Run Away, From Me -R15 - Chapter 5. Death And The Boy

**The previous chapters are clear about the relationship of the characters but some are still confused, so I’ll make it clearer one more time. Daphne and Asherad are not related. Daphne’s real father is someone named ‘Oliver’ which was mentioned by Daphne’s mother. The necklace changed Daphne’s eyes color from blue to green to match the emperor’s eyes. It was a lie to make the emperor believe Daphne was his daughter. The emperor found out after Daphne’s mother died, and the emperor made Daphne’s life hell to pay for her mother’s sin. Therefore, Daphne became a maid who was abused by everyone. This is NOT an incest novel.

***

*The past continued.

 

Daphne was led by Asherad to his room.

 

“You must be very cold.”

 

Seeing Daphne trembling, he seemed to be deeply in thought.

 

“How about this?”

 

Unlike Daphne, who seemed to faint at any moment while shaking, Asherad was relaxed.

 

The cold night air was very cold. Fortunately, here, Asherad’s room was warm.

 

It was harmonious, but somehow it was a very creepy place. Daphne, standing tall in the clean room, and Asherad, observing her while sitting there, was strange.

 

But Daphne was too nervous to think about the boy’s behavior in front of her.

 

She remembered this boy when she first came to the Imperial Palace. But this boy, who might have been her older brother…….

 

His voice, eyes, and beautiful appearance that seemed to be full of all the goodness in the world made her not dare to follow.

 

She was of the same bloodline as such a great person? Did she really think such a lie would work?

 

How pathetic was the lie that her mother told? There’s no way she’d have shared blood with that person in the first place.

 

What if that person recognized her? He would certainly be angry with her like the emperor. Daphne, unable to raise her head at all, was covered with a blanket by Asherad.

 

She was very grateful. As he put the blanket on her, Asherad and her face drew closer.

 

“Why were you being bullied?”

 

“….”

 

“What is your name?”

 

Daphne couldn’t say anything as if there was a stone stuck in her neck at the boy’s questions.

 

“You don’t say anything.”

 

Daphne closed her eyes tightly at the voice.

 

“Come on, what are you doing without talking!”

 

The servant shouted. Daphne trembled as she wrapped her blanket around her.

 

“Leon, I’m asking her.”

 

Asherad was noble even at a young age. At that, the servant hurriedly bowed his head with a sorry expression.

 

“Come on, tell me.”

 

It seemed like he wouldn’t let her go unless she said her name. Daphne shut her eyes tightly.

 

“Daphne.”

 

“Daphne, Daphne. I think I’ve heard it a lot.” (Asherad)

 

Was it because her eye color was different*? Or perhaps because she was so ugly that it couldn’t even be compared to back then. Asherad did not remember Daphne. (*when he first met her, her eyes were green like his because of the magic necklace, now her eyes are blue.)

 

For a moment, the attendant had a strange expression on her face, but Daphne was busy looking at the boy’s feet, his fancy leather shoes, and the beautiful gloss.

 

“I don’t remember at all.”

 

A laughing voice was heard.

 

“Daphne. Then why do people bother you?”

 

Daphne shook her head helplessly. If the boy knew the truth, would he change like the others? Or will he be cruel like the emperor? She couldn’t tell. This warmth was so desperately needed. But her mouth opened on its own.

 

“My mother told a big lie.”

 

“So?”

 

Asherad’s eyes widened. Daphne lowered her eyes again.

 

“Did you end up like this because of your mother?”

 

“Because my mother lied. I lied too. It’s a sin.”

 

As if in repentance, she closed her eyes tightly. One of Asherad’s eyebrows rose as if in surprise. The cold sneer disguised as goodwill disappeared, and an interesting gaze settled in his eyes.

 

“Lift up your head, Daphne.”

 

“…”

 

“From now on, I will make you work only several hours a day.”

 

“Yes? What…”

 

“How can they blame you for your mother’s sin? It’s unfair.”

 

Was it because he was mature? Perhaps it was because of his eyes, which are quite sharp for a boy. He seemed righteous. He was like a fair ruler.

 

“So Daphne. Don’t worry too much.”

 

Naturally, he was kind. Like the kindness he showed her when they first met.

 

***

 

From the day Asherad helped Daphne, the blatant bullying disappeared. But she still had the oldest rat-infested room, and the food given was poor. Of course, the emperor sometimes insulted and ridiculed her, but nevertheless, there was hope in her hellish daily life.

