If They Get Obsessed, I’m Doomed - Chapter 33
RP: Haebaragi_syk
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Chapter 17.2
“What happened to your head?”
“…It’s okay, Your Highness. Even if I look like this, I’m normal.”
Ariel replied with difficulty, breathing heavily as she met Skylar’s eyes. At the same time, she discreetly moved her submerged hand under the water to hide the bracelet inside her clothes. She didn’t think he would accept it if she handed it to him right now.
After ensuring that the item was securely hidden without falling out, she shifted her footing.
She fought against the current and made her way to the riverside before grasping the grassy bank with her damp hands and clumsily crawling up. Her waterlogged clothes were horribly heavy. Luckily, she secretly checked the phone, and it was still functioning. It was fortunate that it was a special item that wouldn’t break or malfunction from external impact.
As she squeezed the soaking wet fabric, wringing it out, Ariel averted the oncoming gazes.
Skylar, who had spoken twice, fell silent. The look on his face was oddly familiar to her. It was because of that vaguely irritated and displeased look she had seen before.
‘Now that I think about it, it was on that rainy night…’
The day he ordered her to pick up what he had thrown away. The day she found it. Coincidentally, she found herself in a situation similar to that day, in a similar state.
Back then, it was a sapphire… and today, it was the bracelet.
‘At this point, I must seem like a faithful dog fetching what Skylar throws… ‘
At least, that was how Ariel felt.
Still, today, she acted according to her will, not an order.
“Your Highness, I…”
“You must be cold, so let’s go inside. I’ll find you some clothes.”
Devoncia interrupted her as she was trying to tell Skylar what was going on. He held out his hand to the soaked Ariel and gave her a friendly smile. Without asking her why she had jumped into the water, he just showed her kindness.
Although she had no reason to refuse his invitation, she quietly shook her head.
“Thank you so much for your words, Your Highness the Crown Prince. However, there’s something I must tell His Highness right now…”
She trailed off, clasped her hands together and bowed her head.
“Please, I kindly request for your generous understanding.”
An outright refusal.
Skylar’s eyes, which had shown discontent, narrowed as his expression changed.
Ariel firmly expressed her rejection, making it clear that even if it meant catching a cold, she wouldn’t back down. On the other hand, Devoncia felt a sense of puzzlement but didn’t show it. He maintained his friendly demeanor while looking at her.
In truth, it would have been preferable if she had accepted him, but today wasn’t the right time. He wasn’t yet well enough to pay more attention to such a thing at the moment. The temperature near the river was chilly, and his feverish body was begging for rest. As regrettable as it was, what came next was more important.
“I see.”
He gracefully accepted her rejection.
“Thank you.”
Ariel, still bowed at the waist, expressed her gratitude this time.
Devoncia initially withdrew his hand but then extended it again. His pale hands gently caressed her face as she looked down at the floor. The sensation of his touch on her cold cheek was unexpectedly warm and soft. His long, white fingers gently brushed her damp hair behind her ear, which was still wet and cold.
“Don’t get sick. It would make me feel bad if you were sick.”
“I apologize for unintentionally causing you worry. Thank you for your concern.”
As they finished speaking, the Crown Prince’s hand withdrew.
Devoncia was the first to leave, just like that. Only Ariel and Skylar were left alone on the lawn by the river, which was planted with rows of cedar trees.
In the silence, it was he who spoke first.
“Follow me.”
What came out of his mouth was a short command. Afterward, he quickly grabbed her wrist and took a step forward. The direction they were heading was opposite to where Devoncia had gone.
Skylar’s steps were swift, and the grip on her wrist was so strong that it made her joints ache.
̊ · : * ✧* : · ̊
Ariel was able to take a bath and change her clothes in the guest room on the first floor of the central building. However, worried about her cell phone and bracelet, she refused the maid’s assistance. Fortunately, Skylar let her bathe alone without any further interference.
He didn’t ask any questions until her condition improved.
After a few dozen minutes, Ariel looked neat and dressed in the clothes provided for her. The dress provided by the imperial palace was incredibly soft to the touch. The layers of overlapping silk felt like the wings of an eagle.
‘It looks expensive.’
Despite being a fairly simple design for something provided by the imperial family, she still found it a bit overwhelming.
Taking a deep breath, Ariel entered the parlor where Skylar was.
She concealed her phone in the pocket of her dress and the bracelet up her sleeve before opening the door.
Skylar, who had been sitting on the couch and reading documents, glanced up. He paused for a moment, scanning her before quietly lowering his gaze. Then, he dropped the bundle of documents he had been holding onto the table in front of him before opening his mouth.
“Sit down.”
He gestured to the seat beside him with a nod of his chin. Even though there was a seat across from him, he went out of his way to offer the one next to him.
What could be the reason for this change in attitude?
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