I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 168

Ariel spent her time watching the movements of the Bertus Family from the outside and the Robeheim Family from the inside.

What had once felt like an impending storm had now calmed down somewhat, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief.

However, one insurmountable problem had arisen for her…

“Your Highness, do you have any requests for dinner tonight?”

“……”

Suddenly, Edgar seemed to have taken to playing the gentleman, which was almost burdensome as he teased her relentlessly.

This behavior, which had been ongoing since morning, persisted even after lunch was finished and the work was winding down.

She thought he would eventually give up if she ignored him, but the peace that came in the midst of heavy days meant his playful antics showed no signs of extinguishing.

On the other hand, she found herself seriously questioning whether he was truly acting this way.

It could be similar to how things went during meetings—perhaps it was a tactic he used to keep his focus while in his position as a aide.

Thus, wanting to discern his true intentions, Ariel nervously tossed her pen onto the table and asked.

“…Is that tone serious?”

“I don’t quite understand what you mean by serious. Is there something wrong with a servant addressing their master with respect?”

“Of course it is! You fool!”

In the end, Ariel raised her voice.

Even though they hadn’t married yet and she was in a position where using honorifics was expected in meetings or official gatherings, what was the point of doing so in an office where there were just the two of them?

Of course, there was some point—mainly in the way it twisted her mood and made her brows twitch.

From that perspective, he certainly earned passing marks, if not some extra points.

“Just change your tone already. You think I spoil you just because I’m nice to you?”

“Surely that can’t be the case. How could I ever consider you foolish…”

“Stop with the pointless formality!”

Ariel’s body, seated in a red chair with gold trimmings, suddenly levitated in anger.

She was so furious that she managed to float without even using magical powers.

If scholars from the Mage Tower saw this, they would be in a frenzy, considering it a remarkable achievement.

“Or what? Is there something about me that irks you? Then say it.”

“Not at all. I merely recalled a promise we made in the past…”

“…Promise?”

Ariel found herself puzzled as to why that word was mixed into the conversation.

The term “promise” likely referred to a prior discussion about how she should use honorifics towards Edgar, but she was certain there was no memory of such fragments left in her mind.

Perhaps he was lying just to keep the prank going, and as she narrowed her eyes in suspicion, she quickly realized that wasn’t the case and shook her head.

The man in front of her, for all his antics, wasn’t the type to tell lies for the sake of a prank.

Although he might have gone a bit off the rails with his current joke, it didn’t mean he was completely careless.

‘Did I really say that? When in the world was that?’

Ariel decided to rummage through her memory.

In order to deny or at least defend herself against this terrible role-play, she had to remember what it was about.

‘At the very least, it couldn’t have been after the succession ceremony. I must have mentioned it casually. This fool is probably using that to tease me.’

Her analysis was sharp enough to send chills down her spine, but that did nothing to change the current situation.

Nevertheless, as she tried to trace back her memories of conversations had with him before the succession ceremony, her eyes suddenly widened.

“Looks like you remembered.”

She jumped a bit.

And as Edgar, who had caught on perfectly, smirked at her and spoke, her new model shook once again.

Just as he said, the memory resurfaced.

It was a conversation from about half a year ago.

In that memory, Ariel had sternly instructed him to call her “Your Highness” as she prepared herself to deliver a lecture without missing a single word.

She recalled it, proud and imposing.

‘How wonderful it would have been if I had bitten my tongue in the middle and passed out.’

Of course, if that had happened, she might have met her end, but at least it would have been better than the current predicament, or so Ariel thought.

‘By the way, why does this fool remember something from over half a year ago?’

As she chastised her past self, she redirected her annoyance towards Edgar.

In the first place, her remarks at that time weren’t sincere; they were merely said to lighten the mood because it seemed he was nervous.

If he truly remembered that, he must understand that point.

Still, if he brought it up in this manner, it indicated he had intended to do so ever since they first spoke.

This meant that after six months of planning, he had pulled off a brilliant prank.

It was so grand that it could warrant applause, but since Ariel felt like punching that shameless face instead, she didn’t consider giving applause.

“If you were going to do this, you should have done it right after the succession ceremony. Do you know how long it’s been?”

“That’s why I thought it would be more effective.”

“Now you have no intention of hiding it.”

With a tone that blatantly conveyed he had been waiting for this moment, Edgar’s words made her feel exasperated, leading her to lean back in her chair.

“I’m annoyed.”

With that, she tossed out a quick retort, while Edgar replied with a bright smile that made her even angrier, speaking as if it was a pity.

“I’ve granted what you wished, but it seems you’re not satisfied.”

