The Grand Duchess Escape - chapter 114.2
At first, it was a space with only a large table and a few chairs. However, after Asella visited this place several times, it somehow transformed into a luxurious reception room of sorts.
When she asked the maids what had happened, they smiled and gave her an answer.
‘His Excellency has instructed us to make this room comfortable for Your Grace to read.’
‘How did he know I was coming here?’
However, the maids remained silent in response to the question. None of them said they had told the Grand Duke about this.
‘It wasn’t us… Could someone else have informed him?’
‘It could be the knights?’
Unlike Margo, who never spoke unnecessarily, the young maids were quick to let out what they had in mind, perhaps because of their youth.
Thanks to them, Asella could at least be certain of one thing.
The Grand Duke was aware of her every move, and if there was any deviation from her usual behavior, it would be reported to him immediately.
This study, however, was almost the only place she could escape his eyes.
“This is not the time to think about this.”
Before even finishing half of her tea, Asella stood up. There were still piles of things she needed to memorize. She made her way to a slightly cramped space at the innermost part of the study.
‘Third compartment from the left, fourth from the top… Found it!’
Asella pulled out a book. It was so large and thick that it almost seemed to cover her entire upper body.
‘Now I just need to place the handkerchief here.’
She placed the handkerchief she took out from her pocket into the spot where the book had been. It was a mark to indicate where to return it after she finished reading. Even if the servants would put it away if she left it as is, there was a risk of the Grand Duke being informed about what book she had read. This was her own measure to prevent that.
The weight of the book was considerable, and by the time Asella reached the wide table, beads of sweat had already formed on her forehead.
Without bothering to wipe the sweat, Asella opened the book. As if the lid of a box was being lifted, the cover unfolded, revealing neatly folded square sheets of paper inside.
It was a map of the Grand Duchy.
“The study is right here…”
Asella had been memorizing the layout of the castle for the past few days, with the aim of finding an escape route.
‘We can’t run right away, but I need to prepare in advance.’
She had a plan to leave this place as soon as Mariel completed her awakening. For that purpose, she had been making her own preparations.
She memorized the castle’s geography, sat aside valuable jewelry that could be used as currency, and made sure to act in a way that would put the maids and knights at ease.
Perhaps there would only be one opportunity. If she failed, it would be the end. She had to carefully assess the opportunity and act accordingly at the crucial moment.
‘This corridor is where the servants pass by. It will attract attention.’
‘There are too many doors on this path. The risk of being discovered by the knights is high.’
After pondering for a while, Asella suddenly snapped out of her thoughts when she noticed a lengthening shadow announcing the beginning of sunset. Time was slipping away before she knew it.
She neatly folded the map again and found the bookshelf from earlier. She placed the book back in the spot she had marked with the handkerchief and looked at it with satisfaction at how perfect it appeared.
‘This book seems good for today.’
Asella picked up a book from a nearby shelf that had nothing to do with the map. The book was titled “Mysterious Flowers of the Southern Empire” and had a beautifully colored flower illustration on the cover.
She now had to place the book appropriately on the table and her task would be complete for the day.
“Phew…”
Feeling relieved that another day had safely ended, Asella turned her body.
“..!”
Suddenly, she was startled and rendered speechless by a looming dark shadow blocking her path. She couldn’t even scream and tightly shut her eyes.
The book she had been holding had long slipped from her hands. However, there was no sound of the book hitting the floor from anywhere.
“Asella.”