expression, asked again.
“Why do you think I crawled in here even though I was injured?”
“…Ah.”
Kiara blinked. Having lived in the forest, she had seen it from time to time — wounded animals always hide themselves in a shelter. People must be the same, right?
“Yes. My residence is here in this very last room of the northern tower.”
Ael’s statement was so definitive it seemed to answer her question, but Kiara couldn’t understand it at all. She had heard that Ael had occupied Altnebra. She didn’t know what had happened to the former king, Blane, but in any case, Ael was now in control.
“Surely you could have chosen a more comfortable or better place to live…”
Somewhere that wouldn’t require servants to struggle carrying bathwater and such.
Kiara murmured her doubt, and Ael chuckled softly, replying almost jokingly.
“My soulmate is here.”
“Ah… I see…”
Though she nodded, she wasn’t entirely convinced. But it wasn’t completely incomprehensible either. Previously, Ael had told her to stay inside the room. If his soulmate was hurt or sick, he could also be in danger.
So in the end, she had to always stay close.
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