CHAPTER 16
As evening approached, someone arrived at the mansion with the blue roof.
“Aslan!”
It was Minerva.
The confident stride she had as she opened the front door vanished the moment she stepped into the drawing room. Her mouth fell open.
The room was a complete disaster.
And the highlight of the mess was Lloyd, who sat slumped on the sofa, looking as though he had been burnt out.
His eyes were blank as he stared into space, but the moment he saw Minerva, he jumped to his feet in shock.
“M-Madam? What brings you here…?”
Minerva wasn’t supposed to be able to leave the village of Fran.
Then why was she here?
“I came to look for Aslan. He was late.”
“Ah…”
Looking out the window, Lloyd realized the sun had nearly set. He had meant to send Aslan back quickly, but time had flown. Minerva must have gotten worried and come herself.
Lloyd bowed his head.
“I apologize. I meant to send him back right away, but…”
“…No need to explain. I can already tell.”
The display cabinets had all been knocked over, and the trinkets inside were either broken or scattered across the floor.
The sofa was out of place, the floor was soaked with water and shards of broken vases, and the delicate lace curtains were torn to shreds.
Worst of all, the chandelier was hanging pitifully from the ceiling—one arm missing.
It was unmistakably Aslan’s doing.
How much is all this going to cost to replace?
Damn it. I already barely earn anything…
These weren’t the kinds of furnishings a countryside viscount should even own. They were luxury items you’d expect to see in the imperial palace. Lloyd had decent savings, but replacing everything here would be a serious hit.
Gritting her teeth, Minerva asked:
“Where is Aslan?”
“Well…”
Lloyd hesitated.
Don’t tell me he disappeared again? Minerva felt a flash of anxiety—but it quickly vanished.
Speak of the devil, Aslan came strolling into the drawing room, holding the broken arm of the chandelier like a trophy.
“Catch me if you can!”
“Wait, Aslan! Huff, huff—running like that is dangerous…!”
Ayla’s voice rang out from somewhere in the distance.
He had wrecked the house, and he still had energy to spare?
While Lloyd trembled with dread, Minerva spoke in a low, quiet voice.
“Aslan…?”
Hic.
Aslan froze and hiccupped the moment he saw Minerva.
Clang. The chandelier arm slipped from his hands and hit the floor.
Ayla finally caught up and managed to grab him.
“Huff… I finally got you—! Huh? Hiiiik.”
She began trembling the instant she saw Minerva.
Of course—Minerva looked terrifying.
Who knew a smiling face could be so scary?
In the sweetest voice, Minerva asked Aslan:
“Aslan? Did you do all this?”
“Uh, um…”
Aslan started shifting his eyes away, avoiding her gaze.
Heh. Heh heh heh.
Minerva laughed like someone on the verge of a breakdown.
Then she grabbed Aslan and pressed his head down, bowing with him.
“We’re very sorry, Lord Mente.”
“…It’s fine…”
His response sounded rather hollow.
Minerva was too ashamed to even raise her head.
“I’ll pay for all the damages. I’ll send someone over soon.”
Pay for the damages?
Even if her assets weren’t confiscated when she was exiled, Minerva couldn’t exactly earn money anymore.
Worried this might place financial strain on her, Lloyd waved his hands.
“N-No, really, it’s fine. I was the one who tried to send Aslan away, after all…”
But Minerva remained firm, as if refusing to owe anyone anything.
“My conscience won’t allow it, so please accept. And Aslan?”
“Y-Yeah?”
Aslan flinched under Minerva’s stare.
Still smiling, she gently nudged his back.
“You should apologize too, don’t you think?”
“Ugh…”
Aslan glanced up at Minerva with a look of injustice.
Minerva asked calmly:
“If you believe you don’t owe anyone an apology, then explain why.”
“…I’m sorry…”
Apparently having no excuse, Aslan gave Lloyd a polite bow.
Seeing the little rascal completely subdued by Minerva left Lloyd in awe.
Any thoughts about how did she raise this kid? had long since vanished.
Now that Aslan had apologized, Minerva figured it was time to leave.
“Well then, we’ll be going. I’m truly sorry for all the trouble he’s caused.”
“Ah, um…!”
Ayla, who had been nervously watching, suddenly grabbed Minerva’s sleeve.
Minerva blinked in surprise.
“What is it?”
“I, um…”
Ayla fidgeted for a long while, glancing toward Aslan.
Then, watching Minerva’s expression carefully, she asked in a whispery voice:
“C-Can I… see Aslan again?”
“Uh, huh?”
Minerva turned to Lloyd in a panic, unsure how to respond to a voice that sounded like it would break into tears at any moment.
But even Lloyd was stunned. He had never seen Ayla act this way.
Minerva quickly knelt to meet Ayla’s eyes and gently tried to soothe her.
“Let’s calm down for a second, alright?”
“I’m not crying. So… could you please let Aslan come play again sometime?”
“Ah…”
Minerva sighed.
She had fully intended to keep Aslan from ever coming here again.
It pained her to see Ayla trying so hard not to cry, but…
How could she explain this without breaking the girl’s heart?
She was still searching for the right words when—
“Ayla, I’ll come again! So don’t cry, okay?”
“Aslan!”
Aslan declared it on his own, promising to return.
Minerva quickly covered his mouth and hissed in his ear:
“Why are you deciding that on your own?!”
“Can’t I come back here?”
“Of course not—!”
Gasp. Minerva stopped herself just in time.
But it was too late—the damage was done. The two kids stared at her in shock.
Now her head ached with how to salvage the situation.
Should I just be the villain here?
Compared to Aslan’s safety, being hated by some kids was a small price.
But still… she didn’t want to be hated.
She bit her lip in frustration—until—
“Madam, may I speak with you privately?”
Lloyd cautiously asked for a word.
“What is it?”
I left the children together and followed Eid (Lloyd) out to the balcony.
To be honest, I only agreed because I wanted to escape the situation—but being alone with him wasn’t exactly comfortable either.
I kept glancing through the window to check that Aslan was okay, subtly urging him to get to the point.
Thankfully, he didn’t drag things out.
“Madam. You don’t have to pay for the damages. Instead, I’d like Ayla and Aslan to become friends.”
“…What?”
The surprise in his words made my voice crack a little.
Forget the compensation—I had been considering Ayla as a possible friend for Aslan, but I didn’t expect Lloyd to bring it up first.
I couldn’t hide the suspicion in my expression as I asked:
“Why Aslan, of all people?”
Lloyd paused, seemingly recalling something, before replying.
“Ayla is a very cautious child.”
“And?”
“But when she’s with Aslan, she becomes brighter. The way she smiled when he showed up… I’ve never seen her like that before.”
His expression softened as he spoke.
That kind smile on his usually stern face made him look far more handsome.
“She even ran around trying to catch him. Normally, she tries so hard to walk like a proper noble.”
“So, you’re saying you’d like Aslan and Ayla to keep seeing each other?”
“Yes, exactly. I know it sounds like I’m asking too much… but if you’re willing, I hope you’ll consider it. If you’re worried about letting Aslan come here, I’ll personally bring Ayla to your place.”
“……”
To be honest, the offer was tempting.
I’d already been planning to help Aslan make friends, especially since he kept throwing tantrums about wanting to attend the Academy.
But…
The original story still bothers me.
Ayla’s original parents were the Count and Countess of Wolfgang.
So why had she suddenly become Lord Mente’s daughter?
