Enoch pretended not to hear Aranās meek mutterings. She probably had no idea what the termĀ seduceĀ meant.
āā¦You used to take care of me, too, when I was sick. Of course, you didnāt sneak in, butā¦ Iā¦ I couldnāt just leave you alone knowing that youāre in this state.ā
āItās fine, I get it, but donāt do this next time.ā
Aran nodded vigorously. Enoch, who had finished what he had to say, lifted his hand from her shoulder and gently pushed her away.
āThank you for your care and attention, but itās getting late. Go back.ā
Aran rubbed the shoulder that his hand had touched with a regretful face.
āIāll just watch you eat. Uhā¦ because I have to bring the basket and the tableware back.ā
Aran made an excuse to see Enoch for a little longer. It was the same when she saw him sleeping, but when he woke up and they had a conversation, she couldnāt find it in herself to be separated from him.
Although his mouth was dry, Enoch swallowed the bread at the princessā stubborn demands. He thought he had no appetite, but when he put the food in his mouth, he couldnāt stop. After he finished the cold soup, bread, and fruit, Aran handed him a round pill and the water she had just poured. Enoch swallowed that, too.
āGood job.ā
He heard a rustle and something touched his lips. When he opened his mouth in a daze, a piece of candy popped in. He wasnāt a child. Enoch looked at Aran with bewildered eyes, and Aran grinned as their gazes met. Instead of smiling back at her, Enoch turned his head and shrunk away from her.
Their meetings were limited before the fall of his family, so he could easily disregard such childish behaviors. But now, the situation and their standings have changed. The princess would continue to try and break into his daily life as she was doing now. If he wanted to use the princess, heād need to adjust to her rhythm to a certain extent, but his head ached at the thought of it.
āThen Iāll be going now.ā
Aran rose slowly and carefully. It was a clear sign that she was dying to stay longer.
Enoch looked out the window. The weather had been cloudy since morning, and the moon was obscured by the clouds.
āIāll escort you,ā said Enoch.
āHuh?ā
His unexpected favor cast doubt in Aranās chest.
āItās a long way from here to the palace. How do you intend to go alone this late at night?ā
āBut youāre sick, and you donāt have to. I came alone earlier so I can go back alone, too. I know shortcuts that people donāt frequent.ā
Aran quickly stopped Enoch. Though, still, she was happy to hear his kind offer. But Enoch, against her advice, got out of bed. It was annoying, but he didnāt want to send a little girl back alone in the dark night. His pain was tolerable for now except that a wave of dizziness washed over him the moment he stood.
āIāll be fine. Really,ā Aran said.
āLead the way,ā Enoch, who ignored Aranās words, made a curt command.
With a strangely overbearing attitude, Aran took a step, reading his countenance. Enoch followed suit.
It was deep in the night and no one was around. Occasionally, guards on night duty patrolled around, but every time they did, Aran found a way not to run into them like a ghost. It seemed that there were more times than Enoch could count where she snuck out like this at night.