02:
Theodore, half in doubt, reached toward the cloth.
But before he could even pull it away, the cage suddenly shook violently again and toppled over with a loud crash.
From the impact, the cloth lifted into the air, momentarily blocking his vision before falling swiftly to the ground.
The next moment, Theodore gasped.
He had expected, at most, some kind of rare animal. But what was inside the cage was no mere animal.
“…What the heck are you?”
Staring at Theodore with wide, sky-blue eyes was a girl around his age.
Before he could even register the surprise, his body was yanked forward.
The girl had suddenly reached out and grabbed him by the collar.
“Hey, can you get me out of here? Please!”
He had just finally gotten some time alone—what the hell was this situation now?
Annoyed, Theodore tilted his head to the side.
“What are you doing in there?”
“I didn’t go in—I was locked in!”
Theodore quietly stared at the girl clutching his collar.
Her fair face, large eyes that looked like they might overflow with tears, and long, wavy silver hair tinged with sky-blue gave her the appearance of a lovely child around ten years old.
Tch. Theodore furrowed his brows.
So this was the “fun surprise” Piggy Evans had prepared? He actually thought giving a person as a gift was a good idea?
Theodore was genuinely dumbfounded by Piggy’s low standards.
“This place really doesn’t have a single redeeming quality,” he muttered, once again stewing in his complaints about this rural village.
With an irritated sigh, Theodore tapped at the small fists still gripping his collar.
“Okay, I get it. How about letting go now?”
“O-oh, sorry…!”
The girl let go in a fluster, as if she’d grabbed him on instinct.
It seemed like she had no idea he was the second prince.
Probably because he had taken off his rain-soaked outer coat and was just holding it in his hand. He didn’t like flashy clothes to begin with, and the shirt he wore underneath was rather plain.
Either way, it was for the best. Getting his identity exposed would only be a hassle.
As Theodore casually rubbed his freed neck, he noticed the lock attached to the cage.
It was probably because he had taken off his rain-soaked outer garment and was holding it in his hand. Since he didn’t usually prefer flashy clothes, the shirt he wore underneath was rather plain.
Either way, it was a good thing. If his identity were exposed, it would only bring trouble.
As Theodore casually rubbed his freed neck, he noticed the padlock on the iron bars.
“Do you happen to know where the key is…?”
“Hm?”
“Never mind.”
Theodore shook his head at the little girl blinking blankly at him. If she knew where the key was, she wouldn’t be sitting here locked up like this.
Instead of wasting time on pointless questions, Theodore looked around.
He picked up a rod that looked sturdy enough and struck the padlock a few times. The joint quickly loosened.
Clang.
Removing the broken padlock, Theodore bent his knees.
“Alright, you can come out now.”
“…Thank you!”
Just a moment ago, she looked like she was about to cry, but now the girl stepped out, dusting off her knees with a bright smile and crinkling eyes.
Theodore stared curiously at the dimples that appeared on her cheeks.
Was she just naturally unfazed? For someone who had just been imprisoned, she was remarkably cheerful.
But the sense of wonder didn’t last long.
“Thank you so much. I’ll definitely repay you for helping me!”
“You don’t have to.”
He hadn’t done it expecting anything in return—but still, if she really insisted on repaying him…
After a brief moment of thought, Theodore extended his index finger and pointed toward the entrance of the tent.
“If you really want to repay me, then could you leave now? I’d like to rest alone for a bit.”
“…Huh?”
“I’ll consider that your repayment.”
At the unexpected request, the girl’s long eyelashes fluttered rapidly in confusion.
Regardless, Theodore lay down and closed his eyes, settling into place. The only reason he had even helped was because he didn’t want the hard-earned moment of rest to be ruined.
She had to be out of the cage anyway for her to leave this place.
To be honest, it did bother him a little how she ended up locked up like some sort of gift—but only a little. Even that curiosity faded quickly.
It wasn’t like he’d ever see her again. What good would knowing the full story do?
“As long as you don’t go near the cabins, you should be safe. All the young nobles are over there. Like Piggy Evans, for example.”
