If she mentioned beforehand that it could be used for self-defense as well as for decoration, she would be able to handle any complaints related to the sharp ends later on.
It wasn’t a business that could last long, but it was a good material for a one-time expensive sale.
“Lady Ariella. Thank you so much. How can I repay this kindness?”
Mrs. Melana asked, her silver-gray eyes sparkling.
Even as she asked, she was already guessing what kind of answer Ariella would give. Surely, she would ask for the information she had just probed for. And Mrs. Melana had no intention of revealing that.
But to her surprise, Ariella humbly waved her hand and replied.
“As for the kindness… How could I possibly repay the kindness you’ve shown me until now? You don’t need to worry about it.”
“…No, as I said, that was an investment for my business profit. It’s a completely different matter. So please, tell me how I can repay you.”
“If you insist…”
Ariella paused.
This time, she would surely ask about Countess Annabelle. Mrs. Melana was convinced of that.
“Could you sell me that hair accessory first? I have someone I want to gift it to.”
And once again, Ariella flashed a kind smile, catching Mrs. Melana off guard.
‘How did she know I like kind and polite people?’
Ha. Mrs. Melana chuckled softly.
If it came to this, there was no other way. She had no choice but to raise the white flag and concede.
“Yes. I happen to have one more as a sample that I brought in. I’ll send it to your house around next Tuesday.”
“Thank you, madam.”
“I wish I could send it sooner, but unfortunately, I have an important client’s appointment on Monday, so I won’t have time until then.”
This time, Ariella’s eyes widened.
Mrs. Melana was not someone who would mention another client while having an appointment with her. That meant…
‘Next Monday, then.’
That was Countess Annabelle’s schedule.
***
After fitting several dresses, Mrs. Melana hurriedly left, saying she had another appointment. It seemed she had taken too much time chatting with Ariella.
Ariella changed back into the clothes she had come in and stepped out of the large dressing room. In the reception room, a man with an appearance that never seemed to become familiar, no matter how many times she saw him, was sitting on the sofa waiting for her.
Nobert Ashbon, sitting with one leg crossed and reading a newspaper, looked perfect, as if he had stepped out of an advertisement.
Just crossing his legs made him look sensual, and holding a newspaper made him seem intellectual. Ariella thought again how unfair the world was.
“Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
Ariella swallowed hard and walked toward him.
Upon noticing Ariella, Nobert raised an eyebrow, as if he were displeased. She easily guessed the reason for his discontent.
“Not Your Highness the Grand Duke, just Nobert. Please call me that at our next meeting.”
Even after asking that, he stubbornly insisted on calling her Your Highness the Grand Duke, which must have seemed petty to him. But what could she do? He had said it was fine not to comply if it was troublesome.
Ariella planned to be even bolder to leave him no room for argument.
Although she had come to meet him today to convey something, she vowed that this would be the last of such meetings.
But as always, Nobert disrupted her plans with just one word.
“…Are you hurt?”
His fierce gaze sharply focused on her injured area.
“You seem to be limping. What happened?”
What could it be? He had failed to notice it even after walking together for over ten minutes, yet he figured it out in less than a minute of meeting her…
Suddenly, Ariella felt something hot stirring deep in her chest, and she bit down on the soft flesh inside her lip.
“It’s nothing much. The place where I injured my ankle last time still aches occasionally. It’s not serious, so don’t worry about it.”
Ariella smiled brightly and resumed walking. She tried her best not to show any signs of pain, moving lightly, but Nobert still wore a skeptical expression.
‘Ankle, huh?’
Nobert was someone who had been beaten up as much as he had dealt out blows. Therefore, he quickly realized that Ariella’s answer lacked credibility. The way she moved was not consistent with someone whose ankle was merely sore.
His red eyes calmly and coldly examined Ariella’s face.
A smile graced her lips. It was a perfectly beautiful smile, as if measured with a ruler. The kind of smile Ariella often wore for the nobility, including herself.
“More importantly, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
His thick eyebrows arched slightly. However, Nobert did not press further and focused on her words.
“Here, take this.”
Ariella pulled a small pouch from her bosom and handed it to him. Nobert reached out his hand without any suspicion.
