Aleksis and Andrea had only one night in the North because tomorrow, they had to return to Nieverdell. Alexis had to think of a way to tie Arielle to the South more tightly.
What was left in the South that Alexis could take advantage of to convince Arielle to go back? Ah, that man didn’t know anything about his little sister.
The door to the room was then once again knocked on. It was Tania who brought new clothes for him. Alexis’ eyebrows rose at the sight of the old woman. The prince just rembered that Tania was bound by an agreent with his father to always take care of Arielle and she must not have a family of her own.
However, several years ago, Tania was caught having a relationship with a village painter. Alexis tried to rember what the man’s na was. His mother had told him in detail about it before.
After Alexis put the new clothes on, Tania asked if there was anything else she could help with, but Alexis imdiately ordered the woman away. Tania once again left the room.
"Andrea, do you rember the na of the man who had been Tania’s lover before Father found out?"
Andrea straightened up. "Tania? Why are you suddenly asking about the old maid?"
"Tsk, just say it. Do you rember her or not?" asked Alexis more urgently.
"Hm ... if I’m not mistaken, Matthew? I’m not sure, I just rember he is the painter that Tania invited to teach Arielle to paint."
Alexis snapped his fingers as he recalled the mory. That was it, the man’s na was Matthew. His father tried to find the man’s whereabouts yet he always failed because the man, Matthew, was always wandering and living nomadically after his relationship with Tania was exposed.
Alexis grinned for a mont as he rembered reading the man’s letter, wanting to see Tania again. The latest news said that the man’s wife was dead, right?
Alexis ran his fingers through his hair. He knew what thods he could use to make Arielle return to the South on her own. While he was glad that Arielle was more willing to defend herself from Andrea, he knew that underneath, her heart was very kind.
It was sothing he didn’t want to take advantage of, but this was for her own good.
What Ronan did during the hunt further cented Alexis’ dislike for the man. There was absolutely no way he’d dare leave Arielle alone with such a brute.
***
The hunting celebration finally ca to an end. The palace at night was still quite crowded with the parties being held. Arielle herself did not participate in the party, nor did Ronan, who preferred to enjoy his dinner ti with Arielle.
"You don’t want to say hello to the other nobles?" asked the girl after finishing her last bite.
Several rabbits had now filled Ronan’s study. The smallest rabbit nad Riel was still the man’s favorite. Riel clearly got a special treatnt than the others. Riel’s parents were still afraid to be around Ronan, unlike Riel, who actually got closer.
The servant brought back the trolley after they finished dinner.
"No. I prefer the ti I spend with you. There’s Lucas and William who can handle their small talk."
Ronan grabbed a book from his desk and sat down next to Arielle. The man rested his head on Arielle’s shoulder then opened his book to read. He continued to read his grandfather’s diary, which was full of mystery.
Arielle also rested her head on top of Ronan’s head, which made the man smile. Arielle was busy stroking the fluffy fur of her rabbit. Riel, the smallest rabbit, currently rested on the king’s chest.
"Your Majesty, what are you going to do with the stag you hunted earlier?"
"We’ll release him back tomorrow."
"Is that so?"
"You want to keep him in the palace? I don’t mind. I can keep him in captivity near Whitethorn Palace."
"Ah, no. I think he’d better go back to the forest."
Ronan looked up, bringing the distance between the two very close. This made Arielle’s face blush, and she slightly moved her face away to make so distance from him.
"You’re a good girl," the man said before returning to his book.
Arielle’s heart was beating fast. The girl no longer tried to get Ronan to speak because she didn’t want to disturb the king’s reading.
She also wanted to read sothing, but Ronan looked so comfortable on her shoulder that Arielle couldn’t bear to ask the man to straighten his head up for a mont.
With nothing she could do, Arielle started to feel sleepy. Several tis she covered her mouth while yawning, but the warmth from the fireplace made Arielle feel even more comfortable.
The faint sound of fire crackling brought Arielle to a peaceful atmosphere. She could hear the sound of the paper rustle as Ronan turned it over and the slight movent in her lap.
Arielle yawned once more, and now she couldn’t hold back her sleep anymore. Ronan could feel Arielle’s hand that dropped on the girl’s side. He looked up for a mont and found Arielle had fallen asleep.
The man closed his book. His hands imdiately supported Arielle’s head so as not to fall. His other hand lowered Riel from his body. He then leaned Arielle on his body so he could put his mask back on. Ronan put his hands on the girl’s back and under her knees and then took her to her room.
He took another path that didn’t go through the main stairs because he knew there would be a lot of people there.
Ronan put Arielle’s body on the bed slowly. He grabbed the blanket and put it on her so Arielle wouldn’t get cold.
Arielle turned around, enjoying the new warmth, which made the man smile. He tidied Arielle’s hair and untied the ponytail of the girl’s hair so she could sleep better. After he made sure Arielle was sleeping comfortably, Ronan sat down on her sofa to continue reading.
Reviews
All reviews (0)