Lazarus had returned, leaving Arielle, Aie and Lucas, who went to Arielle’s library. Aie walked behind Arielle shyly, while Arielle and Lucas were busy talking about the incident earlier.
Arielle realized the other side of her was empty. She looked back to find Aie walking with her head down. Arielle took Aie’s hand, then the girl lifted her face.
The two of them looked at each other, and Arielle gave her best smile, making Aie hold the princess’ hand tightly. She felt sorry for her disrespectful actions earlier.
"Your Highness, I still want to work here... Don’t send ho.... I promise not to make a fuss again..."
"Hmm? I didn’t say anything about sending you ho?" Arielle asked in confusion.
Aie pouted her lips, feeling depressed. "Y-you didn’t kick out for my poor attitude earlier?"
"Of course not."
"You’re not angry?" Aie asked to make sure she was really safe. She didn’t want to go ho and gave her parents a chance to set her up again with a man she didn’t know.
"Of course not. Why should I be angry?"
"M-maybe you are annoyed that Lazarus and I had a fight in front of you?"
Arielle chuckled, shaking her head.
"No... no... Maybe I have just known Lazarus when I ca to the North, but sohow I feel like I’m not that surprised anymore by things like that. Believe , I’m getting used to Lazarus’ scream," Arielle replied.
"Is that true?"
Arielle nodded once again.
Aie loosened her grip on Arielle’s hand with a blush on her face. She slowly adjusted her posture. She fixed up so parts of her dress and turned back into an elegant woman. The girl bowed respectfully.
"I am so glad to hear that, Your Highness. Thank you very much for your understanding."
Arielle chuckled at the sudden change in Aie’s attitude.
Arielle was so amazed because it turned out that Aie was adorable too. She had never had a younger sister before. Even though she considered Sasha as her own brother, their age was far apart, while she and Aie were only three years apart. So, Arielle could see Aie as her own little sister.
"Aie, you don’t need to be formal. We can act like friends like before," Arielle said.
Arielle wanted to get close to Aie because Aie was the first girl close to her age. In the South, almost all of her maid friends were over thirty years old, while her other brothers never wanted to spend ti with her.
Aie’s face reddened, and she automatically smiled broadly.
"Well, if that’s what you want," said Aie, who accepted Arielle’s extended hand.
Lucas smiled faintly because he saw again how the princess easily made soone she had only known for a few days beco so close.
***
Aie had returned to her room by the ti it was seven in the evening.
anwhile, after she had dinner, Arielle took her brush again because she felt that she had studied enough. She needed to take a break to get back to studying before going to bed.
Tania put the thick coat on Arielle’s shoulder because the girl chose the balcony as a place to paint.
"Do you need sothing warm?" Tania asked.
"No need, Tania. You can rest today."
Tania held Arielle’s hand tightly, then left the room.
First, Arielle applied white color to the canvas. She wanted to paint Northendell’s castle again in spring colors. She had painted Blackthorn Palace in the colors of spring, which she then gifted to Priest Elis. This ti, Arielle wanted to give it to Ronan, who had bought her a lot of painting equipnt.
Arielle was busy mixing red, blue, and white to form a lilac colour when her bedroom door opened. Ronan arrived in casual clothes. It seed the man had finished his work. He opened the balcony door and saw Arielle’s back.
Ronan reached out his hand from behind to hold Arielle’s hand.
"Phew!" He blew so air the girl’s ear, making Arielle scream in surprise.
"Aaaa!!!"
The lilac on top of the palette she had just made was almost spilled if Ronan hadn’t held Arielle’s hand. The man laughed heartily at seeing Arielle’s cute expression after being surprised by his presence.
"What are you doing outside? You can get sick. Tonight is freezing."
"I just wanted to make a new painting," Arielle replied, following Ronan, who brought the canvas and easel into the room.
"Do it in here," he said while bringing the wooden chair Arielle used earlier.
"Ah no. Just stay here," Ronan corrected. He brought Arielle’s painting in front of the fireplace so that the girl could warm herself after sitting alone outside the balcony earlier.
Arielle did not protest much and continued her painting activities at the place chosen by Ronan. She took so of the lilac color she had made and put them on top of the green to create the wisteria flowers that hung on the palace balconies.
Ronan took a pillow, then laid down beside Arielle while watching the girl painting seriously. Every movent of Arielle’s hand reminded Ronan of their love making which involved many colors.
It was fun and Ronan wanted to do it again if he could.
"It’s hot in here," Ronan said.
Arielle turned to the side and saw the man’s hand. "If you’re the hot one, why did you unbutton my shirt?" Arielle asked, making Ronan smile.
"Ah... I’m just trying my luck tonight," he replied, while arching his eyebrows. Arielle shook her head, making Ronan frown. Ronan pursed his lower lip and gave Arielle a pleading look.
"Okay... but at least, can I get a kiss?"
Arielle couldn’t bear to see his pleading face. It reminded her of Crimson when the baby was on the verge of tears.
The girl fixed the man’s hair and placed a long kiss on his forehead. Ronan was speechless because after that, Arielle focused on her painting again.
"An adult kiss. I want a kiss on the lips," said Ronan once again.
Arielle turned around for a mont, and the two looked at each other. Her face reddened. She cleared her throat to calm her heartbeat.
Arielle put the brush and the palette she was holding back on the floor. Ronan smiled with satisfaction, then spread his arms to embrace his lover after a long day of work.
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