~Chapter 98~
Kilian and Aisha returned together to Winters Mansion.
It felt strange. Even though she had only left Winters Mansion a few days ago, it felt like she was coming back after years away.
Of course, nothing had changed in the mansion. The gloomy Winters interior was the same, Sien still looked a bit displeased with her, and Theorn welcomed her warmly, just like before.
Ah, she had missed all of this so much.
It was already late at night, but Aisha didn’t go to her bedroom. Kilian didn’t either.
As if they had planned it, they both went to the office. They sat on the sofa, drinking warm tea Sien brought them.
“……”
“……”
Even though they had come this far together, neither of them knew what to say. Maybe it was because they were alone, or maybe because being with Kilian made Aisha happy but also nervous. She found it hard to speak.
And then she remembered…
“If I leave now, who knows when we’ll meet again? Maybe it’ll be a very long time. Do you really not care? Even if you don’t, I do.”
“She says maybe she won’t see us for a long time. I care too.”
What did he think when he heard me say that?
Did he notice my feelings?
If he did, what did he mean when he said he cared too?
The longer the silence, the more worried Aisha became.
If Kilian really understood her feelings, what did he mean by his own words?
A few seconds later—
“Um…”
“Um…”
They both spoke at the same time, looking at each other.
“You go first.”
“You go first, Lady.”
They both said the same thing, and Aisha couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Pfft… ha ha!”
As Aisha laughed brightly, Kilian smiled softly too.
“This is funny. We’re just like kids.”
“Kids?”
“Kids do this, don’t they? Both want to talk first, then end up arguing.”
“I don’t want to fight with you.”
“Me neither. I’d lose anyway.”
“I don’t think so.”
Kilian chuckled.
“Anyway, you go first. Say whatever you wanted to say.”
“Uh, um…”
Aisha hesitated for a moment. Now that it was her turn, she felt a little shy and embarrassed.
But there was something she really wanted to ask.
“Um, about Hilda Everett.”
“Hilda Everett?”
Kilian’s eyes narrowed at the sudden name, but Aisha carefully continued.
“You escorted her to the palace, right?”
“I did.”
“Is that all?”
In the original story, Kilian fell for Hilda Everett at first sight while escorting her.
But Kilian looked like he didn’t care at all. He acted as if Hilda Everett had nothing to do with him.
“Was there supposed to be more?”
“No, not really…”
“If things had gone as planned, I would’ve escorted her to the drawing room, but the princess said she didn’t need any more help. So I left. That’s all.”
Oh…
“So… how was she?”
“What do you mean?”
“Hilda Everett. She’s very beautiful…”
“She probably is.”
He didn’t even say “she was beautiful”—just “she probably is.”
“Everyone says that. But does that matter to me?”
Huh.
“Or are you curious about what will happen to Hilda Everett in Draxion? If that’s what you’re asking, I can’t say for sure. Her future is up to her.”
“……”
“But honestly, I doubt she’ll have enough courage or ideas to survive this situation, especially since the emperor is so cunning.”
No matter how much Aisha watched his face, Kilian didn’t seem interested in Hilda at all.
What’s going on?
She thought everything was following the original story, just in a slightly different order.
‘Right… Even Belmore Ellington turned out completely different from the original. Maybe only the main storyline is the same, not the details.’
If that’s the case, maybe Kilian won’t fall blindly for Hilda after all.
A small hope grew inside Aisha’s heart.
If that was true, maybe she could show her own feelings too. Maybe she didn’t have to be afraid anymore.
“Is that all you wanted to ask?”
“Ah, yes. Now you can go.”
“I…”
Kilian started to say something, then closed his mouth. After a long silence, he finally spoke in a quiet voice.
“First, I’m really sorry, Aisha Ashton.”
“Huh? For what?”
“For grabbing you like that.”
“My hand?”
“I’m sorry about that too, but that’s not what I mean. I mean… even though I know you could be in more danger, I still…”
“But you said it earlier. Aisha Ashton decides where she wants to be.”
“……”
“That’s right. I chose for myself. So you don’t have to apologize to me.”
Aisha spoke firmly, and Kilian stared at her with calm eyes.
A woman who was always sure of herself.
Someone who never hesitated or backed down.
Aisha might not see herself that way, but Kilian knew it was not easy.
Maybe that’s why he wanted her to stay with him, why he couldn’t stop himself today.
His heart was anxious and confused, his mind noisy and messy.
Now that he knew what it meant to be together, he just wanted to stay with Aisha, no matter what.
“Then let me ask something else.”
But first, Kilian had one thing he needed to know.
“Why?”
“Huh?”
“Why did you choose Winters Mansion, not Rune or Til? Why did you come back here?”
Kilian’s sharp question made Aisha’s eyes shake with emotion as she looked at him.
“Tell me, Aisha Ashton.”
“……”
“Why did you come back here, with me?”
Kilian’s face, as he watched Aisha, looked unusually nervous.
