I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 142

Ariel relaxed her body against the balcony railing, letting the cool breeze wash over her.

It felt like I had encountered more new people today than I had seen in my entire life up to this point; it had been a continuous series of meetings.

Thankfully, I was occasionally distracted by Edgar, or else I would have completely run out of energy and collapsed right there.

With a faint smile at the unexpectedly handy role he played, Ariel brushed her scattered hair aside.

“Ariel.”

“Ah, you’re here… What? I was thinking of stopping drinking!”

Turning her head at the familiar voice, she noticed him holding a glass.

Unlike the other wine glasses, this one was opaque, so she couldn’t see what was inside, and she grimaced at the thought that he might have brought her more alcohol.

“Do you think I’d give you alcohol? Just drink some water and sober up.”

“Oh, is that it? Anyway, I’ll drink it well.”

Letting out a chuckle, Edgar came closer and leaned against the railing beside her.

Having shared drinks with everyone she met, Ariel felt a bit tipsy, but the cool breeze here seemed to ease the effects of the alcohol somewhat.

“When are you planning to go to Hildak?”

“I think the day after tomorrow or the day after that should work. There should still be some guests left until tomorrow.”

“True.”

Although the succession ceremony ended today, those whose family homes were far away were likely to take a little longer to set off.

As someone who had just inherited the position of head, Ariel felt she needed to see all the guests leave, so she wasn’t in a rush to schedule her trip to Hildak.

Although Edgar felt that even two or three days later seemed quite pressing.

“Did you drink too much? I told you to drink in moderation.”

Ariel pinched his arm immediately as a strong scent of alcohol wafted from Edgar.

Part of her intended to tease him, but it was also a cute little scheme to see if this pain could help reduce the effects of the liquor.

“That was the plan, but when some people raised their glasses to me and urged me to drink, I just couldn’t refuse.”

“Honestly, those fools should know better than to push the drinks…”

Condensing a variety of undiscerning individuals into the short phrase ‘those fools,’ she held out a half-empty glass of water toward him.

“Drink. I’m not even that tipsy.”

“I’m not particularly drunk either.”

“Doesn’t matter, just hurry. You smell like alcohol.”

When telling him to drink, she expected him to take it elegantly; why was he refusing? Ariel’s voice grew louder with her frustration.

Eventually, under the influence of the special remedy, Edgar relented and accepted the glass she offered, downing the remaining water in one go.

The ice-cold water felt refreshing on his head.

“Why did you only grab mine? You’re such a fool.”

Was it really that difficult to bring two cups of water?

Picking on him in her annoyance, Edgar flashed a slightly awkward smile, lifting one corner of his mouth.

In truth, a hidden backstory lay behind that action.

“I was actually trying to bring mine too. But while I was busy grabbing yours, I completely forgot about my own.”

“…Why are you so proudly announcing ‘I’m such a fool’?”

Ariel snorted, taken aback, but she couldn’t help but smile slightly.

How could she not feel happy knowing that he had forgotten his own care for her sake?

“That’s right. I guess my father was right about one thing.”

“What did he say?”

“When you like someone, you think of them first before anything else. At first, it makes you feel like a fool.”

“R-really?”

Ariel felt a sudden flutter in her chest but tried not to show it as she replied casually.

Normally, Edgar might have picked up on her slight unrest, but thanks to the alcohol, he missed it entirely.

“My mother loves flowers, but my father has no interest in them. Yet, when they were dating, it seems that just seeing flowers reminded him of her.”

“Ah…”

It was definitely the same feeling she experienced when she first recognized her own feelings for Edgar and felt so confused.

Even now, though similar, in those moments, she would find herself thinking of him whenever she saw anything, be it a flower or the moon—at times even a snack brought by Shuri.

He’d probably like this flavor.

Those flowers bloomed in the garden of the Billhark Family mansion.

The moon they’d seen together long ago seemed a bit more vibrant and clear back then. Something like that.

“So… do you think the same way now?”

“I told you. I was originally going to bring my own, but when I saw yours, I thought of you! I only realized I forgot mine when I was already on my way back.”

His awkward smile that said ‘you wouldn’t understand’ struck Ariel as particularly adorable today.

There was something warm about his usual playful, yet caring demeanor that made her heart flutter, as well as this unforeseen side of him that made her feel giddy.

