Chapter 30: Oh God!

Clint’s mouth hardened from listening in on the conversation. Two years ago, he’d never seen her in any sort of gathering. And the dress, there were none he could find. He was somewhat worried then.

Though, come to think of it, Lawrence advised him not to see Ailea yet. Maybe Lawrence didn’t want him to know that Ailea was afflicted with sickness.

‘But what do I do? I’m already accompanying her, Crown Prince.’

Watching Ailea enter the castle with a light step made Clint feel better. It was as if he had hit Lawrence in the back of his head. This sort of disobedience was nice, to say the least.

Lawrence treated Ailea like a useless doll who failed to see her true inner beauty. If Clint found her a good doctor to treat her ailments and dress her nicely like those noble ladies, Lawrence might be a little jealous.

Ailea… a pretty girl indeed.

‘Should I take her to the ball with a nice, pretty dress one day?’ Naughty imaginations filled Clint’s head.

***

Today was his first day off work since coming to the Outer Castle. Clint headed to the library, wondering if he’ll read books all day.

As he opened the door to the library, a cat glanced at him while walking past his feet. Blue wore an attitude of “those other men are below me, but you… I will let you be my companion.”

Since this arrogant cat was around, Clint figured Ailea was inside. Smiling, he walked inside and saw Ailea pull out a boom from the bookshelf.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah!”

The startled Ailea dropped the book she was holding, her gentle-looking eyes meeting Clint’s whose eyes were similar to a fierce beast.

The severe difference in height could be seen when he stood right in front of her. Ailea thought, for a moment, that if she ever did dance with Clint, then she’ll need to wear high-heeled shoes.

She wondered what expression he’d make.

Ailea bent down and picked up the book that had fallen on the floor.

“…I’m sorry. I’ll put it back in,” she said.

“It’s alright.”

Ailea stood up.

Clint grabbed the book tied up tightly with a leather bought by Ailea from the bookshelf.

“Are you the one who did this?” asked Clint.

“Ah… yes.”

“It looks expensive. Why do you make leathers out of the book?”

“I borrowed a lot of books and bound them with leather in return.”

She had read as many books as she could over the past two years.

“I don’t think the prices are average. Probably worth more. Isn’t this fire-proof leather?”

Ailea smiled without giving any answer. It was leather she bought by selling the dress she had.

Clint looked at her face blankly. He suddenly remembered her unusual fear of fire. She was scared of it, extremely so, and her reaction remained in his memory.

Clint, who recalled the memory, naturally recalled the curtain he had cut off with a knife when he came to the Outer Castle two years ago and as soon as the curtain disappeared, a small flame burst out of the air.

He thought of the fire and the book he was holding.

‘Don’t tell me it’s that. It can’t be. It’s something unrelated, right? Th-there’s no way she’d be afraid of that! Oh god!’

Clint, who was lost in thought, wore a terrifying expression.

Ailea took a step back. She thought he angry because she took the book without permission.

Clint sighed as he carefully put the book back. Seeing her surprised expression, Clint clucked his tongue, ruffled his hair, and asked, “Can’t I talk casually, too?”

Ailea looked up at Clint unexpectedly.

“All the other guys, my guys, call your name without any title. It’s funny that I’m the only one using honorifics,” he continued with a sour look.

“Th-that’s… right…”