AWLC 03

Chapter – 03

As Asha rode the carriage obediently like a mouse in front of a cat, Cedric couldn’t take his eyes off the carriage as it disappeared into the distance.

He had arrived earlier than promised and was taking a leisurely stroll through the lavender garden.

While passing the time idly, he spotted a couple chatting quietly near the entrance of the garden.

He could only see the woman from behind, but her small and delicate figure matched the stereotypical image he had of a city woman, and the man was someone Cedric knew well.

‘It’s Crown Prince Alesto? What a coincidence.’

He had been a benefactor who had provided significant funds and troops when Cedric was clearing out pirates in the Dalbert estate.

Until now, Cedric had never actually met him in person; he had only seen his portrait.

The support had come in the crown prince’s name, but the prince himself had never been present.

Still, he was a benefactor, and a welcome face.

‘I should at least go say hello… but would that be a disturbance?’

Just as he hesitated, his eyes caught the woman’s pale face as she slightly turned her head.

The moment their eyes met, he froze in place.

Time seemed to stop.

‘She’s beautiful…’

And at the same time, holy.

Her hair fluttered like soft feathers, and her movements were like a fairy.

Even the trailing hem of her dress, disappearing into the carriage, looked endearing.

Cedric’s frozen time only resumed after the carriage disappeared completely.

Had he been holding his breath without realizing it?

A deep sigh escaped his lips as he watched the shrinking carriage.

‘Are all women in the capital this beautiful?’

With a newfound sense of anticipation, he waited for Miss Asha of the Herman family.

But even after the red sunset faded, she hadn’t appeared.

Asha racked her small brain.

How could she get off this carriage?

If she reached the palace like this, there might truly be no chance to escape.

Then, a sudden idea struck her.

She cautiously spoke up.

“Um… I just thought of something. My family might worry if I go like this.”

Of course, Alesto didn’t see her worry as a problem.

“Don’t worry, Miss Asha. I will take care of everything.”

Asha drew a small breath.

“Take care of everything?” Did that mean he intended to rummage through my family?

It wasn’t true, but they were her first real family, in a sense.

She didn’t have the courage to ask directly, so she tried another excuse.

“I have something important at home.”

“I’ll bring it tomorrow.”

“The important things are carefully hidden in my room.”

“Rest assured, Miss Asha. I will take everything from your room, not even a single sheet of paper will be left behind.”

“…You are… trustworthy,” she muttered.

After just two exchanges, Asha had said all she could.

She had never been particularly witty or good with words.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Crown Prince Alesto—who had grown up almost entirely among sly courtiers—found the saint remarkable.

How could someone be so transparent, so honest?

‘She wants to run away, doesn’t she.’

Of course, he had no intention of letting her go. But he also couldn’t leave her trembling like a cornered mouse.

Earlier, she seemed concerned about her family… maybe he could use that.

He shook his head internally.

Intimidation or threats were not good options.

After all, she could rewind time if needed and disappear somewhere far away.

For now, the best course was to make the saint want to stay by his side willingly.

Even better if she ended up thinking she wanted to stay with him.

‘Ah, then…’

Rumble.

A sudden sound drew his attention. The saint blushed and coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem! Cough cough…”

Apparently, she had been trying to hide the growling of her stomach, but once it started, it wouldn’t stop.

“I… I’m hungry…”

She laughed awkwardly, her face now red to the point of bursting.

Alesto immediately halted the carriage.

There were still thirty minutes left to reach the palace, so it was better to feed her something here.

They were at the edge of the shopping district, and he took her to one of the restaurants he sometimes visited, The Lion’s Table.

A faint smile played on his lips.

Asha pretended not to notice his smile.

Unluckily for her, she hadn’t eaten properly today.

She was used to hunger.

Back in Korea, or even in her life as Asha, there had rarely been opportunities to eat when hungry.

‘The orphanage and the factory had strict schedules, and even if meals were insufficient, we couldn’t have snacks in between. The countess’s household had especially strict diets.’

In short, she had no time, no money, no freedom—nothing.

‘All I had this morning were a few biscuits.’

It was already past lunchtime, approaching evening.

The fragrant smell of bread and milk at the charity event kept lingering in her mind.

Though she had mentioned being hungry due to the rumbling sound, she hadn’t really expected a meal.

All she had hoped for was some bread and milk to stave off hunger before bed.

And yet…

Alesto had stopped the carriage and brought her to a proper restaurant?

He opened the menu and placed it so she could see, asking,

“What do you like?”

Humans are cunning creatures, and she was especially simple-minded.

Bread and milk quickly disappeared from her thoughts.

“Meat,” she replied.

While the food was being served, wine was also brought.

Asha followed Alesto’s lead, awkwardly holding the thin part of the wine glass and spoke.

“Um… I’m curious about something.”

“What is it?”

She cleared her throat.

“Why do you keep speaking politely to me? …Even though I’m just a noblewoman.”

Here, rank dictated how people addressed each other, regardless of age.

Even if he was “higher,” it was only as the crown prince, the heir of the emperor and empress.

Why, then, did he speak politely to someone as insignificant as a countess’s daughter?

She got her answer immediately.

“I speak politely because I see you, Miss Asha, as a potential romantic partner.”

Gulp.

The straightforward, yet strikingly impressive answer made Asha choke on her wine.

She quickly drank water, and Alesto took a handkerchief from his pocket to hand to her, finishing his explanation.

“Isn’t it every girl’s dream to be captured and loved by a handsome man? I like you, Miss Asha. If our relationship deepens, you will become precious to me, and I have no choice but to speak respectfully.”

His answer was flawless.

It was the perfect sweet talk of a courteous gentleman.

And yet, why did her spine feel icy?

Was it because the air was cold?

Because his voice sounded chilling?

No.

The answer was obvious.

The man delivering such sweet words was a rising tyrant.

Sure enough, among the characters in The Saint’s Captivity Life, few were entirely sane.

One of them was the crown prince himself.

And the default scenario of the original novel was captivity.

‘Wait a minute…’

Now that she realized this wasn’t reality but the world of the novel, a natural sense of danger settled over her.

Could it be… that all she wanted was a peaceful life, and yet now the hidden mastermind is obsessed with her, and even without doing anything, a tyrant’s obsession is about to unfold before her eyes?

‘No way…’

As Asha quietly ate, feeling the unease, Alesto observed her expressions changing moment by moment.

His declaration that he saw her as a romantic interest was simply his way of “keeping the saint by his side.”

Whether he truly loved her was irrelevant.

The goal was to stir her emotions.

He could pursue a real relationship or even marriage if needed.

Because her ability to rewind time was worth that much.