Among his friends, there was a child who was greatly shocked and lost when his parents’ attention was diverted due to the birth of a younger sibling. Of course, that was when they were seven or eight years old, and now they have become more attached and a brotherly bond has developed between them.
She couldn’t see her parents again because she was taken from them when she was so little that she was unable to remember them. If she told her parents she had a younger sister, would they be upset? They may feel deceived.
Winfred, who was about to answer ‘Wouldn’t it be better to hear it directly from your parents for such complex reasons’, couldn’t do it when he saw Ayla’s desperate expression.
She desperately wants an answer, and he knows the answer. How can he turn away?
“Well.”
Winfred carefully began the story while observing Ayla’s thoughts.
“The Duchess gave birth to a baby not long ago. Your younger brother… … He was born. His name is Noah, and it’s a boy.”
She was very careful in bringing this up because she was afraid she might be shocked.
As Winfred worried, Ayla’s face stiffened as if she was greatly shocked.
It wasn’t because of feelings of betrayal toward her parents or jealousy over her younger brother, as he expected.
‘… … My younger brother? why… … ?’
In her last life, she was an only child until the day she was kidnapped by Byron. This means that there were no other direct descendants in the duchy’s family except Ayla Weishafen.
Although she was not told the exact reason, her mother, Ophelia, also said that for some reason other than health reasons, she had difficulty conceiving children. It is said that the creation of Ayla was almost a miracle.
But her younger brother.
There were quite a few different trends from her past life. However, this… … Isn’t this such a big change?
A life that was not originally born was born. Her younger brother…
As Ayla was confused, Winfred, who had been watching quietly, spoke up as if he was worried.
“Are you okay, Ayla?”
“… … .”
But she couldn’t answer that question right away. She couldn’t even tell herself if she was okay.
Because it was such a big deal.
She was embarrassed and my mind was complicated.
‘No, let’s think calmly.’
She tried to shake off the feeling of confusion. She now has a younger brother who wasn’t there before… … Aside from the memories of her past life, she tried to focus on the emotions she was feeling now.
A younger sibling was born. A brother who shares blood with her was born to parents who care for and love each other.
It was a blessing and an endless joy.
“Ayla?”
When she didn’t answer, Winfred nervously called her name again.
Ayla answered in a calm voice.
“Yes, I’m fine. Really… … “It is something to celebrate.”
Fortunately, there was no lie in her voice. She was truly happy, and she seemed fine.
“I’m sorry. I was a little surprised… … “The reply was late.”
“… … No, I understand.”
Winfred jokingly comforted her, saying that she must have fainted from shock, so it went that far because it was Ayla.
Seeing his bright appearance made her heart feel slightly lighter, and Ayla smiled slightly.
And when she suddenly came to her senses and checked her watch, it was time to go back. She still had quite a bit of time to spare, but since she never knew, she thought it would be better to move with plenty of time.
So, she said something she had to say to Winfred before she left.
“Well, you know. When I meet my parents… “Can you please tell me to pretend not to notice even if I appear in a different form that has nothing to do with Byron? He also has eyes planted in the Duke’s family.”
“Uh? What are you talking about?”
And Winfred widened his eyes as if surprised by her words and asked back.
Ayla seemed surprised to hear that there was a spy for Byron in the Duke’s house, so she sighed and added.
“… … You may not believe it, but it’s true. Every time something happens to my mother, I get news.”
“No, that’s not it… … .”
But it didn’t seem like that was what Winfred was worried about.
“Weren’t you going back to the empire with me? Just like before, and this time too… …. “I don’t know why you escaped from my uncle’s side on all fours and then returned.”
“that… … .”
Ayla felt like she had been caught off guard.
How can they explain the reason why she always has to return to Byron’s side?
“Let’s go together, Ayla. “I can take you to your parents. I can take you to where your real family is, not your fake family like that.”
Winfred said, extending his hand to Ayla.
Winfred’s eyes, which she thought were gentle, were now burning intensely with a firm resolve.
And she wanted to hold his hand.
Like this, She will return to her parents with him.
It was a story that was fascinating to even imagine.
