Chapter 46
“What is your request?”
Asla asked gently, seeing May hesitate—but suddenly, May burst into tears.
Startled, Asla began to rise from her chair, but when she sensed what this might be about, a bitter smile touched her lips.
“You found out… what I went through.”
“The investigator came while you were asleep and explained why you needed protection. Said I had to be aware of the situation since I’m your only maid.”
May emphasized the last part. She wiped her tears roughly with the back of her hand, then knelt beside Asla with a firm gaze and pleaded earnestly.
“Madam! Please don’t cast me aside.”
“May.”
“I know it must be hard to fully trust me after everything that happened at the Ventus estate, but I am your person. I’ll prove it with time. Please let me serve you by your side for the rest of my life.”
Asla blinked slowly, listening to May’s heartfelt words.
To her surprise, she found herself feeling unexpectedly calm.
She had thought she’d feel ashamed and devastated if May ever found out what had happened at the estate—but she wasn’t.
The fear had faded. The wounds were healing.
She felt a pang of regret for not confiding in May sooner, but more than that, she was grateful May had come to her honestly.
Like a warm blanket over her once-frozen heart, May’s sincerity comforted her.
Asla rose and gently pulled May up into an embrace.
“Thank you, May.”
Could she fully trust someone again after the betrayal by her nursemaid?
It wouldn’t be easy—but she had to try.
She couldn’t go on living with such fragility. She had chosen to survive—and that meant becoming strong.
To stop the tangled schemes surrounding her, to defy the grand design, she had to rise and fight.
As the last surviving royal of a fallen kingdom, she would bring this to an end.
Would the divine truly wish for a new Holy Kingdom?
If that were the case, why would the divine have allowed the previous one to fall?
Even if a new kingdom was meant to rise, it was no longer the role of the Sherita royal family to bring it about.
After calming May and settling down with a book, Asla found her thoughts drifting to the Pope, to Lisette, to Enoch.
The frustration tightened in her chest until she couldn’t sit still.
She left her suite and headed down to the hotel’s first-floor lobby.
Wanting to lift her mood with tea and dessert, she stepped into the elegant restaurant—only to spot a familiar figure and quicken her pace.
“Amelia.”
There she was, tucked into a corner of the restaurant, having just finished a meal and sketching something in her notebook.
“Hmm? Asla, it’s you!”
Amelia looked up and beamed as their eyes met.
“I thought I’d run into you again here! I just knew it!”
But today, Amelia wasn’t alone. Two tall, broad-shouldered men stood behind her.
As Asla’s gaze turned toward them, Amelia gave a sheepish shrug.
“Ignore them.”
“…They’re rather intimidating, though.”
“I know. Hard not to notice, with those scowls.”
Amelia whispered, but her voice was loud enough that both men sighed deeply in turn.
Asla studied them carefully—their clothing, speech, and several small details—and quickly reached a conclusion.
She smiled faintly and nodded.
“Now I understand.”
“Understand… what?”
“You’re the Crown Princess of Astra. Amelia Astra.”
At those words, both men flinched and instantly stepped forward, shielding Amelia from view.
Asla didn’t flinch. She simply smiled.
But the undercover guards stationed in the restaurant quickly surged toward them, their voices sharp with warning.
“What do you think you’re doing? This is unacceptable behavior.”
“I’m fine. Right, Amelia?”
Asla spoke softly between the two men who now formed a solid wall, and Amelia let out a dry laugh as she replied.
“Yes. Don’t embarrass me—guards, go stand by and wait.”
At Amelia’s command, her attendants stepped aside, and the hotel security also slowly backed off.
Once the situation had finally calmed, Amelia gestured toward Asla.
“Please, have a seat, Asla. Ah, it’s still okay for me to call you by name, right?”
“Of course, Amelia.”
Asla sat beside her, and called a server to order tea and dessert.
As the polite staff member bowed and left, Amelia watched him go, smiling with an amused expression.
“Actually, I already knew you were Duchess Ventus. After we met here last time, I kept thinking about your hair and eyes… I started getting suspicious.”
“Did you.”
“And then I dropped by that art store on Grimare Street, and that confirmed it. I probed the shopkeeper a little.”
Asla blinked, confused by what she meant. Amelia explained casually.
“I went to that art shop, and the owner mentioned someone asking about pastels. That’s when I was sure it was you.”
“So you visited that shop too.”
“Yes. I’m doing field research on products we’re planning to export to the Empire. Anyway, they told me the Duchess left behind a painting, so I took a look. It was so striking, I came looking for you.”
