Chapter 25

“…Selly, I know what you’re thinking.”

Kal said, sweating profusely.

“But, hey. I wasn’t trying to kiss Ariel.”

“But I saw it. Young Master Kal puckering his lips and leaning towards Ariel… If Ariel hadn’t stopped you in time, surely…”

“So, that wasn’t my intention. I was just trying to give her CPR. Ariel suddenly collapsed, so I thought it was dangerous…”

Selly turned her gaze to Ariel.

“Ariel just fell asleep.”

“Fell asleep…?”

“Yes. Ariel tends to fall asleep right after eating something.”

“……”

Even now, Ariel was fast asleep again.

Her steady breathing and peaceful expression.

Even on the cold terrace floor, Ariel was sleeping soundly.

“Anyway, I’ll trust Young Master Kal’s words. Someone like Cobin might do such a thing, but surely the young duke of the North wouldn’t try anything strange.”

“Thank you for believing me…”

Fortunately, Selly’s misunderstanding was quickly cleared up.

It was a relief for Kal, but the atmosphere had already become awkward.

A heavy silence lingered between Kal and Selly for a while.

“Well… see you later, Selly.”

In the end, Kal had no choice but to flee the terrace.

*

“Young Master.”

As Kal returned to the banquet hall, Shane approached with a pleased smile.

“Did you convey your feelings well?”

“I couldn’t… something came up…”

“What happened?”

“Ariel suddenly fell asleep. I think I’ll have to convey my feelings another time.”

“Another time…”

Shane felt a bit uneasy.

“You’re not thinking of staying in this city, are you? We have to leave for the capital at dawn tomorrow.”

“I know, Sir Shane. I’m not that unreasonable. I have no intention of staying in this city.”

Kal smiled bitterly.

“When I say ‘another time,’ I mean in the distant future. It might take a long time, or I might never see Ariel again. If that happens, then it just wasn’t meant to be.”

“Young Master…”

“But I believe. Somehow, I have a feeling that I’ll meet Ariel again. When that day comes, I will definitely convey my feelings.”

At Kal’s words, Shane quietly nodded.

Even though he said this now, honestly, there was no telling when Kal’s feelings might change.

Human hearts can change in just a few days.

A few days later, when Kal sees Princess Illiana in the capital, he might quickly forget about Ariel.

‘Well, maybe it’s for the best…’

From Shane’s perspective, it seemed like Ariel had no feelings for Kal. Even when eating cake earlier, she didn’t even glance at Kal.

Even if Kal conveyed his feelings, there was no guarantee Ariel would accept them. No, it was more likely she wouldn’t.

In that case, Kal would end up hurt. It was better to end things as they were.

“Ah.”

Then, as if remembering something, Kal spoke.

“But I did give Ariel one thing.”

“What did you give her?”

“The Kastark seal ring. I put it on her finger myself.”

“!”

Shane’s face turned pale with shock.

“Young Master! That’s!”

The Kastark seal ring held great significance.

When a man gives it to a woman, it signifies engagement, but it wasn’t just that.

More precisely, it symbolized power.

If Ariel were to show the Kastark seal ring in the North, the Northern nobles would unquestionably follow her orders.

There was ample room for misuse.

‘Well… that elf girl doesn’t seem like she’d misuse it…’

Originally, that ring should have gone to Princess Illiana.

Regardless of Kal’s feelings for Ariel, in the end, Kal had to marry Princess Illiana.

Only then could the royal family and the North maintain a friendly relationship.

Shane looked at Kal with a complicated expression.

Somehow, it felt like he was giving up too easily, giving away the Kastark seal ring like that.

If the Kastark family found out, it would surely cause an uproar.

“Sir Shane, I don’t regret my decision.”

Unaware of Shane’s inner turmoil, Kal spoke confidently.

“My father said to give that ring to the woman I love. Just like he gave it to my mother.”

“…Well done.”

“I look forward to the day I meet Ariel again.”

Kal smiled awkwardly, and Shane quietly lit up his eyes.

Somehow, a determined light had begun to swirl in Shane’s pupils.

‘No matter what, I have to get that ring back.’

The Kastark seal ring was extremely important.

It was absolutely not something that should end up in the hands of an elf met by chance in the forest.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the future of the royal family and the North depended on that single ring.

Even if it seemed petty to give it and then take it back, there was no other choice.

Shane decided to retrieve the ring from Ariel.

Of course, if Kal found out, it would cause a scene, so he would have to come secretly at dawn.

“Let’s head back now, Young Master. The banquet is almost over. If we want to leave early tomorrow, we should get some rest.”

