‘He seems… upset.’
Suddenly, the face of a dog she had lived with as a child flashed in her mind.
Her furry friend, Oliver, wasn’t as affectionate as most dogs.
He tended to dislike people rather than enjoy their company, and he was quite large, so others didn’t find Oliver very cute, but…
Still, Ariella deeply loved her precious friend who would droop his ears and look so forlorn whenever she left.
Was it because of the memory of her dear friend? The man before her seemed cute again.
‘Cute, looking at that huge frame! Remembering Oliver!’
It seemed she was truly going mad.
“Are you going straight home?”
“No. I have another place to visit.”
“And after that, do you have any other plans?”
“Why, are you asking me out on a date?”
Ariella blurted out a joke without realizing it. Perhaps because he was so stiff, she kept making frivolous remarks in front of him.
She glanced at him and saw his face frozen. It was a chilling expression that would have terrified her a few months ago.
No, was it chilling? More like…
“…I don’t know whether you’re genuinely curious about my feelings, or testing whether I understand my place.”
Karsian, placing the newspaper on the table, rose from his seat. His long legs extended as he took a long stride closer, his movements elegant yet somehow rough.
His deep voice continued.
“If you, even jokingly, bestow such an honor upon me, yes. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to let go of you.”
Karsian’s gaze, looking down at her, was not cold but hot. It was as if boiling oil was right in front of her nose, making her lips dry.
“However, you needn’t worry about me being unable to control my desires and coveting something beyond my reach. Fortunately, I know my place.”
What exactly did he mean by ‘place’? She was curious, but it wasn’t the time to ask.
Ariella awkwardly changed the subject to lighten the mood.
“…I’m going to the Hotel Mercedes. I don’t have any other plans after that.”
Trying to quickly answer his question, her words came out unfiltered.
A noble lady heading to a hotel, avoiding people’s eyes. It was a story rife with potential misunderstandings.
Somehow, she didn’t want him to misunderstand, so Ariella quickly added.
“The hotel is the setting for my next plan. I’m going for a preliminary reconnaissance.”
She had inadvertently revealed information about her revenge. If he were someone who would hinder her, he would have done so already, but even so, she should be wary to some extent. She briefly reflected.
However, there was an unexpected gain.
“I have a membership at the Hotel Mercedes. Please feel free to tell me if you need it.”
Ariella’s eyes widened.
Come to think of it, it made sense that Loyster would have a membership. It was a little surprising considering he wasn’t someone who enjoyed such luxuries.
‘Well, with that face, it would be more surprising if he didn’t have a lover.’
Suddenly, she became curious.
What kind of relationships had this man, who said he liked her, had? Did he date his lovers like other people, dine at fancy hotels, and whisper sweet nothings? Did he have those ordinary relationships that she had never experienced?
It’s a useless curiosity. It has nothing to do with me.
Ariella quickly dismissed her stray thoughts.
But as if he had glimpsed her lingering thoughts, he offered information she hadn’t asked for.
“…It’s just something I received because I hold shares in the hotel; I’ve never used the membership.”
His casual addition was even more remarkable.
“I’m saying that I’m not promiscuous. I’m worried that Your Grace might think of me as unclean.”
Only after saying it did Ariella realize that she, too, had just worried about how she would appear in the Duke’s eyes. Feeling the same worry and making the same clarification, she felt a wave of awkwardness.
“I don’t think that way either. However, your opinion is far more important to me than the opinions of people these days. Even if it’s an anachronistic idea. So I hope there’s no misunderstanding.”
“I don’t misunderstand.”
Ariella replied firmly and fanned herself briskly. Was it because summer was approaching? Her face felt hot.
‘He’s unpredictable.’
One moment he seemed cute and gentle, and the next, he was utterly direct and assertive. It was hard to tell if he was a bear or a fox.
Ariella tried to ignore the heat rising in her cheeks and focused on more important information.
The Hotel Mercedes membership. With that, she wouldn’t need to make repeated trips for reconnaissance.
She could easily confirm the face of Countess Anabel’s lover, and perhaps even eavesdrop on their conversations.
It was an offer too tempting to refuse. It was bothersome to incur a new debt after barely repaying one, but this too could be repaid.
“Anyway, I gratefully accept your offer. I’d like to use the membership around next Tuesday. Would that be possible?”
