Chapter 12.1

The sharp atmosphere was heightened, which wouldn’t be surprising if a blade went back and forth.

Caught in the middle of a tense family quarrel, Ariel could only glance around.

‘Still, Devoncia’s emotions didn’t seem to change much. Skyla, on the contrary, is too sharp.’

Skyla was the one she needed to appease in order to defuse the situation right now. If she chose Devoncia’s side here, Skyla would explode.

And most of all, she didn’t like that Devoncia was so dismissive of Skyla.

“I heard that Your Highness is currently ill!”

Calmly yet firmly, Ariel opened her mouth.

When the two, who stared at each other with the momentum ready to kill each other, turned their heads at her words, Ariel ducked her waist, avoiding the stinging gazes.

“I fear that my presence would be unintentionally disrespectful, as it would be difficult for Your Highness to rest, so may I return to my room?”

The first thing out of Ariel’s mouth was to turn down the Crown Prince’s invitation, no matter how well-packaged the excuse was. However, rather than the Crown Prince, it was Skyla who stiffened in surprise instead.

On the other hand, the Crown Prince’s eyes only glowed with interest, benevolently and generously.

“Even though I say it’s fine?”

“I apologize. Please understand my intention.”

Still, she didn’t back down. Taking a polite posture, Ariel gracefully crossed her hands together and expressed her refusal to the end.

“Alright, I can’t help it. You…”

Devoncia’s words trailed off somewhat meaningfully as he finally gave in to her wishes. By the time she had straightened her bent waist, the Crown Prince was gazing elsewhere as he tied his robe again.

Conversely, Skyla’s eyes turned to Ariel. Since he only showed his back to her until now as he was focused on his brother, the shock etched on his face from her words just now was visible to see. His face was puzzled and surprised.

The expression was as if his eyes dilated or his lips parted slightly.

‘…He’s not angry. Thank God.’

Ariel was relieved that she hadn’t provoked him.

As the tension eased, the corners of her mouth lifted, though only slightly. At the same time, Skyla couldn’t take his eyes off her face. The slightest change in her expression suddenly brought him an unfamiliar feeling of tightening in his chest and heat to his face.

His face, crumpled with a mixture of emotions, became harsh, as though he was angry.

“Why are you…”

His sudden frown made Ariel gasp in surprise.

‘I thought it was okay, but did something upset him?’

At times like this, it was best to avoid it before she irritated his mood further.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

She hastily bowed her head in greeting at the thought before leaving at a brisk pace.

Ariel found her room by a route she’d barely memorized. Although she could have used the location map on her phone, she didn’t want to, afraid that she might be noticed. It wasn’t until she returned to the private room that was closed off on all sides that her vigilance faded.

Placing the keys she’d taken in a glass, she glanced around the room.

The hands of the clock were already past seven. It was past seven o’clock when she asked for dinner, yet meals weren’t served in the absent room.

“Do I need to ask again…”

‘It’s annoying.’

Exhausted, Ariel immediately took off her shoes and collapsed onto the bed. The fatigue from the long hours of traveling, combined with the tension from the sudden encounter, drowned her.

“They said all I needed to do was to register.”

Ariel spat out a groan and closed her eyes.

Lying down on the soft mattress made everything bothersome, and all she wanted to do was sleep.

‘For a minute. Just for a minute…’

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