“A painting?”
“I’m rambling a lot, aren’t I? Sorry. I’m not usually the kind of person who chases others around just to meet them, but I was that excited.”
Her catlike eyes—lifted slightly at the corners—sparkled with blue light.
How could a princess be so delightfully eccentric?
Asla thought it fascinating how different their personalities were, even though both had been raised as royalty.
Amelia continued brightly.
“You’re a Princess of the Sherita Holy Kingdom. You might dislike our Astra Kingdom for not believing in the divine, but… I hope you’ll visit someday.”
“…I don’t dislike it at all, Princess Amelia.”
Asla smiled and deliberately added the title at the end.
It was meant playfully, but Amelia didn’t seem to mind in the least.
“Faith is a personal choice. I respect the Astra Kingdom for choosing freedom.”
“You’re amazing, Asla. That makes me so happy.”
Amelia beamed, flashing her white teeth in a broad smile.
Just then, their tea and an elaborate dessert set were brought to the table. As soon as the server left, Amelia spoke up again.
“I’m serious, by the way. The shopkeeper said it was your first time holding a brush.”
“Ah, yes.”
“You’re gifted. Not just technically—you have an extraordinary eye. I wish you’d consider attending the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Astra. I could write you a letter of recommendation.”
“Oh, Amelia…”
Asla widened her eyes in surprise at the unexpected proposal.
Amelia, however, spoke with confidence and enthusiasm.
She rattled off how prestigious the academy was, its high-quality curriculum, and even the merits of studying in Astra.
Asla’s mind spun from the whirlwind of suggestions.
But the more she listened, the more intrigued she became.
For the first time in her life, she’d found something she was passionate about—and the one praising her talent was a princess from a country known for its art.
“As a Princess of Astra, I swear—I’m not exaggerating. I’ve seen not only the rose you painted on canvas, but also the sketches you left behind.”
“But…”
“Here, look at this.”
Asla nearly blurted out “I’ll go right now!” as she looked through the catalog from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts that Amelia had pulled from her bag.
But she managed to collect herself and organize her thoughts.
This wasn’t the time.
She still had to stop the schemes plotted by the Pope and Lisette, and there were countless misunderstandings and wounds to resolve between her and Enoch.
Asla looked at Amelia, who was still eagerly explaining, and gave her a faint smile full of regret.
Amelia let out a big sigh and muttered weakly, “I get it. Honestly even I, feel like some kind of scam artist right now. I understand if you find it hard to believe.”
“That’s not the reason.”
“Then why not? What’s the issue? Will your husband disapprove? But this is something you love.”
Asla tilted her head slightly.
How would Enoch respond?
He had told her to find something she truly enjoyed. Maybe he’d approve.
She placed her hand lightly on the catalog, implying a decision to consider it.
“Would it be alright if I took this with me?”
“Of course, Asla.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate you making such a generous offer.”
“No, this is for me, really. The more talent I discover, the stronger my position becomes as Crown Princess.”
Amelia winked playfully. Asla smiled shyly in return.
“I’ll be heading back to the Astra Kingdom tomorrow. If you change your mind, send a word to us anytime.”
“Thank you. I wish we could talk more… it’s a shame.”
Asla said it sincerely, and Amelia shrugged in agreement.
“Me too. I was curious what kind of person a princess raised in a kingdom so opposite to mine would be. I didn’t expect you to be so delicate and beautiful.”
“You flatter me. I no longer have a kingdom to rule, though.”
“That may be true, but just being Duchess Ventus gives you considerable influence. Honestly, if I wanted to be friends with you for political reasons, that would be a little sad.”
“I doubt the heir to the free Astra Kingdom would be tempted by another empire’s power or wealth.”
“That’s funny—calling yourself power and wealth. You’re making me want to be your real friend. If I ever come back to the Empire, invite me over, will you?”
Asla nodded.
Amelia shook hands with her and then pulled out a box of pastels from her bag.
“A gift. No, let’s call it a bribe—to make an impression.”
“Oh my… thank you, Amelia.”
“Of course… I’m sure Duke Ventus gives you far more precious and expensive gifts, but I bet pastels are still hard to come by.”
“Thank you, truly. I’ll treasure them.”
Amelia looked at Asla’s face, now tinged with a pink blush, and beamed before departing the hotel.
After seeing off the bright and lively Princess of Astra, Asla returned to her room with the box of pastels clutched to her chest.
“Madam. You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Indeed. It’s so comforting not to hide anything from you now.”