The Grand Duchess Escape

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Between Doubts and Uncertainty

When Asella heard of Margo’s accomplishments, her mouth dropped open and after recovering from the initial surprise, she readily approved of Margo taking the position as Mariel’s tutor.

A week has passed since then.

“Zeke-ajusshi*!” 

*Middle-aged man

Mariel called out, waving her hands vigorously as soon as she recognized the figure in the distance.

“Hurry up!”

Asella peered warmly down at her sister as she skipped away excitedly. She had been giddy all night because Zeke had promised to give her a ride on his shoulder the next day.

“What do you mean, ajusshi! Don’t you think that’s a little harsh, to say the least, young lady?”

Zeke exclaimed, unable to contain himself to how Mariel had called him just now, however, Mariel tilted her head as if she could not understand what he meant and asked.

“What’s wrong with ‘ajusshi’?”

“Haven’t I told you many times, My Lady, that I am only twenty years old, where would you find a middle-aged man in the world so young and handsome as me!”

“Hmmm…”

Mariel pondered as she tapped her chin with her index finger.

“If I can’t call Zeke-ajusshi ‘Zeke-ajusshi’, how should I call you then?”

“Ahhhh, I don’t know but there are lots of other nice ways to call me!”

“Like what?”

“Like handsome knight Zeke, or cool knight… Ack, why do you keep hitting people over the head!”

Ryzen appeared out of nowhere like a flash of lightning and hit Zeke in the back of the head. Zeke shrieked in pain as he took a step back, but Ryzen didn’t even bother to glance at him.

“I apologize, Your Highness. Let me apologize on his behalf.”

“It’s okay.”

Asella giggled, covering her mouth with her closed fist as she answered with a smile.

‘I heard that the two of them had known each other for so long, and yet how come they’re so different?’

She felt amused as she watched the two fully grown men argue over the most random of things.

“He may be a bit ignorant, but he means no harm, so please forgive him, Your Highness”

After apologizing on behalf of his friend, Ryzen spun around and glared at Zeke like he was going to kill him.

“Crazy bastard. I’m glad I came to check on you, just in case.”

“What have I done?!”

“How dare you ask me that! Asking the young lady to call you handsome… No, let’s not talk.”

Ryzen shook his head as if he were embarrassed to even say the words out loud. Then he lowered his posture to make eye contact with Mariel.

“My Lady, you shouldn’t pay any heed to what he says, it’s all a load of nonsense.”

“What do you mean, nonsense?”

“If he does that again, you can kick him in the shins then.”

“What? Ryzen, you…!”

“The road to the capital is that way, Zeke.”

Zeke was about to protest and lose his temper, but he quickly clamped his mouth shut. After all, the threat of sending him to the capital was the best way to control his bratty behavior.

“If you say anything unseemly to the young lady again, I will report you to His Excellency myself, so keep that in mind”

“Hey! Ryzen! Ryzeeen!”

“Zeke-ajusshi, give me a ride!”

Zeke’s eyes met the child’s as she held her arms up in the air. She was adorable, with eyes as blue as the sea. Although children were annoying and irritating, somehow he didn’t feel that way about this young lady.

Kneeling down and wrapping his arms around Mariel’s waist, Zeke lifted her up in one swift motion and placed her on his shoulder.

“Whoa, so high!”

“Of course! I mean, even looking at me like this, do you have any idea how tall I am?”

“How tall?”

“See… ah.. you’re asking how tall… I… I-“

When Zeke stammered, Ryzen shook his head, muttering something about how stupid Zeke was.

Zeke, enraged by the words, went on a wild run while Mariel cheered even louder over Zeke’s spinning body.

Asella watched the scene with a small smile on her face, but her thoughts were much more complicated.

She had spent the last few days observing the people around Calix, and it didn’t take her long to realize.

‘This isn’t going to be easy…’

Aside from Margo and Ryzen, who were always meticulous and detail-oriented, there was the butler, who seemed like a generous grandfather on the outside but had a sharp, perceptive side. and Zeke, whose casual demeanor made her more comfortable when dealing with him, but that didn’t mean she could drop her guard.

For there was no one in the Grand Duchy whom she could trust completely.

‘How long will I be able to deceive them…’

For now, no one knew of Mariel’s awakening, but that was not enough to reassure her. There were far too many eyes in the Grand Duchy. There was no telling when this fragile peace would be shattered.

If the truth were to leak out.. if Calix Benvito were to learn of Mariel’s awakening.

There was no telling what he might do, and her not knowing his intentions only intensified her fear.

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