“Nothing much.”
Ariadeline said coldly as she looked into his eyes.
“What kind of thoughts should I have about him?”
Her chilling words brought a moment of silence around her.
Then whispers began to emerge.
“She truly is a heartless villain.”
“How can one not feel pity after hearing such a story?”
Despite the whispered criticisms, Ariadeline casually snapped her fan shut. Then she stood up.
“This place is no longer enjoyable. I will take my leave.”
Ariadeline rose from her seat and exited the salon. So, their first meeting was just that—nothing particularly good about it.
But that man, who was just like that, later went so far as to overturn his own partner and volunteered to be Ariadeline’s partner.
‘Why did he do that?’
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, letting my thoughts drift.
On the day of the palace banquet, during Princess Yermondi’s 18th birthday, he approached me.
“I have a profound interest in you. I don’t need another partner. I want to go to the banquet with you.”
At that time, he confidently entered through the main gate and asked Ariadeline to be his partner. Even though there had been little interaction since then, Dolorante appeared like a comet, extending his hand to her.
And Ariadeline willingly took that hand. Even if it had no effect, she wanted to catch Carlothian’s attention.
In fact, she would have held anyone’s hand if they had extended it.
I got up from the bed, a hollow laugh escaping me. Yes, Ariadeline loved Carlothian so much.
“Ariadeline is already gone…”
I whispered quietly.
“You’re chasing a phantom from the past.”
Carlothian. I called his name as I opened the window. I took a deep breath while gazing at the darkening sky.
“The Ariadeline who loved you is already dead.”
A long time ago.
She hanged herself in that monastery.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Carlothian sat on the sofa in his room, legs crossed, receiving some information. The attendant spoke carefully, watching his expression.
“Ariadeline said she would think about it.”
“…So that’s what it means.”
Carlothian felt a twist in his gut. Seth Dolorante had just left the mansion. As soon as he left, Carlothian sent the attendant to find out what they had talked about.
“Love.”
Seth Dolorante confessed his love to Ariadeline, and he did so with a light tone and a gentle voice. Carlothian scoffed.
“Get out.”
“Yes.”
Carlothian rested his chin on his hand, elbow propped on the armrest.
What should I do about you, Ariadeline?
What should I do now that you say you no longer love me?
And there was Seth Dolorante, appearing next to that Ariadeline, as if to provoke him. Carlothian twisted his lips into a smile.
“You say you don’t love me…”
That is a statement that should not exist in this world.
The arrogant man denied reality like that.
He headed toward the annex, thinking.
Ariadeline, if you don’t love me, should I give you up?
What should I think of you, who was planning to leave me and live in some rural shrine if I got married?
Every passing servant saw Carlothian’s face and quietly bowed their heads. They exchanged glances.
‘It seems the Duke is very angry.’
The servants seemed to understand why he was upset. The man who had suddenly visited Ariadeline today—Seth Dolorante. It must be because of him.
And that was only half correct. Carlothian was annoyed by the existence of Seth Dolorante, but he was also angry at Ariadeline for not completely rejecting him.
You are mine. You are the woman I have already decided to hold in my arms.
She was always ready to leave him and fly away. He mocked himself.
He recalled when he had become so complacent. It was from the day Ariadeline had grabbed his arm and smiled brightly.
Yes, it all started back in the shrine. He had forgotten his nature for a while.
To avoid hurting that fragile woman.
But Carlothian knew why the words “murderer,” “war fanatic,” and “mad Duke” were attached to him.
He realized too late that his nature was not kind. No, it would be more accurate to say he had forgotten.
If she loved the coldest version of himself, it didn’t make sense that she wouldn’t love the kind man he was now.
Carlothian arrived at the top floor, where Ariadeline was. The servants who noticed his arrival began to move busily.
“Quiet.”
Carlothian stopped the maid, who was hurriedly going to announce his arrival.
The maid stood there, unable to do anything. He gazed at Ariadeline’s firmly closed door.
It couldn’t be, but it felt like that door reflected Ariadeline’s heart when she said she didn’t love him. He felt a twist in his nerves and reached out to open the door himself.
Creeeak—
The door slowly opened, revealing Ariadeline, who was looking out the window.
“Carlothian?”
Ariadeline’s eyes widened. She looked as if she hadn’t expected him to come.
He closed the door behind him, locking it so no one could enter. With the click, he sensed tension seeping into Ariadeline’s face.
He twisted his lips into a smile. Now her guarded demeanor irritated him.
Luxurious blonde hair, strikingly bright blue eyes. And her slightly hunched shoulders. Carlothian slowly approached her.
He gently reached out his hand. Ariadeline simply stared at him, her eyes showing a hint of confusion.
Carlothian stroked her hair and then kissed the ends of it. Although Ariadeline was a bit taken aback, she accepted his touch very naturally.
After all, how many days had they spent together? He smiled faintly, and Ariadeline looked at him with curiosity.
“You must have received an escort proposal from Seth Dolorante.”
“Ah, um. Yes. That’s right.”
“And you replied that you would think about it.”
At those words, Ariadeline’s eyes widened slightly. She looked as if she were asking how he knew that.
“There’s nothing happening in this mansion that I don’t know.”
“Still, it’s cowardly.”
Ariadeline spoke as if she didn’t like it. Carlothian slowly wrapped his arms around her waist. Ariadeline looked at him with confused eyes.
“I’m trying to act a bit cowardly.”
He pressed his lips against the nape of Ariadeline’s neck. She placed her hands on his chest and lightly pushed him away.
“What on earth are you thinking?”
“What do you think I’m thinking?”
“I have no idea.”
Ariadeline’s blue eyes stared directly at him. Carlothian liked that she was looking at him.
He liked that she was thinking only of him. That little head of hers must be filled with questions about him now.
Just like when she loved him.
Carlothian pulled her waist closer while holding her hand with one of his. Then, as if they were dancing, he lifted her and turned her halfway, bringing their faces closer together.
“I’m thinking about making you love me again.”
“… What?”
“Yes, I’ll admit it now. You don’t love me anymore.”
Carlothian was smiling. It was a smile he had never shown before. His lips twisted, revealing sharp teeth. It was more like a growl than a smile.
“I don’t believe it, but I’ll admit it even if I don’t want to.”
“Carlothian, you’re….”
“I might not be in my right mind.”
Carlothian pressed his forehead against hers. With fierce eyes, he whispered right in front of her.
“But you’ve already loved me once.”
“…….”
Ariadeline was shaken by the confusion he had given her. Carlothian satisfiedly kissed her lips.
Just as their lips touched again, Ariadeline clearly heard.
“Since you’ve done it once, isn’t it easier to do it the second time around?”
