That’s just the objective truth. Ahem, Ariella coughed awkwardly and muttered.
It was the first time she had ever heard anyone say that they respected her. And in such a sincere voice. It was such an unfamiliar experience that it felt as ticklish and strange as hearing someone say they loved her.
“I really don’t understand, and I’m curious. Was there any particular reason?”
“…”
“Nobert?”
Rarely, Nobert didn’t answer her question and remained silent.
Even with Ariella’s urging, he averted his gaze and gave an unexpected answer.
“That’s… a secret.”
“Pardon?”
“Even I have one secret.”
Nobert simply curved his eyes slightly at her, who was staring at him with wide eyes. He had been glaring menacingly just a moment ago, but now he was acting playful.
Ariella let out a hollow laugh and frowned.
“That’s not fair, what is it?”
“Well, I wonder. If you’re curious, find out for yourself.”
It seemed that there really was a reason, whatever it was. Ariella had no idea what it could be, so she pressed him again.
“Don’t do that, can’t you tell me?”
“When you and I get a little closer, I’ll tell you then.”
“A little closer,” huh. Ariella narrowed her eyes and glared at Nobert before suddenly leaning forward.
Nobert flinched for a moment as the physical distance between them decreased.
“Then, what was the reason you developed feelings for me? I mean… when did you start liking me?”
Unlike Nobert, Ariella, who was looking up at him with big eyes, clearly didn’t seem to mind the current distance.
Only he seemed to be going crazy from being so aware of the hands that were close enough to reach out and touch, the soft and smooth white cheeks, and the plump lips that he couldn’t stop looking at.
Clench, Nobert clenched his teeth tightly and desperately suppressed his rising desires. Then, he tried to sound casual and continued,
“…I don’t know exactly. It’s been a long time since I’ve had these feelings.”
“A long time?”
“Yes. Looking back, I think it might have been from the very beginning. From the very moment I met you.”
“The beginning…? Which party was it?”
She leaned forward a little more and asked again. As a result, a few strands of hair became disheveled and fell forward, partially obscuring her vision.
Nobert slowly swept those strands of hair back with his large hand and tucked them behind her ear as he answered.
“…That’s something I’d like you to remember as well.”
This far.
This is the limit that is allowed to me. A light touch to ease her discomfort, I must not desire or yearn for anything more than that.
He repeated it over and over again, but when he saw her looking up at him with round eyes from a distance where he could reach out and grab her, his remaining self-control seemed to crumble quickly.
He felt like he would do something out of line like before if he stayed like this, so Nobert quickly got up from his seat.
“It’s getting late. Shall we get going?”
At his suggestion, Ariella turned her head to check the window. As he said, the sky outside the window was already dyed a deep navy blue. She was a little disappointed, but she had finished her meal, so it was really time to go back now.
“And one more thing, I have something to apologize for.”
Ariella, who had gotten up following Nobert, suddenly realized that his atmosphere had changed.
“I apologize for acting out of line at the jewelry store. I think you must have been offended. It won’t happen again in the future.”
She blinked blankly at the sudden apology.
She felt very strange. Just a moment ago, her heart had been tickling with pleasant excitement, and her lips had been twitching, but now, it felt like a large stone had suddenly fallen into her chest.
“I’ll take you home. Let’s go.”
Nobert spoke with his usual polite and courteous attitude. The eyes that had been like molten iron had also become much calmer.
But for some reason, she didn’t like that politeness this time.
A feeling of disappointment that she couldn’t even understand herself rose terribly and fueled her impulse. As a result, she desperately threw herself forward without even properly realizing what words were coming out of her mouth.
“I wasn’t displeased!”
Ariella raised her voice, quickening her pace to catch up with him as he walked away.
At the same time, her white hand anxiously grasped his arm.
“I told you, I like it. Meeting you often, being escorted by you, walking hand-in-hand down the street, hearing compliments that we look good together… I like it all.”
Only after speaking did she realize that her words sounded almost like a confession.
She had intended to maintain a certain distance until the revenge was complete. Ariella bit the tender flesh inside her lip.
Knowing that she was acting against her plan, she couldn’t bring herself to take back the words spilling from her mouth.
“Even in the drawing room earlier… I wasn’t displeased, not at all.”
Their wavering gazes met once more.
Nobert wore a similar expression to before.
A face desperately holding back something surging within him. A face that looked as if the emotions he was struggling to contain would burst out if he were so much as touched.
“So, don’t apologize.”
Don’t say it won’t happen again, and don’t distance yourself from me, worrying alone.
She wanted to say those things, but she bit her lip and held them back. She really couldn’t confess like this.
“Nobert, I… I—”
I think I can be a little more confident. Ariella was about to say that, but she couldn’t.
It was because she was interrupted at this crucial moment.
Boom, boom! A loud drumbeat and cheerful music suddenly erupted from somewhere, quickly filling the restaurant.
As the lively music rang out, the people in the restaurant, far from being flustered, cheered as if they had been waiting for this moment, and began to dance to the beat. They didn’t seem unfamiliar with this kind of thing.
‘Ah, that’s right.’
A fragment of forgotten memory finally surfaced.
Ten years ago, when she had finished her meal and was walking out holding Kaia’s hand, a man who seemed to be the owner of the restaurant smiled and spoke to her.
This restaurant is more fun in the evening, so come back when you’re a little older. She had heard that there was a strange and funny custom here where everyone got up and danced when the music played.
She never dreamed that she would experience that custom at a moment like this.
Looking around in bewilderment, Ariella hesitantly took a step towards Nobert.
But then, a large man dancing at the table behind her, caught up in the excitement, accidentally pushed her back.
“Ah…!”
Startled, Ariella groaned and leaned forward, and Nobert, who happened to be standing in front of her, caught her without budging an inch.
Skin with a high temperature pressed against her soft flesh, and at the same time, a familiar scent wafted over her. It was like the scent of fresh wind, but with a strangely sensual quality, Nobert’s scent.
Ariella, entrusting her body to his firm and broad embrace, fluttered her eyelashes.
His hard chest pressing against her forehead, his large hand lightly gripping her waist, the heat felt from their touching skin made her heart beat wildly.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Even though the music was so loud, strangely, the sound of her heartbeat seemed even louder.
Looking up at him with trembling eyes, she saw his thick eyebrows twitch greatly for a moment. His red eyes were also swirling wildly.
