She hurried to the tree she always climbed, and quickly climbed up the tree.
Although autumn was approaching, the weather was still warm, so the window was slightly open. This seemed like a good chance to eavesdrop on the conversation.
'Is the cloud here yet?'
Aila looked around the room, but there was only Byron sitting there, looking tired and sleepy.
It seemed like she had arrived earlier than Cloud, who had come up the stairs honestly, by taking a shortcut.
As Aila looked around anxiously, waiting for Cloud to come, a knock was heard on the door.
“Come in.”
Byron spoke in a slightly hoarse voice. Soon, Cloud came in through the open door.
“My lord, the news you have been waiting for has arrived.”
“What? What did it say?”
Byron, who had been sitting there feeling as if his life would end at any moment, jumped up in surprise at Cloud's answer.
It seemed like it was news they had been eagerly waiting for.
Aila listened anxiously to the conversation in the room. If Byron had been waiting so long for this news, it would be important information for her as well.
“Fortunately, I heard that she has recovered safely.”
Thud. At Cloud’s words, Byron’s legs gave out, and he sank back onto the bed.
“...I’m really glad.”
Aila swallowed hard at the voice that contained such relief.
Was someone sick? That was why Byron was so depressed.
She concentrated on the conversation to see if she could hear their names, but their conversation continued without a subject until the very end.
“Why? What was the reason she suddenly collapsed? There must have been an illness or something.”
Byron asked urgently.
“...According to the source, several doctors came and went, but the exact reason was unknown.”
“Anyway, is she healthy now?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Aila bit her lip nervously. No matter how hard she listened, she couldn't hear any detailed information.
To make matters worse, Aila heard a voice calling out to her.
“Miss, miss!”
Laura came out of the building and looked for Aila in a panic, as she was not where she usually was.
‘...Is it impossible to dig up any more information?’
Aila left her regrets behind and hurried down the tree. She picked up a branch that she saw nearby and naturally emerged from behind the tree.
“Laura, I’m here.”
“Miss! What on earth were you doing there?”
Because Laura's expression was not as good as she asked, Aila tried to look several times more innocent than usual.
“Ah, that... I picked up a branch to practice with instead of a dagger at night.”
“Do you know how surprised I was when I found out that you were gone? How upset would my master be if he lost you? You really only know yourself.”
It would have been acceptable to swear at Aila for being out of sight for only a few minutes, but Laura spoke as she lashed out at her with all her might.
“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“If you realize what you did wrong, that’s fine. Now stop training and come in. You need to wash up and get ready to eat.”
When Aila bowed her head sullenly, saying that she was wrong, Laura finally said so with a satisfied expression.
“Miss, you will be having dinner with the master today. Are you happy?”
Aila heard Laura's voice whispering from behind her. She was sitting in front of her after she came out of the shower, and she was drying her hair with a soft towel.
“Yeah, I’m glad.”
It was a truly dramatic change. Until this morning, Byron had been sitting there listless and listlessly.
Who on earth recovered so quickly that they regained their energy so quickly?
‘...A selfish man who doesn’t care about other people’s suffering.’
Aila, who was looking down at her freshly washed, soft hands while criticizing Byron inwardly, froze as something came to mind.
Because Byron had only one person he cared for as much as he cared for himself.
'Mother. Mother was sick.'
Aila covered her mouth with both hands to keep herself from moaning.
'Why on earth did my mother...?'
Ophelia was healthy. Although she looked frail on the outside, she always boasted that she had never suffered from serious illness, not even a cold.
She heard that she has a constitution that makes it difficult to have children, but she was told that it is not a health problem.
The image of Ophelia showing off her slender arm muscles, saying that even Roderick, the strongest man in the empire, could not beat her, came to mind, and it seemed as if her hair turned white.
But Aila couldn't show her worry and confusion.
“Yes, that’s it. Now, put on your pretty clothes and go meet your master, miss.”
Laura's words, which came after she had dried Aila's hair and braided it nicely, brought her back to reality.
It was the first time she had seen her father in a long time. How happy and joyful it must have been for her, who only knew her father.
If she didn't show that she was truly happy, it was clear that people around her would think she was suspicious.
“Ugh! I want to wear those clothes.”
Mimicking an excited child, Aila pointed to one of the clothes.
It was a white dress with a sky blue ribbon.
It was an elegant style that seemed a little out of place for a child to wear, but it was Byron's favorite outfit as a child because he liked it when she wore it.
The kind of clothes she can only wear on special days.
But now that she looks at it...
‘...This is a style that my mother often wears.’
With her fair skin and silky silver hair, Ophelia could pull off any style, but nothing suited her better than a white dress with a subtle sheen. And she would often add a touch of pastel tones.
It seemed as if the image of Ophelia, wearing clothes of a similar style and smiling kindly, came to mind clearly.
'How obsessed are you with your mother?'
As she recalled her past, when she had dressed in clothes reminiscent of her mother and acted all cute towards Byron, she felt a chill run down her body.
“Are you cold?”
