Chapter 78
With a sharp click, Raylenne watched the door close and then shouted, “Aiden!” She quickly glanced over her shoulder, worried that the knights standing guard outside might have heard her.
Clearing her throat, she calmed herself down and spoke in a more subdued tone. “You look well.”
Aiden was in an empty room, which had previously been used by servants. After the staff quarters were relocated, the room had been left vacant, still furnished with the old bed, table, and chairs. This allowed Aiden to avoid sleeping on the floor, which was a small comfort. He was sitting on the bed, which must have felt unfamiliar after being accustomed to hard, cold floors. Now, he could even eat at a table like a normal person.
‘Though it’s only for a few days while the rain lasts…’ Raylenne thought, her expression turning somber as she realized the temporary nature of the situation. Aiden, observing her rapidly changing expressions, finally spoke.
“It’s the same for me, whether here or in the underground prison, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Who said I was worried about you?” Raylenne retorted, to which Aiden responded with a sigh.
“I actually think the underground prison might be better.”
What…? Raylenne couldn’t believe her ears. She had risked a lot to persuade Duke Ergen to move Aiden here, and yet he said this? As she silently fumed, Aiden continued.
“At least in the underground prison, I could see you every day.”
Was he really saying he preferred the dark, damp prison just to see her daily, over the comfort of this room? Despite her irritation, Raylenne understood the underlying sentiment in his words and chose not to argue further.
“Don’t say such things and enjoy this place. The rain won’t last long,” she advised, noting Aiden’s indifferent gaze. “While you’re here, try not to clash with my brother. It wouldn’t hurt to be on good terms with him.”
Aiden’s eyes rolled slightly, reflecting his skepticism. “Why aren’t you responding?”
“…”
Aiden couldn’t bring himself to simply agree, especially after the earlier tension with Caverion.
[Because I know you have special feelings for Raylenne.]
If he mentioned this, Raylenne’s bright blue eyes would quickly cloud with worry. Finally, like a dutiful servant, Aiden replied, “Yes, I understand.”
“Good boy,” Raylenne said, satisfied, as she approached and gently patted his hair. Aiden savored the feeling of her fingers running through his hair, a rare comfort. However, Raylenne’s small hand suddenly moved to his arm, and she began to squeeze, as if assessing something.
“It’s just that your clothes seemed to have something on them,” she said, an excuse so flimsy even a child wouldn’t believe it. But Aiden let her continue, understanding she had a purpose. Once satisfied, she withdrew her hand.
“There’s nothing on your clothes,” she concluded, studying Aiden closely. “How have you been feeling lately?”
“I’m fine,” Aiden answered.
“Be more specific. Any pain or changes in your strength?”
“No pain. My strength has improved a lot, as I mentioned before,” Aiden replied, seemingly unaware of what Raylenne was really asking.
Unhappy with his vague response, she furrowed her brows and asked more directly, “Have you regained enough strength to lift something heavy?”
“If it’s something heavy…”
“For example, a longsword?”
“I can lift it,” Aiden confirmed.
“Can you swing it, too?” Raylenne pressed.
Realizing the questions might go on, Aiden moved closer and put an arm around her waist, pulling her in slightly. Raylenne was taken aback.
“I thought it would be quicker to show you,” he said, lifting Raylenne with one hand as if she weighed nothing, her legs dangling lightly in the air.
“Put me down!” Raylenne exclaimed, kicking her feet. Aiden gently set her back down.
“Does that answer your question?”
“Yes!” Raylenne replied, feeling a flush of heat as she remembered the brief moment she was pressed against Aiden.
“Any other questions?” Aiden asked with a hint of amusement.
“No,” Raylenne replied, turning quickly to hide her reddening face. She thought, ‘This guy… he could have just answered with words.’
Raylenne had asked about Aiden’s physical condition to gauge his readiness for an escape attempt. Could he escape and evade capture if he tried? His strength seemed fully recovered, which meant handling a weapon wouldn’t be an issue. With a weapon, his combat abilities would soar, increasing his chances of a successful escape.
“Are you leaving?” Aiden asked.
“Yes, I’ve finished my business here, so there’s no reason to stay,” Raylenne replied.
