Unlike Claire, who persistently tried to win his love by any means and methods, Owen's behavior, who was polite to a minimum extent, was a hot topic among the maids.
Owen got a friendly reputation for being gentlemanly and cool.
His beautiful looks also did a great job in raising his reputation. some of the maids even started having a heartache towards Owen. Thanks to that, Claire's reputation plummeted even further.
Even if there was really something between the two, it wasn't something that concerned Ayla, a low-rank maid; but she wanted to make fun of Owen as he explained himself while jumping around.
"It seemed like I was interrupting, I was so worried It wasn't on purpose. Do you understand?"
""
At Ayla's teasing voice, Owen lowered his gaze and said nothing.
What is this, I thought he was going to be talkative as usual Why is he so serious?'
When he gave no reaction, contrary to her expectations, Ayla gave Owen a side-glance.
He kept silent, with his head down.
"So That's why you didn't come."
"?"
Ayla's eyes widened at Owen's drooping voice.
Suddenly, his eyes became wet, and he was looking at Ayla with an indistinct gaze.
Is Is he crying?!"
She only wanted to joke around as usual, but Owen looked like he was about to cry.
"You didn't come because you hate me?"
"No That's not it"
I was just busy'
Owen seemed to have a strong misunderstanding.
Getting closer to Claire wasn't very good, but that wasn't why she kept away from Owen. It was thanks to His Highness, an evil employer who makes her work day and night.
"It's fine. I'm guilty of misbehaving."
Looking at his expression, he seemed to think that she didn't come because she was jealous.
She left it like that, so it was easy to be misunderstood. She was already hated and looked down on, she didn't want rumors going around that she seduced Grand Duke Arrot.
"No, that's not it, His Highness ordered me specifically to"
"Theon?"
"Yes. So, it wasn't on purpose, I just couldn't come! I was still worried, so I came on my own like this. Hahaha."
After speaking, Ayla smiled awkwardly. Owen opened his eyes wide at Ayla, as if reaffirming her words. Ayla nodded slowly in a positive way.
Owen, who smiled wide and said, "Thank God.", had a stiff expression for a moment, as if he had remembered something.
Owen, who had been thinking for a moment, opened his heavy mouth.
"Did anything happen With Theon?"
"What do you mean? What is supposed to happen?"
Ayla said, squinting her eyes.
"N-Nothing! Nothing! I'm glad you don't hate me! How worried I was that maybe you hated me, that I couldn't sleep for a while. Now I will be able to sleep comfortably!!"
At Ayla's curious look, Owen spoke while smiling innocently, as if he hadn't said that.
She smiled along and laughed, but somehow, she couldn't shake off her uneasiness at Owen's behavior, which seemed like he was hiding something.
***
Pitch-black darkness. It was dark everywhere.
As his vision was reduced, the sense of hearing and smelling became more sensitive.
In the darkness, there was the smell of damp mold and a subtle smell of blood.
As he got used to the darkness, he couldn't tell how many people were there, but he could see people holding their breath in fear.
A ray of light came from the entrance of the cave, as if the sun were rising.
Everyone looked towards the source of light.
Soon after, three shadows were seen through the pouring light.
Between two grown men, wearing armor and armed with weapons, a young man, who still looked like a child, came in through the entrance.
"P-Please save me."
"It It was my mistake. Please Please Have mercy."
"Please save my child. My child is not at fault. It's all my fault!!!"
Everyone who saw them trembled and begged.
The three men who had entered the cave stood expressionless in front of the horrified people.
When faced with their cold gaze, those who had begged shut their mouths as if they had never said anything.
There was no emotion in the eyes of the young boy who seemed to be about 15 years old.
The inside was filled with silence.
In the distance, there were sounds of children sobbing from time to time.
"Let's form an alliance with the Kingdom."
""
The voice of the boy who broke the silence was too low and cold to be possible for his age.
The men, who were concentrating on the boy's words, only bowed their head in unison and gave no answer.
"One thing I like is loyalty."
When the boy finished speaking, he opened the palm of his hand with a sarcastic smile and small flames whirled up.
Soon, the dark cave filled with people's screams and sobs.
***