However, what stung more was the realization that, despite this awareness, there was no room for her to change. Until she completed her revenge and became free, she could never be a good person.
“There’s no need to lie for my sake. If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll keep my distance so as not to be in your sight. Just please don’t refuse my help.”
Nobert, with his polite demeanor, once again stirred her guilt.
Having a debt to him, she resolved to at least respond honestly. Ariella made that promise to herself.
“No, no. I’ve never thought of the Duke in that way. The reason I declined your help is simply… because I felt it was too much for me. Sometimes, favors that cannot be returned can be burdensome.”
She continued, being mindful of whether her voice sounded cold.
“Also, my personality is quite sensitive, so I can’t just accept help without understanding the intent behind it. So I want to ask: why do you keep trying to help me? When you dislike me.”
“…What?”
Nobert responded as if he had heard something utterly absurd.
“Even if you want to take revenge on Aaron, you don’t have to stick to helping me. So why do you insist on helping someone you dislike? I don’t understand your reasoning.”
Even when she elaborated, his expression remained unchanged. It was as if she was pointing out something entirely different.
Reading the confusion in his gaze, Ariella narrowed her eyes.
“Did you say… you dislike me?”
“Yes. You dislike me, don’t you? Don’t deny it. You’ve glared at me every time we made eye contact. You even avoided me at the party, maintaining a certain distance.”
Despite her pointing out each instance, Nobert seemed reluctant to admit it. The way his lips kept twitching made it seem like he felt wronged.
However, perhaps he couldn’t find a way to defend himself, as he repeatedly rubbed his face with his palm. Seeing that, Ariella shrugged lightly.
What mattered now was not whether he disliked her or not.
“More importantly, how did you end up here?”
Declan was a place with nothing but half-built structures. There was no way he just happened to appear here. She had seen too much of the world to believe in coincidences or fate.
“I followed you. I judged that a dangerous situation might arise.”
“How did you know I would come here?”
“I had someone planted in Bedford.”
His tone was so natural that, just by hearing his voice, it felt as if he were casually discussing what he bought at the market yesterday.
Ha. Ariella let out a hollow laugh.
She had suspected it, but she never thought he would admit it so boldly. Rather than feeling bad, she found it simply absurd.
“Since when?”
“Since the day I took you to the Duke’s residence, I’ve been receiving reports about the situation, even if only roughly. I apologize if that displeased you.”
Nobert bowed his head deeply in apology.
Goodness, apologies could be this quick and simple. Even the way he bit his lip showed genuine remorse.
He seemed to want to bring in the Duke of Bedford, Aaron, and David to learn from them.
“…Since I’ve received help, I won’t question the wrongs of that. But I’m curious. Why did you plant someone? Is there information you want to find out about Bedford?”
If there was such information, there would be no reason not to share it. She thought that, even after leaving the capital, she could use the information well to bring down Bedford splendidly.
However, unfortunately, the answer Nobert provided had nothing to do with the downfall of Bedford.
“I wanted to check your outing schedule.”
“…My outing schedule? Why is that?”
“Didn’t you say we should meet and talk?”
“Me?”
Ariella asked back in disbelief. She had written something entirely different in her last letter, so what was he talking about?
However, the moment she saw him nodding obediently, the conversation they had in the carriage came to mind.
“May I send a letter?”
“Yes, of course. But since someone might intercept it, it’s better to discuss important matters in person if possible.”
It was just something she had said offhand, but it seemed Nobert took it seriously. He had found checking her outing schedule as a way to meet.
“I… did say that.”
“Yes. It seems there’s no other way to meet you. You really didn’t seem to want to meet me.”
His softly murmured words pricked her heart. Clearing her throat, Ariella averted her gaze.
“Um, um. I think Sir Adam is waiting. Shall we head that way?”
“Your escort will be brought here by my knight. More importantly…”
Nobert looked down as if he found something very bothersome. It was in the direction of her feet.
“…I will be rude just one more time.”