As Aila rubbed her goosebump-covered forearm, Laura asked curiously.
It wasn't a voice filled with genuine concern for her. It was more like she was asking because she was worried that if Aila caught a cold, she would be bothered.
“No. It’s because I just washed up. Let’s get dressed quickly and go see Father.”
As Aila shook her head and urged her on, Laura helped her get dressed with a helpless expression.
When Aila, who had finished dressing up with Laura's help, entered the restaurant with hurried steps.
Byron, who arrived before her on a rare occasion, was waiting.
“Come, my daughter.”
Byron greeted her with a bright smile.
It was a strange thing.
Although Aila took longer than usual to get dressed, Byron arrived first and was waiting for her.
Besides, he hates waiting more than anyone else. If Aila doesn't arrive first, and waits quietly... That moment was the beginning of the nightmare.
It would have been better to scold her or point it out openly.
He was sarcastic to the point of a nervous breakdown, and he would tell her so many stories of how deeply her actions had hurt him that she ended up getting on her knees and begging him to forgive her.
But for Byron, who was later than her, to greet her with a smile was absolutely not normal.
"Father!"
Although she found the situation odd, she couldn't help but run towards Byron, who was waiting for her with open arms.
Aila smiled brightly and ran into Byron's arms, and he immediately reached out and stroked her hair.
“I’ve missed you so much, Father.”
Aila blurted out words that she didn't mean. No, she wasn't completely sincere in her words. In fact, she had been waiting for Byron to find his pace again and return to his daily life.
Only then would she be able to follow Byron again.
“Yeah. You must have been training hard even when your father wasn’t looking for you.”
“Yes. I worked hard. For my father. I exist only for my father. In the past, now... and in the future.”
Byron smiled with satisfaction as she recited the spell she had always used.
“Yes, that’s right. Then let’s check. To see if what you’re saying is true.”
But, as if he couldn't believe her words alone, Byron raised his left hand and called Cloud with a snapping sound between his thumb and middle finger.
“Cloud.”
“...Did you call?”
Cloud, who had been waiting a step behind Byron, quickly bowed and answered.
“Is what my daughter said true?”
“Yes. Miss, you have been training hard every day. You have also improved your skills a lot.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Her legs were starting to go numb a little as she knelt down in front of Byron, but Aila endured his hands caressing her hair without letting it show.
She was lost in the fantasy of cutting off Byron's remaining hand, waiting for this moment to end quickly.
“Then, let’s start with what I instructed you earlier.”
“...Master. The young lady is still young.”
But as the conversation continued, she could no longer afford to wallow in delusions about harming Byron.
Although autumn was approaching, the weather was still warm, so the window was slightly open. This seemed like a good chance to eavesdrop on the conversation.
'Is the cloud here yet?'
Aila looked around the room, but there was only Byron sitting there, looking tired and sleepy.
It seemed like she had arrived earlier than Cloud, who had come up the stairs honestly, by taking a shortcut.
As Aila looked around anxiously, waiting for Cloud to come, a knock was heard on the door.
“Come in.”
Byron spoke in a slightly hoarse voice. Soon, Cloud came in through the open door.
“My lord, the news you have been waiting for has arrived.”
“What? What did it say?”
Byron, who had been sitting there feeling as if his life would end at any moment, jumped up in surprise at Cloud's answer.
It seemed like it was news they had been eagerly waiting for.
Aila listened anxiously to the conversation in the room. If Byron had been waiting so long for this news, it would be important information for her as well.
“Fortunately, I heard that she has recovered safely.”
Thud. At Cloud’s words, Byron’s legs gave out, and he sank back onto the bed.
“...I’m really glad.”
Aila swallowed hard at the voice that contained such relief.
Was someone sick? That was why Byron was so depressed.
She concentrated on the conversation to see if she could hear their names, but their conversation continued without a subject until the very end.
“Why? What was the reason she suddenly collapsed? There must have been an illness or something.”
Byron asked urgently.
“...According to the source, several doctors came and went, but the exact reason was unknown.”
“Anyway, is she healthy now?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Aila bit her lip nervously. No matter how hard she listened, she couldn't hear any detailed information.
To make matters worse, Aila heard a voice calling out to her.
“Miss, miss!”
Laura came out of the building and looked for Aila in a panic, as she was not where she usually was.
‘...Is it impossible to dig up any more information?’
Aila left her regrets behind and hurried down the tree. She picked up a branch that she saw nearby and naturally emerged from behind the tree.
“Laura, I’m here.”
“Miss! What on earth were you doing there?”
Because Laura's expression was not as good as she asked, Aila tried to look several times more innocent than usual.
“Ah, that... I picked up a branch to practice with instead of a dagger at night.”
“Do you know how surprised I was when I found out that you were gone? How upset would my master be if he lost you? You really only know yourself.”
It would have been acceptable to swear at Aila for being out of sight for only a few minutes, but Laura spoke as she lashed out at her with all her might.
“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“If you realize what you did wrong, that’s fine. Now stop training and come in. You need to wash up and get ready to eat.”
