“I’ll give you this box too. It’s a magic box. It’s usually hidden, but when you whistle, it will appear out of thin air.”
Ayla, embarrassed, blinked her eyes quickly.
Even though she was not well-versed in magic, she was taken aback when he said that he would give her a rare magic tool that she had never heard of before.
“It must be really expensive.”
It’s not a scroll that can be used once, and magic tools that can be used continuously are usually priceless.
“… … Hmm. That’s right. “Because my life was saved thanks to you.”
Ayla bit her lip as she looked at Winfred, who was laughing, asking if he thought the price of her life, the future heir to the throne, would be so cheap.
She got greedy. It would be a lie if she said she wasn’t greedy.
She could write down the information she found out and secretly store it, or she could obtain weapons and hide them. Plus, she didn’t have to steal new training uniforms every time she moved.
She was able to safely hide the sleeping pills that were currently hidden under the pillow in the inn room.
“… … “Is it safe?”
Ayla asked cautiously.
Magic leaves traces. There is no guarantee that it will not be detected.
“Huh. There is a security magic on this box. At least, unless you are a wizard stronger than the wizard who created the magic tool, you will never notice it. And it is a secret because the person who made this box is the person with the strongest magical power in the world.”
Winfred pounded his chest while boasting that there was no way he would ever be caught.
It was made by the strongest wizard. Normally, she would have thought it was a bluff, but the opponent was the one who would become the crown prince. It may not have been a bluff.
In this situation, she really wanted this box.
Rather than the pocket watch that Winfred originally wanted to give her, She wanted this magic box that he gave her to hide it. It was a situation where the guests and guests were turned around, but that was it.
But there was a big problem.
As Ayla’s face darkened, Winfred anxiously asked what was the problem this time.
“… … “I don’t know how to whistle.”
Ayla opened her mouth in a desperate voice.
“… … “It’s a joke, right?”
Winfred laughed awkwardly, saying it was a very funny joke. But Ayla’s expression was solemn.
“It’s no joke.”
Ayla pretended to whistle with a sad face, but all that came out was the sound of wind escaping.
“Fuha.”
Winfred burst out laughing at that sight.
She herself burst out laughing at Winfred’s words and actions several times, but she guessed she had forgotten all about it. Ayla glared at him with very unkind eyes.
At the sight of her cold eyes, the laughter disappeared from Winfred’s face, which had been laughing heartily.
“Oh, I’m sorry. “It’s so cute that I stop without realizing it.”
He’s so cute. She worried that even if someone gave her a precious item right now, she couldn’t use it, but he was cute. Ayla’s gaze at him became even colder.
“Well, that’s not a problem. You can change the order. What would be better? How about finger snaps? Try this. “Can you make this sound?”
Winfred said urgently, making a clicking sound with his thumb and middle finger.
“Huh. “You can do that.”
Ayla nodded and did the same. Then a light and clear sound came from her fingers.
“That’s good. Then let’s leave it at that.”
Winfred smiled brightly as if he was truly happy. Since she couldn’t keep looking at him with piercing eyes while looking at his innocent smile, Aela withdrew her cold gaze towards him and smiled slightly.
“Ruler. “Then, put your hand on mine.”
Just as she was standing still, unable to figure out how to transfer ownership of the magic tool, Winfred held out his hand. Compared to his still-young face, his hand was long and quite large.
“Oh, yes.”
“I, Winfred Julius Vito Peles, take ownership of this box… … .”
Winfred was quietly closing his eyes and trying to recite the spell, opened his eyes when he realized that he did not even know the name of this mysterious girl.
“… … What is your name?”
It was truly a belated question. He couldn’t even tell the other person’s name after revealing not only your name and status but also his family’s scandalous story.
Ayla was troubled by his question.
Is it okay if she reveals her name and identity?
She had forgotten about him because his personality and way of speaking were completely different, but Winfred was his nephew who looked so much like Byron that she felt bad when she first saw him.
It would be okay to trust Winfred and suddenly reveal her identity.
