However, the man’s tall stature and long legs drew attention, clearly different from those around him.
That man must have a strikingly handsome face as well. Women instinctively noticed and stole glances at him.
Even just standing there, he was the most noticed man in the square; Nobert Ashbon calmly checked his watch, as if accustomed to the gazes directed at him. There were about fifteen minutes left until the appointed time.
‘It’s only been ten minutes.’
As he was feeling frustrated with the unusually slow passage of time, it happened.
“You’re early.”
At the gentle touch wrapping around his arm, Nobert instinctively tried to shake it off, but upon recognizing the familiar voice, he froze in place.
“I thought I would arrive first.”
As he shifted his gaze, he saw a very lavishly dressed figure contrasting with his own.
While her face was also partially covered, the headscarf she used to conceal her face looked extremely expensive.
Beneath the extravagant scarf, chocolate-colored hair swayed gently. The fact that she had even used a wig was surprising, but what caught his attention more was the small, white hand that held his arm.
Ariella confirmed where his gaze was directed and shamelessly smiled.
“I thought it would be better to be seen as this kind of couple when entering the hotel together. For today, you can treat me like the Duke’s mistress.”
At that, his thick eyebrows twitched slightly.
Did she think it was shameless to act this way while knowing his feelings? Ariella guessed his thoughts. She had no regrets about saying something she knew would be received this way.
However, Nobert expressed his displeasure in a way Ariella had not anticipated.
“…As I mentioned, I am not that promiscuous. Even if it’s just for a day, I do not wish to have a mistress.”
Nobert turned his body to block the blatant gazes of the many men directed at Ariella.
“Then let’s be lovers.”
“……Yes, if it is more comfortable for you, Your Grace.”
Ariella, who had hesitated for a moment, quickly regained her composure and spoke. Since she had decided to use his heart as he wished, she no longer intended to hesitate.
As if he could read her mind, he took a step closer without missing the opportunity.
“Nobert.”
His face, revealed beneath the hat he wore lower than usual, was as captivating as ever. His usually stoic lips curved mischievously.
“Not ‘Your Grace,’ but Nobert. You should call me by my name, shouldn’t you?”
If we were lovers. He smiled and whispered, raising the corners of his mouth.
Ariella chuckled at his attitude, as if he had been waiting for this moment to take what he desired.
“There’s no need to call names even if we are lovers. I’ll skip the titles as much as possible.”
“That’s a pity.”
“Stop with the long talk and let’s go in quickly. It’s been thirty minutes since Countess Annabelle left the palace, so she should be arriving soon.”
As Ariella urged him, Nobert obediently followed her lead. His strides were not as long as she expected, making it easy to walk together.
He’s matching my pace. Ariella felt a bit flustered by the kindness she had never experienced before.
“It must have been difficult to place someone near the palace.”
“Yes. They’re not someone I can use for long. It would be troublesome if they got caught, so I’ll have to cut off contact after today.”
As he said, it was not easy to place someone near the palace. However, in this case, knowing Countess Annabelle’s schedule in advance made it easy to extract information.
The day Countess Annabelle was to fit her dress was said to be Monday.
If it was the Annabelle she knew, she would want to show off her new dress to her lover right away, but according to what the Countess had boasted, she spent time with the Emperor every Monday, so it would be a day late.
‘Until yesterday, I wasn’t sure if she would really meet her lover today or not.’
According to reports, today Countess Annabelle had left the palace not in the grand and luxurious four-horse carriage but in a small, ordinary carriage.
She, who loved to show off wherever she went, would have no other place to hide from people’s eyes than here, Hotel Mercedes.
Ariella clicked her heels as she walked, looking up at the dazzling building. She thought they would head straight to the hotel entrance, but Nobert led her in another direction.
As they turned to the side of the hotel, a members-only entrance appeared. Nobert showed his membership card to the staff guarding the door, and after confirming it, the staff promptly guided them inside the hotel.
The exclusive lounge, accessible only to a select few members, indeed sparkled as befitting its reputation.