When Aila bowed her head sullenly, saying that she was wrong, Laura finally said so with a satisfied expression.
***
“Miss, you will be having dinner with the master today. Are you happy?”
Aila heard Laura's voice whispering from behind her. She was sitting in front of her after she came out of the shower, and she was drying her hair with a soft towel.
“Yeah, I’m glad.”
It was a truly dramatic change. Until this morning, Byron had been sitting there listless and listlessly.
Who on earth recovered so quickly that they regained their energy so quickly?
‘...A selfish man who doesn’t care about other people’s suffering.’
Aila, who was looking down at her freshly washed, soft hands while criticizing Byron inwardly, froze as something came to mind.
Because Byron had only one person he cared for as much as he cared for himself.
'Mother. Mother was sick.'
Aila covered her mouth with both hands to keep herself from moaning.
'Why on earth did my mother...?'
Ophelia was healthy. Although she looked frail on the outside, she always boasted that she had never suffered from serious illness, not even a cold.
She heard that she has a constitution that makes it difficult to have children, but she was told that it is not a health problem.
The image of Ophelia showing off her slender arm muscles, saying that even Roderick, the strongest man in the empire, could not beat her, came to mind, and it seemed as if her hair turned white.
But Aila couldn't show her worry and confusion.
“Yes, that’s it. Now, put on your pretty clothes and go meet your master, miss.”
Laura's words, which came after she had dried Aila's hair and braided it nicely, brought her back to reality.
It was the first time she had seen her father in a long time. How happy and joyful it must have been for her, who only knew her father.
If she didn't show that she was truly happy, it was clear that people around her would think she was suspicious.
“Ugh! I want to wear those clothes.”
Mimicking an excited child, Aila pointed to one of the clothes.
It was a white dress with a sky blue ribbon.
It was an elegant style that seemed a little out of place for a child to wear, but it was Byron's favorite outfit as a child because he liked it when she wore it.
The kind of clothes she can only wear on special days.
But now that she looks at it...
‘...This is a style that my mother often wears.’
With her fair skin and silky silver hair, Ophelia could pull off any style, but nothing suited her better than a white dress with a subtle sheen. And she would often add a touch of pastel tones.
It seemed as if the image of Ophelia, wearing clothes of a similar style and smiling kindly, came to mind clearly.
'How obsessed are you with your mother?'
As she recalled her past, when she had dressed in clothes reminiscent of her mother and acted all cute towards Byron, she felt a chill run down her body.
“Are you cold?”
As Aila rubbed her goosebump-covered forearm, Laura asked curiously.
It wasn't a voice filled with genuine concern for her. It was more like she was asking because she was worried that if Aila caught a cold, she would be bothered.
“No. It’s because I just washed up. Let’s get dressed quickly and go see Father.”
As Aila shook her head and urged her on, Laura helped her get dressed with a helpless expression.
When Aila, who had finished dressing up with Laura's help, entered the restaurant with hurried steps.
Byron, who arrived before her on a rare occasion, was waiting.
“Come, my daughter.”
Byron greeted her with a bright smile.
It was a strange thing.
Although Aila took longer than usual to get dressed, Byron arrived first and was waiting for her.
Besides, he hates waiting more than anyone else. If Aila doesn't arrive first, and waits quietly... That moment was the beginning of the nightmare.
It would have been better to scold her or point it out openly.
He was sarcastic to the point of a nervous breakdown, and he would tell her so many stories of how deeply her actions had hurt him that she ended up getting on her knees and begging him to forgive her.
But for Byron, who was later than her, to greet her with a smile was absolutely not normal.
"Father!"
Although she found the situation odd, she couldn't help but run towards Byron, who was waiting for her with open arms.
Aila smiled brightly and ran into Byron's arms, and he immediately reached out and stroked her hair.
“I’ve missed you so much, Father.”
Aila blurted out words that she didn't mean. No, she wasn't completely sincere in her words. In fact, she had been waiting for Byron to find his pace again and return to his daily life.
Only then would she be able to follow Byron again.
“Yeah. You must have been training hard even when your father wasn’t looking for you.”
“Yes. I worked hard. For my father. I exist only for my father. In the past, now... and in the future.”
Byron smiled with satisfaction as she recited the spell she had always used.
“Yes, that’s right. Then let’s check. To see if what you’re saying is true.”
But, as if he couldn't believe her words alone, Byron raised his left hand and called Cloud with a snapping sound between his thumb and middle finger.
“Cloud.”
“...Did you call?”
Cloud, who had been waiting a step behind Byron, quickly bowed and answered.
“Is what my daughter said true?”
“Yes. Miss, you have been training hard every day. You have also improved your skills a lot.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Her legs were starting to go numb a little as she knelt down in front of Byron, but Aila endured his hands caressing her hair without letting it show.
She was lost in the fantasy of cutting off Byron's remaining hand, waiting for this moment to end quickly.
“Then, let’s start with what I instructed you earlier.”
“...Master. The young lady is still young.”
But as the conversation continued, she could no longer afford to wallow in delusions about harming Byron.
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