 

After finishing all the schedules, she waited for Asherad’s call in the windy room. When the attendant pounded on her door with disapproval, she got up and followed the attendant to his room.

 

“Are you here?”

 

People were always nervous about being in front of the Prince, but Daphne was different. She could only relax in front of him.

 

Unlike Daphne, who was small in stature, Asherad had a large body. He laid on his chair by the fireplace and looked up at Daphne with a languid expression. His face was ecstatically handsome.

 

Unlike the dirty room where she slept with mice, this place was heaven.

 

“You don’t seem to have been bullied today.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’m glad.”

 

Asherad showed a faint smile and then motioned to the book, beckoning her to come. Daphne smiled broadly and opened the book. As she knelt down on the soft carpet, she read the book aloud.

 

He relaxed, closed his eyes, leaned against his chair, and placed a hand on Daphne’s head, who had knelt at his feet.

 

His long fingers stroked her hair. The touch on her hair made her feel good.

 

Daphne really liked this moment. It was not a cold, filthy, moldy room, it always smelled good here. And Asherard always smiled as he looked at her.

 

“Aren’t you hungry? Eat while you read.”

 

A cookie was placed in front of her mouth as she sat down. Daphne looked at the cookie that was shoved in front of her. It smelled of sweet chocolate and fragrant nuts.

 

“Now, ahhhh.”

 

Following Asherad, she opened her lips. Daphne took it and ate it with gratitude. Asherad’s eyes lit up.

 

“Eat a lot.”

 

His hand stroking her hair was still soft and friendly. Asherad did not hide his blade-like coldness and ridicule, but Daphne did not know it.

 

“Wow, hahahaha!”

 

Daphne raised her head in surprise at the sound of sudden laughter. At the doorway, the emperor was laughing with his face stained red.

 

“Are you here? Father?”

 

Asherad gently stroked Daphne’s head once more and stood up. Daphne thought like a fool.

 

Was Asherad going to be scolded by the emperor for saving her?

 

“Crazy bastard! What a masterpiece, what a masterpiece!”

 

But the emperor was laughing out loud at something.

 

***

 

“Sarah, that hairpin, what is it?”

 

“My brother gave it to me as a present.”

 

“Your brother is very kind.”

 

As Daphne approached, the maids stared at her. Among them, only Sarah smiled and nodded her head. Daphne stepped back from her and went to the other area.

 

It has been 7 years since she came to the Imperial Palace.

 

Daphne grew up. (15 years old now)

 

She was in an isolated world where no one approached her. There were some who were friendly with her at first, but after they heard the rumor, they treated her coldly or disappeared.

 

It was the same with the animals. As if she was a plague, the horses in the stable and the little birds that she fed all died.

 

How lonely a world without love. The only person she could love was Asherad.

 

He was always friendly and thoughtful.

 

Asherad always felt sorry for her situation. As if there was an invisible string, Asherad did not forget to find her.

 

“Brother.”

 

Daphne muttered the unfamiliar word.

 

If there was an older brother, would he have been like Asherad? Would he, like Sarah’s older brother, give her a hairpin like that too?

 

If she was really the emperor’s child, Asherad might have done the same.

 

They would have been a great family. Then he would have punished those girls who bullied her.

 

Daphne thought of Asherad. Her face flushed red.

 

Asherad grew up and became a man (17 years old). There was a dark shade on his face with beautiful curves. His body, which was made up of muscles, was also stunning.

 

An astonishing existence. Everyone looked up to him, admired him and loved him. Daphne was the same. Because Asherad, the only child of the Emperor and the only child of a noble bloodline, lived up to everyone’s expectations.

 

 

His eyes were arrogant and cold, but he was a gentleman. Contrary to the unique and overwhelming atmosphere that he exuded, he was kind to women, children, and those below him.

 

There was nothing he couldn’t do. Daphne smiled with a sense of superiority as everyone talked about how graceful Asherad’s dance was, how beautiful his voice was as he read the congratulatory message, and how enchanting his smile was.

 

How lucky to see him up close. Daphne was the only one who Asherad allowed to be by his side.

 

Asherad cared about her. She loved him. He was special to her.

 

But, that’s all.

 

Daphne thought melancholy as she pondered the rumors about who would be Asherad’s fiancée.

 

“Daphne!”

 

“….”

 

“Daphne?”

 

Daphne looked at the man approaching her. She was surprised because no one talked to her, they only mocked or bullied her.

