I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 156

Edgar Billhark had just finished preparing for bed when he was puzzled by Shuri’s sudden visit.

As she explained, Ariel Robeheim had invited him to her room for a drink.

“Ariel?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s unusual. Is something going on?”

“Hehe, I think you’ll find out soon enough, young master.”

Her playful tone seemed vague, but looking at Shuri’s expression, Edgar was reassured that nothing bad had happened.

“Hmm… Okay, then Elin, I’m going to that room, so you rest up in here.”

“Yes, master. I’ll just tidy up the bedding and then take my leave. Please call for me if anything happens in the early morning.”

“Alright, have a good night.”

Edgar followed Shuri out of the room.

As they walked down the corridor, he couldn’t help but notice Shuri’s ambiguous smile, which made him a bit uneasy, but he shrugged it off, thinking maybe she had good news.

‘The moon is really bright tonight.’

Edgar paused for a moment, noticing how unusually bright the moon appeared through the glass windows lining the corridor.

He didn’t consider himself particularly sensitive, but perhaps due to having shared many starry nights with Ariel in the past, he couldn’t help but let his gaze linger on the luminous moon.

Amidst these thoughts, Shuri waited silently next to him.

It took Edgar about two minutes to shake himself from his reverie and apologize, moving on.

“By the way, it seems like the lady had a lot of fun today.”

“Really? I guess she has been laughing a lot.”

Without even making eye contact, Shuri casually tossed out a comment, and Edgar responded with a smile.

Just as she said, Ariel had found plenty to laugh about today.

She giggled seeing fish leaping from the river beneath the bridge and clapped along with the orchestra’s performance.

Though it might not be a pleasure she could often indulge in due to their position, Edgar genuinely hoped to see Ariel smile like that more often.

If he could wish for anything in his life, that would probably be it.

“Speaking of which, the title has changed again.”

“Huh? Ah… heh, actually, she asked to be called by this title again. I know it’s inappropriate, but…”

“What’s inappropriate about it? If she wants to be called that way, then why not? It seems fitting for you two.”

Of course, just because the titles changed didn’t mean their relationship would drastically change, but there would certainly be a psychological difference.

In Edgar’s eyes, the two of them were more suited to be a playful lady and her bumbling maid than the dignified lady and a demure maid.

“Anyway, please take good care of her. It’s not like I’m asking something new…”

“Eep, that’s really not a new request now, is it? But I, Shuri, will serve that order to the best of my ability.”

Despite her playful smile, Shuri’s gesture of placing her hand over her heart and bowing her head exuded a certain solemnity.

All in all, there was an undeniable pride in her heart as someone who served another.

Their conversation continued in a hushed tone until they eventually arrived in front of Ariel’s room.

Shuri announced their arrival as if to signify her departure, holding the edges of her skirt and bowing courteously.

“Well then, I hope you have a delightful time.”

Her overly formal demeanor made Edgar chuckle lightly while gesturing for her to leave.

Though she was serious when working, Shuri had a playful side that occasionally surfaced, and watching her was quite enjoyable.

Despite the semblance of a social hierarchy based on status or position, Edgar found it easier to deal with those who pushed back a little.

In that regard, Shuri was adept at walking the line without crossing it.

Creak.

Despite being well maintained, the old villa creaked faintly as Ariel opened the door, its ungreased hinges revealing their age.

“Ah, come in.”

Ariel, who opened the door herself, appeared freshly groomed, her hair still slightly damp.

“Yeah. You invited me for a drink, so I rushed over.”

“Honestly, you’re such a drinker. You never get drunk enough for me to complain…”

“I have to keep my promises!”

Shrugging his shoulders, Edgar followed behind Ariel as they entered the room.

As he picked up on the peculiar scent that pervaded her room, Edgar shook his head to avoid any stray thoughts.

“You’ve set up quite a simple spread.”

He muttered quietly as he observed the modest alcohol spread laid out on the table.

There were simple snacks made of cheese and biscuits, along with a dish resembling carpaccio, all things easy to consume without much fuss.

Meanwhile, Ariel interpreted his subtle hint about the lack of food and cautiously asked, “Do you need more? Should I ask Shuri to bring something?”

“No, it’s just right. How much more do you need when you’re drinking?”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Since they had finally had the chance to be alone together, Ariel felt thankful for the lack of interruptions.

“By the way, is this a wine I’ve never seen before?”

“It’s one my father likes that was kept at the villa, so it’s probably new to you.”

“Oh, well that means it should taste good.”

If it was the wine Yulken preferred, its quality was guaranteed.

