Episode 16
Ashlyn stared blankly at the strong arm that stretched from beside her ear. The solid muscles were tightened, and could most definitely break the man’s arm.
“I’ve been searching for a while.”
A familiar scent filled the air.
“Lord…”
Mmph. Ashlyn covered her mouth on her own.
This place was a bustling street, and the Duke’s appearance was very different from usual. The corner of his lips drew upwards, as if he was praising her for being tactful.
“What are you doing here?”
A very affectionate voice followed.
“You get involved with even garbage like this.”
The face of the person whispering was excessively sweet.
“Hey, agh!”
The man let out a loud scream. People passing by the street glanced in this direction.
“W-What is it? A bodyguard? Dammit!”
The man twisted his arm and pulled it out.
Despite his considerable size, when standing in front of the Duke, he was just a small puppy in front of a tiger.
“Y-You’ll see!”
The man bit his lips and swiftly disappeared. Ashlyn stared blankly at his disappearing figure.
A brief silence passed.
“Haah.”
As the boorish man vanished, Ashlyn breathed a sigh of relief. Her legs almost gave out, but she managed to hold herself up.
Suddenly, she felt a gaze looking down at her.
“What are you doing here? Lord…”
At that moment, the Duke brought his hand to Ashlyn’s lips.
“Are you trying to expose my identity?”
He said with a soft smile.
Ashlyn slowly scanned the Duke’s appearance.
A long, black cloak with no decorations, a plain shirt, and pants. A leather belt with a sword hanging from it.
The attire of a common mercenary knight.
“What are you doing dressed like this?”
She asked, raising an eyebrow. As he tilted his head slightly, his casually swept bangs swayed in response.
“I had some business to attend to and was on my way back. It’s quite a coincidence to meet you in this busy street.”
Ashlyn was momentarily speechless.
‘Earlier… didn’t he say he’d been searching for a while?’
Did she mishear?
She felt uncomfortable.
The Duke glanced at Ashlyn, lost in thought, and then cast a cold gaze behind her.
His guards, upon receiving his look, swiftly moved into action. It was a signal to chase and deal with the fleeing man.
“Anyway, thank you for your help.”
A clear and distinct voice was heard. The Duke shifted his gaze back to Ashlyn.
His fierce and piercing gaze softened, and a sweet smile naturally appeared on his lips.
“You’re welcome.”
Ashlyn glanced briefly in the direction the man had disappeared, unable to hide her frightened expression. The Duke, observing her, slowly opened his mouth.
“It seems… you might need an escort.”
Ashlyn’s pupils turned towards the Duke. A long sigh escaped her lips.
She couldn’t afford to find herself in the same situation again.
Yet, she couldn’t just go back like this. She hadn’t been able to buy a single item that the head maid had requested.
‘Do I have to hire a guard from the Mercenary Guild?’
She was beginning to think she wouldn’t have come out at all if she’d known it’d be like this.
“Where should we go first?”
The man standing beside her asked abruptly. Ashlyn tilted her head.
“Pardon?”
“I’m done with my business,”
He grinned mischievously, like a boy.
“So it seems like the perfect timing.”
Ashlyn’s expression looked like she’d heard something she shouldn’t have.
“I will be your escort.”
“That’s absurd! Why would the lord…”
Shh. The Duke leaned in closer. Ashlyn held her breath at the sudden proximity. A dark shadow cast over her face.
“Today, I am just a mercenary.”
He whispered softly.
“Call me by name. I don’t wish to be caught.”
“How dare I do that?”
“It’s just a name.”
Ashlyn decided to just keep her mouth shut. The Duke, seeing her deliberate silence, shrugged and chuckled.
“Let’s go.”
He gently wrapped his arm around Ashlyn’s shoulder. Startled by the sudden contact, Ashlyn recoiled like someone burned by fire.
“I can walk alone, Your Grace…”
Huff. As if waiting for her to swallow her words, the Duke laughed. His face showed anticipation for her next words, looking somewhat mischievous.
His crimson eyes gleamed wickedly. There was a resolute determination in them that seemed like he would never give up.
‘It feels like I’ve run into a neighbourhood troublemaker.’
Ashlyn let out a long breath. There were too many people around. In the end, she had no choice but to give in.
“This will attract more attention. Please let go… Sir Tevet.”
At that moment, the Duke’s arm loosened. His enchanting smile froze.
Seizing the opportunity, Ashlyn swiftly walked past him.
“….”