However, one thing displeased her—why did he assume she must not have had such experiences?

Especially considering how much he had seen her jealousy and obsession—it just didn’t sit well with her.

In annoyance, she pouted her lips and daintily tapped his shoulder.

“I have experienced that.”

“…What?”

“I said I have. There’s no way I haven’t, you fool.”

Ariel, resting her chin on her crossed arms and obviously showing her displeasure, puffed out her cheeks in evidence.

“Why? Can’t I think about you?”

“Ah, no, it’s not that’s wrong… but why are you saying that?”

Edgar waved his hands hurriedly in response to Ariel’s sulky tone.

He wasn’t a fool; he didn’t truly think Ariel wouldn’t have had such experiences.

To interpret his earlier words, it was more like he thought, ‘you wouldn’t honestly admit it today, would you?’

Of course, he had reason to think that, as Ariel was often not straightforward even after becoming his partner.

While she expressed her possessiveness openly, in matters of love or affection, she was rarely proactive.

So naturally, he had thought she might let him lead the conversation and offer her some exit options, only to realize that this had backfired entirely.

What an ironic situation.

“I know. I’m the one who tells you not to look at other women, yet I can’t be honest about certain things.”

She had indeed taken the time to reflect on her own actions.

But simply put, her sensitive reaction to his words was due to a worry—what if he genuinely thought that way?

Ariel didn’t mind the love he gave her being smaller than the love she gave him.

She could state with confidence that nobody in the world could love him more than she did, and this was a source of pride for her.

However, her only concern was that he might not realize just how much she cherished and liked him.

“So, I’ll use the power of alcohol to be honest today. Clean your ears and listen well.”

Ariel inhaled deeply as if absorbing the surrounding air.

Then she grabbed his hand that rested on the railing, making sure he couldn’t escape, and softly began to recount her feelings one by one.

“Listen, I’ve thought about you every night since the first teddy bear you bought me when you came to Hespania. When you were in Ardeunum, I lay in bed thinking I wanted to meet you in my dreams.”

“……”

“Is that all? Looking at the moon drives me crazy because it reminds me of the night sky we looked up at together in the garden. I was thinking if I could leave for Ardeunum tomorrow, using any excuse I could think of.”

Ariel decided to reveal all the stories she had kept hidden until now, even barring Helene from hearing them.

There’s no way she would have shared them under normal circumstances.

She would have been too embarrassed to utter such words.

She was incredibly vulnerable to these sentimental declarations.

So, Ariel thought maybe it was all due to the alcohol.

By morning, she figured this embarrassing memory would fade away, and they would return to their usual bickering with Edgar.

That would be the more fitting appearance for them, but sometimes she thought it wouldn’t hurt to have such tender memories too.

“…Alright, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Hmph.”

Listening to the stream of memories pouring out of her, Edgar finally realized he had made a blunder and sincerely apologized.

In response, Ariel huffed and turned her head away.

However, when Edgar opened his arms and silently gestured for her to come, she eventually gave in and nestled against him.

Though their gaze still avoided each other, perhaps due to her last shred of pride.

“Seriously, I could just die hating you…”

“And yet you’re pouting at me, pulling me in?”

“If I hadn’t, you would have just looked at me like a forgotten puppy.”

As Ariel suddenly attempted to twist the facts, Edgar felt a bit wronged.

Without a doubt, he had never looked at her like some lost puppy before.

On the other hand, there was something somewhat adorable about her flimsy excuse.

Such a beautifully multifaceted princess—no, perhaps imperial highness—could not go unnoticed.

“What if you just went ahead and kissed the one you hate in front of everyone?”

“Right? But I don’t care.”

Ariel returned her gaze to Edgar and gently looked up at him.

As his red eyes filled with her image, she carefully rose on her toes and pressed her lips against his.

Gone was the scent of alcohol, and instead, she tasted the sweet aroma of wine.

If their usual kisses felt a bit more innocent, today had a richer and denser vibe to it.

She told herself this too was probably the influence of the alcohol as she whispered with a sulky yet affectionate expression.

“Even if I hate you, I love you.”

“…I’m glad to hear that.”

This time, Edgar gently cradled her chin with his hand, leaning down to kiss her.

Even the moon seemed embarrassed and hid behind the clouds for a moment, as if trying to shield their young love from prying eyes.