A smile crept onto Edgar’s lips, and when Ariel noticed, she chuckled lightly, urging him to take a seat.

After taking off his jacket and returning to his seat, Ariel sat down opposite him and opened the cork of the wine bottle.

Edgar had half-hoped to see her struggle with the cork, but he promptly realized she had likely had plenty of experience drinking wine at night, tempering his disappointment.

Thus, their intimate little wine gathering under the moonlight was about to begin.

Clink.

As the empty wine glasses were refilled with rich red wine, the cheerful sound of their glasses clinking created a pleasant rhythm.

“Ed, are you drunk?”

“Do you think I’d get drunk on this?”

“Really? I feel a bit tipsy… heh.”

Having now finished one bottle and well into the second, it was obvious to anyone that the two of them had dramatically different looks.

Especially Ariel, with her red cheeks and swaying body, clearly showing that the alcohol was hitting her.

It was evident from her unusually silly grin that something was clearly amiss.

As he watched her tip over her glass, Edgar set his glass down, feeling a sudden urge to jest.

He recalled a curiosity that he had almost forgotten.

“By the way, what made you want to drink tonight? I forgot to ask earlier.”

“Just… I realized we haven’t really had a drink together, just the two of us.”

“Yeah, aside from our trip to Etrelle, we hardly have.”

Perhaps it was simply a whim after all.

But for some reason, Edgar felt there was a hint of emptiness in her words.

He had felt that way once or twice before, and at those times, it had always been Ariel fumbling through a half-hearted lie.

“This is tasty… right?”

“Yeah, I figured you’d like it.”

The delicacy of thinly sliced salmon with olives.

Though Edgar couldn’t exactly pinpoint the dish’s name, he was certain that Ariel would devour it all.

Predictably, the plate was nearly empty, and the culprit was none other than Ariel.

Edgar had deliberately refrained from touching the salmon.

“Uh-uh, you really know me well. Silly.”

“Why are you calling me silly?”

After all that effort to be understanding, to be met with ‘silly’ as a comeback was a bit much.

Exhaling a sigh over the bleak reality before him, Edgar couldn’t help but smile when he saw Ariel laughing.

It was hard to argue when faced with her radiance; her innocent laughter made his words trail off.

They spent a good while giggling before Ariel began shifting her weight side to side.

Her overtly tipsy actions caused Edgar to smile ruefully as he tipped his glass again.

“You must really be drunk.”

“Uh-huh… maybe. I’m just feeling good today.

“That can happen. Just don’t drink too much.”

Yet despite Edgar’s warning, Ariel continued to sip at her wine.

Normally, Edgar wouldn’t stand by and let her drink more, but today, he merely observed her, sharing a toast.

As their glasses filled and refilled, Ariel suddenly broke the silence.

“Hey, Ed. Can I come sit over there?”

She pointed to the seat next to him.

So, she was asking if she could pull a chair over to sit next to him.

“That place? Here?”

“Yeah.”

“Suit yourself.”

With no real reason to refuse, Edgar nodded, thinking it wouldn’t hurt to share a drink in such a cozy manner.

Not wanting to take advantage of her seemingly drunken state, he moved his chair to give her space to sit beside him.

Given the small size of the table, they were now in quite close proximity, yet neither minded.

In fact, Ariel seemed to enjoy the closeness, pressing against him and resting her head on his shoulder.

Feeling her damp hair and the scent of her soap made Edgar suppress any unwelcome thoughts that might arise.

“Hey, Ed.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”

“I remember.”

There had been quite a few things that happened yesterday, but he knew without having to ask that she was referring to the unexpected situation where they had overheard Silvia and Hagel’s affair.

“I asked Silvia, and she said that sometimes when you travel together and feel something new, you just can’t help yourself. Isn’t that interesting?”

“Really? Those two sure are primal.”

“Hehe, right? I wouldn’t have pegged Hagel for that sort of person.”

While they both snickered, their hands brushed against each other at the edge of the table, and in that instant, their heartbeats quickened, seemingly feeling each other’s pulses.

“Ed, we are lovers, aren’t we?”

“That’s right.”

“And we’ve traveled together like those two did.”

“Correct.”

Edgar slowly began to grasp what Ariel was trying to convey.

The impulsive invitation to drink at an odd hour, the closeness she pressed for—all of it amidst the haze of alcohol.

Still, he hesitated to reach out his hand.

There was something still stirring in the corner of his heart, holding him back.

“I hear guys are often interested in that sort of thing? That’s what Silvia told me.”

“Seriously, what nonsense is she spouting now…”

“Is she wrong?”