 

But in the absence of the crowd, this brown-haired man, Norwell, secretly did her a favor. But it was the first time she spoke to him like this today.

 

“Daphne. Give me that bucket.”

 

As she puzzled and held out her water bucket, he accepted it. She remembered the maids saying Norwell was kind.

 

“People are so mean, aren’t they?”

 

“….”

 

“Everyone to you… … Poor Daphne. Really, you…… .”

 

Norwell looked at her sadly. Daphne looked at the water bucket he was holding. Anyway, he had shown her favor.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“….You can speak.”

 

“Of course.”

 

“I didn’t know you could speak. Your voice is so pretty.”

 

Norwell smiled brightly and looked at her. Daphne’s cheeks turned red. It was the first time that someone praised her other than Asherad. So she smiled a little.

 

This day wasn’t bad. Wouldn’t it be great if every day was full of luck like this?

 

She looked at Norwell’s back.

 

She had a good feeling today.

 

However.

 

Daphne’s hope was shattered at night. Her steps became urgent. Even though she knew it was rude, she ran into the Prince’s garden. It was a good place to see the moon.

 

Everyone in the Imperial Palace was singing the gloomy song of death. As the sun went down, the Empress died. Asherad’s mother died.

 

She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know what comfort to give. But all she knew was that she should comfort him.

 

Asherad, as expected, was sitting alone, looking up at the sky.

 

Poor man. Daphne too felt the same way when she lost her mother. Unknowingly she knelt down on her knees in front of him.

 

“It’s you.”

 

Asherad had a fishy smell, different from the usual perfume scent. Contrary to what she thought he was crying, he had a dark face and didn’t cry.

 

The moonlight seeped into the green.

 

“Uh….Your Highness.”

 

Daphne’s voice trembled. Wasn’t even her consolation deceitful?

 

“Did you say you lost your mother too?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Maybe this is how you felt.”

 

He looked sad. The cold night wind ruffled his fine hair.

 

“Tomorrow will be my mother’s funeral. I will be busy.”

 

“Yes…”

 

“So you don’t have to come until the funeral is over.”

 

It was still a kind word that cared for Daphne. But she felt lonely. Daphne loved her mother. The same went for Asherad.

 

Daphne carefully placed her hand on his.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I’m here.

 

“….”

 

“When it’s hard, I’m here….”

 

“Oh, my.”

 

Asherad opened his eyes wide and looked at Daphne. For a moment, he felt good.  But that feeling soon melted into the night air and faded away. His long fingers ran through Daphne’s hair.

 

It was the face of a beautiful woman who was at the beginning of her adulthood. Her blue eyes were especially attractive.

 

“Ahhh!”

 

Suddenly, he grabbed her hair and pulled it.

 

“I’m sorry. Did it hurt?”

 

He said with a bright smile.

 

“Yes, Daphne. You have to be by my side, always.”

 

“…yes.”

 

“If I tell you to come, you come, if I tell you to go, you go.”

 

Asherad lifted her chin. The current Asherad was a little scary. He wiped Daphne’s tearful face and said beautifully.

 

“You can stay with me forever. Like this.”

 

Daphne nodded once more, and he smiled contentedly. Asherad, staring intently at Daphne’s face, raised the corners of his lips.

 

“So you are mine, you know?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The answer came out without any resistance. Mechanically, as if by brainwashing, he placed his face against Daphne’s raised face. Daphne was startled. His lips soft as velvet touched her cheek.

 

As she backed away in shock, Asherad grinned.

 

“Go.”

 

Daphne ran away with her blushing face. Seeing her back, Asherad grinned. He placed his hand on his lips, which had touched her cheek.

 

“Oh, it was hard to bear.”

 

Asherad said, looking back. Someone’s legs were sticking out under the tree. He approached the place with an indifferent expression. A bloody body lay under the tree. Norwell, the young man with brown hair, died with his eyes wide open.

 

“Should I show her this or not?”

 

Asherad tapped the dead man’s hand with his foot. It was the hand that touched Daphne’s hand. Suddenly unbearable, he picked up the sword stuck in the ground. The sword drew a cold trajectory and cut off the dead man’s wrist at once.

 

There was no mourning. There was only anger. Bizarre discomfort. He could only remember the blue eyes of the naive girl who trembled with joy.

 

“It’s annoying.”

 

Asherad murmured, grinding his teeth. On the night his mother died, he killed a servant man himself.

 

***