EIITAB - Chapter 40 < Mine >
Even if it is Trampled and Broken
Dean instinctively realized this and unconsciously closed his lips. The study became quiet again. However, Aslan did not hide his displeasure and gave another unusual warning.
"It means don't cross the line. Now and in the future."
Dean looked at his master with shaking eyes. He wanted to confirm with his own eyes whether he really added his last words. Dean hoped he heard wrong. He doesn't know how much he hoped and hoped for that short bird.
However, the moment he saw the flame of anger burning quietly in the golden eyes facing him, he had no choice but to admit that Aslan was sincere.
Only then did Dean speak the words of apology.
"....I'm sorry"
Of course, he still had a mountain of things to complain about, and the young dissatisfaction on his face couldn't be erased.
Martin, who was quietly watching the scene, thought to himself. Why is Your Excellency truly angry?
Did he think Dean was being rude because he repeatedly raised his voice at him?
'If not...'
Martin held his breath involuntarily. A thought spontaneously appeared in his head that he did not even want to assume.
'Because he put Princess Hestia in his mouth?'
As Martin realized that the latter was the correct answer, he felt his mouth dry up. Martin, like Dean, was Aslan's close associate and served him for quite some time. So he was confident that he knew Aslan better than anyone else.
But now Aslan was just a stranger. Because of that, Martin could not help but be greatly surprised by Aslan's reaction. However, the difference between him and Dean was that Martin was better at hiding his emotions and facial expressions. He was equally disturbed by Aslan's words.
However, Martin straightened it out and opened his mouth in a polite manner, maintaining a seemingly calm face.
"I'm sorry for asking this question. However, since your every move is related to the survival and survival of our Kalathi, please understand that, as your adjutant, I cannot help but ask you this question."
Only then did Aslan withdraw his fierce gaze from Dean. He gently closed his eyes again, as if he was tired. He nodded as if giving permission to ask questions. From the sight of him with his hands on his temples and his eyes gently closed, Martin could feel that his lord was also suffering from quite a bit of trouble.
So Martin sighed and calmly asked.
"Your Excellency, do you plan to take Princess Hestia to the North?"
Tuk.Tuk.
Aslan began to tap slowly on the armrest with the tips of his fingernails. A period of silence like gold followed. Neither Dean nor Martin pressed Aslan for an answer.
Aslan, who could not ignore Martin's question, paused for a moment and then nodded his head heavily.
"Okay. I intend to."
"Dismissal!"
Dean raised his voice again.
"You can't do that. This is unacceptable!"
Aslan sighed heavily. Aslan's chest, exposed through the haphazardly opened front, swelled greatly, and then he disappeared.
"I know. Dean, what are you worried about?"
He leaned back lazily and crossed his legs. A hint of color came from his bored appearance.
"And if necessary, I will confirm it here. There will never be anything worth worrying about."
"But why...!"
Dean, who was about to raise his voice inadvertently, caught hold of the string of reason in the middle and bit his lip hard. Aslan quietly repeated the motion of clenching and opening his fists and continued speaking in as casual a tone as possible.
"I won't have to explain it twice, so listen carefully. No matter what my actions will look like in the future, do not easily guess and do not misunderstand. I just wanted to repay you. And you have to take what is offered. That's the Kalati way."
No matter what his subordinates said, it was already a conclusion within Aslan Aslan finished his sentence as if he would not receive any further rebuttal.
"Know that and prepare."
"Yes, Your Excellency. I will."
Before Dean could make another pointless complaint, Martin answered like a player. And he asked a question at the same time.
"But will the King and temple accept it?"
"Well, we have to do something about that."
Aslan said it indifferently as if it was not a big deal. Deep down, he thought it would be easy to convince them.
'No, should I call it a threat?'
Aslan chuckled. Anyway, his own decision was the most difficult obstacle. Since he decided to keep Hestia by his side, the rest will just follow the natural order.
'She gave herself to me.'
So she's his. He didn't need anyone's permission to keep what was his.
'If anything happens, I can just take her with me.'
As he thought of Hestia, he felt feverish again. He took a deep breath, crossing his arms as if to soothe his hot insides. He will hurt Hestia.
