It bothered him.
He couldn't figure out the King's intention in suddenly summoning Owen, who lived in the small town of Hanan.
Owen coming to the palace was a big concern for Theon because he didn't know when he would change his mind.
The problem was that the small girl, who exchanged looks with Owen and talked to him, got on his nerves even more.
I asked to take good care of him, I didn't mean for you two to fool around'
Theon's eyes, which had been looking at the two, reached Ayla's heel.
Looking at the bloodstain leaking through the sloppily placed bandage, Theon frowned, and his eyes returned to their original place.
Theon, who was walking towards the two, heard unwelcome voices.
"Your Highness, I'm so glad you returned safely."
"Since Your Highness wasn't in the Royal Palace, the countrys affairs haven't seen any progress. Ohohoh."
"Is that so."
Theon felt extremely tired at the aristocrats' sweet talk, trying to score points with the next heir.
I'd rather look at one more document at this time'
After giving a light smile at the aristocrats, Theon turned his eyes again towards the two people.
Then, Princess Ariel of the Libert Kingdom approached him, with a blushing face.
Ariel, who hesitated for a long time, slowly opened her mouth with a girlish smile.
"Long time no see. Your Highness. Today too You're shining brightly as ever."
"Thank you."
At Theon's dull reaction, Ariel looked around and shut her mouth tightly, with her head down.
"At the ball today The first dance partner"
There was silence for a while, and then Ariel, who had been looking down, raised her eyes and opened her trembling lips; but Theon had already left.
She wasn't showing it on the outside but, seeing the humiliated Ariel, most of the aristocrats were whispering.
The eyes of the blushing Ariel quickly found Theon, who had disappeared.
The figure of Theon, heading towards Kyle with his gaze fixed somewhere else, caught Ariel's eyes.
There was a maid on the move carrying champagne in the area where Theon was looking at.
Finding Ayla, Ariel gently bit her lower lip while keeping a cold gaze.
***
Why are you looking at me like that'
Ayla smiled awkwardly at Theon, who was just staring at her silently, and avoided his eyes for some reason.
"Tea! I brought the tea Would you like some?"
"Let's do that."
At Ayla's words, Theon moved from a standstill.
Ayla put the well-brewed Darjeeling tea in front of Theon, who was sitting at his desk before she realized it.
"It smells good."
Theon, who lifted the teacup and inhaled the fragrance, had a smile on his face.
Unlike Theon, who looked happy, Ayla somehow looked serious.
The spot where Ayla had her eyes on was the accounting document she had seen recently, which stated the cost of the banquet.
It's weird, no matter how you look at it'
The total was even bigger than the amount she saw the other day.
There were no traces of the advance payments and the cost of other trivial items increased.
Seeing that, Theon quietly closed the folder. His gray eyes were suddenly filled with alertness.
"I'm glad it suits your taste."
"I haven't seen you in days."
"I was at home For a while"
"Home?"
""
He knows.
She thought he might know; but seeing Theon's expression, she was sure of it.
That she is Count Jaden Serdian's daughter.
That the mansion she lived in had disappeared, as if it never existed in the first place.
He seemed to know everything.
She heard a rumor at the maids' quarters that the King was old and weak, and the Prince was watching over most of the Kingdom's affairs.
She thought that maybe the person who knew the most about her father's case was Theon.
"I can't help but know."
""
"You're the daughter of a man who committed high treason, it would be weird not to know."
Theon put down the tea he was drinking and said, looking at Ayla.
It seemed as if he was seeing through Ayla's thoughts.
"They're garnets."
"Ah It's nothing."
At Theon's words, Ayla quietly pulled down the sleeve that had been rolled up.
"It looks like a jewel that is difficult to obtain with the monthly pay of a low-rank maid."
"What Do you mean?"
"I don't know, the tea has cooled down a lot."
With his last words, Theon gestured as if telling her to leave.
Ayla bit her lips and left, taking the cup full of tea.
***