Ayla still hadn't been able to hand the letter to Erita. Too small to even dare to check the contents, she was at a loss, and time passed.
She simply fiddled with the certificate Mastiff had given her. She had a premonition that she would never see him again. She could only read the numbers; the rest was in a foreign language, so she didn't really understand its purpose. So she just kept it close to her chest, like a sacred object protecting her.
One day, Ayla encountered Noah, who was visiting the palace. As she walked along, lost in thought, she was startled by the sight of his silvery hair, reflecting the sunlight and glistening. She quickly bowed.
“Hello, Count.”
He looked at her with disinterest, wearing a dark blue suit with a thinly striped vest and a sky blue shirt. One hand was in his suit pocket. Despite his hunched posture, he exuded an aristocratic and refined air.
“You still haven’t quit. Even though I told you so.”
His gaze was as crooked as his posture. Ayla, timid, couldn't bear to look into his sharp, upturned eyes.
“No, I’ll quit soon.”
Ayla felt intimidated by the tall, well-built man lumbering toward her. He leaned forward, his hands in his pockets. His gaze, staring down at her with an indifferent expression, seemed to penetrate every thought, sending a prickle through the forehead of the person standing opposite.
Noah, who was staring at her, asked.
“Why Diana of all people?”
"Yes?"
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
Unlike when he saw Diana, he didn't smile at all. He always wore a warm smile when he saw his wife. Ayla hesitated, her face sullen.
"Sorry."
"It's like a conditioned reflex. You're apologizing without even knowing what it is. You have nothing to be sorry about."
Noah didn't even laugh. His voice was low and steady, and his expression was so emotionless it almost felt inhuman. He continued speaking calmly.
"I don't like government. All the governments I've seen have been liars and cunning. Diana wants you to break free from those prejudices and preconceptions, but seeing her, who doesn't care about others, consider you shows you're different."
Ayla tried to understand what Noah was saying.
“I am not cunning, and I have never lied...”
“I know now. And you said you had a child.”
Ayla, who had been staring at the floor, was startled and unconsciously locked eyes with Noah. His cloudy blue eyes were focused downwards, not on her face. Ayla unconsciously clutched her lower abdomen.
“Ah... how did you know...”
"Why didn't you leave? Is it because you're still unsure of your own choices, or because Erita has caught you off guard? I don't know."
Unlike before, when he used to reprimand people harshly, his tone was somewhat more lenient.
Ayla had no intention of embarrassing or causing trouble for Diana, so she couldn't say anything.
"No, I'm planning to leave soon. I don't want to cause any more trouble."
“He was a good person. Is that why?”
Noah, his back straight, tilted his head, rubbing his chin. He was reminded of Mastiff.
Born illegitimate, Mastiff was a human considered useless by everyone. He was helpless in the face of his mother's prolonged violence, accustomed to contempt. Noah sensed a resemblance between Mastiff and the woman standing before him.
“I think I know why Mastiff did that.”
Noah's face, with its round, smiling eyes, seemed cynical at first glance, but there was no sense of accusation.
Ayla had heard many times that Mastiff was a terrifying man, capable of killing and torturing people at will, but her own experience with him proved otherwise. Even if it was merely a misunderstanding, a transaction that left only scars, she was glad Mastiff had reached out first.
“I’m sorry, but I really don’t have anyone to ask...”
Ayla took a piece of paper out of her apron pocket and handed it to him.
“He told me to take this to Capel, but I can’t read or understand it. Could you explain it to me?”
Noah opened the neatly written certificate with a slightly curious expression on his face and let out a low laugh.
"It's literally true. Just bring it with you, show it when you enter the country, and then go to the Beatrice Bank to withdraw the necessary funds. You need a certain amount of deposit to stay in the Kappel Federation."
“Deposit?”
"Don't you understand? He transferred the certificate of deposit. He gave you over a million pounds."
A million? Ayla's mouth fell open. It was a sum a commoner like herself would never see or touch. Noah's lips quirked upwards, and he covered his mouth with one hand. He finally burst out laughing.
“Wow, that’s really amazing.”
Ayla remained frozen for a moment, her face as stiff as a dry log. Noah asked, a lingering smile on his face.