“…I can’t deny it.”

As he prepared to retort, he realized that he had no arguments left and pressed his lips together.

In turn, Ariel snickered again and shifted her body closer, leaning more into Edgar’s arm.

If her previous movement had been more like an act of charm, this one felt far more flirtatious.

“Today, I thought about it a lot. I wonder if I’ve kept you waiting for too long.”

Perhaps it was the wine or perhaps the lingering shame, but as Ariel spoke cautiously, her cheeks were awash in red.

“So, just like this… how about it?”

“It feels a bit cowardly to ask me. What about you?”

“What about me? I’m tipsy… so, I can’t really resist whatever you do.”

What Ariel said was more direct than any subtle suggestion could have conveyed.

Yet as Edgar listened, he finally recognized the discomforting feeling that had nagged at him all evening.

Why had she gotten drunk so quickly today?

And that the woman before him was none other than the ever subtle and sometimes immature princess.

Once he realized this, he wore a wry smile and took Ariel’s arm, guiding her towards the bed.

Though he heard someone gulp nervously, he chose to ignore it.

“Isn’t the light still on?”

“Not that I know of, but I have something to do first.”

“Something to do?”

Edgar advanced on Ariel, who was halfway reclined against the headboard of the bed, and reached out to block her escape.

Though her bewildered expression hinted at unease, she called his name again cautiously.

“What… why are you acting like this?”

“I’m just feeling a little petty and want to give you a piece of my mind.”

“What did I do wrong?”

Ariel’s query was laced with hesitance as Edgar replied without a hint of doubt.

“Come on, you’re not drunk. So why are you lying?”

Ariel’s eyes widened in surprise at his assured tone that had been completely lucid.

She could hardly believe how clearly she was perceived.

“Uh…? N-no! Look, my face is all red…”

“I know. You blush easily. But you’re not really drunk.”

Edgar was fully aware.

He knew that when Ariel drank, she turned red but hardly ever got truly tipsy.

This must have something to do with the bloodline of the Robeheim family, renowned for their drinking prowess, which she had clearly inherited.

Even so, for some odd reason, on this night, just one bottle—

Wait, considering they had shared it, probably the equivalent of half a bottle—was enough to make her appear this intoxicated.

Edgar found it bizarre, especially since Ariel was always trying to play the strong one in front of others, acting bold, and yet here she was publicly admitting, “I’m tipsy,” which felt profoundly off.

Above all, Ariel always had this tendency to shy away at critical moments.

Especially when it came to being honest about her own feelings.

“Don’t you dare use that as an excuse to bait me; just tell me your true feelings.”

“…….”

When Edgar’s intense gaze bore down on her, Ariel felt her heart pounding unbearably.

Eventually, she realized everything had been found out.

She reenacted her tipsy charade in order to avoid being transparent, attempting to sidestep their sweet first night together.

But even with all this laid bare, Ariel felt an odd sense of relief rather than embarrassment.

It was as if, after finally shedding her protective layers, she could reveal her authentic self to him at last.

“Then what does this mean?”

Edgar glanced down at Ariel’s hand, which clutched his clothing tightly, seeking clarity.

He understood the underlying meaning, yet he sought to reaffirm it with his ears as well.

There was a hint of mischief in his inquiry, but more so, an earnest desire to truly know her heart.

“It means I don’t want you to leave.”

“Then I won’t.”

“Liar. You were about to leave.”

“I was only going to tidy up the table.”

“Hmph, I don’t believe you. Silly.”

Muttering in a petulant tone, Ariel cautiously leaned in and pressed a kiss against his lips.

This kiss felt different from the gentle, tender loves they usually shared; it was sticky and sweet, as if something unspoken was about to unfold next.

“It’s not because of the wine. It’s not a case of peer pressure either. I simply want you. Isn’t that enough?”

“That sounds good.”

Seeing Edgar smile contentedly made Ariel blush even more, puffing up her cheeks.

In such moments, she wondered if ignoring the signs would lead to trouble; thus, her lips pouted slightly.

“Honestly… forcing a girl to say such things.”

“Are you trying to say you dislike it?”

His teasing grin seemed to imply he had a confidence that belied any possible rejection, leaving Ariel feeling both annoyed and charmed.

What to make of such conflicted feelings left her at a loss for words.

“No, I like it. I like it so much that it’s honestly a bit troublesome.”

As their lips parted momentarily, Edgar’s hands pulled her towards him again as their mouths met anew.

This time, their tongues intertwined, igniting something deep and primal within them that had never felt more vividly real before.