Meanwhile, the Duke, or rather, Tevet, raised his hand to cover his mouth. His gaze became perplexed.
“This is more than I’d…”
Ashlyn’s slender figure came into view. Her mauve hair swayed in sync with her movements, as if dancing.
In that moment, he felt like Ashlyn would disappear in front of him. It felt like he had to go and hold her in his arms right away.
“….”
But he didn’t do it.
‘Until the memories return.’
His strong jaw muscles clenched tightly.
All he had learned was patience.
Countless times a day, he felt the urge to act according to his whims. But the harsh reality ultimately suppressed him.
Ashlyn was like a person who’d slip away from his hands like grains of sand, no matter how tightly he held on.
‘Carefully.’
But he’d make sure to never let go.
Tevet decided to humble himself. His instincts.
Like Beasts about to hunt did.
“Ashlyn asked me to write a recommendation letter for her in a month.”
So that she’d never think about such things again.
‘Memories… those damned memories.’
It was all because Ashlyn’s memories had vanished.
Tevet gritted his teeth. The letter that had arrived from the wizard a few days ago came to mind.
‘That wizard better arrive quickly.’
With his red eyes glistening, he followed Ashlyn’s figure.
The end of this spring, the beginning of a new summer.
He resolved that he’d get Ashlyn back by then.
* * *
“Please give it to me.”
“Ah.”
Ashlyn let out a short noise at his outstretched arm. It seemed that her mercenary knight was reaching out to take the box she was holding in one hand.
She stared at Tevet standing next to her.
“Leave this to your escort.”
“I can handle the matter of an escort myself…”
“Going to the Mercenary Guild won’t be of any use.”
Ashlyn remained silent for a moment.
“What do you mean?”
“They say most of the mercenary knights have been deployed for a large-scale top-level escort mission to Southern Enders.”
Tevet smiled softly.
“So, I’m the only one here who can protect you.”
Ashlyn glared at his naturally charming face.
The man in front of her was unusually stubborn today. Ashlyn let out a long sigh.
Her already tense mind and body were exhausted after experiencing that incident.
‘Today was supposed to be a rare day off.’
Thinking, analyzing, and arguing about everything just drained her.
‘I don’t even care anymore.’
So, Ashlyn decided to switch off a part of her brain, as if turning off a lamp. At least for this short vacation period.
“Have you eaten yet? I know a place nearby that serves delicious food.”
Tevet said. Come to think of it, she couldn’t remember properly eating anything since morning. Ashlyn looked at him for a moment before answering.
“…Then let’s go.”
Tevet’s expression showed a slight surprise at her gentle response. He hadn’t expected Ashlyn to agree.
But soon, he smiled, closing his eyes gently. Awkwardly, she averted her gaze from his happy expression.
The restaurant he took her to wasn’t far away.
“What is this place?”
Ashlyn thought as soon as she entered the restaurant. It was excessively luxurious and quiet inside.
“It seems like we’re the only ones here. Lucky us.”
Tevet whispered from beside her.
Was that so?
Of course, she could count on one hand the number of times she had eaten outside the palace, so she wasn’t too sure about things like this.
‘But it definitely looks like a high-end restaurant…’
Moreover, the two of them were clearly dressed as commoners.
But the restaurant staff welcomed Ashlyn and Tevet very naturally.
“Is there anything specific you’d like to eat?”
“No, not really.”
“Then I’ll take the liberty of ordering for you.”
Tevet seemed unfazed, so Ashlyn stopped thinking further.
Soon, the table was filled with various dishes.
It was her first time experiencing such a meal while disguised as a maid. Ashlyn unconsciously swallowed her saliva.
“Shall I serve the food for you?”
“Oh, I’ll just do it myself.”
“Ashie, remember, this isn’t the Ducal residence, so just stay still.”
Then why did you ask?
Ashlyn held back the urge to say those words.
Tevet diligently served the food onto the plates.
Ashlyn ate the shrimp dish, coated with butter and cheese, without saying a word. It melted delicately in her mouth.
“It seems you’ve bought grapes.”
Tevet said as he served her a pumpkin soup with cooked chickpeas.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Winter grapes are a rare treat.”
“I didn’t know there were winter grapes in Merva.”
Ashlyn remarked while looking at the box.
“Oh, that…”
Tevet moved a soft piece of bread onto her plate.
“It’s because the princess taught me the cultivation method.”
Clang. In that moment, Ashlyn’s movements abruptly halted.
‘Me?’
Her eyebrows furrowed.
Yeah no there’s something really suspicious going on here
