This was a question she had never encountered before.
Even nobles who placed great importance on unnecessary formalities would usually send letters without asking. It was not something that required permission.
Was Ashbon’s etiquette different? Or was this man simply strange?
She had a gut feeling it was the latter.
“Yes, of course. However, it might be better to discuss important matters in person, just in case someone might intercept the letters.”
“……In person, you say?”
“Well, if it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to.”
“No, it’s not uncomfortable.”
“Then that’s a relief. Ah, could you please let me off up ahead?”
Ariella pointed outside the window with her finger. The Duke’s main gate was now visible not far away.
If other servants saw her getting off the Duke’s carriage, things could get complicated.
Nobert Ashbon was a newly formed card for her. Of course, she didn’t know if it was a card she could truly use, but in any case, it would be better to keep what she had hidden as much as possible.
As if he understood her thoughts, Nobert did not pry further and instructed the coachman to stop the carriage.
“……I hope you have a safe journey.”
“Yes, please return safely as well, Your Grace.”
At least the final farewell was normal. Ariella bowed and turned her body to get off the carriage.
The door opened, and one of the coachmen reached out a hand to help her down. Just as she was about to take that hand.
“Oh, wait.”
One thing she had forgotten crossed her mind.
Ariella turned around and looked at Nobert again. Then, with a bright smile, she said,
“Thank you. For saving me last time and for bringing me here. I will definitely repay you.”
She almost forgot to express her gratitude again. Just because she didn’t need to put on a facade didn’t mean she could be rude.
Nobert, facing her smile, looked a bit surprised. His red eyes shimmered softly.
But that was only for a moment; Nobert returned to his cold expression and turned his head away instead of responding. Ariella thought to herself that she had expected that and lightly stepped out of the carriage.
‘He’s an unusual person.’
A sudden appearance, an unexpected alliance proposal, and an eerily quiet shared ride. All of it was beyond her expectations.
In conclusion, all of it had benefited her, but instead of welcoming it, Ariella felt a sense of wariness.
She had already experienced too much to be simply happy about the luck that had come her way. Luck was just another name for variables, and it could suddenly turn into misfortune at any moment.
She was grateful for the help she had received so far, but she intended to end her gratitude here.
‘I said I understood earlier, but if I don’t contact him from now on, that’s that.’
The Duke of Ashbon would not disclose her secrets.
Ariella gained confidence from his demeanor today. Whether she sought help or not, he was not someone who would go out of his way to do the Crown Prince any favors.
‘It seems I won’t have to see him for a while.’
When she glanced back, she saw the black carriage that had not yet left. Without hesitation, Ariella turned her head and walked into the gate.
The Duke’s carriage left only after she had completely disappeared.
***
A great commotion erupted at the Astoria Duke’s residence.
Miss Ariella, who had left in a carriage, had returned on foot.
The startled servants hurried to greet her, and Rose, the head maid, rushed out to check on her condition.
“Miss! W-What happened? You walked back?”
“Well, there was no carriage to ride…”
“No carriage? What nonsense is that…!”
As she subtly glanced around, she noticed other servants pretending not to eavesdrop on her conversation with Rose.
Ariella, with tears in her eyes, muttered bitterly.
“Lizzy sent my carriage back. She said she would ride back with Aaron…”
“What…!”
Rose’s face twisted in shock and anger. She looked as if she wanted to unleash a torrent of curses against Lizzy right then and there, but since the Duke had ordered them to treat Lizzy as a lady, she had to suppress her feelings, which seemed to burn her inside.
“So you walked all the way from the Count’s residence here?”
“Yeah, they didn’t even call for a carriage. So I was a bit late.”
It was only about a five-minute walk, but Ariella pretended she had walked for an hour.
“My goodness, how far and treacherous the road is!”
“I’m fine, Rose. I guess I have to get used to this kind of treatment now…”
“Miss…”
“I’m tired and want to rest quickly. I’ll go upstairs now.”
With a pitiful droop of her head, Ariella climbed the stairs. Rose followed her with a face that looked like she was about to cry.