“What did Mastiff make you do again?”
“Huh? He just told me to leave.”
“Yeah. You’re a good and kind person, aren’t you?”
“No... I’m stupid. I’m a fool.”
Noah showed Ayla a tender expression for the first time. His next words were gentle, as if he were soothing and comforting a child.
"No, it's not. Even if you made a foolish mistake, you ultimately made the best choice. That's why people who knew your true colors wanted to help you."
'I decided to become friends with Ayla.'
Ayla recalled Diana's words and looked down at her feet. "Friend," the word felt like warm sunlight shining down on the frost-covered ground.
She wished she had someone to be affectionate towards. She longed to be cherished, even just once. A lump in her throat ached as she remembered Diana's words to cherish others first. It was so painful that tears welled up in her eyes. Ayla briefly pondered what this strange pain was, then spoke.
"Yes. She's a kind and precious person. She's also my only friend."
Ayla smiled, her first feeling of excitement and joy unfamiliar to her. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled, wet as if she had discovered a light of salvation hidden deep within the darkness. Noah's mouth twisted slightly, but she didn't notice. Diana would have sensed his strangely disturbed state.
“Strangely, I cry even when I’m not sad.”
Noah, who had been quietly observing Ayla's tearful expression with a smiling face, gave advice.
"You'd better leave quickly. As soon as possible. My interference with your choices ends here."
She vowed once again to live happily with the child in her womb. Ayla bowed, determined to leave immediately before he found out she was pregnant, as he had said.
"I won't be able to say goodbye to the Countess, but please tell her I have a letter. Thank you very much."
“Yeah, if you go there, Mastiff will come looking for you.”
Ayla's eyes widened at the unexpected, hopeful words. Noah turned to her, a smile curling his lips. Ayla watched Noah's back and prayed deeply for the couple's happiness.
Noah turned around, his mouth set in a line. With a perfectly expressionless face, he rolled up his sleeves slightly and checked the time on his wristwatch.
'Forget it.'
'You can do it again.'
After returning to her room after her shift change, Ayla stood clutching the certificate Mastiff had given her, recalling Diana's words. The weather grew increasingly gloomy, and gray clouds gathered, dropping raindrops one by one.
She won't forget the pain, but let's live again. Contrary to the cloudy weather, a ray of sunshine, like salvation, appeared in her heart. Ayla hurriedly walked back to her room. She was there to hand in the resignation letter she had written.
Ayla, carrying her resignation letter and donning a worn-out cloak, reached out toward the falling rain. The rain, tickling her palm and pooling before trickling down, felt warm, like a welcome shower in a drought.
Passing the tea room for the garden party, she hurried to get her cloak wetter. Just as she passed the glass greenhouse, she heard someone talking and stopped. The voices of two people, a man and a woman, were unknown.
“How dare you touch that expensive jewel... I’m afraid it might get me into trouble, too.”
“The pay is high. There are plenty of other people who can do it, so if you don’t like it, just quit.”
“No, I will.”
“You just have to testify that Ayla secretly entered the room.”
Ayla's eyes widened when her name came up in an unintentionally overheard conversation. She covered her mouth, fearing any sound might escape, and crouched among the poplar trees. Fortunately, the sound of the rain masked her presence.
Ayla, sensing danger and realizing that he was trying to frame her, was about to leave immediately, and was about to cautiously leave the place, when she suddenly heard a familiar name.
“Are you trying to frame Countess Rotsilt?”
“Yes. You, too, make sure to speak properly.”
She froze in place, still trying to escape. Raindrops dripped from the cloak she'd been wearing, and she was soaking wet. She struggled to move and headed back to her room.
Ayla hurriedly changed into her street clothes to go to the mansion and tell Diana about this. As she headed to the maid's room to get her pass, someone called her name in the hallway.
“Ayla Delson.”
Startled, she turned around and saw a woman standing in a thin raincoat. Lightning flashed outside the hallway window. Yellow eyes stared straight at her. A few seconds later, a thunderclap, like a lion's roar, erupted.
“...Hello, Marchioness of Wales.”
“Is being a maid worth it?”