Still, Theodore didn’t forget to offer a bit of advice.
‘That should be enough of a heads-up.’
Feeling he had done his part, Theodore interlaced his fingers and rested them behind his head.
Then suddenly, he sensed someone still lingering nearby and opened his eyes.
Just as he suspected—the girl was still standing at the entrance, hesitating.
“Not leaving?”
“Uh, it’s… raining outside. I can’t get wet or—mmph!”
As if she had just made a slip of the tongue, the girl quickly pressed her lips shut. Then, acting as if nothing happened, she waved both hands frantically.
“Can I stay here just until the rain stops? I-I’m really quiet! So I won’t disturb your rest at all! I’ll leave the moment the rain stops!”
Determined not to get wet no matter what, the girl clenched her fists with a dramatic reaction.
Her face had gone so pale, anyone might’ve thought she had some kind of fatal condition that made her allergic to water.
Theodore let out a quiet sigh at the over-the-top response. He wasn’t heartless enough to kick someone out when they were that desperate.
“As long as you stay quiet, fine.”
“Okay! I promise!”
Worried that he might change his mind, the girl clapped her hands over her mouth with an audible smack.
Her innocent reaction made Theodore, who had been peeking with one eye open, burst into laughter.
“Pfft—”
“Huh? You laughed.”
“…I didn’t.”
Feeling embarrassed, Theodore cleared his throat and tried to act like he hadn’t laughed—but it was already too late.
In the end, it felt awkward to just keep lying down pretending not to notice, so he lifted his upper body from where he’d been resting. The girl gave him a wide smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Hey, what’s your name? I’m Ayla!”
“Theo.”
“Theo, huh…! That’s a pretty name.”
Perhaps assuming he wasn’t a noble since he didn’t give a surname, Ayla’s tone became noticeably more casual.
“So Theo, did you come from the capital for the banquet? I don’t think I’ve seen you around town.”
“Well, something like that.”
Sitting cross-legged, Theodore rested his cheek on his palm.
“What about you? Why were you locked up?”
“Uh, well…”
At the tricky question, Ayla’s sky-blue eyes rolled around awkwardly.
“It’s just… people think I’m creepy, so they sometimes bully me. Haha…”
The vague answer made Theodore furrow his brow.
Does that face really make people say she’s creepy? It didn’t make sense.
But before he could press for more answers, an interruption arrived. Piggy Evans was approaching the area where Theodore and Ayla were.
“I’m telling you, I saw him! The Second Prince definitely came this way! He must be curious about his gift and came to peek early!”
“…!”
Recognizing Piggy’s voice, Ayla flinched and trembled in surprise.
He wasn’t alone either—a voice responded right after.
“Perfect! My father’s been nagging me to get close to the Second Prince. Now’s my chance to say hello!”
Ugh. This time, it was Theodore’s face that twisted in displeasure.
He didn’t know who it was, but he could already imagine the annoying way they’d cling to him.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Figuring it would be trouble for both of them if they got caught, Theodore led Ayla toward another exit at the back.
Shhhhhh—
The rain had grown heavier by now, coming down in thick sheets, but a short awning hung over the entrance, sparing them from getting completely soaked—for the moment, at least.
Outside the small door was a narrow ledge that directly connected to a railing. It was the kind of setup where one wrong step could easily land someone in the sea.
“Huh? There’s no one here. Hey, Piggy, are you sure you saw it right? You lied about preparing some amazing gift too, didn’t you?”
“No, I’m telling you! I saw it—Ayla, that monster!”
A beat later, Piggy’s voice rang out as he entered, shouting at the top of his lungs.
Hearing the word monster, Theodore lowered his gaze. And there she was—Ayla’s face, completely pale.
“Are you alr—”
“Ugh…!”
He had only leaned forward to check on her, thinking she looked unwell. But perhaps startled, Ayla’s entire body flinched in fear.
Startled by her sudden movement, Theodore misstepped.
At that moment, a large wave surged up in the stormy sea, and the boat rocked violently in response.
In an instant, Theodore lost his balance and toppled over the railing.
