12 12. Continuous Jealousy

Today Ariadne woke up earlier than the servants. The girl was reading a book about the manners of a princess. Explains how to walk and sit well. How to meet others. The way to meet the king and queen of other kingdoms. How to treat the waitress well. And many others.

In fact, the book has been studying Ariadne since she was ten years old. But it wasn't until she was twelve. Now she was just repeating a few of the manners she was reading. To do it in everyday life.

The Roman clock in Ariadne's room is still three o 'clock. The palace is still quiet. There's only the sound of birds outside the window.

Ariadne closed the book she had been reading when she was getting bored. Ariadne had a hard time sleeping last night. She's thinking of Avery. About how Avery treated her and invited her into a relationship. Ariadne feels a bit strange. Because Avery was clearly insisting on something.

Ariadne's thoughts return to mind as she and Avery spoke by the falls yesterday afternoon. The whole point of Avery's conversation kept us talking about marriage. Avery never asked what Ariadne likes and Ariadne wants. Plus, Avery was inclined to smell her lips. And according to Ariadne, that is not a form of love.

Darian was right, that Avery was wearing a mask was a very big opportunity. Ariadne should have realized that first. Ah, she wants to see darian after breakfast. Ariadne would like to ask her bodyguard more questions.

Awaiting dawn, Ariadne moves from her bed to the balcony. Enjoying the bitter cold. But for Ariadne the cold is nothing. There's a thing she's waiting at the clock right now.

A white dove has come to Ariadne's balcony. The white dove came to rest on the balcony. Ariadne smiled at the dove before her.

Ariadne says, "Hi, my friend. You're faster than I thought, apparently."

The white dove appeared to respond to what Ariadne had told her. Ariadne carefully removed the red tape holding the small roll of paper at one of the dove's feet.

After Ariadne took the scroll with the message of the sender, the dove flew straight away. And Ariadne waved her hand with a smile.

Ariadne unrolled the small roll of paper and read its contents.

It says this:

'Come to your rehearsal tonight. From what I can tell, the situation tonight is very safe.' -C-

Ariadne smiled. The girl went back into her room and closed the balcony door. Stopping the cold hurts her skin. Ariadne took the iron cans under her bed. Then she put the note in there.

Ariadne carried the iron can and approached the fireplace across the bed. She takes out a small piece of wood with a fire and puts it in the iron can. The paper the pigeon had on fire in the tin.

Ariadne poured iron foil marks into the fireplace, after the paper and wood had been burned to ashes.

"Thank you, charlotte." Ariadne mumbles softly.

***

Ariadne has no agenda today. Elie freed herself to enjoy something else. Yet Ariadne has no idea what to do. Darian hasn't been seen since this morning.

Ariadne's footsteps lead directly to the royal hall. Elie was there with the royal advisors and ministers. The woman seemed to take the royal economic road very seriously.

"Sorry to interrupt. Elie, are you busy?" Ariadne asked with a cheerful face.

Counselor of the job and one minister of the realm immediately bowed in grace to Ariadne. They pay respect to Ariadne.

Elie stroked her chest for the slight surprise of Ariadne's arrival. Immediately, she ordered the counselor and the minister to leave the royal hall.

Elie asked. "What is it, princess?"

"Are you busy or not?"

"Yes. I'm very busy. I have to monitor how the empire's economy is functioning. And monitor the files you agreed to yesterday."

Ariadne seems thinking. "Why were the files I agreed to be monitored?"

"To be truly worked upon by the royal guards."

"I see, all right."

Elie smiled. "What's wrong? You haven't answered my question in a while, princess."

"Ah, nothing. I just want to ask you a question."

"Ask me if you have anything you want to ask me."

"Where's darian?"

Elie laughed quietly. "So you're looking for my son?"

Ariadne nodded quickly.

"Won't my son always be by your side when I'm busy?"

"I haven't seen darian since morning. Or have I not seen darian?"

Elie chuckled. "Did you fight? Darian was sulking last night and didn't want to see me."

"Ah, I had a little argument with him." The words Ariadne confessed to her deed.

"Seek him out in the riding field. If he's not there, Darian is practicing archery."

"If I'm not at the archery range, where do I find Darian, elie?"

"Emm... Where could I be? Maybe he'll be at the diamond mine."

"It would be annoying if Darian were there. It's a long way from court. I'll find Darian."

"Don't need my help, princess?"

"No."

Hearing Ariadne's reply, Elie nodded politely. She saw the girl half running around with her tip in her blooming dress. Elie's letting Ariadne go today.

***

It's pretty hot and hot this afternoon. Ariadne mopped away her own sweat which was dripping on the temple of the head. He found darian. Turns out the guy was at the archery field.

"Darian." Ariadne called out in a voice.

Darian heard that. He knows Ariadne is standing outside the archery fence. The girl was waving at him. Darian doesn't care. The man stood where he stood ready to strike again.

Ariadne was furious when Darian hadn't ignored her at all. The archery field is quiet this afternoon. There was only room in the wooden table where the arrow was placed.

"Are you deaf? Should I walk up to you like this? I hurt my foot walking here. It's so hot. Why haven't you been seen since? Did you forget your duty is a bodyguard for me?" Ariadne glared at darian resentfully. Her hands rested on her waist.

Darian immediately stopped his surgical activity. He placed a bow and arrow on a wooden table. Then the man gazed straight into Ariadne's eyes.

"Didn't you tell me last night to stay out of it?" Darian asked in a sullen tone.

Surely Ariadne was surprised by darian's impoliteness in asking questions. "I'm just advising your attitude. That was my deal with Avery. It has nothing to do with your duties as my bodyguard."

"There is a connection, princess."

"What?"

"I don't want to be near you anymore if you're stealing time to sneak out like yesterday."

"I'm not sneaking out. Elie knows where I am."

"But you didn't tell my mother that you were seeing a man. If anyone else is watching, they'll think you're a pervert with Avery."

"You! Just saying what? Pervert? Hey! Hey! You making fun of me? You've got some nerve, Darian."

Darian went silent. He felt out of control in his anger. "Forgive me, princess. I'm mad at you."

Ariadne's breath is upon us. It's the first time she's had a fight with darian. "Please don't do that again."

"Okay. I'm sorry."

"Forgive me. But why are you acting like this?"

Darian was silent for a moment. As if preparing answers to Ariadne's questions. Then he said, "Maybe I'm jealous."

***