Chapter 52
Maya’s heart fluttered uncontrollably at Tristan’s praise.
Hoping that not seeing him would help, she tightly shut her eyes and replied.
“Thank you. You too, Tristan.”
“Compared to you, my part was minor.”
Maya’s eyes flew open. She didn’t like it when Tristan downplayed his role.
“That’s not true.”
“What you’re feeling right now—this is how I feel all the time.”
Tristan spoke as if he had been waiting for the chance to say that, and Maya was at a loss for words.
“There’s no need for modesty. Be proud of what you did. You’re an incredible person.”
It felt like he was the one who made her feel like an incredible person.
Maya nodded and laughed softly.
She was happy.
So happy that she wished this happiness would never be broken.
Completely unaware of what was waiting ahead.
—
The next morning, Maya was scolded harshly by Dossien on her way back from training.
She listened in silence.
Dossien’s anger was justified.
From disappearing without a word to ruining the dress—none of it was commendable.
“That dress was handcrafted by Opraja!”
“There was no way to save the dress under those circumstances.”
Still, it felt a bit unfair to just stand there and take it all.
Come on, she’d been fighting for her life. Who has time to worry about the state of a dress?
‘How much does Dossien actually know?’
She had heard enough of the scolding. It was time to assess the situation.
“Dossien, can you tell me what happened yesterday?”
“Honestly…”
Dossien shook her head in disbelief.
“It was such a chaotic situation that most people didn’t even realize you were gone.”
Even though Maya was the center of attention, the sudden monster appearance and the ensuing investigations had people moving constantly between the parlor and the guest rooms.
No one had the capacity to keep track of everyone’s whereabouts.
“That’s a relief.”
Maya sighed in relief.
“Did you go to fight the monster?”
Linking Maya to the monster meant connecting her to swordsmanship.
“The Archduke didn’t say anything, but that’s my assumption.”
Though she’d spoken with Tristan at length the night before, he hadn’t told her exactly what she’d done while gone.
Dossien had also overheard Maya’s words to Emperor Riserfield—claiming she hadn’t awakened.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.”
But that had been in front of Riserfield. It was understandable to lie in that situation.
And before the banquet, Maya hadn’t seemed like someone irresponsible enough to just disappear.
Maya nodded slightly with a barely audible voice.
“…Yes.”
Dossien’s face darkened at her affirmation.
“Does His Majesty know?”
“No, he doesn’t. I ran away before that.”
Maya hesitated, recalling Riserfield’s expression.
“But he probably suspects it was me.”
No matter how well Seren Baker had spoken on her behalf, it would be impossible to completely erase Riserfield’s suspicions.
That keen intuition and deep mistrust of people were the very tools that had taken him to the throne.
“His Majesty has sent you an invitation.”
It was the news Tristan had delayed the night before to let Maya sleep peacefully.
Maya wasn’t surprised.
‘Of course that bastard would.’
She knew what kind of person Riserfield was, and it was entirely expected.
“He said he has a lot of questions. He commanded you to enter the palace tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
She hadn’t expected Riserfield to demand her presence so soon.
‘I need to coordinate with Seren just in case.’
She needed to speak with Seren today.
It was crucial if she wanted to avoid Riserfield’s suspicion.
‘If I meet Seren Baker officially, it’ll get back to Riserfield.’
No doubt he already had people monitoring both the House of Beiadin and the Bakers.
But that didn’t mean she had no options.
“Where is the Baker residence located?”
The answer was simple.
If she couldn’t go officially, she’d go unofficially.
‘Riding a wyvern would be too conspicuous…’
Sure, it would be easier, but the size would give her away immediately.
“I can give you the address, but… what are you planning to do?”
“I’ll go meet him today. We need to coordinate our story, and I’m sure the Bakers will understand—even if it’s rude.”
From the moment Maya had revealed her powers to Seren, and he had lied for her, their mutual bond had begun.
Seren surely knew what kind of man Riserfield was.
‘He probably expected a sudden visit like this.’
Though she hadn’t known Seren long, she had a feeling.
“Very well, then. I’ll help you prepare.”
Dossien finally accepted that Maya was who she claimed to be, even if her path had been unconventional.
“Please don’t involve yourself in these kinds of situations again.”
“That’ll be difficult.”
Maya answered firmly.
“I can’t just stand by while people are in danger.”
She had already lived that kind of life—and hated it.
Dossien was speechless at her answer.
She was so moved, she forgot she was scolding Maya just moments earlier.
‘How did such a person come from the Pendragon family?’
It had been a long time since she had seen someone so selfless. It stirred something in her.
The more she saw of Maya, the more she liked her.
She admitted her faults, yet stood by her convictions—that was what Dossien admired most.
‘She truly is suited to be Archduchess.’
The way she’d gracefully greeted and handled all those people at the banquet had been flawless. She was kind, but not overly familiar—fair, but not cold.
‘It’s a shame about their situation…’
Dossien had heard that the only thing connecting Maya and Tristan was the contract.
‘Lord Tristan must take the lead.’
Dossien had long since realized Tristan had feelings for Maya.
You could always tell when someone was in love.
Whether Maya would stay in the House of Beiadin depended entirely on Tristan.
Still, if he was the biggest reason she stayed, then Dossien could help with the smaller details.
‘I should ask Robert what the Archduchess liked while she was in the north.’
She had to send a letter to Robert anyway about the proposal Tristan made.
“Oh, and I’d like to send a letter to the Magic Tower.”
“To the Magic Tower?”
“There’s a friend I want to meet.”
“You know a mage? That’s impressive.”
“It’s a childhood friend. His name is Kendrick. Do you know him by any chance?”
Feeling proud at the mention of magic, Maya asked, hoping Kendrick’s name might be known.
“Oh, Kendrick….”
To her surprise, Dossien recognized the name.
He was the young mage who had appeared out of nowhere with the Tower Master and gone to meet with Riserfield.
She remembered how the noble ladies had whispered in awe.
Golden hair, an angelic face, a radiant smile—he looked exactly like the prince of their dreams.
‘And that’s her friend…’
Archduke, you’ve got serious competition.
Dossien muttered inwardly.
“Kendrick came to the palace?”
“Yes, to meet His Majesty.”
This was the perfect chance to learn what Riserfield had said to Kendrick.
Maya quickly wrote him a letter.
There was so much to talk about.
‘I should ask if he plans to go west too.’
Since the Magic Tower had completely covered up Kendrick’s supposed death, she had no idea what had happened afterward.
She would have to start finding out—bit by bit.
*
Unfortunately, unlike the Beiadin estate, the Magic Tower couldn’t be infiltrated easily.
Now that she was Archduchess, meeting someone openly would just spark gossip.
So Maya asked Kendrick to bring some desserts and sneak over to the mansion.
She could trust Kendrick’s skills.
He had a terrible sense of direction, but once he was shown the way, he could remember it.
Though she got lost a few times, Maya finally made it to the Baker residence.
She looked suspicious enough to raise alarms, so she took special care to stay unseen.
White Dragon told her where people were, making it easier to slip inside. She jumped over the tall walls and dodged the many traps.
“Now, where’s the room…?”
Using her keen eyesight, Maya peered through windows to search the mansion.
‘What is this?’
The atmosphere at the Baker residence seemed off. As she craned her neck and searched intently, she finally spotted Seren’s room.
