"I don't think Baron Noir could have done this alone Who ordered it? Is this the work of high-ranking officials?"
After speaking, Ayla smiled faintly and fixed her gaze on the Baron.
Baron Noir's eyes started trembling incessantly.
"I-I just did what I was told! I d-don't know anything. I just had to bring the tribute! The confirmations were all Anyway, I really didn't know. Please Believe me!"
"If you tell me who's behind it, I won't hold the Baron accountable."
"R Really?"
"Of course. What did the Baron do wrong? Even if you made a deal, it's someone above you Since Baron Noir has no authority."
The baron eagerly wiped the drops of sweat on his forehead, as if he were relieved by the words that came out of Ayla's mouth.
"The P-Princess Is more ambitious than I thought. Actually, I Arghh!"
Thump.
The moment Baron Noir, who was constantly wiping his sweat with a handkerchief, opened his mouth, as if he had made up his mind.
An arrow came flying from somewhere through the air and quickly pierced the back of the pillar where Ayla was standing.
"Escort Princess Zenia! Strengthen your guard and look around, quickly!"
Seeing the red cloth tied to the arrow, Orhan recognized the seriousness of the situation and shouted at the male servants around him.
They must have been prepared in advance for such a situation; when Orhan's urgent voice resounded, they naturally took out their weapons and quickly headed out of the mansion.
She didn't think that those gathered in the mansion would be mere servants; but seeing it in reality, everything was confusing. Ayla's body trembled slightly as she shook her head from side to side.
It was difficult to accept the sudden circumstances.
If its direction had changed even a little, the arrow that came flying could have pierced her heart.
Theon quickly pulled Ayla, who was standing still as if she were in shock, into his arms, but he was equally astonished.
"A-Are you alright?"
"No. This time I don't think I'm alright."
"Leave this to Orhan and go inside. To what extent is this related"
At her trembling voice, Theon's arm that was holding Ayla tightened a little more.
She looked around with her blue eyes that shook quickly, in his embrace.
Before long, Devin, who was crying over Ayla's gaze, came into view.
Ayla raised her hand and covered her mouth with tears in her eyes.
It looked like the arrow that came flying had deeply grazed his arm.
"Arghhh!"
From the moment the arrow flew in, Devin, who was screaming in pain and shrieking, had his shirt stained with blood.
Before long, one sleeve of the shirt the Baron was wearing completely turned red. Devin was looking at his dreadful appearance with frightened eyes.
"Get yourself together, Ayla Serdian! You must go inside, quickly!"
Theon grabbed Ayla, who had stopped to look at the Baron, by the shoulders and shook her.
As if it wouldn't do, Theon carefully covered Ayla's eyes and pushed her into the mansion.
Devin, who was squeezing his blood-soaked right arm, trembled violently.
Then, he looked around and slowly backed away, leaving the mansion in a hurry.
***
"Please bring us warm tea and a blanket."
"!"
Theon, who entered the mansion with Ayla in his arms, ordered Elin to bring tea and a blanket. Seeing Theon's appearance, Elin's eyes began to tremble greatly.
He was wearing a hooded robe the whole time he was in the mansion. Theon's appearance was a shock in itself, because she thought that he was just one of the warrior guards after hearing Ayla's words.
The urgency was revealed on Theon's face as he nervously removed the hood he was wearing.
Although he had a darker complexion due to the makeup that Ayla had applied, it did not hide his outstanding appearance. And for some reason, that handsome face was very contorted.
It was only natural for Elin to be unaware of the commotion outside, as she was only staying inside the mansion.
Elin stood still with her big eyes wide open.
"Aren't you going to bring it?"
"Ah! Y Yes. I understand."
After answering Theon's annoyed voice, Elin hurriedly turned her steps.
He could feel Ayla's body trembling more and more as he held her in his arms, with her eyes out of focus as if her soul had left her.
Theon pulled Ayla out of his arms for a moment, then took off his clothes and put them over her shoulders.
"Can you walk?"
"Yes. I can. Don't worry."
Pretending to be fine, Ayla smiled and stepped towards the stairs going up to the second floor.
Despite Ayla's efforts, there was nothing she could do about her trembling legs.
Theon sighed at the sight of Ayla walking while putting a lot of strength in her body, as if trying to calm down the trembling.
"W-What are you doing?"
"If you go alone, I think you will only go up tomorrow morning."
Theon, who had suddenly come behind her, held Ayla's knees and waist and slowly lifted her slender body into the air.
As Theon's sudden action widened her field of vision, Ayla's eyes, which were startled, opened even wider.
"Will you hold on tight? You will hurt you head if you fall. Can you do a maid's job properly when you're so light?"
" I can look after myself so don't worry."
"Why don't you look at your state and tell me? You're all talk and no action."
"I I said I'm fine, so why are you overreacting? You're absurd, really."
"At least do something about that hand and pretend to be fine."
At Theon's words, Ayla, who had a sharp expression on her face, lowered her gaze.
Seeing her fingers trembling incessantly, she shut her mouth as if she had nothing to say.
Whether he liked Ayla's quietness, Theon smiled and walked to the second floor.
***