“Alright…”

With a regretful glance towards the terrace where Ariel was, Kal left the banquet hall with Shane.

*

As the banquet ended and the nobles began to leave, Selly shook Ariel’s shoulder to wake her.

“Ariel, wake up. Let’s go.”

Ariel opened her eyes groggily and staggered to her feet.

Having been lying on the floor, her hair and clothes were disheveled.

“Ugh.”

Selly tidied her up and then left the banquet hall with Ariel.

Selly’s retainer, Pamelia, followed and asked.

“Miss, where is that elf girl going?”

“Ariel is staying at the merchant’s lodging. It’s not far from here. Let’s take her there.”

“Alright. It’s late at night. Besides, that elf girl probably can’t walk on her own.”

Though awake, Ariel, not fully conscious, leaned on Selly and walked unsteadily.

“Ariel, not that way. This way.”

Watching Selly take care of Ariel, Pamelia smiled proudly.

It was the first time she had seen Selly, who always played the youngest role in the family, taking care of someone else.

‘Our young lady has grown up. Always throwing tantrums or causing trouble, when did she become so responsible…’

While Pamelia was thinking this, they soon arrived at Ariel’s lodging.

As Selly had said, it really wasn’t far.

“Ariel, we’re here. This is where you’re staying.”

Ariel rubbed her eyes, looked at the lodging, and then at Selly.

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. You must be tired, so go inside…”

Selly’s voice became moist.

“And next time, you must come visit our mansion… the Matiel family in the East… you know…? Sniff…”

Selly began to sniffle.

Ariel nodded indifferently.

“Alright.”

“You must, you must! Sniff, sob…!”

“……”

Ariel reached out and patted Selly’s head.

Pamelia couldn’t tell exactly what that action meant, but it seemed like she was trying to comfort her.

‘But she’s so emotionless…’

Unlike Selly, who was crying her eyes out, Ariel’s face remained expressionless.

‘Is she used to farewells…? Or are all elves like that…? No, maybe she’s just annoyed by Miss Selly…’

“Sob, the Lizardman leather wallet Ariel gave me… I’ll treasure it… and… next time, let’s eat first-grade Minotaurus meat together… and…”

Selly kept talking.

Somehow, it seemed like this wouldn’t end.

Feeling a bit tired, Pamelia stepped between Selly and Ariel.

“Now, now~ It’s not like you’ll never see each other again, no need to be so sad~ You can meet again next time, so let’s head in for today~?”

“Sniff, Ariel…”

Selly hugged Ariel tightly, and Ariel quietly patted her back.

‘This won’t do…’

In the end, Pamelia hoisted Selly onto her shoulder. If they lingered any longer, tomorrow would be too exhausting.

“Then, bye-bye, elf girl~ See you next time~”

Pamelia quickly walked away.

“Ariel…! You must come visit! You must!”

Selly cried out from Pamelia’s shoulder.

Ariel quietly waved her hand at the two of them.

*

When Ariel returned to the lodging, Roo was sprawled out on the bed, asleep.

“Mmm…”

Seeing the empty wine bottle rolling on the floor, it seemed she had gotten drunk again.

Ariel covered Roo with a blanket and went out to the yard.

Ghost, who had been lying in the yard, sprang up and approached Ariel.

“Ghost, I’m back.”

Ariel gently stroked Ghost’s head.

Still soft and fluffy.

Ariel thought that if she made gloves or a scarf from Ghost’s fur, it would make an excellent item.

Unaware of Ariel’s thoughts, Ghost simply wagged its tail.

“Should we sleep together like this…”

Ariel whispered to Ghost.

Today, Ariel had a very tiring day. She spent the whole day playing with Selly and attended the banquet at the end.

“I’m too lazy to wash.”

She just wanted to hug Ghost and sleep like this.

After a moment of hesitation, Ariel shook her head.

Still, it was better to wash. No matter how tired, sleeping without washing would lower the quality of sleep.

Lower sleep quality would lead to mental fatigue, and mental fatigue couldn’t be resolved with physical strength or defense.

Like sleep drunkenness.

“I’ll wash and come back.”

Ariel tapped Ghost’s nose and got up.

This lodging not only had a yard but also a private bathroom, so there was no need to go outside.

Moreover, the private bathroom had hot water, making it a very satisfying lodging in many ways.

Ariel threw off her clothes and entered the bathroom, and soon the sound of water could be heard.

And not long after.

‘…Found it.’

Someone stealthily stepped into Ariel’s lodging yard.

A man with half his face covered by a mask.

It was Shane, Kal’s guard knight.