NMRJKM Chapter 88

 

Like the fire ignited in Stelle’s heart, a different kind of flame was rising in the room.

“Hmm.”

As their lips parted, a strand of silver thread stretched between them.

Carlothian, occupying the space above Ariadeline, thought to himself.

Why does he feel so anxious when he’s not holding her?

As Ariadeline opened her small mouth, Carlothian tilted his head and slowly invaded her with his tongue, like a snake.

The sound of wet kisses filled the air. Ariadeline, still struggling to breathe as they kissed, pounded on his chest, pushing him away.

“Haah…”

Only when Carlothian pulled away did she finally exhale. He looked down at her small, glistening lips and said,

“Sweet.”

“That’s because I ate a cookie.”

Ariadeline licked her lips. Carlothian, seeing this, leaned down again, but Ariadeline blocked his lips with her palm.

He frowned in dissatisfaction.

“You must have come at this hour because you have something to say.”

“That’s true.”

His words were muffled by her palm. Ariadeline chuckled softly at the sound and pushed herself up from the sofa.

Carlothian obediently shifted to sit up as well. Then he pulled something out of his pocket.

Ariadeline frowned immediately upon seeing what he took out.

“Did you receive another invitation from the palace?”

“That’s right.”

Ariadeline accepted the invitation with an expression that couldn’t hide her unease. Naturally, it was from Yermondi. It was her.

However, this time it wasn’t just a teatime invitation. It was a party invitation for her birthday celebration.

“What on earth is this princess thinking?”

“I have no idea.”

“What? It’s addressed to me. Didn’t you get one?”

“I received a separate one.”

“Oh really? Since they specifically mentioned my name, it’s like they’re telling me I must attend.”

Hmm. Ariadeline looked down at the letter, deep in thought. Then she turned to Carlothian and said, “Can you help me?”

Carlothian replied with an expression that suggested it was a given.

“Of course.”

Ariadeline smiled cheekily and leaned in.

“First, I’d like you to learn about the items that the palace, specifically Princess Yermondi, acquires.”

“You’re starting with something difficult, huh?”

“So is it impossible?”

He chuckled slightly.

“No.”

Ariadeline beamed, knowing he would say that. Carlothian found it hard to resist her smile any longer.

“However, I expect some compensation for putting myself through this.”

“You’re that stingy?”

“I’ve been like that since that day.”

His hand gently brushed against the hem of her dress. Ariadeline flinched and brought her legs together.

Carlothian leaned down, burying his face in her shoulder. He looked less like the cold, murderous man he was rumored to be and more like a carefree gentleman.

Ariadeline cautiously reached out to stroke his dark hair. As her fingers tangled gently in his hair, his hand, positioned near her dress, began to move slowly as well.

“Lecherous.”

“Yeah.”

The man casually affirmed. Ariadeline found his demeanor irritating.

“I’ll spread rumors.”

“Go ahead.”

The man moved his other hand nonchalantly, as if it didn’t matter. The laces on the back of Ariadeline’s dress came undone, and she felt a sudden rush of indignation.

Ariadeline gripped the front of her dress tightly and looked at Carlothian with displeased eyes.

‘He looks like an annoyed little rabbit.’

A smile peeked out from her tightly closed lips.

“I’ll finish it quickly.”

“Liar.”

“You like it too.”

“Shut up.”

Ariadeline’s body slowly reclined on the sofa, and Carlothian easily freed her dress from her grasp.

His dark eyes sparkled, and Carlothian licked his dry lips.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

Ugh.

My body felt sluggish. It felt as if I had done a massive workout after spending the night with Carlothian.

I thought about this while getting ready to go out. I needed a dress to wear for the princess’s birthday celebration.

Carlothian looked at me with a puzzled expression, wondering why I was bothering to go out, but I wanted to take a break and get some fresh air.

I had things to check, after all. I boarded the carriage with Stelle, Sir Maicher, and Sir Index.

The sky was unusually dark today. It looked like it might rain soon. I rested my chin on the carriage window. Did the moon appear last night? Now I couldn’t even enjoy the night sky anymore.

The carriage rolled along and soon arrived at the dress shop. As soon as we arrived, Madame Rosana rushed out to greet me.

“Welcome, Miss Ariadeline!”

“Ah, Rosana, it’s been a while.”

Inside, there were many other ladies gathered in small groups, chatting among themselves.

Madame led me to the dressing room, as if to say not to mind them. I cautiously asked, “Rosana, is it okay? Is it alright for me to visit so openly?”

“Of course! It’s not a problem at all.”

But didn’t she used to find it quite troublesome?

Seeing my expression, Rosana laughed heartily and waved her hand dismissively. “The rumors about you have improved, so now it’s no issue at all.”

Rosana took my hand and seated me on a small sofa inside the dressing room.

“I thought you might be curious, so I gathered some rumors for you.”

“Oh my. Thank you so much, Madame.”

With a cheerful laugh, she leaned slightly toward me and whispered, “I hear you’ve been getting along quite well with the Duke lately?”

“…Is that the kind of talk that’s going around?”

Oh no, what should I do? Carlothian is really screwed for marriage.

“And the story of you protecting the maid who tried to poison you out of envy is still circulating as a shocking story among people!”

“R-really?”

Is that really such a shocking thing? After all, I did it to save myself. I awkwardly scratched my cheek.

“Also, there was quite a commotion with Anrize, right?”

“Oh, really?”

I felt a pang of guilt and quickly turned my gaze away. Fortunately, she seemed oblivious to my discomfort and excitedly continued sharing the rumors.

“There’s a lot of talk about how the divine power that protected Anrize has disappeared, and so has the holy artifact, but that’s not the important part…”

If that’s not it, then what is important?

“Rumor has spread all the way to the capital about how you, Miss Ariadeline, were seen praying humbly for forgiveness from the gods!”

“Really?”

Oh no. I acted too sincerely.

“Moreover, there’s talk that you personally handled the body of the devout priest who lost his life to the heretics, which everyone is wary of!”

Wait, is that really spreading too? The rumors in the capital didn’t reach that far, but this one traveled quickly.

“They say a halo seemed to shine behind you when you did that. Some even mistook you for a saint!”

Actually, the halo part is true. I did swallow the holy artifact.

“Hoho, those are all exaggerated rumors.”

“Anyway, it means the public opinion about you has improved a lot.”

“That’s a relief, but…”

I thought to myself, ‘Phew. So does this mean I can live a bit more comfortably wherever I go now?’

However, Madame, who had been excitedly sharing the rumors until now, suddenly wore a serious expression. I also became serious as I looked at her, and she grasped my hands tightly.

“And… there’s a strange rumor going around.”

“Strange rumor? What do you mean?”

“I don’t know how you’ll feel about this, Miss Ariadeline.”

“Yes, yes. Madame, it’s alright. Please tell me.”

After hesitating, she leaned in and whispered to me more quietly than ever.

“There’s a secret rumor that it wasn’t you who cursed Her Imperial Highness, Princess Dorothea.” 

“…….”

I was taken aback and widened my eyes in shock. How could such a rumor have started, and where did it come from? Interpreting my expression, Madame gently patted the back of my hand.

“I won’t ask any more questions. But just know that.”

“Ah, I understand. Thank you for telling me, Madame.”

“It’s nothing. Now then…”

She stood up with a bright smile.

“Shall we try on some dresses? I have plenty prepared for your visit!”

Her lively words helped me regain my smile, but behind that smile, my mind was racing.

I knew one person who could secretly spread a rumor that I might not be the culprit.

‘Haha, I’ll go back to the Duke’s residence and confront him about it.’