Chapter 8
Letting the kitten back out onto the streets would only lead to the same fate. But taking full responsibility for it was also a heavy burden, especially when Ayla’s own future remained uncertain.
Still, that didn’t mean she could ignore it.
Ayla looked into the kitten’s bright, trusting eyes that never once strayed from her. She let out a deep sigh.
“What else can I do? I’ll do what I can.”
As she gently stroked its black fur, she continued in a soft voice.
“First, you need a name. Let’s see…”
After a short moment of thought, her eyes widened slightly.
“How about ‘Bam’? Not because of your fur color, but because it reminds me of the night I like so much.”
“Mewww.”
The kitten meowed a little longer this time, almost as if it was responding to her suggestion. It sounded like approval, and Ayla let out a quiet laugh.
“Good. From now on, you’re Bam.”
“Mew.”
“Yes, Bam. I’ll find a way to get you somewhere safe.”
She was just about to offer more comforting words when a loud knocking suddenly interrupted.
Bang bang bang bang.
“My lady! Are you in there?”
A sharp, irritated voice came through the door. Startled, Ayla instinctively stood up and shielded the kitten with her body.
The voice belonged to her nanny, Natalie, who pushed the door open without permission.
“What are you doing coming in so late?”
“It’s not that late. It’s just past six.”
“Oh heavens. Do you not understand why that’s a problem? I told you you need to be in bed by seven. Staying up late ruins your skin.”
As Natalie grumbled and shut the door behind her, Ayla glanced quickly behind her and let out a quiet breath of relief.
Thank goodness. He hid just in time.
Startled by the knocking, the kitten had already burrowed deep beneath the blanket.
Natalie stepped fully into the room and began talking in her usual sharp tone.
“You didn’t forget today was inspection day, did you? People are waiting. You can’t just show up this late. It’s thoughtless.”
Ayla pressed her lips together and silently swallowed a sigh.
One of the changes after her debutante was this so-called regular inspection. Once a week, she had to let Natalie confirm that she remained a proper and untouched noble lady. After she got engaged, the inspections had increased to twice a week.
“Can’t we just skip today? I’m really tired.”
“That’s what I should be saying, my lady. After all the fuss you caused, I thought you’d be home early today, but you came back later than usual. Honestly, I’m speechless. Did that handsome face of his make you soften up or something?”
“No. It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it? I have to report the inspection results to the Duke, you know.”
Natalie’s condescending tone made Ayla change her mind. The faster she got this over with, the sooner she could send the woman away.
“Fine. Let’s get it over with.”
Ayla unfastened her cloak and placed it carefully on the bed, subtly covering the spot where the kitten was hiding. She silently prayed Bam would stay quiet and still.
Then, reluctantly, she walked toward the bathroom where Natalie was waiting.
The next morning.
Ayla slowly opened her eyes as something rough brushed against her cheek.
Blinking sleepily, she saw Bam licking her face. A small smile formed at the corner of her lips.
“Did you sleep well, Bam?”
As if to answer, the kitten rubbed its head against her cheek again. The gesture made her laugh softly.
She remembered a young lady at a ball once saying she was raising a puppy. Now she could understand why someone would want to do that.
Then Ayla noticed how high the sun was already and realized she had overslept. She sat up quickly.
“You must be hungry. Just a minute.”
She got out of bed and walked over to the table. Thankfully, she still had some chicken left from last night, which she had secretly brought from the kitchen for the kitten.
She tore the unseasoned chicken into small pieces and piled them onto a saucer. With a bowl of water, she placed the food in front of Bam.
“Here you go. Eat up.”
With a loud purr, Bam dove straight into the food and began eating with an enthusiastic chorus of smacks and crunches.
The sight made Ayla feel both amused and content, and she watched him for a while with a gentle expression.
Then, from the open window, the sound of a carriage outside caught her attention. She instinctively turned toward it.
“Who could be here at this hour…?”
It was far too early for visitors.
Standing by the window, Ayla watched a carriage roll through the courtyard and stop in front of the main estate. As she peered more closely, she recognized the man stepping out. Her breath caught.
Golden hair glittering in the morning light, the man who had arrived was none other than her fiancé, Rodrigo Esteban.
Rodrigo followed the butler through the Everett residence with a tight jaw and a restless gaze.
“I should have been more careful.”
His tongue ran over his dry lips, filled with regret. But beneath that regret, frustration simmered.
“How long am I supposed to wait for a woman who won’t even let me hold her hand?”
At first, he had found Ayla’s innocence charming. Over time, it began to feel irritating.
Everywhere he went, women adored him. But Ayla treated him with cool politeness, sometimes even with detachment. That indifference triggered something stubborn in him.
“Just wait. I’ll make that proud lady kneel before me someday.”
Rodrigo had no shortage of confidence.
He had the strength of a knight, trained in swordsmanship, and a face handsome enough to make women gasp with one look.
And yet, no matter what he said or did, Ayla Everett never responded.
She didn’t try to please him, didn’t go out of her way to look pretty for him. She always greeted his words with the same composed smile.
It was like trying to fill a cracked vase with water.
Even so, he couldn’t give up. He couldn’t let go. His bruised pride needed something to latch onto, so he began seeking comfort elsewhere.
“That was foolish. I should have waited. At least until after the wedding.”
Just as he ran a hand down his face in frustration, the butler stopped in front of a large door and gave him a short glance. After a brief knock, he opened the door and bowed.
“Please go in, Lord Rodrigo. The Duke is expecting you.”
“Thank you.”
Rodrigo nodded with courtesy and stepped into the room.
“Lord Rodrigo. What brings you here in such a hurry?”
The Duke’s voice came at him like a blade. Marcus Everett’s displeasure was clear from the very first word.
Rodrigo hadn’t even reached the desk where Marcus was seated.
Furious inside at the cold reception, he quickly bowed his head.
“I apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I deeply regret causing you concern, Your Grace.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow at the sudden apology.
He remained silent for a moment, then responded with a tone that bordered on a lecture.
“Men having their fun is no crime. But doing so when you’re about to marry my daughter is a different matter.”
“I acted thoughtlessly. I sincerely apologize, Your Grace.”
“Ayla was very upset. Be sure not to come here again because of something like this.”
“Then… does this mean the engagement still stands?”
Rodrigo’s expression brightened, a little too obviously. Marcus’s face immediately darkened.
“Engagement? What are you talking about?”
“My lady asked me to sign an annulment document. I assumed you had approved it…”
“I may have said something to calm her down. I didn’t expect her to take it seriously.”
“I see. Thank goodness. I really thought she meant it…”
Rodrigo let out a relieved breath, but as Marcus’s expression remained frozen, he quickly corrected his tone.
“Either way, I’ll make things right with her, Your Grace.”
“That would be best. If the marriage falls through because of your actions, the consequences will be yours to bear.”
Marcus’s voice was icy.
Rodrigo nodded hurriedly.
“I assure you, that will not happen.”
“That remains to be seen. For now, you may leave.”
“What? Yes, of course. I will take my leave then.”
The door closed behind Rodrigo before he could say more.
He stood in the hallway, flushed with humiliation. Never before had he been treated so coldly.
What made it worse was that he now had to flatter and win over that haughty noblewoman just to fix things.
“Damn it. All this because of one woman…”
His anger surged.
And just then, as if on cue, Ayla appeared before him.