"The methods I have used so far have been completely useless."
He finally realized it now. Even ignoring something is ultimately about interest and patience. And Aslan did not want to tolerate Hestia any longer. The last time they were apart must have been eating away at him. So he thought it was his turn this time.
He will have Hestia by his side. And he wanted to stop her and kill her. By not seeing her, it was as if he had let himself be eaten away by her. That way, he thought, it was fair. He hopes Hestia is hurt, has a hard time, and suffers just like him.
" I will die at any time."
Yes. If he has nothing more to lose, he guess he can just break her.
Something inside Aslan was twisting and breaking.
***
Hestia's body felt heavy today.
"Princess, wake up."
But she couldn't ignore the hand that was carefully grasping her shoulder and shaking it. Hestia, who had closed her eyes tightly for just a few more seconds, lifted her eyelids heavily. Then, her eyes were dazzled by the sunlight pouring into her room, and her smooth eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Are you okay?"
"Hmm... Angela?"
Hestia reflexively called her maid's name. It happened all the time. Angela wakes her up in the morning when he is particularly weak.
'It's already morning.'
Thinking about her thoughts, Hestia raised her upper body while embracing her hazy consciousness.
"Ah."
Her voice, cracked with dull pain, escaped her parted, dry lips. Soon, she felt her hand supporting her back.
'Huh?'
Even in her sleep, she felt that she was a little different from usual.
"Can you get up?"
Hestia nodded her head with her half-lidded eyes and straightened her body. Then, a beat later, she felt the blanket that had covered her neck slide down and the cool air clung to her bare skin. Hestia lowered her gaze at the unfamiliar touch and feeling and had no choice but to gasp in surprise.
"OMG."
It was as if the sleep that had been buried all over her body disappeared in a single moment and she felt like she had woken up. Hestia hurriedly pulled the blanket back up. At the same time, the events that happened in this bed last night flashed through her mind. Her face turned bright red as if someone had boiled her.
"Uh, ah, Angela. So this is...."
Her mouth went dry. However, Angela did not say anything, such as surprise or criticism, out of her mouth. Hestia glanced at her.
'There's no way she didn't see it...'
Angela said nothing, even though she must have seen her reddish skin up close with her own eyes. Only then did Hestia realize that Angela was considerate of her. Her maid was afraid that she might be embarrassed, so she deliberately pretended that nothing had happened and showed her usual demeanor.
Hestia felt deep gratitude for Angela's deep consideration.
"Please get ready for the bath. I've been heating the water since morning, so now I just need to heat it, so please wait a moment."
Hestia nodded her head with her red face and added softly.
"Just the water...Because I can wash by myself."
But Angela looked back at her with a look on her face that told her not to take nonsense.
"Even walking will be difficult."
"It's okay..."
"You are okay?"
Angela said emphatically. After a while, Hestia moved to the bathroom with Angela's support. She took off her gown and got into the bathtub, and she felt her muscles relax in the hot temperature. Meanwhile, Angela, who was able to see her skin properly again, frowned for a moment from behind and then silently sprayed hot water from her shoulder. No words were exchanged between the two. Then, at some point, Hestia secretly looked back at the sound of sniffling coming from behind her.
"Angela? Are you crying now?"
"...How about crying?"
Although Angela quickly wiped away her tears, she could not hide the redness around her eyes. There was no need to ask why she was crying. Hestia lowered her eyes slightly with an embarrassed look on her face, then cleared her throat and changed her words.
"But how did you get here?"
"How do I get here?"
Angela sniffled her nose and answered in a slightly grumpy voice.
"I was up all night waiting for the Princess, and suddenly someone from the Duke's family came to visit me. Without going into detail, they just said that the Princess sleeps at Kalathi Mansion... I quickly followed because I was in a hurry."
"I see."
Apparently, Aslan had sent someone to fetch her while she was unconscious.
'You're more meticulous than I thought.'
In fact, she didn't have high expectations of him, as he had only shown herself to be coldly treated. Then, after a while, she heard Angela add her words in a very cautious manner.
"Excuse me... Princess, please don't be too upset and just listen."
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