Chapter 163

NMRJKM Side Story Chapter 4

“…Yes, I think so.”

“I’m glad to see you both happy.”

Ariadeline replied excitedly.

“Of course! We promised to go to the villa after the season changes!”

“Oh my, where to?”

“Oh, it’s a place by the sea…”

Ariadeline let go of Carlothian’s arm and leaned towards Dorothea, starting to speak enthusiastically. Carlothian gently followed the ends of her softly cascading blonde hair with his eyes.

Ah, I see.

Now, I’m looking at you with those eyes too. And.

“What about you, Carlothian? Have you ever swum in the sea?”

“…No.”

“Then let’s do it together this time.”

Ariadeline’s blue eyes sparkled. Like the blue sea. Carlothian suddenly wanted to see the sea, which he hadn’t thought much about before. If it resembled the color of her eyes, he thought he could enjoy it.

“Sounds good.”

“Aha!”

Ariadeline beamed with a bright smile.

After chatting a bit more, the two of them left the palace. On the way back to the mansion, Ariadeline’s playful antics resumed once again.

This time, Carlothian didn’t hold back. As soon as the carriage arrived at the mansion, he lifted her up and headed toward the bedroom.

“Eek!”

A joyful scream burst forth. The servants glanced at the scene and then turned their heads to return to their respective tasks. It wasn’t a new sight for them.

Compared to the past, the reactions were indeed different. The two of them had changed the surroundings this much.

No one doubted that they loved each other. Just like that.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

The weather was nice, and the sky was blue. Birds were chirping, and the faces of the servants were bright. And also.

‘Carlothian went out for an appointment that I don’t know about.’

I sat on the terrace with my eyes wide open, sulking. I had been thinking about rolling around in bed with him this weekend, but he abruptly left in the morning, saying he had an appointment.

As I puffed out my cheeks, the maids came to comfort me.

“He’ll be back after a short errand.”

“He didn’t even tell us where he was going.”

“Maybe he just went to meet someone related to business?”

“He didn’t even tell us who he was meeting.”

As I pouted, the maids showed a mix of amusement and awkwardness. That kind of thing wouldn’t have happened at all in the past.

At that moment, a young maid, Rodi, piped up.

“Let’s follow him!”

“Follow him?”

I perked up my ears, and the maids sighed.

“I overheard where he was going this morning!”

Rodi looked at me as if seeking praise. I ruffled her hair playfully.

“Where was it?”

“The coachman said he was going to Rosenda Square!”

“…Rosenda Square?”

I asked again in a very puzzled voice. But Rodi nodded vigorously. Of all the squares, why Rosenda Square?

“That place…”

It’s a popular dating spot for couples. Why would Carlothian go there alone?

Why…?

As my expression turned serious, a sense of tension began to linger on the maids’ faces. Then, one of them spoke with a determined look.

“Prepare an outfit that won’t draw attention.”

“Yes.”

“And have someone find out where the Duke is.”

“Yes.”

“Madam, let’s go change clothes.”

“Alright.”

I jumped up from my seat and headed to the dressing room. I wondered if Carlothian was planning a date course that I would join him on, but something felt oddly off.

No way, right?

What could possibly happen?

But then.

“…What is that?”

Something was indeed happening.

“…Am I seeing this correctly?”

I hid behind the wall and watched two people standing face-to-face in front of the fountain at the square.

One of them was obviously Carlothian, and the other one was.

“Dorothy…?”

What is this inexplicable combination? I secretly watched the two of them with a confused look.

They seemed to exchange a few words before starting to walk side by side. And where they entered was.

[Daydream]

A famous jewelry store. As I stood there blankly staring at the name, Rodi, who had followed me, exclaimed with a flustered expression.

“L-Lady, it seems he came to buy a gift for you!”

“…Why isn’t he going with me and instead with Dorothy?”

“…Um, a surprise gift?”

“Right. Logically, that would make sense.”

I thought to myself. But someone who used to openly give me gifts suddenly planning a surprise? It didn’t quite add up.

Still, Carlothian wasn’t someone to get distracted easily. No way, even if he were to, it wouldn’t be with Dorothy.

