"Stay here and go out through the iron door tomorrow morning. I'll let Rose know about it myself, so don't worry."
She just went after him when he told her to follow him to the detached palace, but she couldn't understand how the situation became like this.
No matter how you think of it, it seems I'm getting involved again'
Although she thoughtlessly accepted his offer when he said their alliance was over, she was worried about whether she would be able to get the job done.
To fearlessly be a fake princess in the royal palace. She was doubtful whether Theon was in his right mind, but he seemed to have been preparing for this for longer than Ayla thought.
Ayla stared at Theon, squinting her eyes. Soon after, she slowly opened her mouth.
"Where are you going to get the necessary funds?"
At Ayla's attempt to start a quarrel, Theon grinned and hinted at the secret account he had shown the other day.
"This secret account I set it up for times like this. It's not the best process, but it's a good-natured slush fund."
"A good-natured slush fund? Come on. You're just like a thief."
Ayla said what she wanted to say at his thoughtless attitude, thinking she didn't have a way out anymore.
At this point, it was like they were in the same boat. She wanted to comfortably think she didn't have anything to lose, but what could she do with the anxiety that came rushing Ayla quietly glanced at Theon.
"I'll take care of the rest on my own, so our Princess Zenia shouldn't worry and just focus on acting."
Theon's attitude as if asking for consent, with his eyes fixed on Ayla while raising his eyebrows, increased the pressure even more.
"Ah, yes, it's all good. What do I get by pretending to be Princess Zenia?"
"If you do well, you can kill two birds with one stone."
Ah. He really is damn handsome.'
Seeing his beautiful, charming smile, she thought it wouldn't be that bad to be Princess Zenia.
***
Theon's plan was simpler and easier than she thought.
First, she pretends to be Princess Zenia and fools everyone.
Second, after the banquet, she waits at the designated mansion for the official in charge to bring the tribute.
Third, all the goods, including jewelry, received as tribute are absorbed into Theon's secret account.
From the way he spoke, he was convinced that, if luck were on his side, he would be able to catch the thieves if there were any missing tributes.
His words that he would give her 10% of the labor cost if things went well were tempting, but in the end, she had to do all of this well and she had to take responsibility.
Ayla, who was sitting quietly on the sofa, suddenly got up as the thought suddenly came to her.
"What if I get caught!! Will I take responsibility alone?! It is not so bad to just live as a low-rank maid for the rest of my life, is it? What does he mean he is going to get rid of the false charge? It's fine! I'm fine as it is."
An unusual urgency could be felt in her mumbling to herself as she aimed towards the sky.
"Give me food when it's time Give me food Yeah, well, at least feed me properly! Let's survive longer. There is no need to get involved in something crazy for no reason. Maybe my parents secretly want that too?? Yeah, Ayla Serdian, get yourself together. This is crazy, crazy."
Soon after, Ayla strode towards the front of the bathroom that Theon had entered with resolute eyes, as if she had made up her mind.
Click.
As Ayla reached the bathroom, the door opened and the hot steam from the inside gushed out at once.
Theon, who came out through the steam, shaking off his wet hair, tilted his head when he saw Ayla in front of the door.
"I didn't know you had such an obscene hobby."
"N No, it's not like that!"
"Even though you are at an age where you're curious about the opposite sex This kind of approach isn't right, Zenia."
"Who is Zenia! Whether it's Zenia or Senia, I won't do it. If anything goes wrong, I will probably take the blame alone Ah, I really can't do it."
Ayla's running voice gradually became smaller as she lost her confidence.
Theon let out a small sigh as he saw the fear in Ayla's eyes.
"Ugh If you can't do it, you don't have to. But the things you're worried about won't happen. I want you to know that."
""
"Even if things go wrong, the responsibility is on me, not you. At least you I can protect. So, don't worry."
At Theon's blunt but kind words, Ayla carefully raised her head and made eye contact with him.
***