“If you have any other questions, I’d be happy to answer them,” Aiden offered, a slight smile in his voice.
“There’s no need!” Raylenne snapped, puffing out her cheeks in frustration.
* * *
The next morning, Raylenne heard something unexpected from Janie.
“My lady, is it true that Lord Aiden is staying inside the duke’s residence?”
“How do you know that?”
Did she see the knights guarding Aiden’s room…?
“The rumor has spread throughout the residence. They say Duke Ergen took Aiden out of the underground prison and let him stay in the castle.”
The rumor was slightly different from the truth. The Duke had ‘allowed’ Aiden to be taken out; he hadn’t suggested it himself. Raylenne didn’t intend to dwell on it, but it did bother her a little.
“I thought he was a scary man, but it’s surprising that he showed such generosity. That’s why the servants are talking about it more.”
Raylenne added a comment, feeling that the noise in the residence was due to this unexpected event.
“Aiden will go back to the underground prison once the rain stops.”
“What…? But they said he would stay in the castle… isn’t that true…?”
Raylenne thought about how easily rumors could be distorted. How nice it would be if Aiden didn’t have to go back to the underground prison, as Janie said.
“That can’t be. Aiden is a prisoner brought from the Bedeusian family.”
“Really…? Everyone seemed to think so… The rumor must be wrong.”
Seeing Raylenne’s displeased expression, Janie carefully excused herself, saying, “I will take my leave now.”
Left alone, Raylenne pondered the false rumor. Aiden had been moved from the underground prison to the residence only the previous day. How could such a distorted rumor spread in just one day? Who could have twisted the story so much?
Raylenne wanted to find the source of the rumor.
‘Who should I ask…’
As she rested her chin in her hand and thought, she remembered one of her loyal subordinates: Kelvin, the stable keeper.
* * *
Kelvin had been earning his keep by taking a ring from her every month. He had erased his name from the entry log to secretly come and go from the residence and kept her informed about where the Duke was and when he was away.
“Hello, my lady!”
When she arrived at the stable, Kelvin bowed his head.
“Are you going out? Shall I prepare the carriage?”
Seeing Kelvin ready to fetch the carriage at a moment’s notice, Raylenne waved her hand.
“No, there’s no need.”
Raylenne looked around and gestured for Kelvin to come closer.
Quick to catch on, Kelvin leaned towards her.
“What do you wish to know?”
“Is there anything unusual happening with my father lately?”
Kelvin furrowed his brow in thought.
“Hmm… He has been visiting the palace frequently, but I don’t know much else. Lately, he hasn’t even been doing that much.”
Raylenne knew this was because the marriage talks with the Crown Prince had fallen through, so she didn’t ask further.
“Anything else?”
“No, nothing.”
Raylenne nodded. No news was good news, in this case. She whispered again.
“Is there any special talk among the servants in the residence these days?”
Kelvin immediately clapped his hands.
“There is!”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Lord Aiden, the prisoner. This is the latest news.”
Kelvin didn’t know that Raylenne was monitoring Aiden, so he was excited to share what he knew with someone who might be as curious as he was.
Raylenne pretended to be ignorant to draw more information from him.
“Tell me.”
“Well, Duke Ergen ordered that Lord Aiden be taken out of the underground prison and moved into the residence.”
When Raylenne didn’t react, Kelvin, looking a bit embarrassed, said, “Ah… Now that I think about it, you probably already knew, being inside the residence.”
“No, I wasn’t aware.”
Kelvin’s eyes sparkled again, like a plant revived by rain.
“Then I’ll tell you in detail. Duke Ergen showed great generosity by ordering that Lord Aiden be moved into the residence and not be sent back to the underground prison.”
Kelvin repeated the same thing Janie had said. What concerned Raylenne was the part about not sending Aiden back to the underground prison.
“Who said that?”
“Ah, I heard the Duke’s chamberlain informed the maids.”
The Duke’s chamberlain said that? Raylenne couldn’t believe it. The chamberlain was a messenger for the Duke and wouldn’t spread false information.
So, it was true that Aiden would stay in the residence…?
Raylenne decided she needed to see Duke Ergen immediately.
