His Highness’ Secret Accountant

The nervous look in Ayla's eyes as she got on the carriage was obvious. Immediately, Lily sat in front of her, keeping a stiff face.

"Mister, we can go."

Lily said in a sinking voice to Milton.

Darkness hung over Milton's face, sitting on top of a well-groomed black horse.

Soon after, the large carriage slowly picked up its speed with a rattling noise.

"What on earth happened? You disappeared without saying anything. Do you know how worried I was?"

There was not a single lie on Ayla's face as she finished speaking.

Why was she so kind to her?

To her, who was abandoned and used by her only family.

To her, who tried to push her to death not only once, but twice.

She wanted to ask why she was showing such kindness to her, who was insignificant, unlike the honorable aristocratic ladies.

Lily's eyes began to shake a little as she looked at Ayla.

Why was she smiling so beautifully and giving her a worried look? She silently blamed her heart, which kept weakening at her warm eyes.

Then, Lily slowly opened her firmly closed mouth.

"The Prince asked me to work. That's why I left the royal palace. I'm living in the Duke's mansion, working as a maid."

"So, Louis helped you. That's a relief. I'm really glad."

Ayla's eyes, as she smiled at Lily, suddenly became wet.

Seeing that, Lily smiled faintly instead of answering.

A peaceful silence flowed between the two people who sat opposite each other. While each one of them thought different things.

Rattle, rattle.

At some point, the carriage left the square and entered the woods lined with large trees.

Lily's eyes, which had been lowered as they got closer to the Duke's mansion, started moving quickly.

Then, as if determined, Lily opened her mouth.

"Young Lady."

Ayla, who was looking out of the window, turned her gaze to the front as Lily called her.

Unlike a while ago, Lily's face, looking at her, was full of resolve.

As if feeling strange, Ayla tilted her head and stared at Lily.

"Ugh… Young Lady, you need to listen to what I'm going to say now."

"?"

Lily leaned over and lowered her voice. Lily's serious attitude, as if she was telling a secret, caused a momentary tension.

"I'm going to stop the carriage for a moment. I'm going to make an excuse for having urgent business, so you can naturally follow me."

"What does that…"

"At the same time, run straight to the small path on the left. If you walk along that path, the Prince will be there."

"The Prince? Louis Daniel? Why is Louis there? Why on earth should I do that? You invited me, and now you're telling me to run away…"

"…"

At Ayla's question, Lily bit her lips and hesitated.

"If you go to the Duke's mansion like this, you will lose your life."

"!"

"Duke Daniel knows everything. Your relationship with His Highness, and your identity."

"Even so, to say that I'll lose my life… What does that mean? There's no way he would do that."

Ayla said, smiling and pretending to be calm. As if she couldn't believe it. While unable to hide her trembling voice.

"Young Lady."

At Lily's lowly sinking voice, Ayla fixed her gaze to the front without a word.

Lily hesitated for a moment, then continued.

"Do you trust me?"

"…"

"Please give me a chance to ask for your forgiveness."

***

She had no intention of begging for her life in the first place, nor of bringing Young Lady Ayla to the mansion. She had given up her life since she was almost beaten to death at the hands of her reckless father. She was only alive because she couldn't cut it off. They were the ones who helped her live a new life. Thankful people who embraced her even though they knew about her terrible illness, even though they had almost lost their lives because of her.

‘I… I'll help you.'

‘Duke Daniel told you to bring him a young lady named Ayla. I'll help you… with that. No, I want to help!'

That's why she stepped forward. No, she had to step forward.

Because she knew that anyone would do it as long as Duke Daniel had made up his mind about it, and that Ayla would end up dead. Because she wanted to prevent that. She wanted to use her life meaningfully without regret, even if it meant giving it up.

"You have to run straight forward without looking back. If you get caught by his henchmen, you'll be killed."

"Lily, you… what about you!"

As they entered the woods and a cold wind blew between them, Ayla's long hair scattered in the air.

"Shh, keep your voice down. You don't have to worry about me. I have an idea."

"But…"

"Young Lady Ayla is a very good person. So, just for today, think only of you and not anyone else… Think only of you. You can do that, Young Lady."

After she finished speaking, Lily narrowed her eyes and smiled beautifully. Then, she bent her body and bowed at Ayla.

Like she was saying goodbye.

Tap, tap.

At Lily's silent, pressing eyes, Ayla took a steady step.

"Will you take long? Duke Daniel is waiting!"

"Just… just a moment! It will be just a moment!"

Lily answered with an urgent voice at the irritated coachman's question that was coming over the bushes.

Then Lily turned to Ayla, who was keeping her place with a blank expression, and formed the word ‘Quickly.' with her mouth.

"You really… have a plan, right?"

"Of course. I'll find my own way to live. Quickly, go on. Young Lady. There is not much time."

Ayla nodded instead of responding to Lily's rushing and stepped onto the small path.

Clear tears formed in Lily's eyes as she looked at Ayla's back.

"Please be happy. Young Lady Ayla."

Ayla's back, which was fading little by little through the verdant bushes, soon disappeared without a trace.

***