Aylin was almost near the castle when a sudden pull startled her to the core, shaking the teapots and cups in her hand.
"Ahh!"
Her heart skipped a beat as a tiny and frightened scream escaped her lips. The tray was about to fall from her hand, exactly at that time, a slender hand supported the tray from behind. Wrapping his other hand around Aylin's shoulder, he helped her to regain her balance.
A low and gentle voice inquired from behind, "What are you doing here?"
Aylin instantly turned to face the stranger as she mumbled, looking up at his calm but strict expression, "I- I lost my way."
The guy looked one or two years younger than Aylin, maybe fifteen or fourteen. His light brown hair had sandy-red highlights. Running his fingers through his hair, he replied calmly, taking a step back from Aylin, "Oh! That's why… You are a new flower maid, right?"
Aylin nodded her head positively, "Am… Yeah."