However, she was also quite embarrassed and flustered, so she omitted the fact that he didn’t need to be there.
Especially since their relationship wasn’t exactly comfortable in such a cramped space.
“……Understood.”
A suffocating tension hung in the air, a feeling vastly different from anything Ariella had experienced in her life.
An unknown heartbeat echoed in her ears, and she was acutely aware of the direction of his gaze, the place where his breath dispersed. It felt as if flames were igniting where their skin touched.
One wrong move, and their lips might brush.
The thought made her face flush.
‘I should have just left when I had the chance.’
Ariella belatedly regretted her decision, carefully fidgeting in her cramped position.
Unlike her, his body, a mass of muscle, kept pressing against her skin. His flesh was so firm, it felt like being crushed under a hot rock.
As she subtly shifted her lower body to change her position, Nobert suddenly grabbed her waist tightly.
“……Please, remain still.”
He growled a warning, making her flinch and shrink back.
“It would be better for both of us.”
Gulping, Ariella swallowed again.
To her, the Duke of Royster was like a canelé—firm on the outside, but incredibly soft on the inside.
At least, he had shown her that softer side, so Ariella had unconsciously felt comfortable around him.
Because of that, she seemed to have forgotten. That he was also a man, and one who had professed his feelings for her.
The thought made her even more tense.
There was no need to invite unnecessary danger. So, Ariella stiffened like a statue, not moving an inch.
Ironically, it was Lady Anabelle’s young lover who rescued her.
Thump, thump.
As footsteps sounded again, Ariella pressed her face to the crack in the door.
The man, having exited the elevator, was walking towards them, having thankfully removed his stuffy hood.
‘It’s him.’
Auburn hair, a youthful face for his age, fair skin and large green eyes, long and slender limbs… He was someone Ariella knew. She hadn’t spoken to him properly, but she had seen him before.
Once the man entered the room where Lady Anabelle was waiting, Ariella carefully slipped out of the storage room.
For some reason, Nobert didn’t immediately follow her, remaining in the dimly lit storage room.
“I’ll wait here in case someone else comes.”
Ariella nodded at his low whisper.
With his size and appearance, he was far too noticeable. There was no reason to risk detection by staying together.
Besides, she also felt it was better to be somewhat distanced from him.
Ariella once again silenced her footsteps, approaching the door and pressing her ear against it.
The conversation beyond the door was still faintly audible, not too far away.
“You’ve turned off all the lights again. And drawn the curtains completely. It’s too dark.”
“I told you, I enjoy the darkness more. Come and have some tea.”
“Do I have to? I don’t want to drink it today…”
“Are you going to keep ruining the mood? It’s not bad for you. Why are you always so worried? I told you I like quiet men. So please, shut your mouth. Don’t make a fuss.”
“……Yes, I understand.”
The conversation wasn’t pleasant, but the information it contained was quite useful.
Ariella focused, determined not to miss a single piece of data. Before she knew it, she was half-squatting on the cold floor.
Soon, the voices grew quieter.
Sounds could still be heard faintly in the distance, but they seemed less like conversation and more like… physical interaction. A faint moan unpleasantly grated on her ears.
“Haah… Arrie!”
Ariella recoiled with a grim expression. The nightmare that had plagued her all night suddenly resurfaced.
It wouldn’t be audible much longer anyway, she thought, rising to her feet and heading back towards the elevator.
“Your Grace, let’s go…”
She was about to tell Nobert, who was standing near the storage room, to leave. But then, a sharp pain shot through her leg.
Was it because her leg wound hadn’t fully healed, and she had been squatting? Or was it simply blood rushing as she stood up suddenly? Her legs gave way.
As her body began to collapse, something grabbed her arms.
“Are you alright?”
A brief, slight dizziness washed over her, and her vision blurred. All she could see through her hazy vision was a large figure holding her firmly.
As warmth touched her goosebump-covered skin, a past image suddenly overlapped the dark figure.
“Don’t be so stiff, just relax.”
Of all days, she had that dream. And of all things, Lady Anabelle used a similar phrase.
Ariella found herself recalling the man she hated most from the one who had helped her.
“Stop struggling. Stay still!”
Was there no way to stop thinking about what she didn’t want to think about? Years of experience told her there wasn’t.
