She had no choice but to try to soothe her aching stomach with lukewarm water.
Tap.
A jolt was transmitted from under the table.
As Ariella bit her lower lip and remained silent, something nudged her toes again.
She knew that the thing was Aaron’s shoe. She also understood that the light contact was an unspoken signal from him.
However, Ariella pretended not to know and lowered her gaze.
She knew that her lack of response would only make him more anxious, and she felt that if she met Aaron’s gaze, she would vomit all the food she had barely eaten.
Sure enough, when Ariella showed no reaction, Aaron raised his red eyebrows slightly and glanced at her.
He looked displeased that she was ignoring him, but he could not reveal it in front of Duke Bedford and Lizzy.
As the meal that felt like it would make her sick came to an end and dessert was served, Ariella stood up as if she had been waiting.
“Your Highness. I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well today, so I’ll take my leave. I hope you have a good time.”
The fact that her first words, which she finally met his gaze to say, were merely a farewell seemed to shock Aaron quite a bit.
On the other hand, Duke Bedford nodded with a pleased expression, which was unlike him, who valued etiquette. He appreciated that she was smart enough to slip away without clinging to Aaron unnecessarily.
‘It seems she has learned a thing or two after being scolded.’
Ariella could clearly see the look in his eyes that suggested he thought his teaching method was not wrong, and she smiled faintly.
Indeed, she had learned something. The lesson that when causing trouble, it is best to leave no evidence or even suspicion behind. Stepping back so cleanly now was part of that lesson.
Ariella turned away without any lingering feelings and headed to her room. She felt a lingering gaze prick at the back of her head but did not look back even once.
After all, she thought there would be another opportunity to talk with Aaron.
And about thirty minutes later.
“Step aside, I have something to discuss with your mistress!”
“That is not possible. If you wish to see the lady, please make a formal request and speak in the reception room. What kind of man dares to barge into a noble lady’s bedroom?”
“I was Arrie’s fiancé!”
“Yes, but you are not anymore.”
Ariella could see Aaron arguing with Adam in front of her door after sneaking out from the dining room. It was exactly as she had expected.
“Sir Adam. Could you step aside for a moment?”
“Arrie. I’m glad you came out. I have something I want to discuss with you, will you let me in?”
As Ariella came out of her room and pushed Adam aside, Aaron mistakenly thought she was siding with him and arrogantly raised his chin.
“No. As Sir Adam said, I don’t think I can let an outsider into my bedroom. You are no longer my fiancé, and I am a lady of Bedford.”
“…It’s because I have something secret to discuss. Please understand.”
“Unfortunately, that would be difficult. If my father or Lizzy were to misunderstand, it would be troublesome for both of us. Let’s talk here.”
He probably said he was going to the restroom and slipped out. It would take time for her father or Lizzy to notice something was off and chase after him, but considering that a servant would relay the message, it was dangerous to let him into her room.
As Ariella gestured, the servants quickly retreated. Hilde and Adam discreetly kept watch to ensure no one was eavesdropping.
“It seems there is no one left to overhear our conversation. So please, go ahead.”
Not even offering him a seat and going straight to the point made Aaron frown in displeasure.
However, Ariella’s beautiful appearance successfully softened his anger, and he spoke in a gentle voice as if he were doing her a favor.
“Arrie, why didn’t you reply to my letters? I sent them several times.”
“My father and Lizzy gave me hints. They don’t like me contacting you. Because of that, I didn’t even read them properly.”
“I thought so. That’s why I came to see you. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Not to Lizzy, but to me? What on earth do you want to talk about?”
As she squinted her eyes and pretended not to know anything, Aaron slowly reached out his hand without answering.
As his smooth fingers approached her face, Ariella suddenly felt an impulse to push him away, but she managed to endure it.
Soon, his hand, feeling warm to the point of being hot, slowly caressed her face. Along with that, a sweet voice followed.