This was the first time she'd spoken to her. Ayla was at a loss. She believed the Marchioness of Wales wasn't a bad person. She'd never once verbally abused her, even as a government official. She was also a high-ranking noblewoman, personally caring for children at orphanages and volunteering, a deed she admired. Therefore, her guilt was mounting. She bowed deeply, determined to offer her a sincere apology.
"I'm truly sorry. I never had the chance to apologize, so I didn't tell you. I was foolish and hurt your feelings."
The Marchioness still stood upright, her aristocratic features intact. Her amber eyes narrowed and curved generously.
"It's not entirely your fault. Orders from superiors are inevitably coercive. He simply manipulated and exploited those under him."
“Still, I was wrong.”
"It's in the past, so it's okay. Ayla, I have a favor to ask of you."
The Marchioness's slender, delicate fingers caressed Ayla's cheek. Though the touch was gentle, her fingertips were as cold as ice. Ayla, sensing the sharp sensation, looked at her with anxious eyes.
“What is it?”
“Is Countess Rotsilt important to you?”
It was a sudden question. Ayla nodded and bowed.
“Yes. She is someone I am grateful for, and I cherish her.”
"Then I'd like you to come with me and help Countess Rotsilt. I'm afraid she's in trouble."
As Ayla looked up in surprise and her eyes widened, the Marchioness added softly.
"If you don't want to, you don't have to help me. You made the right choice to become a palace maid back then. I believed you were a good person, so I encouraged you to live with integrity, and I still do."
“I... chose?”
"It was your choice. I only suggested it to you through the head maid, not ordered you to do so. If I had expressed my disapproval, you would have remained as a government official."
She once resented her for sending her as a maid to a wicked Princess, but now she sees no ill will behind it. Before leaving Wales Manor, the old head maid had praised her for her elegant and noble approach, saying it was as if she had given her the opportunity of a palace maid instead of harassing her government.
“I will do my best to help you, madam.”
The Marchioness's lips curved beautifully at her answer. Ayla had no idea how she knew this, or why a high-ranking nobleman would seek her help, a maid. It was a request from someone who had forgiven her past transgressions, and her concern for Diana, who had shown her favor, clouded her vision.
Ayla believed that she had chosen it solely on her own.
The justice that was barely permitted to her. That was it.
She simply fiddled with the certificate Mastiff had given her. She had a premonition that she would never see him again. She could only read the numbers; the rest was in a foreign language, so she didn't really understand its purpose. So she just kept it close to her chest, like a sacred object protecting her.
One day, Ayla encountered Noah, who was visiting the palace. As she walked along, lost in thought, she was startled by the sight of his silvery hair, reflecting the sunlight and glistening. She quickly bowed.
“Hello, Count.”
He looked at her with disinterest, wearing a dark blue suit with a thinly striped vest and a sky blue shirt. One hand was in his suit pocket. Despite his hunched posture, he exuded an aristocratic and refined air.
“You still haven’t quit. Even though I told you so.”
His gaze was as crooked as his posture. Ayla, timid, couldn't bear to look into his sharp, upturned eyes.
“No, I’ll quit soon.”
Ayla felt intimidated by the tall, well-built man lumbering toward her. He leaned forward, his hands in his pockets. His gaze, staring down at her with an indifferent expression, seemed to penetrate every thought, sending a prickle through the forehead of the person standing opposite.
Noah, who was staring at her, asked.
“Why Diana of all people?”
"Yes?"
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
Unlike when he saw Diana, he didn't smile at all. He always wore a warm smile when he saw his wife. Ayla hesitated, her face sullen.
"Sorry."
"It's like a conditioned reflex. You're apologizing without even knowing what it is. You have nothing to be sorry about."
Noah didn't even laugh. His voice was low and steady, and his expression was so emotionless it almost felt inhuman. He continued speaking calmly.
"I don't like government. All the governments I've seen have been liars and cunning. Diana wants you to break free from those prejudices and preconceptions, but seeing her, who doesn't care about others, consider you shows you're different."
Ayla tried to understand what Noah was saying.
“I am not cunning, and I have never lied...”
“I know now. And you said you had a child.”
Ayla, who had been staring at the floor, was startled and unconsciously locked eyes with Noah. His cloudy blue eyes were focused downwards, not on her face. Ayla unconsciously clutched her lower abdomen.
