As I stood speechless, Ardion stepped closer, and his breath brushed against my face. "Shouldn''t you take responsibility for this?"

    His voice lingered in my ears, sending a shiver down my spine. I flinched slightly, but his grip on my hand held me in place. I turned my head slightly to glance at Derol behind me, feeling guilty about the lengths Ardion had gone for me.

    Ardion blocked my line of sight to Derol, forcing me to meet his gaze instead.

    "What should I do?" I asked hesitantly.

    "I have a position for you as my personal maid." His reply was calm yet determined.

    "Personal maid?" I repeated, surprised he would ask me, a commoner, to take on such a role.

    Ardion continued softly, "I don''t want anyone else in my room. But if it’s you, peace may be bestowed upon me.”

    His words left me at a loss. When I failed to respond, impatience crept into his voice.

    "I''ll grant you a title soon."

    "You don''t need to," I stammered and tried to step aside, but Ardion tightened his hold on my hand.

    "Don''t think of even escaping." He stepped closer, and when my confusion increased, he said gently, "Laila, I''m still the same as before. Don''t abandon me again."

    "I never abandoned you, Your Highness. It was out of necessity then..."

    He caressed my cheek with one hand, the warmth of his touch igniting a swirl of emotions within me. His piercing gaze bore into me, and suddenly, a squeaking sound broke the tension, leaving me no time to think.

    I nodded, realizing I couldn''t leave Derol behind. I had to take responsibility. Ardion slowly released my hand and signaled to a knight, who came to unlock the cage door.

    Derol rushed into my arms. "Master!"

    I stroked his hair and turned to Ardion.  "Can I go for today? I need to collect some things from home."

    "Just come back early tomorrow. I''ll send people to you."

    As I tried to leave, Ardion blocked my path once more. "I''m sending some knights to your house."

    Knights? It felt excessive. I wasn''t a criminal. "Your Highness?"

    "What if there''s danger? I heard your neighborhood has its share of crime."

    I was astonished he knew where I lived. Ardion’s brow furrowed as he glared coldly at Derol.

    I quickly nodded to him, exited the room, and wandered down the long corridor.

    Derol looked up from my pocket. "Master."

    "Derol, everything has gone completely wrong."

    "I just wanted to bring you something nice. I''m sorry."

    "It’s fine. I''m just relieved you weren’t caught at the banquet. It could have been worse. And thank you for stepping in earlier."

    Recalling Derol’s brave charge at the noblewoman eased my worries somewhat, but his face fell.

    "I didn''t expect Ardion to change like that."

    Worry clawed at me, surfacing in my furrowed brow and exhaled a sigh.

    "Master, are you okay?" Derol’s concerned voice sounded as we arrived at our house.

    "I’m fine, Derol." I forced a smile and opened the door. I placed the cheese on the table, only to find the water jug had fallen.

    Was there a mess this morning?

    A sense of unease washed over me as I scanned the room. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of movement through the window.

    I rushed to the window and pulled back the curtain to reveal the knights Ardion had mentioned, patrolling my home with vigilance.

    People had dared intrude here before. At least I had some protection now.

    I hastily gathered my things and tried to rest.

    ? ? ?

    Ardion’s words rang true. Early the next morning, there was a loud knocking on my door. The knights were waiting for me.

    "Lady Laila?"

    "Yes, that’s me."

    "Shall we?"

    They blocked any chance of escape, so I reluctantly followed them with Derol. They led me through narrow alleys, taking a shortcut to the imperial palace.

    A few guards stood at the entrance, dressed in gleaming silver armor, and immediately stepped aside for me. "Please, go ahead."

    Such treatment felt excessive for a commoner. I thanked them as I entered, and the palace garden appeared unique compared to what I had seen before.

    "This is His Highness’s palace."

    The knight, perhaps sensing my curiosity, introduced himself as Delzion, the captain of the emperor’s knights, and began explaining the surroundings.

    "This will be your workplace. First, we’ll introduce you to His Highness."

    No butler or assistant? It was strange that the captain was personally escorting me.

    Derol sniffed the air, and his eyes widened. "It smells familiar."

    "Lilac," I murmured. Derol nodded.

    Delzion continued to guide me through the palace to Ardion’s room.

    Ardion looked similar to yesterday, though he sat on the bed without a shirt, a healer tending to his wounds.

    He bore numerous scars, yet his physique was impeccably sculpted, a testament to his rigorous training.

    At that moment, as our eyes met, I didn’t know where to look. I was flustered, my gaze darting between the ceiling and the floor.

    Derol, nestled into my pocket, squeaked and struggled to face Ardion.

    Ardion rubbed his forehead. "Laila, why not leave Derol behind when you work?"

    As the healer moved closer, he raised a hand, prompting the healer to step back.