“More importantly, why didn’t Dorothy tell me?”

Naturally, I had maintained a close friendship with Dorothy. Yet she hadn’t mentioned that she had an appointment with my husband.

“Then this was all planned out.”

I pondered deeply. What could be the reason for their meeting? It must be some kind of surprise gift, right? But why suddenly a surprise? Was there a reason for that?

Just then, the two of them came out of the jewelry store. I quickly pulled Rodi behind the wall to hide.

“…Dorothy is holding a wrapped gift?”

My voice lowered. Rodi glanced at me cautiously.

“Is it not my gift but one for Dorothy…?”

I felt a burning sensation in my eyes. Dorothy must have entered in my place. That has to be it.

But the jewelry was indeed in the hands of Dorothy’s maid. It meant it was for Dorothy. I felt a tightness at the back of my neck.

“Alright, let’s see how far this goes.”

I said with my eyes wide open. With that, I lowered my body and began to follow them.

After leaving the jewelry store, they headed straight to a dress shop. It was currently the most renowned place in the capital.

I realized that the dress probably wasn’t for me either. Because if it were my dress, I would have gone with them!

They would need to take my measurements, right?

I scratched the wall with my nails in frustration. Rodi grabbed my hand, urging me not to do that.

No, what kind of situation is this? Is Carlothian really buying jewelry for Dorothy and having a dress made for her?

I clutched my head in disbelief.

Wait, calm down. Calm down.

But when I saw them enter a restaurant famous for evening dates, I finally snapped.

“These XXs!”

“Ah! Madam, please calm down!”

“Let go of me!”

I confidently headed towards the restaurant they had entered. As I approached with my eyes blazing, the staff guarding the entrance blocked my way.

“Um, guest, how can I assist you?”

I replied defiantly.

“What else would I be doing at a restaurant? I came to eat.”

It felt like the staff’s face was saying, “You don’t look like you came to eat.” I pushed him aside and entered the restaurant.

The staff welcoming the guests greeted me politely.

I crossed my arms and asked, “Which table did the couple that just came in go to?”

“Excuse me?”

The staff’s faces stiffened. I noticed their expressions. Ah, they know why I’m here.

One staff member calmly replied, “Which side are you on?”

Their whispering voices were filled with tension.

“The wife’s side.”

“…This way, please. You must not disclose what we tell you.”

I nodded. I scanned the restaurant once. I couldn’t see Dorothy or Carlothian anywhere.

“Oh, they went into a room?”

Heh, heh, heh. As I laughed as if I had attained enlightenment, the staff looked at me with pitying eyes. Don’t pity me; it just makes me angrier.

I walked up the stairs to the second floor, where the rooms were located. The staff quietly pointed to a door.

I nodded and strode toward the room, flinging the door open.

And then.

“Uh?”

“A-Ariadeline?”

“Ah!”

On the table was a ring. A large one. Wow, did he buy that for her? I started to laugh as if I had lost my mind.

“Ariadeline, let me explain.”

Dorothy blushed. What’s the point of you blushing!

“Ariadeline, no.”

“I don’t think so. I’m really angry!”

I flipped the table over. Crash! The dishes that were on it fell to the floor. In the midst of it, Dorothy precisely snatched the case with the ring.

“What’s going on? What is it?”

I asked with my eyes wide open.

“What are you two doing going out together! On the weekend! Without me!”

As I began to shout, the two of them couldn’t hide their bewildered expressions.

“Even to a jewelry store? A dress shop? What did you buy for Dorothy? Why did you buy it?”

As I spoke, I felt a lump rising in my throat. Honestly, it hurt. It was so frustrating that my friend and my husband were going on a date together.

As I started to shed tears, Carlothian was startled and approached me.

“Don’t come near me.”

“Ariadeline, Ariadeline, look at me.”

“I hate you!”

I turned my head and cried out loud, and Carlothian gently wrapped his arms around me. I couldn’t push him away as he came closer, so I buried my face in his chest.

I could see heads peeking out from various places in the room, observing the situation.

What are you looking at? Are you here to gawk?!

Well, I guess I am the one being gawked at!