Chapter 37: Arthur’s Proposal

Chapter 37: Arthur’s Proposal

After Andrew left, the banquet hall was free of distractions for Airael.

It was obvious to anyone that Airael was deliberately avoiding people, and trying to approach her now would only make matters worse.

Besides, they could easily find Arthur to connect with Airael.

Since there was no place to go, why trouble oneself?

With their unspoken understanding, Airael managed to enjoy her time afterward.

She didn’t have to pretend or engage in conversations with them; instead, she could think about her own matters.

After the banquet, at Arthur’s residence.

Arthur collapsed straight onto the sofa as soon as he entered.

“Looks like you drank quite a bit today,” Airael remarked with a laugh as she sat down opposite him.

Though her smile had a hint of danger to it.

Arthur instinctively looked to the side.

But Airael wasn’t sitting next to him.

Then, feeling a bit awkward, he gazed at Airael, grinning sheepishly, “I… hic… didn’t drink that much.”

Airael turned her head in disdain as the smell of alcohol wafted towards her, gently fanning the air in front of her.

A refreshing breeze swept through, carrying all the stench right back to Arthur.

“What a wind!” Arthur frowned and asked, “Why is it blowing, but this wind smells a bit different?”

Seeing Arthur’s foolish expression, Airael couldn’t help but smirk.

The little annoyance inside her dissipated.

Though she found Arthur’s drunken state somewhat bothersome, if he hadn’t gotten drunk, she wouldn’t have seen this silly side of him.

If only there were a camera, she could capture this moment forever.

Just imagining showing this scene to the sober Arthur was amusing on its own.

“Ailia, you look really beautiful!”

While Airael was lost in her thoughts, Arthur suddenly leaned in closer and said.

He wrapped his arms around her and scrutinized her closely.

Although he was tanked, his eyes still held a hint of affection.

Airael averted her gaze upon noticing this.

Such affection was difficult for her to respond to.

“Ailia, have you ever thought about marrying me, becoming my wife?”

Airael didn’t answer, and Arthur pressed on.

Hearing this question, Airael’s entire body tensed up.

Then she quickly exclaimed, “Arthur, you’ve had too much to drink!”

As she spoke, she forcefully broke free from Arthur’s embrace.

Then she retreated to her bedroom, leaving Arthur alone on the sofa.

He leaned back against the sofa, motionless, as if he had fallen asleep.

In her room, Airael sat on her bed, restless.

She hadn’t expected Arthur to say such things out of the blue.

Asking her to marry him and be his wife.

Even though they had done what they ought to do and a child would soon follow, Airael never really thought about matters like this.

If she married Arthur, it would mean staying by his side, and leaving would only cause him more harm.

And she was certain she would leave.

She was the Elven Queen; there were duties she needed to fulfill.

That was her undeniable responsibility as the Elven Queen.

Yet, if she stayed like this…

She would probably have a pretty nice home, right?

Despite how hazy their beginning was, feelings had begun to grow between them.

As a parent, if possible, she hoped her child could grow up in a wholesome family.

But, that seemed destined to remain a wishful dream.

Unconsciously, two trails of tears formed on Airael’s cheeks.

…

The next morning, Airael woke up in bed.

She was still wearing the same clothes from last night.

Rubbing her forehead, she became fully awake and looked around.

Then she examined herself, slightly frowning, and smiled bitterly.

She hadn’t expected to become so disheveled, or rather, fragile!

Shaking her head, Airael resolved to pull herself together.

Yesterday was in the past.

Besides, she wasn’t pregnant yet.

Everything was still too early.

Once she got herself sorted out, Airael stepped out of the bedroom.

In the living room, she found Arthur asleep on the sofa.

Thinking about how Arthur had slept there all night, Airael approached and gently shook him, calling, “Arthur! The sun’s up!”

Arthur didn’t respond.

He was still asleep.

“Arthur, it’s time to wake up!”

Airael called again, this time a bit louder.

Arthur showed signs of waking up.

But he still wasn’t fully awake.

Seriously, can’t he control himself? Drinking so much and getting into such a state!

Moreover, he’d said that “over-the-top” stuff last night.

Muttering to herself, Airael mustered all her strength and pulled Arthur up, saying, “The sun’s shining on your backside; if you don’t get up now, you’ll get spanked!”

Finally yanked awake, Arthur opened his eyes.

He stared at Airael and asked, “Ailia, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I’m waking you up!” Airael placed her hands on her hips, looking at Arthur with annoyance.

Arthur continued to daze for a moment before suddenly coming to his senses.

He looked at Airael and asked, “Ailia, what time is it now?”

“Go check for yourself!”

Seeing Airael’s displeasure, Arthur walked over to the window to look outside.

The sky outside indeed showed that it was quite late; the sun was already high up.

Considering it was winter, it had to be around eight or nine o’clock.

“It’s so late already!”

“After drinking so much, I thought you had it all prepared in your heart.”

Airael sat back on the sofa, adopting a nonchalant attitude.

Arthur returned, looking bashful as he said, “Ailia, those people were just too enthusiastic yesterday; I couldn’t refuse.”

Although his memories of yesterday were hazy, he sensed he might have upset Airael.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be mad at him so early in the morning.

“But don’t worry; I won’t do it again next time.”

“You don’t need to make promises to me; I never said you couldn’t drink.”

“Ailia, sorry!”

“Why are you apologizing to me?”

“Did I do something inappropriate last night?”

“You don’t remember?”

Airael looked at Arthur and asked.

“I don’t remember! It’s all a blur.”

Arthur shook his head.

“Oh!”

Airael replied and went silent.

This made Arthur anxious.

“Ailia!…”

“You don’t need to worry about last night; nothing happened. You just came back and fell asleep on the sofa; I couldn’t be bothered, so I went to my room to sleep.”

Before he could finish, Airael impatiently interrupted him.