“Shall we go together to the main gate?”
It was a thoughtless remark. Since their destinations were the same, there was no need to go separately.
However, Nobert made a serious expression as if he had heard a very troubling suggestion. His thick, neatly arranged eyebrows furrowed, and he bit his teeth as if making a fierce resolution, which was utterly absurd.
‘Even after proposing an alliance, does he still dislike me?’
Well, just because the situation changed didn’t mean someone who disliked her would suddenly like her. After all, she was still a person of Abercorn.
Ariella shrugged lightly and walked ahead. Nobert, who had been hesitating, slowly followed behind her.
A gap of about two steps was maintained between them, even though his strides were much longer than Ariella’s.
Thinking back to how he always kept his distance from her at the party made her chuckle. In a way, he was quite consistent.
Fortunately, they reached the main gate without encountering any other nobles.
Now, only the return remained. Ariella thought so.
But that was a mistake.
“…What? The carriage has already left?”
The servant of the Earl of Lancashire informed her, with a face full of panic, that the carriage she had come in from Abercorn had already returned to the Duke’s residence.
It was nonsense. Who dared to send the carriage back without her permission?
“Yes, yes. Another young lady from Abercorn… The two princesses said they would return in the royal carriage and sent it back.”
It was Lizzy again. Ariella squeezed her eyes shut.
It was one thing to try to expel her from high society. After all, she had no particular affection for Edinburgh’s social scene, and as long as she returned the favor later, it was fine.
What was even more annoying was this petty trick. It would be easy to call for a new carriage, but it was a waste of time.
Even if she called for one right now, she would have to stand here for at least thirty minutes wasting time.
“Um… What should I do? Should I call for a carriage? Or should I speak to the young lady…?”
The servant was wary, fearing that the noble young lady might get angry with him.
Ariella was about to say to call for a carriage. Catalina would never lend her the carriage owned by the earl, so that was the only option.
But before she could respond, the man who had been following two steps behind her spoke first.
“Please ride in my carriage.”
Ariella was taken aback by Nobert’s suggestion and almost bit her tongue.
“It’s alright. It would be uncomfortable for you.”
“As you can see, there is enough space for two. It won’t be uncomfortable.”
The carriage of Duke Ashbon was particularly large, perhaps made with its owner’s size in mind. It didn’t have the splendor of the royal or Abercorn carriages, but it looked comfortable.
However, the discomfort she mentioned was not about physical discomfort.
‘What kind of person can’t even stand walking together?’
As she looked up at him with such feelings, Nobert subtly averted his gaze. It was ridiculous that he would suggest riding together while he disliked even making eye contact.
“…Didn’t we make a pact?”
That he wouldn’t refuse her help. He whispered in a voice that the servant couldn’t hear.
It seems that what she said was not just a formality.
For her, it was a proposal that didn’t need to be declined. Being with someone who disliked her was somewhat uncomfortable, but it was far better than standing idly in front of the Count’s family gate waiting for a carriage.
“Then, thank you.”
***
As Nobert said, the carriage of the Ashbon Duke’s family was very spacious and comfortable. It could easily accommodate four or five more people without any issue.
However, perhaps due to his large physique, or perhaps because of the captivating presence he exuded, the surprisingly large carriage felt oddly cramped.
Even though she sat quite far from him, she felt unnecessarily tense, worried that their knees might bump. Swallow. A dry gulp slipped down her throat.
Ariella tried to forget his presence and stared blankly out the window.
Outside, the dusk was faintly settling in. The evening streets were quiet, and only the irregular sound of the wheels clattering could be heard.
Should she say something? If it were another noble, that would have been the polite thing to do.
However, the Duke of Ashbon was someone who, like her, did not relish meaningless small talk. He was not someone she needed to put on a facade for.
Thus, Ariella maintained her silence, and Nobert, who had invited her to ride in the carriage, surprisingly agreed with her.
The silence was broken only when they were almost close to the Astoria Duke’s residence.
“May I send you a letter?”
“……What?”
“I was asking if I could contact you by letter from now on.”