“I never wished for this, you idiot!”

How many women in the world would enjoy being treated formally by their significant other?

If such a woman existed, she would love to see her, Ariel thought, gritting her teeth.

‘I thought we might have some quality time alone together.’

Today wasn’t a day off, but as the big tasks gradually cleared up and the tension eased, she found it hard to focus on work.

To put it plainly, it was boring.

She had actually planned to tidy up these documents and spend some cozy time with him before dinner, but thanks to that cursed peculiar tone, everything had been thrown off.

More accurately, it was because of that ridiculous joke she made over six months ago.

“…Hah, whatever. Fine. If you want to treat me that way, then I’ll be all business with you.”

Finally, Ariel drew her figurative sword.

Dragged around by Edgar like this, she had no other choice, and if he was being uncooperative, then she should respond accordingly.

“What about the captured immigrants? What happened to them?”

“They’ve all been detained. Would you like to check?”

“There’s no need to check… I trust he’d handle it.”

Ariel was quite strict in her work.

It wasn’t that she made exceptions just because her opponent was Edgar; she always produced results based on principles and the logic of outcomes.

The fact that she waved a hand dismissively reflected her trust in Edgar to that extent.

His results up to that point had proven everything.

Of course, she couldn’t deny that a tiny bit of selfishness was involved.

“Did they say anything in response?”

“Yes, they didn’t respond at all, it was rather unsettling.”

Typically, when prisoners were captured, they would either attempt to negotiate or at least try to act tough, but they had remained completely silent without offering so much as a word.

Edgar suspected they must have some other plan in mind, but Ariel’s reaction was entirely the opposite.

“Then just kill them. And display them in the areas they usually frequented.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“After all, I received full authority from the Emperor. What’s stopping me?”

Shrugging unconcernedly, she shifted her gaze to another document on the desk.

Edgar chose not to argue further and closed the report he had been holding.

After all, Ariel’s intent effectively equated to the Robeheim Family’s intent, so what would be the point in disputing it?

‘She’s really in a mood.’

While observing Ariel as she rested her chin on her hand and stared off into the distance, Edgar couldn’t help but smile softly.

Although she had claimed to treat him strictly for business, it seemed she had finally hit her limit and was sulking.

‘It must be about time.’

Edgar turned his head to check the clock hanging in the center of the office and found it had already passed six.

Earlier, he had asked her if she wanted anything special for dinner, but he had already gone through the trouble of planning the evening menu in advance.

Given how he anticipated how Ariel would feel when experiencing this prank, it made sense he had done so.

‘Even if I call, it doesn’t seem like she’ll respond. What should I do?’

The goal now was to get her out of the office to achieve a desired outcome.

Yet, based on how she seemed ready to ignore him now, he thought calling her with a casual tone wouldn’t yield results, so Edgar thought hard for another course of action.

Fortunately, not long after, a plausible idea quickly popped into his head.

“Riel.”

“…Huh?”

The moment that idea was put into action, Ariel’s head, which had seemed like it wouldn’t turn, suddenly snapped in his direction as she gazed at him intently.

As if demanding him to repeat himself.

That nickname was used by Edgar when they were very young, even before they used to run about in the hills and fields together.

Though Helene had occasionally called her by that name in the past, Ariel had not heard it even once as she grew up.

According to her memory, it had been nearly 14 to 15 years since she last heard the name “Riel.”

“Let’s have dinner. Today, I specifically ordered lamb to be prepared.”

“……”

Just when she’d been feeling down from losing her cozy time with him and suddenly craved lamb, how did he know that?

But for Ariel, what mattered most wasn’t the dinner menu.

“You… you idiot! You’re just toying with me!”

“See, I told you repeatedly to watch your words. This is your retribution; your karma.”

“Shut up! Just go outside and wait! You fool!”

Ariel sent him away as she abruptly collapsed onto the table.

Like a child throwing a tantrum, she shook her head side to side, and since the heat on her face didn’t subside, she suddenly lifted her head and cradled her chin in her hands.

‘How annoying, really!’

She felt ashamed for briefly sparkling at the silly nickname.

Above all, she felt the greatest fury that he had so easily turned her innermost thoughts into a trap.

As she bit down on her rage, Ariel decided she would definitely make him pay for this tonight.

Of course, despite her resolve, very few plans for revenge had ever gone as intended, but isn’t the mindset what matters?

‘Fool, idiot, Edgar.’

And so she internally repeated the insults she had used towards him in the past while cooling her flushed cheeks.

Somehow, it felt like heading out of the office immediately would be a mistake.