A chandelier adorned with hundreds of crystals caught the eye, and the paintings hanging on the walls were works by the most popular artists that one could not obtain even if they wanted to.
After sitting on a luxurious leather sofa and waiting for a moment, a professional staff member in charge of greeting guests approached and greeted them.
“I will guide you directly to your reserved room.”
“Wait, is the reserved room the one on the west side?”
“Yes, that is correct, but is there something uncomfortable about it?”
Ariella raised her voice a pitch higher than usual. I am Catalina, I am Catalina. She repeated this self-suggestion in her mind.
“I prefer the east room over that one. A fortune teller said that good luck would come from the east this year. So please change it.”
Her haughty demeanor, with her chin held high, was truly the essence of Catalina Portsmouth. Satisfied with her own acting skills, Ariella rubbed her face against Nobert’s arm.
Although she was pretending to be a lover, Nobert, who had suggested it, stiffened the moment her skin touched him.
Get a grip. Ariella pinched the soft flesh on the inside of her arm, hoping it would have some effect. Fortunately, it seemed to work, as he opened his mouth.
“Can we change it to the east room?”
“I’m sorry, but that room is already in use today. As you know, there are only two suites on the top floor, so it would be difficult to change.”
Oh no. Ariella clicked her tongue inwardly.
It seemed that Countess Annabelle had already arrived. After receiving news that a small carriage had been prepared for her near the palace, she had contacted Nobert and rushed out, but in the end, she was late.
“Hmph, even a famous hotel is nothing special. What’s so hard about changing one room?”
“I apologize, dear customer.”
She snorted and leaned more against Nobert. The hotel staff’s gaze briefly turned toward her, but thanks to the lavish hood that covered her well, they could only see her dark brown hair and small jawline.
“I’m so annoyed, really. My legs are killing me. Just hurry up and guide me to the room.”
“Yes, understood.”
It would be understandable for the staff to feel displeased at being ordered around by a woman whose status was unknown, yet they maintained perfect composure and guided the way. Truly, they were professionals in handling distinguished guests.
“From here, we’ll take care of it ourselves, so you can go now.”
As they reached the elevator, which was almost a symbol of Hotel Mercedes, Ariella gestured for the staff to leave.
Then, looking up at Nobert, she squeezed out her voice as sweetly as she could.
“I want your guidance, not that of such a common staff member. Very, very detailed.”
Would this seem like she was flirting? It felt awkward since she had never done this before, but Ariella always did her best.
“……Yes, I will do that.”
It seemed she was not the only one feeling awkward. Nobert’s voice, responding to her, was particularly more stoic.
However, this was a difference only Ariella noticed; the staff, who had only heard rumors of the Duke of Ashbon’s coldness, did not sense anything unusual and quietly withdrew.
“You can go up and turn left.”
“I didn’t hear you say we would take care of it ourselves?”
Even as the staff turned to leave, Ariella twisted her fake hair as if the kind explanation was boring.
Despite acting this way, her heart was filled with guilt toward the staff. She couldn’t understand how Catalina usually behaved like this.
Once they got into the small elevator, Ariella pulled the door shut and finally stopped her uncomfortable act.
“Phew, I finally sent them away.”
“You’re quite the actress. It felt like watching a performer.”
“Was it that good? Thank you. I heard you excel in everything physical, but acting seems to be an exception.”
“……I won’t deny it. I’m not good at everything.”
Nobert nodded quietly. She wanted to say that if the person she had acted with hadn’t been him, it wouldn’t have been so awkward, but there was no need to add such a petty explanation.
“By the way, it seems the Countess has already arrived. The plan to see her face when entering has gone down the drain.”
“Do you have another plan?”
“Yes. First, I’ll eavesdrop on the conversation from beyond the door.”
Even if it was a newly built hotel, one couldn’t expect great soundproofing. No matter how thick the door was, it was still just a door. If she listened closely, she could catch snippets of the conversation.
Despite her suggesting a very immoral method, Nobert nodded without any particular objection or reaction.
From the beginning, he hadn’t asked her why she wanted to pry into the Countess’s private life or what exactly she was planning.
