“…That physician isn’t someone I can trust.”
Ariella snapped out of her reverie, adding with a bright smile.
Bedford’s personal physician was quite useful. Thanks to the considerable bribes and the leverage she held over him, she was able to receive a lot of information from him.
But that didn’t mean she could trust him.
Someone who was swayed by money or leverage meant that if someone else offered him more money or gained greater leverage, he could turn to their side at any time.
Right now, the situation was flowing in Ariella’s favor, but if the situation changed, he would quickly betray her and side with Lizzy or the Duke.
So, in preparation for any eventuality, she had to be careful not to reveal even the smallest piece of information to him.
“…I see. I’ll introduce you to the physician you saw last time. He’s a bit old, but he’s skilled and keeps his mouth shut, so he should be fine.”
“Ah, the one from last time.”
He must be referring to the physician she met at the Ashbon residence in the city center.
His face wasn’t very clear in her memory. Her memories of that place were filled with her interactions with Calsian. The sensation of the sticky ointment was still vivid, and Ariella gave a small cough.
“He happened to come to this townhouse with me today. Would you like to see him right away?”
“Yes, I would be grateful. But won’t Calsian be bored while he waits?”
“I’m still lacking caffeine. I think I’ll have another cup of coffee while you’re gone.”
Calsian showed her his empty coffee cup and smiled faintly.
She often drank two cups of coffee in a row, so Ariella nodded without much hesitation.
“Okay. Then I’ll be back.”
As she left, guided by a maid, Calsian was left alone in the drawing room once more.
He, who had been sitting in an elegant posture, suddenly leaned back against the sofa. His head tilted back, and his jet-black hair scattered in disarray.
“Haa.”
He covered his face with one hand, looking exhausted, and let out a long, rough breath.
Between his long fingers, a face was revealed that was completely different from the gentle and affectionate one he had shown moments before. Untamed emotions flickered in his red eyes.
He hated the thought of her being sick.
Her willingness to offer her own flesh, even knowing she would be hurt, kept grating on his nerves.
At the same time, an impulse arose.
Whether Ariella wanted it or not, he wanted to destroy all the obstacles in her path with his own hands.
No, he simply wanted to capture the bastards she was dealing with, cut off their limbs and rip out their tongues, and bring them before her.
So that Ariella could complete her revenge safely and conveniently.
‘She would despise me if I did that.’
Calsian gritted his teeth roughly.
Help that she didn’t want was just his greed, his obsession, and his deception. Ariella had clearly expressed that she didn’t want his intervention, so he had to respect the line she had drawn.
He had vowed to do so, but seeing her face bruised by that Crown Prince bastard, seeing that she had even intended it herself, his selfishness surged again.
Wouldn’t it be better to just be despised than to keep seeing her like that? Even if Ariella resented and hated him to death, wouldn’t it be better if she wasn’t hurt…?
Calsian frowned at that thought.
It was at that moment that an unforgettable memory flashed before his eyes.
“I like it. I like meeting you often, being escorted by you, walking hand-in-hand with you, hearing compliments that we look good together… I like it all.”
That image of her grasping his arm with her small hand and looking up at him earnestly. It suddenly surfaced and extinguished the spark of impulse.
A few months ago, Calsian would have been willing to endure any contempt he received. If it meant she could be safe, he would have gladly done it.
But now it was different.
Ariella looked at him with affection, called his name in a soft voice, and smiled at him, her snow-white cheeks flushed red.
It was a sight he had never dared to hope for in the past. As such, that gaze, that voice, and that smile were so precious and dear that he couldn’t bear to give them up. He didn’t want to lose them.
‘She said it wouldn’t be long.’
Yes, that’s what she said. That the end of this revenge was not far off, and that nothing as bad as he feared would happen.
