Chapter 11

“Lady, Lady!  You need to come out! It seems like a guest has arrived!

At the sound of the maid from outside, Aria barely opened her eyes.

She had gone to bed late the night before, and as she slightly furrowed her brows and moved her sluggish body, she felt the heaviness. As I stretched and got up from the narrow bed, the events of yesterday came back to me vividly. Aria shook her head to forget it and hurriedly pulled back the blanket that still held warmth.

Unlike when I was in the main building, the current room was bigger and warmer than back then. The cold air that used to creep in through the creaky gaps in the door, and the damp, rotten smell, were both absent.

Especially, this place had windows that were not seen in the existing attic.

Peering through the small window, I saw a cuckoo singing at the break of dawn.

In front of the annex door stood a sturdy, muscular white horse. With a saddle bearing the emblem of the royal family placed on its back.

Aria hurriedly changed into her maid outfit and headed to the kitchen. She entered the reception room on the first floor, carrying a silver tray with two teacups, as instructed by the maid regarding the number of guests.

In the reception room, Eric in a white robe and a royal guard knight clad in silver armor and helmet were sitting facing each other.

As the teacup filled with bright yellow chamomile picked from the garden yesterday was placed between them, the desolate parlor began to fill with a fragrant floral scent.

The journalist, perhaps pleased to be drinking flower tea for the first time in a while, couldn’t take their eyes off the teacup with chamomile floating in it.

“Seeing this car, I can finally believe that the war is over, Commander. What do you mean by a car? It was a harsh wilderness with no drinking water, wasn’t it?

As the knight lifted the teacup with a nostalgic expression and savored it, the corners of Eric’s mouth slightly lifted as he watched.

It was a comfortable and joyful expression that had never been seen here before.

Eric also picked up his teacup and took a sip, and then the knight cautiously spoke up in a worried voice.

“Did you know how surprised I was to receive a letter saying you would stay here longer instead of returning soon after the engagement ceremony? I was so surprised that I dropped everything I was doing and rushed over since last night. You only casually mentioned such important news to me. Not only the subordinates, but how should I report this to His Majesty the Emperor…

The reporter seemed to have a lot to say and spoke without pause.

“The commander of the imperial guard might take this opportunity to plot to get rid of you forever. Isn’t he just a cunning fox, desperate to gain His Majesty’s favor?

Despite the grim tone of the article filled with various concerns, Eric’s face remained utterly unfazed.

He took a sip of his tea nonchalantly and then gazed intently at Henry in front of him.

“Your Majesty is already aware.”

“Oh, that’s a relief….Yes! You didn’t say anything to me separately…?

“Hmm, that’s probably because His Majesty still doesn’t trust you.”

“Th-That can’t be true! Well, of course, I may not have achieved as much as the commander, but I am also a knight who fiercely fought in countless wars, dedicating my very being! Well, of course, I may not have achieved as much as the deputy commander, but I fought fiercely in countless battles, dedicating my life to the cause!”

Henry’s face fell at Eric’s sarcastic mockery. Eric let out a small laugh at the sight.

“It’s not that I’m blaming your achievements, it’s just that it’s your nature, Your Majesty. You are always on guard around others.”

“Well. It is now a war that has ended, but during that time, Your Majesty personally led the army and endured many hardships. Especially the Jagal tribe, I never want to deal with them again. By the way, how is your wound? The royal court has a variety of herbs prepared, but it must be difficult to find such herbs here.

Aria, while listening to the conversation between the two, was suddenly reminded of the large scar etched deeply on Eric’s back at the mention of the word “wound.”

Eric, with an indifferent expression as if to say not to worry, downed his drink and then took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Henry.

“I will deliver this to His Majesty. I’ll finish my work here and then return, so I’ll have to rely on you for a while longer.”

How much longer…And what is this? What on earth are you talking about…….”

“If I inform Your Majesty, you will naturally come to know.”

“Yes…?”

Henry looked utterly bewildered, his face showing that he couldn’t understand at all.

However, Eric was a person who never revealed his true feelings, and the answer he always returned when asked back was always the same, so Henry had no choice but to accept it naturally.

Instead of answering Eric’s question, Henry changed the subject with a familiar demeanor.

“Is there anything else you need me to do besides this?

In response to Henry’s question, Eric, as if pondering something, rested his chin on his hand and then opened his heavily closed mouth.