“Ah... how did you know...”
"Why didn't you leave? Is it because you're still unsure of your own choices, or because Erita has caught you off guard? I don't know."
Unlike before, when he used to reprimand people harshly, his tone was somewhat more lenient.
Ayla had no intention of embarrassing or causing trouble for Diana, so she couldn't say anything.
"No, I'm planning to leave soon. I don't want to cause any more trouble."
“He was a good person. Is that why?”
Noah, his back straight, tilted his head, rubbing his chin. He was reminded of Mastiff.
Born illegitimate, Mastiff was a human considered useless by everyone. He was helpless in the face of his mother's prolonged violence, accustomed to contempt. Noah sensed a resemblance between Mastiff and the woman standing before him.
“I think I know why Mastiff did that.”
Noah's face, with its round, smiling eyes, seemed cynical at first glance, but there was no sense of accusation.
Ayla had heard many times that Mastiff was a terrifying man, capable of killing and torturing people at will, but her own experience with him proved otherwise. Even if it was merely a misunderstanding, a transaction that left only scars, she was glad Mastiff had reached out first.
“I’m sorry, but I really don’t have anyone to ask...”
Ayla took a piece of paper out of her apron pocket and handed it to him.
“He told me to take this to Capel, but I can’t read or understand it. Could you explain it to me?”
Noah opened the neatly written certificate with a slightly curious expression on his face and let out a low laugh.
"It's literally true. Just bring it with you, show it when you enter the country, and then go to the Beatrice Bank to withdraw the necessary funds. You need a certain amount of deposit to stay in the Kappel Federation."
“Deposit?”
"Don't you understand? He transferred the certificate of deposit. He gave you over a million pounds."
A million? Ayla's mouth fell open. It was a sum a commoner like herself would never see or touch. Noah's lips quirked upwards, and he covered his mouth with one hand. He finally burst out laughing.
“Wow, that’s really amazing.”
Ayla remained frozen for a moment, her face as stiff as a dry log. Noah asked, a lingering smile on his face.
“What did Mastiff make you do again?”
“Huh? He just told me to leave.”
“Yeah. You’re a good and kind person, aren’t you?”
“No... I’m stupid. I’m a fool.”
Noah showed Ayla a tender expression for the first time. His next words were gentle, as if he were soothing and comforting a child.
"No, it's not. Even if you made a foolish mistake, you ultimately made the best choice. That's why people who knew your true colors wanted to help you."
'I decided to become friends with Ayla.'
Ayla recalled Diana's words and looked down at her feet. "Friend," the word felt like warm sunlight shining down on the frost-covered ground.
She wished she had someone to be affectionate towards. She longed to be cherished, even just once. A lump in her throat ached as she remembered Diana's words to cherish others first. It was so painful that tears welled up in her eyes. Ayla briefly pondered what this strange pain was, then spoke.
"Yes. She's a kind and precious person. She's also my only friend."
Ayla smiled, her first feeling of excitement and joy unfamiliar to her. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled, wet as if she had discovered a light of salvation hidden deep within the darkness. Noah's mouth twisted slightly, but she didn't notice. Diana would have sensed his strangely disturbed state.
“Strangely, I cry even when I’m not sad.”
Noah, who had been quietly observing Ayla's tearful expression with a smiling face, gave advice.
"You'd better leave quickly. As soon as possible. My interference with your choices ends here."
She vowed once again to live happily with the child in her womb. Ayla bowed, determined to leave immediately before he found out she was pregnant, as he had said.
"I won't be able to say goodbye to the Countess, but please tell her I have a letter. Thank you very much."
“Yeah, if you go there, Mastiff will come looking for you.”
Ayla's eyes widened at the unexpected, hopeful words. Noah turned to her, a smile curling his lips. Ayla watched Noah's back and prayed deeply for the couple's happiness.
Noah turned around, his mouth set in a line. With a perfectly expressionless face, he rolled up his sleeves slightly and checked the time on his wristwatch.
***
'Forget it.'
'You can do it again.'
After returning to her room after her shift change, Ayla stood clutching the certificate Mastiff had given her, recalling Diana's words. The weather grew increasingly gloomy, and gray clouds gathered, dropping raindrops one by one.
