“…It seems there’s been some misunderstanding.”
Ariella replied with a charming smile.
“Being threatened? That can’t be true. As you know, I am a proper princess. Even if I’m a fake, my name still carries the title of Abercorn.”
A piercing gaze was directed at her. The more intense the scrutiny, the brighter Ariella’s smile became.
“I think I reacted a bit sensitively today because I’m not feeling well. I apologize again. I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
Ariella had no intention of admitting anything. If she did, it would become a reality.
At least, she was determined to pretend not to know until the end, especially about everything that had happened to her.
Her desperate act was more natural than usual. Thanks to that, Nobert soon dropped his suspicions.
“…I understand.”
Nobert looked uncertain but didn’t press further. After all, who would dare to touch the Princess of Abercorn without being insane? He must have thought so.
Ariella let out a sigh of relief in her heart and quickly changed the subject.
“Thank you for understanding. Shall we leave now? I feel it would be troublesome if we run into someone while staying here.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Thinking of Amira and Adam, who would be waiting for her anxiously, it was better to head back quickly.
However, as she walked, one thing bothered her. That was Nobert’s reputation.
“Oh, but are you sure it’s okay to leave so soon? If you go out too quickly, there might be strange rumors about you, Your Grace…”
Ariella hesitated to speak for Nobert, who seemed completely unaware.
It was obvious what kind of assumptions the staff would make upon seeing a man and woman leaving a room less than an hour after entering.
‘They say the great Duke Ashbon isn’t so great in bed.’
Given his notoriety, it wouldn’t be strange for such rumors to spread. Of course, under normal circumstances, information about guests wouldn’t leak from a high-end hotel, but one could never know with people.
“It doesn’t matter what others think.”
She thought men were very sensitive about such topics, but for some reason, Nobert looked completely unconcerned.
As Ariella worried on his behalf, a calm voice followed.
“You know it’s just a rumor. There’s no reason to worry.”
His composed tone struck her heart like a sudden blow.
If he had acted like a player, she might have been indifferent. But he usually behaved so politely and respectfully, yet sometimes spoke so directly about his feelings that she found it hard to cope.
Ariella tried to ignore the flush rising to her face and maintained a defensive posture.
“If you end up having feelings for someone else later, you might regret this moment.”
“That won’t happen.”
“As I said, I can’t return the same feelings to you, Your Grace.”
“Yes, I remember well. But that’s a separate matter. I didn’t harbor feelings expecting a reward in return. Even if time passes, nothing will change.”
His unwavering response left her momentarily speechless.
‘Aaron was like that at first too.’
The men who confessed to her never hesitated to speak of the future. They swore to treat her nobly for life and made promises of eternity so easily.
There was no obligation to take their words seriously; it was natural for men to talk about the future based on their feelings at the moment.
Although Duke Ashbon was a man entirely different from those she had encountered, it was unlikely he would be any different in this regard.
Ariella thought this as she stepped into the elevator.
As the elevator descended at a very slow pace, Nobert thankfully changed the subject so she wouldn’t feel burdened.
“By the way, did you manage to gather enough information today?”
“Yes, it was sufficient.”
Ariella nodded. She regretted showing Nobert too many embarrassing moments today, but she had gathered quite a bit of the information she wanted. If she had to say, it was a very fruitful day.
Thanks to that, a new picture formed in her mind. Perfectly, even the parts she wouldn’t have noticed if she were alone.
‘He’s a helpful person.’
Not just because he helped her with her revenge.
Ariella felt indebted to him. If it hadn’t been for him, she would have spent today tormented by thoughts of Aaron.
However, whether it was because he mentioned human decency or because he had shared her anger, her heart was as calm as a lake without a breeze.
Suddenly feeling that she hadn’t done enough for him compared to what she had received, Ariella bit her lip.
So, just before she parted ways with him after leaving the hotel, she decided to express her gratitude in this way.
“Thank you so much for today.”
Ariella slowly inclined her head toward Nobert, who had escorted her to the carriage. Then she cautiously brought up the name she had been avoiding.
