The Sleepless Night of the Maid

Edward, it was definitely him.
He was here a few days ago, leaving Crocs Field a day earlier than Eva.
She thought she saw it wrong, so she rubbed her eyes and looked at them again, but it was definitely Prince Edward.

In an instant, reason lost control and began to shake.
She couldn’t pull herself together as if there was a dusty wind in her heart.

How was he here, in front of her? Why did she have to run into him like this when she didn’t want to be caught the most?

Funnily enough, a shameless thought quickly followed.

Who could that woman be? What is the relationship between them that they walk with their arms linked and smile joyfully?

She didn’t want to admit it, but the two got along well.
Still, he was cool, remarkably cool, and the woman next to him was beautiful and confident.
Eva was a different woman, who shrank just by being next to him.

They were getting closer and closer.
Now she could hear their conversation.
She silently begged them not to come this way, but Edward and the woman’s steps were coming closer.

“What should I do?”

Eva looked around restlessly.
She had to avoid this, else she’d get caught even if she stayed like this.

In the end, Edward and the woman were just around the corner while they were in conversation.
Eva bit her lip while hiding behind several trees close together. 

“I love it, your Highness.”

She could hear the voice of a clear and sweet woman as if dew was rolling off a leaf.

***

Edward was a little uncomfortable.
Count Holland accompanied him before saying he remembered he had something to do.
He disappeared without a moment’s notice, and Olivia naturally linked her arm with Edward’s.
He didn’t know why this situation was uncomfortable when Olivia was his friend.

“I can’t believe I’m walking in the Ragnar Castle Garden with your Highness like this.
It’s not Montana either.”

Olivia quietly talked and smiled at him.
As always, her voice was the most stable and kept the tone in which she could stand out.
It was soft and melodic, so it gave people a good impression, and no matter what happened, they didn’t easily show their feelings.
They had been talking since they were young, but Olivia had always been the same.
In other words, it meant that when he thought of Olivia, she always looked the same to him.

Count Holland said she was the best qualified Crown Princess, but Edward was unsure.
He sometimes thought Olivia was like a doll.

“It just happened to be like that.”

Edward answered sincerely and looked around.
He suddenly remembered the blonde woman who got off the wagon earlier.

But there was no one around.
Except for gardeners and some workers who work diligently in the distance.
For some reason, an unknown disappointment passed by him.

“I love it, your Highness.
By the way, where are you coming from? It’s been a while since you got from the West Daechi Front Line.”

“I was in Bale Castle.”

Edward answered honestly without hiding it.
It was because Count Holland strangely intertwined him and Olivia, but they were quite close to her.
A friend who knows how to listen to others, understands well, and sometimes gives useful advice.
It was okay to talk about this much.

Olivia stopped in front of the oak tree.
Contrary to expectations, she looked up at him with quite surprised eyes.
Well, if anyone heard that, they wo react the same way as her.

Edward stopped along with Olivia and looked around once again.
The cool autumn air seemed to smell like a fresh yet sweet rose.

“Isn’t that the castle owned by Count Macy’s? The one who was the father of your ex-fiancée?”

“Now it belongs to Count Holland.
I came out and stayed there in advance because I wanted to relax.”

“There are three castles owned by Count Holland, and you bought them again?”

Olivia asked, frowning her beautiful forehead as if she couldn’t believe it.

“I guess collecting castles is a hobby.”

Edward answered the sharp question as if he didn’t know.
Light personal history he didn’t mind answering, but he did not mention anything about buying a castle.
It didn’t mean much, but it could be talked about for no reason.

Edward liked Count Macy’s.
Although he was a noble, he was a man who constantly admired other worlds and acted to reach there.
He was also a warm and benevolent person.
It was also him who gave him the nickname “Ruth.”

Buying the castle was a simple but complex reason.
He hated the legacy of the Count, who had a deep connection with him, flowing to the wrong place.
However, there was no need to brag about that to others.

“It must have been complicated.
It’s a place where your ex-fiancée lived.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” But she’s been my fiancée for 15 years.”

Edward answered without hesitation and looked into the air.