His Highness’ Secret Accountant

Theon's sudden appearance made Ayla stutter, as if flustered.

Ayla's eyes shook greatly, but she pretended to be as calm as possible.

How exquisite his timing is, that Theon is always in an unexpected place. He seemed to have a great ability to only appear when she did not want to meet him.

Theon's sudden appearance added more heat to her face, which had no intentions of subsiding.

Theon stared at Ayla's appearance with a displeased look.

Soon his cold gaze turned to Ayla's thin wrist.

Theon's face began to stiffen more and more as if something was very unpleasant.

Ayla, who couldn't see Theon's expression changing as she was bowing her head, said, ‘I will go now.', in a low voice.

Theon was still silent.

‘You have to tell me to go…'

Ayla couldn't raise her head as her burning face would be discovered.

But Theon stood silently, giving no answer.

A long silence flowed between the two, and Theon finally opened his mouth.

"Make sure you bring me the tea tomorrow."

"Sorry? Me?"

Only at Theon's words did Ayla raise her head and look at him.

His face didn't show much emotion, as usual.

‘That blushing face… I don't like it.'

Looking at Ayla's face, Theon raised his eyebrows, slightly.

It was such a subtle change that Ayla couldn't realize that Theon, on the inside, had been in a very displeased state of mind.

"I don't have the bad habit of saying the same thing twice."

"Ah… But I have to help Grand Duke Arrot in the morning…"

"Didn't I clearly tell you that I'm superior?"

Theon's gray eyes turned even colder and his voice echoed even before Ayla finished speaking.

"Tomorrow's tea, Ayla Serdian. Make sure you prepare it."

Ayla answered, ‘Yes. Your Highness.', at Theon's determined tone.

As she gave him a silent bow, Theon moved his hand up and down, as if telling her to go.

Theon, who was looking at Ayla as she was moving away, had his gaze fixed on her left wrist.

The crimson garnet bracelet was still shining on her white, delicate wrist.

When Ayla's back was no longer visible to Theon's eyes, he grabbed his chest right away and let out a rough breath.

Panting, Theon's pupils were shaking greatly.

***

When Ayla returned to the maids' quarters, the night was already dark.

Perhaps Lily was sleeping, as the silent room was filled with darkness.

"Lily?"

Ayla's voice trembled weakly, with an unknown tension.

Soon, she lit the candle placed on the table and the dark room lightened a little.

Lily, who she thought was sleeping, looked at Ayla, curled up on her bed with a blank expression and her hair hanging down.

The sight sent shivers down her spine.

"Why are you only coming now?"

"I received treatment from Grand Duke Arrot…"

"Ah… I see."

Lily's cold and monotonous voice, different than usual, made Ayla's voice become smaller.

‘Why are you like that? It's scary.'

She seemed like a different person, to the point that she wondered whether this person was the Lily she knew.

"Gosh, I was worried! For the time being, I will prepare the Grand Duke's baths!! If water comes in contact with the burnt skin, it will be a big problem. Don't worry, just leave it to me. Young Lady! Hehe."

‘Was I overly sensitive…'

Ayla looked at Lily with an anxious look.

As if that didn't happen, Lily was worrying about Ayla with her usual voice and eyes.

"Look at the wound! You can't have a scar on your beautiful hands."

"Ah… It's fine."

As Lily was approaching her, Ayla raised her hands and gestured as if she were okay, in case Lily discovered the magic Owen used.

Lily twitched her upper lip with a cold expression, as if she were a little hurt by her behavior.

"Yeah, well, the Grand Duke must have done it well. Lily will go to sleep now. Hmph!"

Lily changed her posture and turned to the bed, muttering, ‘I worried for nothing.', in a voice that she could barely hear.

Feeling sorry for Lily talking to herself, Ayla approached her back.

Soon after, she could feel Lily's body shaking as she gently wrapped her arm around her small shoulder.

"Thank you for worrying. Lily…"

***