I Became the Maid of the Lout Prince-Chapter 501: Second chase (1)

“...So, you’re saying she showed up at the adventurers’ guild as recently as the day before yesterday?”

“Probably...? I mean, I’m not even sure if it’s really Assassin Lily. The guild staff have been talking about how more adventurers are working during the day lately, and I noticed a new woman among them, so I just assumed it was her.”

“Well, that’s good enough. I’m sure it’s the person I’m looking for.”

“But why’re you after her all of a sudden? Did she take off with your money or something?”

“That’s none of your business. Just answer my questions.”

Ethan flipped a silver coin toward the man, who had been turning questions back at him.

Poor adventurers in Ermia, constantly short on money, were easily silenced with the right payment.

“Ah, yeah, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“So, do you know anything else?”

“Hmm... if I had to say, I’ve never seen her sleeping anywhere? Doesn’t seem like she’s camping out, so maybe she’s crashing at some guy’s place?”

“...What did you say?”

“Whoa, easy there. It’s just a guess, a guess. See, in this town, no one—man or woman—can afford a decent place to stay unless they’re locals. So it was just a logical guess.”

“Anyway, I’ve been camping out here for a while and know most of the women adventurers. But this Assassin Lily... I’ve never seen her around. Not sleeping outside the walls, not at the guild. Nowhere.”

“...Don’t go around spreading unverified rumors. It’s a crude joke and nothing more than unpleasant.”

“Alright, alright. So she’s yours, right? If that’s the case, I get it.”

The adventurer made an obscene gesture with his fingers, making Ethan momentarily want to smash his face in. Restraining himself, Ethan kept gathering information about “Assassin Lily,” occupying his time.

“......?”

Suddenly, he sensed a familiar gaze coming from an alley.

“Oh, come to think of it, I think I saw her hanging around with some paladins during that Giant Hog hunt...”

-Thud thud!

“That’s enough. I don’t need to hear any more.”

“Hey, where are you going? You asked me all these questions!”

Hearing a faint, familiar set of footsteps, Ethan instinctively °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° moved.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Realizing that Ethan had tracked me all the way to Ermia, I knew I needed to return to the church quickly and leave this town.

The only issue was that the path to the church required me to pass right by where Ethan was...

‘What do I do...’

If I didn’t go through this alley, I’d have to take a detour that would add thirty minutes to my route. This was the town center of Ermia—buildings packed closely together, with barely any pathways.

Wandering around the city for thirty minutes with Ethan here would be insanity. Otherwise, I’d have to leave the city altogether and come back at night...

‘But that would just make me more noticeable. Besides, it’s nearly impossible to ride a horse at night.’

Making up my mind, I quietly observed Ethan and the nameless adventurer’s conversation, waiting for the moment his attention would wane so I could slip by.

“Oh, come to think of it, during that Giant Hog—”

‘Now!’

-Thud thud!

“......?”

As the adventurer started speaking, I dashed down the opposite alley, heading straight for the church without looking back.

Moving while his attention was diverted, and with my silent dagger in hand, I hoped to rely on its stealth effect.

With that thought, I weaved through the narrow alleys toward the Aurelia Church.

“...Lilith!”

“......?!”

Ethan’s voice calling out from behind made me reflexively turn.

“Lilith! It is you, right?!”

...What? How did he spot me?!

I was sure the dagger’s stealth effect was active.

Was it some kind of instinct Ethan had, or did he just happen to catch me entering the alley?

Whatever the case, the important thing was to escape. Even though I was dressed in assassin garb rather than my maid uniform, there was no way Ethan wouldn’t recognize me.

-Clench!

“Wait, Lilith!!”

Ignoring Ethan’s voice from behind, I quickened my pace, heading further into the maze of alleys.

Though I’d have to take a longer route to get to the church, losing Ethan was more important right now.

If he discovered that I was staying at the church, it could make escaping impossible. He’d just camp outside the entrance until I came out.

-Thud thud thud!

“Lilith! No, Lily!! Stop for a moment, wait!!”

I could hear Ethan shouting something behind me, but I didn’t have the luxury to pay attention. I was too busy keeping track of the winding alleys I was using to evade him.

My usual routes in Ermia were limited to the paths between the adventurers’ guild and the church.

With Ethan in pursuit, I had to enter the most complex alleys, focusing on memorizing my route so I could find my way out later.

‘When I entered, I went left, right, then left again... at the straight path, it was the second alley on the right, then down the stairs and into the alley at seven o’clock... so on the way out...’

Carefully mapping the reverse route in my mind, I ventured deeper, eventually managing to lose Ethan.

“Hah, Lilith!! It is you, Lilith!!”

“......”

Hiding behind a stack of crates in an alley, I waited quietly for Ethan to finally disappear.

‘Looks like I managed to shake him off.’

Yes, this was for the best. No matter how much I might want to see Ethan, now was not the time.

He still hadn’t sorted out his feelings for me, and considering the child growing inside me, meeting him now would be the worst timing possible.

If we were ever to meet again, it would be after everything was resolved. After he’d come to terms with his obsessive feelings for me, and after I’d given birth to his child.

Of course, the child’s existence would remain a secret until the end.

...If I’m not to return as his lover, then at the very least, I mustn’t lose this child. For that reason, I couldn’t see Ethan now.

“Lilith...! Where are you, Lilith...!!”

Listening to Ethan’s voice and footsteps fading in the distance, I let out the breath I’d been holding.

Now that I knew I was pregnant, I’d have to avoid strenuous chases like this.

In fact, it might be wise to take a break from adventuring altogether—perhaps spend a year in a town with fresh air and low living costs.

...If I were to lose this child to a miscarriage, I might never have another chance to bear his child.

‘...Is he gone?’

After hiding for what felt like long enough, I assumed he’d returned.

“...Phew.”

Only when the footsteps around me faded entirely did I finally exhale the breath I’d been holding.

Now, if I just backtracked the way I came, pass through that alley, and return to the church...

“...So you were hiding here, Lilith.”

“......”

The voice I thought had disappeared was suddenly clear again, right next to me.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

“...So you were hiding here, Lilith.”

“......”

“Judging by your reaction, I guess I was right.”

...Finally, I’d found her.

After more than a month and two weeks scouring the empire, Ethan’s emotions surged as he finally reached her.

“Why did you run away? I know you heard my voice.”

“......”

With wide, startled eyes, she stared back at him, saying nothing. Though half her face was covered by a mask, her eyes betrayed a myriad of emotions.

“Hah, let’s just go back to the estate. Enough with this ridiculous adventurer charade. We can clear up the misunderstandings on the way back.”

This content is taken from freёnovelkiss.com.

“......”

“Isabelle and Katarina have been worried sick. And so have your friends back at the academy. Oh, and about your unapproved leave, my father will...”

After a month and a half of restless searching, the slight relief he felt upon finally finding her led him to momentarily let his guard down.

-Thud thud!!

“Wait, Li—Lilith! Don’t run...!!”

The black-haired assassin darted deeper into the alley, and the two of them resumed their second chase.