She won't forget the pain, but let's live again. Contrary to the cloudy weather, a ray of sunshine, like salvation, appeared in her heart. Ayla hurriedly walked back to her room. She was there to hand in the resignation letter she had written.
Ayla, carrying her resignation letter and donning a worn-out cloak, reached out toward the falling rain. The rain, tickling her palm and pooling before trickling down, felt warm, like a welcome shower in a drought.
Passing the tea room for the garden party, she hurried to get her cloak wetter. Just as she passed the glass greenhouse, she heard someone talking and stopped. The voices of two people, a man and a woman, were unknown.
“How dare you touch that expensive jewel... I’m afraid it might get me into trouble, too.”
“The pay is high. There are plenty of other people who can do it, so if you don’t like it, just quit.”
“No, I will.”
“You just have to testify that Ayla secretly entered the room.”
Ayla's eyes widened when her name came up in an unintentionally overheard conversation. She covered her mouth, fearing any sound might escape, and crouched among the poplar trees. Fortunately, the sound of the rain masked her presence.
Ayla, sensing danger and realizing that he was trying to frame her, was about to leave immediately, and was about to cautiously leave the place, when she suddenly heard a familiar name.
“Are you trying to frame Countess Rotsilt?”
“Yes. You, too, make sure to speak properly.”
She froze in place, still trying to escape. Raindrops dripped from the cloak she'd been wearing, and she was soaking wet. She struggled to move and headed back to her room.
Ayla hurriedly changed into her street clothes to go to the mansion and tell Diana about this. As she headed to the maid's room to get her pass, someone called her name in the hallway.
“Ayla Delson.”
Startled, she turned around and saw a woman standing in a thin raincoat. Lightning flashed outside the hallway window. Yellow eyes stared straight at her. A few seconds later, a thunderclap, like a lion's roar, erupted.
“...Hello, Marchioness of Wales.”
“Is being a maid worth it?”
This was the first time she'd spoken to her. Ayla was at a loss. She believed the Marchioness of Wales wasn't a bad person. She'd never once verbally abused her, even as a government official. She was also a high-ranking noblewoman, personally caring for children at orphanages and volunteering, a deed she admired. Therefore, her guilt was mounting. She bowed deeply, determined to offer her a sincere apology.
"I'm truly sorry. I never had the chance to apologize, so I didn't tell you. I was foolish and hurt your feelings."
The Marchioness still stood upright, her aristocratic features intact. Her amber eyes narrowed and curved generously.
"It's not entirely your fault. Orders from superiors are inevitably coercive. He simply manipulated and exploited those under him."
“Still, I was wrong.”
"It's in the past, so it's okay. Ayla, I have a favor to ask of you."
The Marchioness's slender, delicate fingers caressed Ayla's cheek. Though the touch was gentle, her fingertips were as cold as ice. Ayla, sensing the sharp sensation, looked at her with anxious eyes.
“What is it?”
“Is Countess Rotsilt important to you?”
It was a sudden question. Ayla nodded and bowed.
“Yes. She is someone I am grateful for, and I cherish her.”
"Then I'd like you to come with me and help Countess Rotsilt. I'm afraid she's in trouble."
As Ayla looked up in surprise and her eyes widened, the Marchioness added softly.
"If you don't want to, you don't have to help me. You made the right choice to become a palace maid back then. I believed you were a good person, so I encouraged you to live with integrity, and I still do."
“I... chose?”
"It was your choice. I only suggested it to you through the head maid, not ordered you to do so. If I had expressed my disapproval, you would have remained as a government official."
She once resented her for sending her as a maid to a wicked Princess, but now she sees no ill will behind it. Before leaving Wales Manor, the old head maid had praised her for her elegant and noble approach, saying it was as if she had given her the opportunity of a palace maid instead of harassing her government.
“I will do my best to help you, madam.”
The Marchioness's lips curved beautifully at her answer. Ayla had no idea how she knew this, or why a high-ranking nobleman would seek her help, a maid. It was a request from someone who had forgiven her past transgressions, and her concern for Diana, who had shown her favor, clouded her vision.
Ayla believed that she had chosen it solely on her own.
The justice that was barely permitted to her. That was it.
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