Aie’s trauma couldn’t be taken lightly. Arielle didn’t know whether having a crush as a child was normal or not because she never liked soone in her past. She tended to be afraid of n except for a few palace guards who often played with her, along with the other female maids.
However, the way Lazarus rejected little Aie’s feelings in front of her friends was definitely sothing very embarrassing. Aie was still a child at that ti.
She didn’t know how to sort her feelings, and the older Lazarus should be able to talk about it in a friendly manner without mocking Aie in public. Arielle could understand why Aie hated Lazarus so much now.
It seed that Aie’s wound would last long unless Lazarus apologized for his mistake sincerely. Aie also didn’t tell this to her brother because of Kael’s cold behaviour.
He also didn’t talk much, so maybe Aie thought it would be a waste even if she told Kael about it. Arielle wasn’t sure Kael would stand still if he found out what really happened.
"My friends kept laughing at , and Lazarus actually laughed with them too," said Aie.
Arielle gave her a handkerchief to replace Aie’s wet handkerchief because of her tears.
"After that, I had a hard ti eting them again. When there was a party at another residence, they always spread the incident. I beca a laughingstock. Because I was too embarrassed, I chose to enroll in the academy instead. When my other friends went to private schools, I chose to stay in the dormitory because I was still embarrassed and afraid to et them again," continued Aie.
Arielle hugged Aie while patting her back gently. The sha of an eight year old child would surely carry over to this ti as trauma. Arielle beca a little doubtful if Aie and Lazarus could solve their problems.
"I understand, Aie. I understand why you dislike Lazarus’ existence so much. I will help you to reduce interactions with Lazarus."
"Thank you, Your Highness. That’s what I need because every ti I see Lazarus’s face, I always rember the faces of my friends and also Lazarus’ faces laughing at in public."
"Okay, I understand," Arielle replied. "But Aie... soday, if Lazarus rembers his mistake and apologizes to you sincerely, will you forgive him?" she asked.
Aie wiped the rest of her tears. She was silent for a long ti, thinking hard about the princess’ question. Aie wasn’t sure that Lazarus had the capacity to do that.
Lazarus was the dumbest person she had ever t. Even earlier, when the man apologized to her, he did not rember about that mistake.
"I don’t know," Aie replied.
"Do you want Lazarus to apologize for that?" asked Arielle again.
Again, Aie shook her head because she didn’t know either. She just wanted to live her life in peace. After ten years in the academy dormitory, Aie had reorganized her life, and she slowly forgot about Lazarus’ existence. She even forgot who Lazarus was because she was busy with her own life.
It could be said, if she didn’t et Lazarus again, then Aie had really moved on from the past. However, the face that traumatized her in the past appeared again, along with the awful mories. It flooded back into her head.
"I don’t know," Aie replied with the sa answer.
Arielle knew what that ant. It seed Lazarus still had a chance to get Aie’s forgiveness because the girl didn’t answer the question with a no or a refusal. Aie answered her question with doubt.
Lazarus had to do it alone without other people’s help. It might take a lot of effort if he really wanted to apologize to Aie. The man had to rember his own mistake. So Arielle promised to keep her mouth shut. Lazarus must reflect on his past. He couldn’t play with soone’s feelings.
An idea flashed through her head, and Arielle smiled secretly. It seed this was a golden opportunity for Lazarus to stop ssing around with girls. The man had to learn to respect other people’s feelings. He should not be arbitrary to others, especially with the girls.
The next day, Arielle started her day by visiting the Cathedral for a morning blessing. As usual, Arielle chose the back seat. However, this ti, she was accompanied by Aie. Out of the corner of her eye, Arielle could see Lazarus, who was also praying in the front row.
Her wedding day was only twelve days away. That ant her coronation day was only nineteen days from now. The days went by so fast because Arielle was busy with her schedule. One by one, letters from nobles she did not know ca in, congratulating her on her engagent and marriage.
So of them asked to et in person. Lucas thought it would be better to discuss it again with the king when he returned. Because from several lists of the incoming letters, there were nas the king disliked. That was what Lucas said, and Arielle kept their letters, waiting for Ronan to return from the western border.
The morning blessing ceremony had ended. One by one, people left the blessing hall through the public door, which was reserved for the citizens. No one noticed Arielle’s presence because she chose to sit in the back while wearing the hood of her coat, and so did Aie.
When everyone had left, Arielle stood up to greet the priest who led the prayer. Arielle also greeted Lazarus. He looked so happy to et Arielle there. However, his smile faded when he saw Aie’s sour face behind the princess.
"Good morning, Your Highness. Good morning, Miss Aie," said Lazarus after waiting for Arielle to talk to the priest.
"Good morning, Lazarus," Arielle replied kindly.
"How are you this morning?" Lazarus asked, trying to make small talk with the princess.
"I’m good," replied Arielle.
The man scratched his long blonde hair and looked away thoughtfully. He then bent his body slightly to whisper to Arielle.
"Can we talk alone? Without Aie?" Lazarus asked in the lowest voice he could make.
Even so, because Aie’s position was right behind Arielle, she could faintly hear Lazarus’ request.
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