SIDE STORY 08……………………………..
Anje shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
Anje’s cheeks flushed red as he lowered his gaze. A shy smile lingered at the corner of his lips before he slowly spoke.
“I was curious about that too, so I asked him once—why me? Do you know what Joseph answered?”
Anje looked upward as if trying to recall something.
“He said it was baffling that someone as messy, disobedient, and insignificant as me would hang around him.”
“Kuh!”
Zayra made a strange sound, as if something had caught in her throat. But she wasn’t even eating cake—why now? Anje, pushing the teacup closer to her with a sulky expression, continued.
“He said even he didn’t understand why he ended up loving me.”
“So…?”
“So what?” Anje narrowed his eyes, struggling to find the words.
“Did you argue? Saying that to a lady is extremely rude. My question is, Anje, did you just sit there quietly after hearing that?”
Zayra asked cautiously, recalling the awkward and cold atmosphere between Anje and the Duke of Side a few days ago.
“Oh, what are you talking about?” Anje rubbed his cheek with an embarrassed expression. Trying to reveal a little vulnerability to open Zayra’s heart seemed to have exposed too much of his shy side.
Meanwhile, I haven’t gotten anything from Zayra…
‘Well, but maybe today is the day?’
Tomorrow would come, and the day after, too. Anje was determined to keep visiting Zayra until she willingly revealed her secret.
“Was it worth arguing over such a thing? Even without Joseph’s words, I can see myself… well, lacking in many ways.”
That was why he wondered how a perfect man like Joseph could possibly like someone like him. In the end, he never got a proper answer.
“In the end, it’s like a squirrel running on a wheel—endless and pointless.”
It sounded absurd, but as Zayra watched Anje, she somehow began to understand the Duke’s words. A smile returned to her lips. He claimed to have nothing to boast about, yet being with him felt comforting.
A warm smile appeared on Zayra’s face.
“I asked because I sensed an awkward atmosphere between you two a few days ago. I heard you’re getting married soon, so I wondered if you had quarreled. If it offended you, forgive me.”
It was then that the quiet palace suddenly became lively. Several carriages stopped at the entrance, and young ladies stepped out.
Their conversation reached Anje and Zayra’s tea table.
“That’s because Your Highness is too lenient. It’s best to correct the insolent behavior of your subordinates early… Ah! I have a good idea. If you’ll be staying in the Empire for long, why not hire a new maid?”
“That’s right. Among our retainers, there are quite a few capable girls. I’m sure Your Highness will like them.”
“Our family has many as well. If it’s at Your Highness’s request, we’d act as if our lives depended on it. Smart, kind, and perfect as maids. How about it?”
Anje glanced at Zayra. Maids… Even without joining the conversation, it was impossible not to understand the topic.
Watching Zayra’s tense expression, Anje quietly stood up.
“I think I should take my leave now.”
“Really? Thank you for the cake. It was enjoyable.”
“Yes, then.”
The young ladies, who were approaching, noticed Anje and Zayra and immediately closed their mouths. Ilya, at the front of the group, stepped forward with a smile.
“So, a guest has arrived. I didn’t receive notice of your coming…”
Zayra’s expression stiffened at Ilya’s sharp words.
Even though they had switched roles, Ilya hadn’t been brash or presumptuous from the start.
Until crossing the border from the palace, Ilya had treated Zayra with proper respect. But once all the attendants familiar with her were gone and replaced by those from the Empire, her attitude changed drastically.
As if she were the real princess herself.
At first, Zayra didn’t mind Ilya’s change. As long as their switch remained secret… If she could just live freely in a foreign land, away from anyone’s scrutiny, doing what she wanted rather than withering away trapped in the palace like her mother, Ilya’s mood swings were trivial.
“Looks like she’s playing house with my maid. What’s this?”
Ilya picked up the box that had contained the cake and pretended to recognize it.
“I just visited this shop myself. It was impressive with its fresh desserts. If I stay in the Empire, I thought I’d make it a regular spot. But… hmm…”
Lowering her eyes, Ilya glanced back. Some of the young ladies giggled, seemingly anticipating her next words.
“So even the Marquis is a regular? I’ll have to reconsider. A shop everyone and anyone can enter… isn’t that a bit much?”
“Your Highness!”
Suppressing her rising irritation at Ilya’s arrogance, Zayra stepped forward as if shielding Anje.
“Did you enjoy your outing, Your Highness?”
Though it sounded like a greeting, it was obvious she was protecting Anje.
Frowning, Ilya glared at Zayra. Yet scolding a maid in front of others would harm her reputation.
“You’ve always involved yourself in pointless matters. In that, you’re somewhat like the Marquis.”
Ignoring Ilya’s sarcasm, Zayra approached warmly.
“While Your Highness was away, the Empress’s attendants visited.”
“The Empress?”
Ilya sharply repeated, this time controlling her voice as if aware of the onlookers.
“What did she want?”
Zayra took out an invitation, beautifully embossed with a gold laurel and a pigeon.
“She said she couldn’t greet me last time because of other matters, and invited me to share tea.”
The young ladies murmured among themselves.
“Finally, the Empress is making a move.”
“Ilya must be resolute… Even pretending innocence, she seduced the wandering Grand Duke and made him Emperor. She’s no ordinary person.”
“I didn’t expect her to act this quickly. She must have heard rumors of Ilya’s beauty. Who knows what she might do?”
Anje, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward, pushing Zayra slightly behind him. He met the gaze of each young lady who was speaking ill of the Empress.
‘Let’s see… You know my relationship with the Empress, and yet you speak openly as if I should listen.’
Do they think being from the slums is funny?
Even in that harsh, filthy neighborhood, Anje survived. Even on days he barely ate, he never sold the few books his father left him, reading them until they were worn to tatters. Though he wanted to cut ties with his grandfather, he learned noble etiquette and culture, believing it would help him later.
Surviving as a girl in a slum was, perhaps, far more difficult than living as a noble lady in a mansion. Sometimes, he must have felt desperate enough to beg his hated grandfather for mercy.
‘It’s true I’m not the perfect bride for Joseph.’
That didn’t mean he was a target for mockery.
Until now, he had yielded and stayed back for the sake of his Crow guild and Joseph’s dignity.
But if the Empress herself would be insulted because of him, could he stand by silently?
“Good.”
When Anje, who had always been quiet, stepped forward, the startled young ladies shut their mouths.
“I’ve also been invited tomorrow.”
Anje continued, smirking mischievously.
“The Empress always listens to what you say. She’s considerate. So I’ll be relaying your words to her. I think she’ll find it quite interesting.”
If you want, I can also make a more polished, novel-style version in English that keeps the subtle emotions and courtly atmosphere intact.
Do you want me to do that?
