Chapter 17
The next morning, Anette stood in front of her wardrobe, deep in thought.
She had nothing to wear.
The dress she wore when she first arrived was too old and worn out, so she had thrown it away, leaving her with only the shabby robe she had used as a cover.
The only clothes she had left were her usual maid’s uniform and sleepwear.
“Oh well.”
In the end, Anette put on her maid’s uniform, as she did every day.
“I need to go buy some clothes first.”
She carefully tucked away her pouch of money and stepped out of her room. Before heading out, there was something she needed to check.
She made her way to the hallway next to the office of the Second Order’s commander.
Hiding behind the corner, Anette keenly observed Charles’ office.
Even on a day off, she couldn’t risk being followed by that crazy stalker.
She needed to confirm that Charles was inside before leaving the temple.
“What are you doing here?”
“Ah! You scared me!”
A deep voice suddenly spoke behind her, making Anette jump.
It was him.
“What the hell? Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
Annoyed, she turned to glare at him.
She didn’t want to see Lucas right now.
She had foolishly imagined something between them. It was embarrassing beyond belief.
Ever since that day, she had been kicking the air at night, haunted by thoughts of him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m spying.”
“On Charles de Avenne? Why?”
Lucas grabbed her by the shoulders, turning her to face him.
Anette glanced at the office door before looking back at him.
He was still ridiculously handsome.
‘So annoying.’
“Don’t tell me… you like that bastard?”
“Hah.”
“Answer me. Do you have feelings for him?”
Lucas’ eyes wavered.
He looked like he both wanted to hear her answer and was afraid of it.
Anette was dumbfounded.
‘Why are you acting like you like me?’
It irritated her.
Lucas didn’t like her, yet he kept acting in a way that would make her misunderstand.
This guy was just as crazy as Charles.
There was no way Lucas liked her.
If he did—if he were even a little bit interested in her—then at that moment… he would have at least tried to kiss her.
Even a simple peck.
And even if he did like her, she wasn’t interested in a useless man.
“Why… why can’t you answer?”
“Are you insane? Who in their right mind would like that lunatic? He’s sick in the head.”
Anette pointed at her temple.
Charles was not okay.
Not at all.
“Then why are you spying on him?”
“Well… oh! Perfect timing. Check if Charles is inside for me.”
“Why should I?”
“Just do it.”
She hadn’t even spread the rumor about him yet, so why was he being so difficult?
Maybe she should just tell everyone.
“You’re getting cockier by the day.”
“Then let’s call it a favor. Please? Just this once?”
“…Fine. But you owe me a favor in return.”
“Deal.”
Lucas studied her face for a moment before turning toward the office.
There were no guards outside, which meant Charles might not even be inside.
Lucas pushed the door open halfway, and a voice came from within.
“Huh? Sir Roiental? What brings you to my office?”
“I don’t need anything from you, Sir de Avenne. Just checking something.”
Anette’s face lit up.
He was inside.
Without hesitation, she spun around and took off running.
Freedom!
Lucas chuckled as he watched her run.
She was probably just messing with him.
So bold and…
“Cute.”
Too damn cute.
“Sir Roiental?”
“…Nothing. My apologies, Sir de Avenne.”
Lucas closed the door and looked down the now-empty hallway where Anette had disappeared.
She had agreed to his favor so quickly—did she even know what she was agreeing to?
As soon as Anette stepped out of the temple, someone was looking for her.
“She’s on leave? Oh dear. That means I won’t see her until tonight—or rather, tomorrow.”
“I’ll make sure to pass your message along, High Priest.”
“Thank you, Anna.”
It was High Priest Noah Castus.
He had come to ask the head maid, Anna, about Anette’s whereabouts.
It was important.
Noah had spent days locked in the prayer room, deep in thought.
Now, he had finally made a decision.
But Anette was gone.
There was nothing he could do but wait until tomorrow.
Disappointed, Noah returned to the temple’s main hall.
Even though she was in a maid’s uniform, Anette felt more comfortable and free than ever.
The outside air felt so fresh now that she had money in her pockets.
“Ahh, the weather is amazing!”
She hummed happily as she walked through the busy streets.
People glanced at her as she passed.
A dazzlingly beautiful girl in a maid’s uniform—she was bound to draw attention.
And someone was secretly following her.
It was Edwin Carte, a knight of the Duke of Royce’s household.
Anette Etheled was acting strange.
As he shadowed her, Edwin couldn’t stop wondering—why?
Why?
What had changed?
Ever since her suicide attempt, she had been acting like a completely different person.
Why was she smiling like a madwoman?
The Anette he knew had been obsessed with royal dignity.
She envied everything Heine had—pretty clothes, jewelry, food.
Everything except Edwin Carte.
The day Heine made Edwin her knight, Anette had laughed in their faces.
“A mercenary as a knight? How ridiculous. A pathetic master and an even more pathetic knight. A perfect match. Hahaha!”
Even when Heine wasn’t around, Anette would sneer at him.
“You should protect your master well. You never know when I might kill her. But honestly, your life is more at risk. A filthy mercenary as a knight? It’s laughable.”
In the Etheled Kingdom, knights were as noble as the aristocracy.
They dedicated their lives to the goddess and the kingdom—and when the kingdom fell, they all took their own lives in disgrace.
That was why Anette despised mercenary knights like Edwin.
She had grown up in the Duke of Royce’s household, but in her mind, she was still a princess of Etheled.
The royal family had all killed themselves.
And that had broken the young Anette.
No one had saved her.
No one had healed her.
So, she had grown up twisted.
The Duke of Royce wasn’t to blame, and Anette knew it.
But she still hated them for it.
And they, in turn, had silently endured her cruelty.
But Edwin had only become a knight a few years ago.
He didn’t understand why the Duke’s family tolerated her.
Anette always mocked Heine and Edwin, but the truth was—she was the disgraceful one.
And now, this disgraceful girl was acting like a completely different person.
“I’M GONNA SPEND IT ALL! ALL OF IT!”
She suddenly stopped, let out a wild laugh, and shouted in the middle of the street.
She had lost her mind.
The Duke had ordered Edwin to watch her—and follow her if she ever left the temple.
Steeling himself, Edwin continued to trail behind her.
Anette didn’t bother hiding her excitement.
There was no need to.
People stared at her as she laughed in the middle of the street, but she didn’t care.
Her pockets were full.
How could she not be happy?
Humming, she arrived at the bustling shopping district.
She even spotted the inn she had stayed at when she was kicked out of her house.
Leaving the inn street behind, she entered the shopping district, where merchants and shoppers crowded the roads.
A noblewoman, dressed in an exquisite gown, stepped out of a carriage and entered a shop.
Curious, Anette followed.
“Whoa. This is insane.”