However, it wasn’t that they were close friends. On the contrary, their relationship was bad. Winfred rebelled and ran away when he was four, so they had been friends for over 10 years.
Moreover, the crown prince was also scheduled to attend Ayla’s 18th birthday banquet, so the relationship between the duke and the imperial family would not be so bad.
So, she thought maybe it would be okay to tell him everything.
Ayla’s heart continued to waver.
“Do I have to say my full name?”
Ayla cautiously asked if he had made up his mind.
“No, I guess that’s not it?”
Winfred shook her head. The thought of her as a girl with many secrets was a bonus.
“My name is… … It’s Ayla. Ayla… … Heiling.”
She swallowed the surname Weishafen. She hopes that one day, the day will come when she can reveal this name.
It was also a cruel riddle to the crown prince. One day, there may come a day when Winfred himself realizes her true identity.
Just as she realized Winfred’s identity.
‘Heiling?’
Winfred tilted his head at the last name he had heard somewhere. Although he couldn’t remember it, it was definitely a familiar name.
But now was not the time to think about such things. Hmm, hmm. After cleaning his neck, Winfred opened his mouth in the best voice he could muster.
“I, Winfred Julius Vito Peles, hand over ownership of this box to Ayla Heiling.”
Because of the transformation, her voice came out slightly cracked at the end. Ayla didn’t seem to care at all, but Winfred, who somehow only wanted to show this girl her cool side, looked tearful.
That was all. Then, a warm purple light sparkled around their joined hands and disappeared.
“… … It’s yours now. “Call me once,”
Winfred said, letting go of Ayla’s hand that he was holding with a regretful expression. Ayla felt nervous for no reason and made a sound with her fingers.
Then, just like before, a jewelry box floating in the air appeared in front of Ayla.
“Okay then. Take this, Ayla.”
Winfred handed her a gold pocket watch and called her name. For some reason, the tip of her tongue tingled.
“… … Thank you. I will keep it in good care.”
It was truly a precious item given to the crown prince of the empire. Ayla carefully placed the pocket watch on the bottom of the empty jewelry box.
“The way to send it back is the same. know?”
Winfred laughs, making a sound with his fingers. Ayla nodded and imitated the sound again.
Then, the box floating in the air disappeared as if it were a lie.
“… … thank you so much.”
Winfred didn’t know.
This pocket watch, and this box. The fact that it was the first thing she had completely owned in this life.
And how much this helps her.
“I think I should head back now. Before that, I’ll take you to a safe place first.”
Ayla looked up at the sky anxiously and said. The night was already deep. They had to go back quickly.
“You’re going back?”
“… … huh.”
It was time to go back to hell. Into the monster’s jaw.
“Before you go, I have something to tell you, Winfred. The man who targeted you today will continue to target you until you return to the castle. So you must never, ever sneak out like you did tonight. “Are you aware that you are the crown Prince? How dangerous is it outside?”
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have time to nag Winfred. What does the only prince of the empire who will inherit the throne lack that he runs out like this every night, ignoring servants and knights?
Since he said he was in the process of becoming the crown prince, she couldn’t tell him to return to the imperial castle right away. The best advice she could give was to stay in a safe place.
Ayla is obviously younger than him, but Winfred, who doesn’t know why he feels like he is being scolded by an older sister every time they meet, scratches his cheek, saying she understands.
“… … That assassin, your uncle Byron, is related to him. He’s plotting it. Don’t ask me how I knew. Because it’s a secret.”
Winfred’s eyes widened at the following revelation. He couldn’t bear to wonder what Ayla’s identity was and how she knew these facts.
However, before he even asked, he was told not to ask how he knew, so he had to quell the curiosity boiling inside him.
“And, just in case. Later, if you find out who I am.”
Ayla swallowed her saliva out of nervousness. It was because she was worried about whether she could say something like this to him.
“… … Then, can you definitely tell my parents? That I will definitely return. To my mother and father, for sure”. “I’m going back. Keep it a secret from everyone else, only my parents.”
She spoke with a very serious face. Her expression conveyed a steely determination. Who are your parents, exactly? I was not able to even ask the question.