“Is there a large market nearby? Large enough for foreign traders to come and visit.”

“The mayor…? Well…I’m not very familiar with this area. Maybe the maid who has been living here all along knows it well.

When Henry pointed to Aria, who was standing next to him, Eric’s gaze finally turned to Aria.

“Is the mayor around here?”

Fortunately, there was a regular large market not far from this mansion.

There was a plaza and a market where anyone could enter, and here and there, taverns and inns could be found nestled between the narrow alleys.

Especially during the regular market held in the Grand Square, the footsteps of foreign merchants were particularly frequent. Foreign merchants often sold rare ornaments or books that were not available in the empire.

Although she had never escaped the hard labor of the Bailey household from morning till night, she had occasionally gone out with the maids to buy fresh ingredients, so Aria nodded immediately.

Eric took a moment to catch his breath and then soon turned his gaze towards Henry.

“Before returning to the palace, could you grant me one last request?”

“Yes, of course. Even if it’s something you want me to do discreetly…?

Henry looked at Eric with a subtle gaze full of anticipation.

“Buy the things I mentioned at the market and bring them to me.”

“Yes?!”If it’s such a simple errand, you could just ask the maid here to do it…

Henry, with a deeply contorted face, looked at Eric and then, with a face that seemed to realize something, carefully scanned Aria up and down.

Soon, a smile began to bloom on Henry’s face.

“Oh, I understand what you mean very well.” As you command.”

“Stop with the useless thoughts. Do as you’re told.

“Yes, yes. I know, I know.

Eric’s gaze had become quite fierce, but Henry was not someone who would miss the subtle change in his master’s demeanor.

By the time their conversation was in full swing, bright sunlight was already streaming through the window.

Henry looked at Eric while clutching his hungry stomach.

“Even so, you’re going to give me breakfast before sending me off, right?

As Eric nodded, Aria quickly noticed and headed to the dining room.

Henry, who had been quietly watching her from behind, spoke in a very low voice.

“With so many women in high society, you give them a glance, but when they come closer, you treat them coldly as if you were going to hit them. You are very kind and considerate to that maid? Or is it because you take good care of your own people? Or are you just being thrifty with your people?

At those words, Eric clenched his jaw and muttered.

“Just as I thought. I was wondering why you weren’t saying that today. Don’t worry. I won’t show it.

Eric, seeing Henry who was teasing him, stood up as if he had nothing more to say.

Why would I be that maid? That’s a ridiculous story.

Eric headed towards the dining room with an indifferent expression. Following behind him, Henry added one more remark.

“If it’s a woman’s true feelings, I know them very well. Speak your mind freely. Right now, I’m in a state of anxiety all alone…Cough!

In the end, Henry, who was grabbed by the collar by Eric, was just standing there pale and stamping his feet.
After a somewhat cheerful guest had left, the atmosphere of the annex, which had been peaceful until early evening, became chaotic again because of the merchant who arrived with a cart full of books.

The trader began to fill the books tightly in the study room on the second floor according to Eric’s instructions.

The empty bookshelf that had been gathering dust for so long has suddenly been filled with countless books.

While Aria, who didn’t understand the situation, was just watching this strange sight, the trade minister, having finished his task, returned with an empty cart.

Aria finally began to hurriedly tidy up the study. Since the study had no signs of human presence, it was filled with thick dust.

Aria discovered something strange while wiping the bookshelf and stopped her cleaning.

All the books filled here were foreign novels that Aria had wanted to read at least once.

After losing my voice, the only comfort in my life was reading. What helped me endure my suffocating silence was solely the rich thoughts that came with quick insights.

For Aria, who had a hobby of reading, Edward had occasionally lent her a book here and there, but it was the first time she had encountered so many novels, especially so many rare foreign books.

At that moment, before Aria could even have a chance to be flustered, Eric entered the study. His indifferent words flowed into Aria’s ears.

“If there’s a book you want to read, feel free to take it. Don’t get involved with anyone and be misunderstood for no reason.

Aria’s gaze momentarily slipped from the books and brushed over Eric.

It was just a brief moment, but Eric’s gaze and his strange expression felt vividly clear.

Like the eyes of a venomous beast, Eric’s blue pupils were eerily staring at him through his black hair.

“Remember. Your master is me. Edward and the count are no longer your masters. So from now on, it would be best if you don’t meet anyone without my permission. If you don’t want to keep provoking me, that is.”