But that wasn’t possible.
In the past, it was for revenge.
She went back because she wanted to find out who Byron was planning and what he was doing, and to make him suffer the same pain he went through.
Nobody else’s will, but hers.
But now… ….
“… … “I can’t go.”
She rejected Winfred’s offer in a voice that sounded like she was crying.
What he said might be right.
Ayla now knew who Byron was planning and what he was doing, to some extent, although not completely.
This might be the last chance to tell the exact location of Byron’s hiding place.
If she goes back to the Peles Empire with him, she will start living a wandering life again without knowing where she is.
She wanted to give Byron back the same pain she had suffered but she was tired of holding on by his side.
It was such a sweet temptation.
‘If only there hadn’t been a curse on my body.’
If she goes back with him now.
She doesn’t know if they can catch Byron, but she will die.
There is no way Byron would leave her alone after finding out that she had betrayed him.
Since there was a curse on her body that she didn’t even know about, she had to return to Byron’s arms even if she didn’t want to.
He could have just skipped the memo that wrote down what he had researched so far, but if he did that, there would be no one in the empire to help Byron with his treason, and he might end up wandering abroad forever.
“why… … ?”
“… … “There are circumstances.”
Winfred looked like she didn’t understand, and she swallowed her words.
She couldn’t say that her life was in Byron’s hands. She didn’t want to worry either Winfred or her parents who would hear this news from him.
“I really… … “I want to do that, but there’s a reason I can’t.”
“Ayla… … .”
Winfred held on tightly to the hem of her dress with the eyes of a puppy that had been abandoned by its owner. He could understand it in his head, but he still seemed to have lingering regrets.
“It won’t take that long. Soon… … “I’ll go back. And then, you have to pretend not to notice.”
When Ayla said this with a smile, Winfred pouted and let go.
‘Yes, there are circumstances.’
The one who wanted to return to her parents more than anyone else was Ayla herself. But there must be a good reason for her to do this.
Winfred thought that way and decided to understand.
And then, smiling broadly, he said this.
“Okay. And I’ll do my homework well this time too. I’ll make sure to tell your parents, so don’t worry.”
“… … thank you.”
Ayla expressed her sincere gratitude. As if she was getting ready to go back, she got up from the bench and patted her butt.
“Well, is there anything else I can help you with?”
Winfred, who was sad to part ways like this, asked this. It was because he wanted to somehow hold on to her for a while.
“Uhm… … .”
Ayla was lost in thought about that question. It was because she had one thing to worry about.
However, she was not sure whether Winfred could solve this problem.
“I see? What?”
“… … Could you possibly hide someone safely? … “Is there such a place?”
She asked cautiously. It was such a vague and difficult request.
“why? “Do you need a place to hide?”
“That’s not it… People who are grateful to me may be in danger. Those people… … “I was wondering if I could protect it.”
It hasn’t happened yet, but it could happen soon.
Even though they haven’t even met yet… … She guess this is what will happen if they go with the same flow as their last life.
And Winfred, who was lost in thought for a moment, took out a piece of paper and a writing utensil, wrote something down, and handed it to her.
“It’s one of the royal family’s safe houses. If you take this letter and go to the location written here… … “I don’t know what kind of people they are, but I will protect them.”
“… … “Can you tell me where that place is?”
The imperial palace. Ayla asked with a surprised expression after receiving the note handed to her by Winfred.
“Because I trust you. And… … “We are friends.”
Winfred confidently squared his shoulders and said, “As a friend, I can’t even accept that much of a favor.” It was as if he was waiting for a compliment from her.
“Yeah, you’re a cool guy, Win.”
That appearance was funny and cute, so Ayla praised Winfred and said, ‘That’s right praise.’ However, it lacked a bit of soul content.
Still, Winfred looked at Ayla with an expression of emotion when she called him by the nickname Win.
Before, even when he asked her to call him by his nickname, he refused in such a haughty and chic way.
“Am I going? Just in case, don’t follow me just to catch Byron. “If I do that, only I will be in more danger.”
Ayla was embarrassed for no reason, she said goodbye more coldly and quickly disappeared into the back alley.
