“I think so,” Amin responded. “I think your behavior when you left the master was splendid.”
“Uh...” Objection! You’re not allowed to bring up Ash! If knights are suddenly called to join an argument between kids, that’s war! ...Which was something that would happen quite often if we were in Sacula.
“You were so good at lying, I felt like I could feel your regret from where I was standing.”
I cried out in panic. I knew that people would realize that, so I made sure I was far away! Amin was only close because she has to serve people! It’s unfair that she’s using this against me!
“The way your eyes became watery, your shaking voice, the way you squeeze your hands together; your feet were twitching like you were going to jump up and hug Ash at any minute—all of that betrayed your words and gave away how difficult it was for you to leave him.”
“Quiet, Amin!” That was an order, but the maid ignored it with a kind smile.
“Master felt troubled after that, you know? He came to me saying that you were definitely hiding your feelings, but he was worried that if he treated you differently, he would become a burden. He was quite concerned.”
“Ah, no way...” Ash. You’re so kind. I love you. This sucks. I wanna see you.
“Look. Even now, you’re going bright red, and you look so happy. What’s wrong with that?” Amin asked.
“Everything...” I responded.
“Have you hit your so-called limits?”
“Probably...”
I was so infatuated with Ash that they couldn’t recklessly use it against me. I’ll make a law that bans any mention of Ash. That’ll be my first order as Viscountess Yanga. Although I’m the one who’ll suffer most from such a ban.
“Master didn’t say this himself, but I do think it would be for the best if you stopped trying to hold back your feelings.”
“Is there a devil on my shoulder?” It definitely seemed like it if Amin’s trustworthy voice was any measure. Oh, gods, I ask that you protect this small body of mine. I would ask Ash for help, but that’s surely what the devil wants. The more I talk about Ash, the less I can hold back. I was very aware of that.
“You really are stubborn... It used to worry me in the palace, and I thought by coming to Sacula you’d finally be cured of it.”
“He he he. You see, I can’t be cured. The reason I was taken out of the royal capital is because Ash wanted me to help him,” I replied. Amin gave me a blank look in response. It seemed she found what I was saying strange.
I guess it is a little weird. I was saved. No matter how you look at it, I was the one that was saved. He had gotten three gold service medals and invited me away from my imprisonment. The person who had saved me had been saying the same thing for years. He wanted me to help him. He needed my help. And If I feel like Ash needs my help, I’ll go anywhere to lend him my strength.
For someone who loved lies, he had taken my words seriously. He rescued me from my cage and freed me from my chains. He told me he needed my help restoring the Yanga territory. He had arranged his lies so neatly. Ash, you lie about your feelings too much. You make me look honest in comparison.
“If Ash did that, then even I, as someone who also tells lies, have a responsibility to uphold.” Even if Ash was lying about stealing me away just so I could help him, I’d help him anyway. I’m not going to let a soul from now until the end of time ever know that was a lie. “Ash wouldn’t have to struggle so much if I help him. He has a lot going on, both in his professional and personal lives.”
“Yes, I guess you are quite right.” Amin had a distant look upon her face. As the handmaid of the former princess, she was exceptionally skilled at management and had been made to share in Ash’s workload. Ash would now be taking up a position at Fort Fenix while helping with rebuilding the Yanga territory—all while acting as a mediator between Sacula and the rest of the regional alliance. I would be focusing on my work here, but Ash had a lot to juggle. And then, as the cherry on top, Ash suggested that we might as well build a fortress.
It was strange how we just thought, Oh, that’s classic Ash. It wasn’t normal nor good that one person was overseeing the restoration of a territory while also pitching an idea for a fortress. Meanwhile, Maika was in Sacula working with the Frontier Alliance. We were combining our efforts together as a family. More reason to keep being strong. “It might make Maika mad, but whenever I want to cry, I’m going to hold myself back. I’ll do my best. I want to make Ash’s dreams a reality.” As I raised my head, the moon was high in the sky. It took me back to the time when Ash first called me beautiful—it was glowing in the sky just like that night.
“My name is Alicia.” I told him my real name that day. I was known as Alicia Sodra back when I was weak and could do nothing but cry as I left Sacula. An old memory. Now, I was able to look at the moon with a new name. “Alicia Fenix Yanga. In the name of the Phoenix that embraces me, I will push through and endure. This is my response to Ash fulfilling his promise.” I am an expensive woman. I have to make sure that I make it worth it for Ash. There’s no way I’m going to let him lose.