Chapter 59

The sudden impact threw her off balance, causing a few clumps of dung to fall from the bowl. The heavy bowl wobbled precariously and she scrambled to steady it.

“Oh no!” she gasped, her heart pounding. She set the bowl down hastily, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Her gaze darted up, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the person she had bumped into.

It was Aiden.

He stood there, his piercing gaze fixed on her. His swift reflexes had saved him from most of the mess, but a smear of dung stained the sleeve of his dark shirt. He looked at it briefly, his expression unreadable, before his eyes shifted back to her.

Lucy's fear spiked instantly, her pulse thundering in her ears. Her thoughts raced, chaotic and panicked. Why him? Of all people, why him?

Aiden's eyes flicked to the bowl on the ground and back to her. His tone was calm, yet there was an undercurrent of authority. “Why are you carrying that by yourself?”

His question was simple but it felt like a challenge. Lucy opened her mouth to respond but no words came out. Her throat felt dry and her mind was a jumble of thoughts.

“I…” she finally managed, her voice trembling. “It's… part of my work, AI…”

“Come on, haven't I told you… you can call me Aiden if we're together…. So…” Aodens gaze didn't waver. He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “This is your work?” He tilted his head slightly, his tone now tinged with something she couldn't place—curiosity, maybe even annoyance. “Who assigned this to you?”

Before Lucy could gather the courage to answer, she heard hurried footsteps approaching. Turning her head, she saw Isabella striding toward them, her face a mixture of irritation and concern.

“Lucy!” Isabella called out, her voice sharp. “What's going on there?”

Lucy quickly stepped back, her heart still racing as Aiden shifted his attention to Isabella. The smell hit Isabella first, sharp and pungent even before she saw the scattered clumps of dung near the path. She paused mid-step, her brows furrowing in irritation. Her eyes darted around, narrowing as they landed on Lucy standing stiffly, head bowed, clutching the bowl like it was her lifeline. 

Isabella knew instantly. Of course, it had to be Lucy.

She walked closer, her heels clicking sharply against the cobblestone. Her voice dropped to a low whisper, laced with annoyance. “Lucy, what have you done this time?”

Lucy didn't lift her head, her fingers tightening around the rim of the bowl. What should I say? I guess she already found out I bumped into him? This is another humiliation in front of Aiden.

Before Lucy could muster a response, Isabella turned, catching sight of Aiden standing a few feet away. Aiden's face was expressionless, his presence dominating the space around him. The stain on his sleeve was faint but visible and Isabella's stomach sank. She adjusted her tone instantly, layering words with forced politeness.

“Prince Aiden,” she said with a bow of her head, “I hope there hasn't been… an incident? Perhaps Lucy here—” she glanced at her sharply, “---hasn't bumped into you, has she?”

Aiden's piercing gaze shifted to her and for a moment, Isabella felt the weight of his scrutiny. He didn't respond immediately, letting the silence hang in the air like a blade. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm but firm.

“I was the one who bumped into her,” Aiden said, his voice carrying effortlessly. “It was my fault the dung spilled.”

The words hit Isabella like a slap. Her lips parted slightly in disbelief and she quickly glanced at Lucy, who looked just as shocked . Did I hear that right? Aiden— the Aiden— just admitted fault? Her thoughts spun violently wildly.

Lucy, on the other hand, felt a strange mix of emotions. Relief washed over her like a cooling wave, easing the knot in her chest. But it was followed by confusion, a question nagging at her. Why would he take the blame? It can't be possible that he was the one who bumped into Lucy, right?

Isabella recovered quickly, her voice strained but steady. “Prince Aiden, I assure you, Lucy is usually more careful. This must have been an unfortunate mistake.”

Aiden's expression didn't change. His gaze was cold, focused, but there was an edge to his words. “Why is she carrying this alone?” he asked, gesturing to the heavy bowl. His voice was quiet but carried a challenge that made Isabella tense.

“I—” Isabella hesitated, caught off guard. Her thoughts scrambled, her mind racing. Why does it matter to him? Why does he care? She took a quick look at Lucy, standing there like a trembling leaf, then back to Aiden.

“I wasn't aware,” Isabella finally said, forcing an apologetic tone. “If I had known, I would have stopped her immediately.”

Aiden tilted his head slightly, as though weighing her words. “Make sure you are aware next time,” he said sharply. “A maid shouldn't be left to carry something this heavy alone just because she's a maid.”

His words weren't loud but they carried enough weight to leave Isabella momentarily stunned. She nodded quickly, lowering her gaze. “Of course, Prince,” she murmured.

Aiden spares a final glance at Lucy, his expression unreadable, before turning and walking away. His footsteps faded down the path, leaving the two women in tense silence.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Isabella exhaled sharply, turning to Lucy with wide eyes. She whispered, half to herself, “Did you hear what he just said?”

Lucy nodded, her voice barely audible. “Yes.”

Isabella's thoughts raced. Why would Aiden, of all people, defend a maid? He's never cared about anyone's labor or struggles before. Why now? She stared at Lucy, her mind piecing things together. There's something going on here, something I'm missing. 

Shaking her head, she muttered under her breath. “I don't understand.” She chuckled 

Lucy didn't speak, afraid that anything she said might give away the whirlwind of emotions she was barely holding back. Relief and confusion warred within her. Why did he have to do that in front of her?

Isabella's gaze sharpened, and her voice dropped into a conspiratorial whisper. “Tell me, Lucy. What happened between you and Aiden back in the hall?”

Lucy froze, her grip tightening on the bowl, “Nothin… I told you already… it was just a few questions.” she said quickly but firmly.

Isabella's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in her expression. She stepped closer, her tone low and accusing. “He's never shown concern for anyone like this before, especially not a maid. Why would he lie to protect you? Tell me the truth.”

Lucy shook her head, meeting Isabella's gaze. “I don't know,” she whispered.

Isabella studied her closely, searching for cracks in her story. But Lucy held her resilience. 

Isabella soon spoke up, the sharpness of her voice but through the quiet like a blade. She stood with her arms crossed, her eyes narrowed on Lucy, who was about carrying the bowl on her head. “Lucy,” Isabella began, her tone commanding. “I'm going to ask you a question, and I don't want a lie. Do you understand?”

Lucy froze for a moment, her fingers gripping the rim of the bowl. She straightened as her heart started to race, a drumbeat of unease that echoed in her ears. She swallowed, her mind whirring with possibilities. What does she want to know? Could it be about Aiden again? Or… is it something else?

“Yes,” she finally muttered, her voice soft but steady.

Isabella took a step closer, her eyes boring into Lucy's. She didn't blink, didn't falter as if trying to pry open Lucy's thoughts with sheer willpower. Then, in a voice that was almost too calm, she asked. “Do you still love Leo?”