Chapter 27 (1/2)

‘Come to think of it, a ladder… I think I saw it in the warehouse earlier.’

As I dragged the ladder behind me while groaning, I noticed something.

For some reason, the ladder seems to be lighter than usual.

Well, I’m not heavy so it won’t break against my weight.

Leaning the ladder against the wall, I started climbing the ladder with determination.

I held a long broom in my hand.

“Almost, I’ll be right there…”

Swoosh!

I made a swiping motion with the broom.

Although the broomstick came close to touching the spider’s web, probably because of my short arms, it barely touched it.

After several unsuccessful attempts at swinging, I stared angrily at the corner of the ceiling.

‘I think I can reach it, just a little bit more!’

Why are my arms so short!

I gritted my teeth.

Do you think I’ll give up?

I carefully measured the distance between the web and myself, then swung powerfully.

Swoosh!

The sound of the broom brushing against the wall signaled that the cobweb had been swept away.

Aha, finally!

I was filled with joy at the moment.

All of a sudden, I felt something ominous.

… Huh?

I felt goosebumps race down my spine.

‘That sound just now… what was it?’

I heard the sound of wood cracking.

As soon as I had that thought, the ladder steps snapped as my foot slipped.

“Ahh!”

I hurriedly tried to grab hold of something, but it was hopeless.

My hands swayed in vain in the air.

I-I’m falling!

I closed my eyes reflexively.

What if I got hurt!

‘The empress will find out that I’m going in and out of the prince’s palace then!’

Please, don’t get hurt!

However, I couldn’t feel the pain I had expected at all.

Instead, I heard urgent sound of footsteps…

Flop!

All of a sudden, my body was safely held in someone’s arms.

“Lize!”

A desperate voice called to me.

Are y-…you all right?

When I quietly lifted my gaze, I saw Damian with a pale and tired face as if he was about to pass out at any moment.

He raised his voice.

“Hey, what are you… where did you find these broken ladders?!”

“Fro-from the warehouse.”

Damian was so angry that I was surprised.

He kept frowning while scolding me.

“What? The warehouse? Did you drag that ladder from there to here?!”

Yes, I did but…….

Damian couldn’t hide his amazement and stared at me intently.

“Do you think you’re strong? That’s why I told you not to clean!”

“That, that…”

“Why aren’t you afraid of what had just happened? If you hit the floor, you would be done for!”

Damian’s voice trembled softly.

I became teary and reflexively apologized.

“Sorry, I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

“What are you sorry about?”

“I made things difficult for you…”

I bit my lips.

What if the empress found out that I was in and out of the imperial palace?

That would not only give trouble for me but Damian as well.

What I had done to help Damian almost made him in trouble.

Stupid Charlize.

I blamed myself.

However, the expression on Damian’s face as he glanced at me…..

It seemed as if he was in pain.

But why though?

It’d be understandable if he was angry.

Damian opened his lips as if to say something, but instead, he gave a sigh and shut his mouth again.

What should I do? I feel really bad.

My body was trembling.

I slowly made eye contact with him.

“I’m, I’m fine with you scolding me.”

“…That’s enough.”

Only Damian would act in that manner.

After he placed me back on the ground he quickly turned around.

Why, why did you turn your back on me?

I paced behind him, earnestly calling out to Damian.

“Your Highness, are you angry?”

At Damian’s silence, my chest tightened with the tension.

After a while, he muttered,

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

“…Huh?”

“If you get hurt, I’ll be in trouble. That’s why I got angry.… did you seriously think I would be like that?!”

I froze on the spot.

Damian glanced at me.

“I mean, you…”

Damian pondered on what to say for a long time.

His low voice somehow sounded melancholic.

“…You’re the only good person I’ve met after 5 years of being imprisoned in this palace.”