The Sleepless Night of the Maid

“I’m Rex Gallahan, the owner of the Gallahan Merchant Group. I saw the carriages coming from far away, so we stopped to wait for them to go first.”

Rex bowed his head politely.

Sitting on a horse, Count Holland leaned down and whispered lightly.

“From the emblem drawn on the wagon, the Gallahan Merchant Group is right. It’s the largest merchant group in the Hemblin Empire.”

Edward caught sight of the man while listening to Count Holland. He was a very impressive young man. Along with his beautiful appearance, he also looked relaxed in front of the knights.

He was smiling with his head down, but he was not servile or stingy. Even at that age, the owner of the group was said to have great ability.

It’s interesting.

“Do you want to talk to him? Wouldn’t it be helpful for Your Highness later on?”

Count Holland asked for Edward’s intention in a subtle way. It was a mere proposal, but the meaning behind the sentence was clear.

“Right.”

Edward immediately got off his horse. Looking at Count Holland follow with a satisfied look, he smiled inside. Count Holland was right, but he didn’t move because of that. What caught Edward’s attention was the mark on the carriage. It was because of the emblem’s painting, a flower with the meaning of luck.

This was clearly the wagon Edward saw at Duke Kensington’s house, and Rex was the man who got off from it. And there was a woman. A woman whose profile was familiar and reminded him of someone.

As Edward moved, two knights stepped aside and cleared a path. He stopped and stood face to face in front of Rex.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Prince Edward Butterfield.”

“It’s an honour to meet you, Your Highness.”

Upon hearing his name, Rex hurriedly inclined his head and bowed.

Even though it was a reflex reaction, Edward felt a strange feeling emanating from him. If one met the Crown Prince on the side of the road, one had to be surprised, but there was no such thing in Rex. The same was true of the fact that Rex had already heard about his visit to Kensington Palace and had guessed that he was the Crown Prince. It felt like he already knew it but pretended not to know, only pretending to be surprised.

“What brings you here?”

Edward didn’t say he had seen them already and asked as if he didn’t know.

“I had something to deliver to the Duke of Kensington, and I’m now on my way back. I heard about your visit to the castle, but I didn’t dare to see you, so I came out right away.”

“I see.”

With Rex’s honest answer, Edward’s expectations broke.

“It’s amazing that you’re growing the Gallahan Merchant Group at such a pace and at such a young age. I’ll send some orders from the palace one day.”

“It will be an honour, Your Highness.”

Rex bowed slightly, answering politely. There were no exaggerated words of gratitude or any sincere joy. He looked uninterested when he was invited.

He’s a unique person.

“But did you come to Kensington Palace alone?

“No, I had luggage.”

Rex immediately answered Edward’s question. There was no doubt about it, Edward noticed that Rex’s expression shifted to shock for a moment. Rex cleverly avoided the intention of his question.

He smiled and turned his head.

“Was there anything else besides luggage? For example, a woman?”

Rex seemed embarrassed for a moment but replied quickly.

“Oh… I’m sorry, Your Highness. I have my fiancée with me in the carriage, but she fell asleep because she wasn’t feeling well.”

“That’s so disrespectful.”

The security captain approached Rex with his eyes wide open. He was angry at the fact that he knew the Crown Prince was coming but did not ask his fiancée to show courtesy. In a way, it was a situation that could be suspicious. No matter how sick his fiancée was, it was incomprehensible that he got off alone without waking her up.

“Look inside the carriage.”

At the words of the security captain, a knight next to him approached the carriage with a sword pulled out.

Edward looked at Rex’s face in the meantime. He seemed embarrassed, but he pointed to the carriage as if he couldn’t help it.

“Okay, but don’t open or close the carriage door too hard. My fiancée is pregnant.”

Rex made up a worried look and a happy smile at the same time. He looked like a prospective groom with no doubt at all.

The knight approached the carriage with a sword while slowing down at Rex’s words. Looking inside before opening the door, he nodded at the security captain. As Rex said, it meant that there was a woman.

When the security captain ordered to open the door, nodding his head, the driver put his hand on the handle of the carriage. At that moment.

“Stop it.”

Edward looked at the carriage and ordered the knight to back away. It wasn’t a big deal, and he thought it was too insensitive. 

Ever since he dreamed of Eva, he’d been thinking about her, but Eva’s thoughts lingered stronger in Edward’s head after that dream. It could not be denied that he was more sensitive after seeing a woman similar to Eva at Kensington Palace. It was a mistake. He almost disturbed a pregnant woman based on useless suspicion.

The knight and the security guard put their swords back and stepped away from the carriage.

“I’m sorry. I’ll pay you back when I see you next time.”

“No, it’s alright, Your Highness.”

Rex politely bowed his head.

Edward turned around and mounted his horse. Count Holland and the knights were all ready to leave again after him.

“Let’s go.”

When Edward’s order was issued, the security captain led the group.

“Have a happy life with your fiancée.”

Edward wished Rex good luck and urged his horse on. Now, thinking he should let go of his trivial thoughts and pathetic behaviour, he began his journey.