Falling for his warm touch despite his usual coldness, she loved him only to be disappointed and betrayed in the end. When love turns to darkness, it festers to be poisonous and consumes the soul. The naïve Arabella evolved. *** “Thank you for becoming my wife,” was her cold husband’s last words before he died, coupled with a smile that had never before graced his lips. Not on their wedding day. And not even at the birth of their only child. Emperor Ferdinand, someone Arabella loved so much, killed their son. She became a villainess and vowed revenge for her beloved child. For a decade, she used everything she could to make Ferdinand pay. Until finally… he fell to ruin! With her revenge complete, Arabella's life soon ended with her dead husband in her arms. But fate wasn’t done playing with her. All of a sudden, she was back two decades ago right after their wedding. Was it a curse or a blessing? It didn’t matter. Because there is only one thing she needed to do. “I will ruin you in this lifetime too!” This was her hateful promise to herself upon realizing she was reborn. But in her second life, Arabella was unexpectedly bestowed a gift to uncover the truth. Who was wrong and who was right? Only time will tell.
"Are you angry at me? Did I do something rude earlier? Or did something happen?" Ferdinand asked consecutively.
"Eh? No. Why would you think that?" Arabella tilted her head.
"You usually wait for me to offer my arm for escort. Or until I extend my hand so we could… walk holding hands," towards the end, Ferdinand felt embarrassed about what he was saying and looked away.
"Ah, that," Arabella's eyes darted to the floor when Ferdinand's gaze returned to her.
He was right. She usually does that. But not today.
Not when she's missing him a bit too much, she might act too clingy when he had an important matter he must focus on. Especially since it wasn't even that long since they last saw each other.
'I already told myself that I won't be a burden to him during such a time. I want to help him instead of worrying him further.'
But if she got too close, the slightest touch might break her resolve and make her cling to him and ask him to stay with her just a bit longer.